Houzz Tour: Airplane Efficiency for a Minimalist Hong Kong Flat
Stowaway snack carts, sliding doors, window desks — this tiny modern Chinese apartment is big on small-space design savvy
Hong Kong architect Clifton Leung didn’t have much space to work with when designing this 1,000-square-foot flat. But taking cues from airplane galley kitchens and a minimalist mentality, they made their tight space feel like a spacious home by adding smart storage, knocking down all the walls and adding 10 sliding doors that can transform the now-open space into a variety of intimate areas.
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Vantage Park, Hong Kong
Size: 1,000 square feet; 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms
Budget: About 1.1 million (HKD); $144,000 (USD)
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Vantage Park, Hong Kong
Size: 1,000 square feet; 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms
Budget: About 1.1 million (HKD); $144,000 (USD)
To save space in the living room, Leung mounted the TV on the wall and, instead of having a traditional bulky sofa, pushed two benches together that can be separated to create more seating when friends visit.
Rollable airplane snack carts in the kitchen space say it all: Leung is wild about creative efficiency. He confined the prepping, cooking and cleaning to its own tight space at the back of the kitchen, allowing for an open space with a dining table. A collection of vintage Chinese water bottles is displayed on an uplit shelf above the microwave.
The dining room transitions into the living room, but Leung added a change in flooring and sliding doors to define the two distinct spaces.
Unconventional knobs from Japan embellish the natural wood kitchen cabinets.
Leung created functional spaces out of what he had. A bay window became a workstation, while a recessed portion of the wall became a perfect spot for his upright piano.
Leung created this plywood desk to fit into the former bay window.
While many of Leung’s collectibles are hidden away, he was able to personalize the house through numerous mini trough-lit display shelves.
The neutral palette and soft, subtle furnishings in the guest bathroom let the tight space breathe. A raw concrete ceiling adds just a peek of urban design.
Soft and indirect lighting was key to making the small master bedroom comortable. All the lamps are remote controlled.
More bay windows in the master bedroom were converted to another workspace, with bustling city views.
Simple and functional design makes the master bathroom feel open and relaxing. A curtain conceals a nearby walk-in closet.
You've heard of a walk-in closet, but how about a step-up closet? Leung created these storage stairs to maximize space for clothes.
A step-on light button lets the homeowners quickly illuminate the closet.
When the sliding doors are open, the rooms off the central corridor — lit by a strip of LED lights to mimic those in an airplane — feel connected to the rest of the space.
When the sliding doors are closed, the spaces feel more intimate.
It's the same with the master bedroom. When the doors are open, there’s an open feeling.
When closed, the experience is completely different — more private.
Tell us: How have you transformed your living areas?
Tell us: How have you transformed your living areas?