Renovation & Design

By Mathieu REY, Architecture and Space Planning Specialist (updated September 2026) About 70 sq ft, three floor plans, one goal: add a toilet without sacrificing circulation, storage, or everyday family comfort. Table of Contents1. What should you check before adding a toilet to an existing bathroom?2. Layout 1: how do you add a toilet and keep a bathtub in a 70 sq ft bathroom?3. Layout 2: how do you fit a 55 x 35 in shower with a concealed toilet?4. Layout 3: can you move the toilet farther away and keep a bathtub or large shower?5. How do you route a new toilet drain inLire la suite…

By Mathieu REY, Architecture and Space Planning Specialist (updated August 2026) 1,001 sq ft, two floor plans to compare, then a third layout that was actually built: here, opening the kitchen to the living room is decided by how the space is used before it is decided by shape. Table of contents1. What should you check before opening a kitchen to the living room in an apartment?2. How can you open the kitchen while keeping natural light flowing toward the entry?3. How do you design an open L-shaped kitchen with an island table?4. How do you design an open U-shaped kitchen with a continuous countertop?5.Lire la suite…

In this roughly 970 sq ft three-bedroom apartment, two layout scenarios create a real entryway without moving the existing walls, while reorganizing the kitchen, storage and circulation. The starting point is straightforward: when the front door opens, the kitchen is immediately in view. The challenge is to create a clear transition into the apartment without blocking the only source of natural light in this area. This project follows the same floor-plan method used throughout our renovation and space-planning case studies, where several coherent options are compared before the final layout is chosen. By Mathieu REY, Architecture and Space Planning Specialist (updated August 2026) About 970Lire la suite…

By Clara AJMAR, Interior Design & Landscape Specialist (updated August 2026) 46 sq ft, three workable layouts and one final solution: the real question is which fixtures deserve the space. Contents1. How much space do you need for a primary bathroom with a shower and tub?2. What layout works for a 37 sq ft primary bathroom with a tub, vanity and toilet?3. Do you need a toilet in a 46 sq ft primary bathroom?4. How can you expand a primary bathroom from 46 to 56 sq ft to fit everything?5. How should you plan a closet next to a small primary bathroom?6. Which primary bathroomLire la suite…

Turning an old sloped-ceiling closet into a real bathroom under 4 sqm (about 40 sq ft): that’s the challenge behind this project, set in a 117 sqm family home. Limited headroom, tight circulation, plumbing runs to fit in: every centimeter matters in this 3.6 sqm volume. Two solutions were drawn up in plan and elevation, one built around a bathtub, the other around a shower. You’ll find more floor plan design advice from interior architects to help prepare your own project. By Clara AJMAR, Interior Design & Landscape Specialist (updated July 2026) 3.6 sqm under a sloped ceiling, one old closet, two real solutions forLire la suite…

At ArchiWorking, we love turning constraints into ideas. In this project, an open-plan kitchen featuring a central structural column became a masterclass in balance and ingenuity. From opening the load-bearing wall to integrating the column into the island, each step shows how structure can drive design. By Mathieu REY, Architecture and Space Planning Specialist (updated July 2026) A structural constraint embraced from the first sketch becomes an architectural signature. That is designing with the build in mind. Table of contents1. Opening the load-bearing wall to free light and space in an open-plan kitchen2. Reframing the column: from structural constraint to focal point of the layout3.Lire la suite…

75 sq ft poorly used in a co-owned apartment: a 38 sq ft shower room with no privacy, and an adjacent 38 sq ft room that was tiled but had no defined purpose. The goal: fully reconfigure the whole space to create a functional shower room with a walk-in shower, vanity and niches, and build a complete laundry room with a water point, worktop and storage. All of it without touching the load-bearing walls, using the existing utility lines. By Clara AJMAR, Interior Design & Landscape Specialist (updated June 2026) Shower room and laundry room: two independent spaces, designed and optimized together around the linesLire la suite…

Closing an 86 sq ft loggia and integrating it into a 101 sq ft bedroom to create a 213 sq ft master suite in an apartment — this is the project we’ll walk through in full, from the first floor plan to the completed build. The operation requires no work on the load-bearing walls. It follows a rigorous architectural method, from reading the existing plan through to final finishes. For other examples of master suite conversions, see our detailed project of a primary suite design: layout ideas and expert architectural tips. By Mathieu, Certified Interior Architect (updated June 2026) Closing a loggia in an apartment:Lire la suite…

A 65 sq ft kitchen in a 970 sq ft apartment. The owner no longer used it in that configuration. The decision was radical: strip out the entire kitchen, remove the partitions, and convert that reclaimed space into a complete master suite with bedroom, walk-in closet, and bathroom. Here is how the project was designed on the floor plan and built, step by step. For more context on what makes a master suite work, see our guide on primary suite design: layout ideas and expert architectural tips. By Clara AJMAR, Certified Interior Architect & Landscape Designer DPLG (updated June 2026) Sometimes a layout calls forLire la suite…

The bathroom was too small. But right behind the wall, a 22 sq ft closet was sitting unused. By removing the partition and rethinking the layout from scratch, we turned a cramped space into a 65 sq ft bathroom with a large walk-in shower, built-in niches, and real storage. Here is how the project was designed and built, step by step. By Mathieu, Certified Interior Architect (updated May 2026) A bathroom too small, an unused closet right next door — sometimes the solution is already in the walls. Contents1. Existing conditions: a 43 sq ft bathroom with a closet worth reclaiming2. How to expand aLire la suite…

A 91 sq ft bathroom split between a wet area and a 54 sq ft rooftop terrace, set on a mezzanine level with a sea view worth preserving: this was the starting point of this renovation project. The owner’s goal was clear from the very first design meeting: replace the bathtub with a large walk-in shower, create a self-contained enclosed toilet, and protect the sea view at all costs. Before launching this type of project, check out the key points to review before requesting a bathroom renovation quote. By Clara AJMAR, Certified Interior Architect & Landscape Designer DPLG – May 2026 A sea view isLire la suite…

Creating a real entryway in a narrow hallway is entirely doable — the key is designing around how people actually use the space, not around the furniture. This project shows how a built-in hallway storage unit can structure the passage, deliver generous storage and add lasting design character, all without blowing the budget. Find more interior design tips for turning tight spaces into genuine assets. By Clara AJMAR, interior architect & landscape designer DPLG – May 2026 A hallway without an entry is just a hallway. The difference is in how you think about it. Contents1. Starting point: a long, dark hallway with no definedLire la suite…

The starting point for this project was straightforward: replace an old bathtub with a spacious walk-in shower. What made it interesting was the approach — using the job’s own constraints to improve the layout rather than fighting them. Plumbing lines became a built-in shelf. An ugly structural bump became two tiled niches. That’s what designing with constraints looks like in practice. Before starting any bathroom remodel, check out the key points to review before requesting a bathroom renovation quote to avoid the costs that most estimates miss. By Clara AJMAR, interior architect & landscape designer DPLG – May 2026 A job constraint, well integrated, becomesLire la suite…

How do you transform the upper floor of a 145 m² house to create 4 bedrooms, including 2 master suites, 3 bathrooms with WC and a coherent living area? That is the challenge of this project: completely redesigning the layout of an existing first floor so that three parameters that cannot be negotiated separately all work together – the volumes, the wet rooms and the technical networks. In this type of project, technical constraints directly shape architectural decisions. You do not draw the partition walls first and look for the pipework afterwards. The same principles that guide the design of a family bathroom apply hereLire la suite…

Mastering the Design of Your Custom Walk-in Closet We all dream of having that perfect W A L K – I N C L O S E T! To avoid storing your sweaters in your oven like Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and The City, follow our architect’s advice to master the art of closet design. To go even further in organizing your home, discover our 10 architectural tips for optimizing space. Definition: What Exactly is a True Dressing Space? It is far more than just a wardrobe; it is an area dedicated entirely to its function. The hallmark of a well-designed dressing room is creatingLire la suite…

Like classic houndstooth, velvet is a characterful fabric that’s firmly back in style. Its presence proves it remains timeless in our interiors. Many will remember Bree Van de Kamp’s iconic blue sofa in Desperate Housewives—a symbol of poised, classic elegance. Used thoughtfully, velvet takes a space to the peak of chic. It can become the statement piece of your living room, amplified by a colour-painted wall, a retro side table, or a vintage floor lamp. A refined rug completes the scene with subtle softness. Don’t be afraid of velvet—it’s sophisticated, tactile and beautifully nuanced. Why velvet still leads the way in interior design A fabricLire la suite…

The color orange in interior design conveys energy, warmth, and personality. Whether in contemporary design projects or in cozy home renovations, shades like terracotta and coral help create balanced and luminous spaces. This article explores how to integrate orange naturally into your home, with professional advice on color combinations, materials, finishes, and light effects. The many faces of orange in interior design From soft terracotta to vibrant orange, this color reveals a thousand nuances depending on light and surrounding materials. In a modern interior, it evokes conviviality, creativity, and a calming visual warmth. Used on an accent wall, a bench, or a curtain, it drawsLire la suite…

How Houndstooth Pattern Enters Contemporary Interior Design The houndstooth pattern is one of the most iconic prints, just like stripes, tartan, or liberty florals. Long associated with fashion, it is now making a strong comeback in modern interior design. From our grandmothers’ scarves to elegant gloves and tailored jackets, houndstooth is now seen on rugs, cushions, wallpaper, and decorative accessories in stylish homes and apartments.   A Bit of History: Origin and Meaning of the Houndstooth Motif Born in Scotland – A Unique Weaving Technique Originating in Scotland, the houndstooth is not a classic printed motif but the result of a distinct weaving technique thatLire la suite…