Don't let a small space stop you – 3 Parisian design lessons I'm stealing for my tiny apartment

As someone who has the privilege of gazing at beautiful interior spaces every day, returning to my small apartment can sometimes feel like a bit of a sad reality. However, after recently stumbling across the marvellous creations of Parisian interior designer Marianne Evennou, it struck me that no matter how small your space is, anything is possible.

All good small apartment design rules balance functionality and style, which Marianne Evennou tells me is one of the chief principles she always prioritizes above all else. It's these valuable lessons that have allowed Marianne to achieve her design goals, transforming even the smallest of spaces (one of her apartments was smaller than 100 square feet) into authentic, accomplished, and liveable homes for their occupants.

Learning three design lessons along the way, I delve deeper into some of Marianne's impressive designs and French interior design rules. They perfectly balance fashion and function, honoring the tastes of both their owners and, of course, their one-of-a-kind designer.

1. Consider your layout

When I asked Marianne how to decorate a small apartment, she consistently emphasised the importance of acknowledging your architecture. As a designer who works mainly on small-scale homes in the heart of Paris, it's not only important to recognize the age of the building (and design around it authentically) but also to acknowledge its layout.

Titled 'Chez Bambi', the first apartment is less than 400 sq feet in size, located in the Rue de la Paix region. Marianne said, 'It was a challenge to change a dark two-room apartment with small proportions for each space into a comfortable and generous space.'

She continues, 'I choose to open the kitchen to the living area and enjoy all the windows with beautiful light. The kitchen had to provide the feeling that it was the continuation of the living room.' By making the design into one cohesive vision, each room feels connected and therefore larger, part of the same idea that, in turn, opens up the space.

Most good apartment living room ideas are open plan, as it encourages unity with the other rooms, creating the illusion of more space. Referring to the small living room pictured above, Marianne says, 'I make sure that the eye can escape by playing with perspectives using interior windows, glass roofs, or openings. In this way, I recreate miniature worlds that respond to each other and give the feeling of an inner journey, a richness of decor, rather than unifying everything to escape the “cell” effect.'

Despite being an open plan space, the detailed architectural elements work to define each zone and give each room (despite not being physically divided) its own character. In the space above, the window panes separate the bedroom from the living room, while still allowing light to filter through, reminiscent of a Moroccan riad.

Being clever with apartment layout ideas, Marianne has ensured to consider the architecture of the building and where it sits geographically. She says, 'The bedroom has been pushed to the back of the apartment to avoid street noise with an adjoining bathroom. The glass windows around the bed allow you to breathe and enjoy the entire volume of the apartment. The room was designed like a cabin with wooden planks lining the interior. I found it funny to have a cabin spirit in one of the most expensive streets of Paris.'

2. Prioritize storage

Another key principle of designing a small apartment is getting your storage ideas right. As integral to the design as layout, storage can make or break a small space, providing you with ample room to incorporate all the furniture and decor you wish to.

Dubbed 'Chez Rose', this home is located in the Marais. It's a mere two hundred square feet in size and was lovingly designed for a client who had not yet seen the building (it was purchased during the pandemic). Marianne said, 'I loved the faith she had in the future, and the trust she placed in me, living so far away. It was a pleasure to work on this project with carte blanche.'

On a mission to make the functional spaces as compact as possible, Marianne made the small kitchen not only blend in with the interior design, but also nifty. She said, 'As the apartment is quite small and there was no way to hide or separate the kitchen, I decided to make the kitchen as discreet and elegant as possible to integrate it into the living room. The upper kitchen cabinets were treated like a piece of art thanks to a bas-relief created by my husband, Franck Evennou.'

The beautiful daybed idea (pictured above) is just as accomplished. Acknowledging space and its preciousness, Marianne created a bespoke bed-cum-sofa that serves two purposes. 'The alcove accommodates a bench during the day and transforms into a bed at night. Behind the curtains, then storage space is hidden.'

Marianne shares her small space storage lessons, saying, 'I make the most of every square centimeter to maximize the volume (storage under the stairs, under the bed, niches transformed into storage or bookshelves, a sink placed on the kitchen counter to free up space underneath, etc.) I try to find solutions with multifunctional furniture: for example, a staircase that doubles as a bookcase, desk, or storage space, or a bench that also serves as a chest.'

She adds, 'Rose wanted a pied à terre to enjoy her stays in Paris, but also to be able to work. She seems very happy to spend regular time in this small apartment.'

3. Design according to your needs

Last, but by no means least, is Chez Anne. With a floor print that totals less than one hundred square feet, it's fair to say space is on the smaller side. But that didn't stop Marianne from achieving her design goals; in fact, the result was a deeply authentic creation that honors its owner and her lifestyle.

Chez Anne is a studio apartment located in the Marais, in the heart of Paris. It belongs to a university teacher living in Brussels who gives regular lectures in the city. 'Instead of staying in a hotel or at friends, she wanted to have her own pied à terre in a quite classic but cosy atmosphere', explains Marianne.

What makes the small space so successful is Marianne's ability to acknowledge her client's needs and wants. She says, 'She wanted to be able to come over for weekends with her husband to enjoy a cultural life in Paris. This is why we have a trundle bed and sliding doors for the bathroom and the dressing.'

No matter if you live in a small storage-less home, as long as you design according to your needs and everyday activities, you can fit in storage according to each room's function. Marianne says, 'I am very pragmatic and try to organize the space around the fundamental activities, which are: sleeping, eating, washing, tidying up, working, and of course, relaxing. I make sure that the apartment, however small, can be easily organized with a specific area dedicated to each function.'

Acknowledging the owner's needs and tastes, Marianne added her signature flourish of romance. 'The wallpaper has been designed by my daughter-in-law, Yung Chi Ku-Evennou, who is a tattoo artist. I asked her to create a wallpaper inspired by the Italian Renaissance to give a unique look to the apartment, which is small but also has just one window. It offers another view to dream about and separates the bedroom distinctly from the rest of the apartment.'

Despite its small scale, Marianne managed to create a dedicated area for each important activity, i.e., the kitchen and the bedroom. She says, 'The kitchen is organized to be able to cook comfortably, as Anne loves cooking. Instead of knocking down all the walls to create one large room and using a single color, which is often recommended for micro apartments, I divide, split, and create different worlds by marking them with different colors or materials.'

Shop the Parisian look

Finally, Marianne shares a final tip for making the most out of a small space and creating a design that truly sings and honors your style.

'When it comes to organizing the apartment, which once again requires good practical sense, I try to make up for the lack of space by treating it with respect, choosing quality materials and decorating it with elegance, charm, and above all, poetry', says Marianne.

'Show consideration to the modest, and they will reveal themselves to you. For a small apartment to be successful, you have to rediscover your childhood spirit, have fun dreaming about it, invent an imaginary castle, and you will see that the walls will be pushed back as if by magic and that instead of making you feel confined, it will bring you happiness.'