Home Buddies Tip: How to design an aesthetically pleasing space less than 70 sqm

One of the standouts is Jham Lim-Samonte's 24 sqm loft with an industrial interior design. She revealed that her husband also found inspiration from their fellow kapitbahays.

In an online chat with PhilSTAR L!fe, Jham shared that they maximized space by using sliding doors, which is a more practical way to separate spaces, and built-in cabinets to help hide clutter. 

“Whether the house is big or small, as long as it’s tidy it will look spacious,” she stressed.

Virtual Kapitbahay Ella Coro Inciong, meanwhile, ensured that her 50 sqm home lived up to its full potential in terms of functionality.

“I made sure to make use of every corner. Most of my furniture is custom-made. For small spaces, we have to embrace small furniture,” she shared with L!fe.

Less furniture, she said, translates to less clutter accumulating in the long run, making the space feel even more open.

Choose light colors and cozy lights

If you are #TeamPuti or #TeamKahoy, you may also use Almira Pedraja Manzo’s cozy 36 sqm loft house as a peg. Based on the photos, she mostly used warm lights that perfectly matched the wood and white elements. 

Some “tricks” she used to elevate and make the space look bigger are floating shelves, nordic light fixtures, and white cabinets and storage. The use of white colors can add a sense of space and also reflect light better.

She also maximized the space at the back of the stairs by making it their storage room.

According to her replies in the comments section, the estimated cost was P550,000 including appliances. The furniture, meanwhile, was mostly bought from Shopee.

Use mirrors to create an illusion of a larger space

Peter John Ko, one of the group’s top contributors, transformed their 33 sqm bare studio unit into the bright and minimalist house of their dreams. Peter shared with L!fe that the first thing they did was to choose a high-ceiling unit to give an illusion of a big space. 

“We chose light colors kase it make the unit appear larger and brighter. we also maximize our vertical space,” he shared in a quick online chat with L!fe. 

They also opt for minimalist designs and high-quality furniture to make the most out of the small space, such as installing shelves and using dual-purpose sofabed.

Like Peter, Ella also offered another key space-saving tip: use mirrors. Doing so adds dimension because it reflects the whole room.

Go for a homey, comfortable design

Planning to start a business? Take inspo from Mario Pascual’s three-story 65 sqm home, which he said was inspired by Home Buddies and Pinterest.

Mario cleverly designed his three-story space with the first floor becoming a coffee shop, while the upper floors transformed into his cozy residence. To create a warm and inviting atmosphere, he embraced natural wood throughout the design, with fluted wood panels adorning the walls and ceilings, and warm lighting completing the effect.

In the veranda, he chose boho chairs and tables that fit that tropical feel, he also used faux grass on the third floor, which can be the best spot for chill bonding with family.

According to Home Buddies, you can also try to save space by using shutters instead of curtains to "help the room look taller and less cluttered." Space-saving furniture that you can easily tuck away, like skinny side tables and multi-functional ottomans, are also helpful.

If you’re finished with your checklist for your dream home, head over to the article How to Transform Your Home to Promote Healthy Living to gain sustainable tips to improve your home's overall lifestyle. 

Watch out for our Home Buddies features every Saturday.