Meow Meow

Forget everything you thought you knew about small living. Picture this: A vibrant Amsterdam loft that consistently fools visitors into believing it spans at least 65 square meters. The kicker? This ingenious haven is a mere 45 square meters (484 square feet). This isn’t just an apartment; it’s a testament to bold design, relentless creativity, and the sheer power of building a life—and a home—with your own two hands.

Meet Kun, a talented designer, and Fedim, a thoughtful child psychologist. This dynamic duo, together for nearly a decade and living in this loft for six or seven years, see their home as far more than just a place to crash. It’s a living canvas for joint creation, a cornerstone of their relationship. As Kun puts it, buying something offers a fleeting “peak” of value, but the real magic, the lasting appreciation, comes from making it yourself. “First you only see the flaws,” he explains, “and then over time you really start appreciating and it becomes more and more valuable to you”. This philosophy ignited a monumental, six-to-seven-year renovation. It all started with a simple, practical need: a dishwasher. That single appliance snowballed, transforming their rented space into their own deeply personalized, purchased sanctuary.

Mastering the Micro-Loft: Ingenuity at Every Turn

This Amsterdam gem is a masterclass in maximizing every square inch, infusing it with unique personality and smart solutions. Their design approach showcases a captivating blend of functionality and artistic flair, proving that big living isn’t about raw square footage, but about clever choices and heartfelt touches:

The Power of Perception:

The loft’s impressive height, abundant natural light, and expansive windows create an optical illusion, making 45 square meters feel significantly larger.
Even the hallway is meticulously designed to appear clean and uncluttered. A strategically placed mirror further enhances the sense of space and light, pulling your eye through to the water outside.
Ingenious Storage & Flow:

Custom-built cabinets in the small hallway cleverly block the direct line of sight into the bedroom, creating a visual break while providing essential storage for keys, wallets, phones, and shoes.
A coat rack is smartly tucked inside a cabinet to prevent the hallway from feeling cramped and ensure doors open freely.
Fedim’s father custom-made cabinets to perfectly fit the stairs, with doors precisely cut to allow full access despite the angle, maximizing every internal inch. Even an inherited IKEA bookshelf was adapted to their specific needs.
A hidden space below the staircase provides additional storage for outdoor cushions.
The kitchen and living area are subtly elevated from the entrance. This isn’t just aesthetic; it’s a crucial design decision to ensure the water system and sewage flow downward without requiring a pump, a common challenge in ground-level homes. This elevation also subtly defines the kitchen as its own distinct zone.
Their IKEA kitchen set is a prime example of customization: all storage areas are drawers, even those that visually appear to be cupboards, making every item effortlessly accessible.
The dishwasher is strategically placed adjacent to the cutlery rack for seamless unloading, while hanging pans save valuable cabinet space and are easier to reach.
A dedicated bar for alphabetically organized spices keeps everything within reach and impeccably tidy, preventing any hint of clutter.
Dynamic Solutions for Modern Living:

To preserve the open space and water view, the television is mounted on a brilliant sliding rail system. This repurposed door-hanging mechanism, combined with a ceiling TV arm, allows them to slide it forward for viewing and retract it when not in use, cleverly hiding a game console within its cover.
Their laundry rack is designed not just for drying, but for maximum neatness, featuring an extra-long beam for blankets. A dedicated hole allows dirty laundry to be tossed directly into a bin, preventing the “laundry room” feeling within their main living space.
They even designed a unique, multifunctional pet furniture piece for their cat, Sock, which doubles as a small table. It combines a small table and a camping chair Sock liked to sleep in.
Personalized Craftsmanship & Artistic Flourishes:

Inspired by the charm of old houses, they crafted their own stained glass with a modern, Tetris-inspired motif.
Their shared love for creative projects led them to forging workshops, where they made their own unique doorknobs.
The kitchen is a showcase of their pottery skills, featuring self-made plates, cups, and even matching tiles bearing their signatures.
Kun designed and 3D printed toothbrush holders that allow brushes to hang discreetly inside the sink, eliminating messy cups. He also created a laser-cut and painted box to cleverly conceal unsightly piping.
Instead of standard vents, the air ventilation for their fridge and freezer is creatively shaped like bell peppers, a solution they made themselves.
A piece of a sculpture by a famous Dutch artist, rescued from a museum’s trash, now hangs proudly on their wall.
The home is adorned with various “tiny scenes” and “dioramas,” creating miniature worlds, including a “booknook” used for their annual photoshopped Christmas cards.
Kun values the satisfying “clunk” sound of “big chunky light switches” over smart app-controlled systems, preferring their tactile pleasure. They even made a ceramic handle for their blinds that’s accessible from both downstairs and upstairs.
The bed features a custom frame with an airtight mosquito net system and a second, thicker layer that blocks out all light, catering to different sleeping rhythms.
Life Beyond the Walls: Embracing the Outdoors & Future Dreams

Their connection to their environment extends far beyond the interior. They transformed an existing table by changing its legs, allowing them to host up to 10 people. On sunny days, they throw open their space, extending their living area to the outside with two decks. One is attached to the house, and a second floating deck that Kun built himself in collaboration with a friend. This outdoor oasis, complete with herbs, an apple tree, and even broccoli, offers a lovely view over the water. Fedim, a dedicated swimmer, takes full advantage of the water, even on colder days.

While their home is a remarkable testament to their creativity and shared life, they’re already eyeing what comes next. They’ve contemplated whether this space will be enough if they decide to have children, recognizing that it might be time to look for the “next phase”. But one thing remains constant: their excitement for the future and the opportunity to create even more together in their next adventure.