A Hanoi homeowner has transformed her compact 43-square-meter apartment with a complete renovation costing VND160 million ($6,000), embracing the popular 'bubble tea' aesthetic featuring warm beige and brown tones. The renovation was designed to create a gentle, soothing atmosphere suitable for both work and relaxation in the small urban space.
Seeking to redesign her home as a cozy and tranquil retreat, the owner decided to turn her vision into reality by hiring a professional interior architecture firm. The project focused on maximizing the functionality of the limited space while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing environment that could serve multiple purposes throughout the day.
The design team implemented a dominant pastel beige color palette throughout the entire apartment, carefully selecting soft, eye-pleasing tones that complement the space's natural lighting. The architects strategically combined the neutral paint colors with moderate lighting fixtures to create a relaxing atmosphere that avoids monotony, ensuring the space feels dynamic despite the consistent color scheme.
The living room showcases clean geometric forms with thoughtful space planning that maximizes the apartment's limited square footage. The wall behind the sofa features custom plaster paneling enhanced by decorative floating shelves that provide both storage and visual interest. Furniture placement follows a strategic arrangement along one side of the room, leaving a wide open central area that facilitates shared activities and creates an impression of spaciousness despite the apartment's size constraints.
A particularly clever design element is the TV cabinet, which doubles as an altar for ancestor worship, reflecting Vietnamese cultural traditions. The cabinet features smooth curved lines that blend seamlessly with the overall wall system, while carefully selected ceramic art pieces add visual texture and personality to the neutral color scheme.
The renovation includes a multifunctional workspace that demonstrates smart space utilization in small urban living. An additional area has been converted into a flexible zone for work, reading, and display purposes, featuring a custom desk combined with an integrated shoe cabinet that optimizes the floor plan. This versatile space is designed with future adaptability in mind, allowing it to be converted into an extra bedroom if needed.
Practical elements were given equal attention to aesthetic concerns throughout the renovation. The water purifier is mounted on a specially treated waterproof plywood shelf, while all electrical wiring has been embedded into the walls to maintain clean lines. The refrigerator niche incorporates a 10-centimeter ventilation gap to ensure optimal appliance performance and longevity.
The main bedroom demonstrates thoughtful space planning with the bed positioned against one wall to maximize floor space and preserve natural light flow from the window. The custom wardrobe features raised-panel doors that match the apartment's color scheme, while recessed niches beside the bed house built-in electrical outlets for convenient lamp and phone charging access.
Design details in the bedroom include floral-patterned 3D wallpaper that adds texture without overwhelming the space's serene atmosphere. All artwork and decorative elements were carefully curated to harmonize with the overall interior design concept, maintaining the cohesive bubble tea color theme throughout the living space.
The renovation project was completed by TG Architects with photography by Humi Studio, showcasing how thoughtful design and strategic color choices can transform a small urban apartment into a functional, beautiful living space that reflects contemporary Vietnamese design sensibilities while honoring traditional elements.
