The prospect of a small condo can be daunting for a minimalist. A hybrid work structure involving both office and remote work means an office set up at home. The challenge will lie in optimizing the limited space. Ensuring a clear separation between work and life while maintaining an uncluttered environment. You will need a meticulous plan and innovative design solutions to execute this plan.

Small spaces often get a bad rap for being challenging to work with. Sure, they lack floor space, but that does not mean they cannot meet all your home needs. An effective small condo design requires some upfront work. An analysis and thoughtful planning ahead can go a long way in maximizing your small space.

Compact living spaces have always existed. You can spot them throughout Toronto. If you spend time exploring the Christie Pitts area, you'll see the beautiful Art Deco period apartment buildings. They contain tiny basement apartments, some measuring a mere 250 square feet. Despite the limited square footage, you can still live comfortably in a small space.

Case and point - this cute little Toronto condo. It is a grand total of 395 ft² with quite the utilitarian layout. A small couch facing a wall with a TV and a desk facing a wall. Did you notice you're facing a lot of walls? Not very inspirational, is it? You might be a social butterfly, but you will still need to spend some time at home. Despair will set in. It's a bleak interior layout. Small spaces need more than a desk and a couch to make them functional. After all - it's home.

Their small kitchen was well past its best-before date. This remodel was right up our wheelhouse. We love working on small spaces. Although space is finite, you can rework it into something more functional. There is always a better way.

The original pain point was the kitchen. The multiple entry points made cooking difficult. The oven placement right by the entry was not ideal. Despite the window, it was still a dark kitchen. With minimal counter space, the couple found it hard to cook together.

This condo bathroom already had a step-in shower which the client enjoyed. In a bold move, we asked the client to consider a walk-in shower with no door. The goal was an uncluttered room with few clunky visual distractions like a door handle. A floor-to-ceiling glass panel would block the water from the shower. While we worked through some details, we asked the client to take showers but not close the door. It would be a good indication of how much water she could expect to see outside the shower. Less than a week later, it was an enthusiastic “Yes – let’s do it!”

Following a process provides guidance and structure. It helps you manage even the largest interior remodel. We don’t discount the fear of the unknown. Education and a well-defined process will mitigate unforeseen circumstances. We don’t promise any surprises. Renovations and surprises go hand in hand. Unimagined repairs might be hiding in an older home. If you've done your homework ahead of time, you will be better equipped to handle the surprises.