Home tour | Stylish small-space living in Madrid

When I was a student, I spent some time living in Paris in a tiny studio apartment. It was the only place I could afford at the time, and it was awful. The bed was a fold-out sofa that gave way if I rolled too far to either side, the electrics were so dodgy that turning the hob on at the same time as the lights short-circuited the whole place, and the paper-thin walls meant I could hear every word of my neighbour’s all-night phone conversations. It was certainly a far cry from the beautiful studio that I’m sharing today.

Located in a 19th-century residential building in Madrid’s La Latina neighbourhood, this apartment is proof that with clever design and a bit of consideration, even small spaces can be a joy to live in. It’s been fully renovated by Natalia Swarz, founder of travel site Hôtel Weekend, and her artist partner Armando Mesías, who originally intended to use it as accommodation for visiting friends and family but now also rent it out for guest stays.

The couple drew on Scandinavian and Japanese minimalism to transform the once dark and dated 45sqm space into a serene, light-filled sanctuary, incorporating textural materials alongside earthy neutral hues. The furniture and accessories, meanwhile, were carefully chosen to add interest and character without creating clutter. The result is a neat balance of form and function – a sophisticated, comfortable and inviting abode that works brilliantly for one or two people.

Previously two separate rooms that have been knocked into one, the main living area is painted in a beige lime wash whose gentle warmth echoes the honeyed tones of the original wooden beams. The kitchen sits along one wall, with smoked-oak cabinet fronts from Norm Architects’ tactile ‘Surface’ collection for Reform. They almost seem to grow out of the dark-stained cement floor which, along with the lack of upper wall cupboards, makes the studio look much larger and airier than it actually is. A green Vert d’Estours marble worktop brings subtle contrast without overwhelming the space.

Against the other wall, beneath one of Armando’s own artworks, is a corduroy sofa from Vetsak, chosen for its versatile modular design and practical removable covers. There’s also a compact column-based microcement dining table from Barcelona-based Marlot Baus – a sculptural yet unobtrusive piece that slots effortlessly into the overall scheme. It’s flanked by chairs with woven paper-cord backrests and seats, adding further elements of appealing natural texture.

The bed is located in the inner part of the main room, behind wooden posts and a partial nib wall that demarcate where the original divider used to sit. This helps zone it within the wider space, creating a cosy and cocooning feel that belies the open-plan nature of the studio. The rounded headboard is another microcement design from Marlot Baus, with a large paper pendant light forming a focal point overhead.

A pair of partially glazed metal doors lead from the living space to the bathroom, the grid-like pattern of their glass providing privacy while letting light flow throughout the apartment. The awkward shape of the room has been put to good use, with a full bath and an overhead shower slotted neatly into the narrowest section and built-in shelving tucked discreetly to one side. The waterproof tadelakt finish echoes the beige limewash used elsewhere in the apartment, while the curves of the bed and table are referenced in the shape of the tub and mirror. A stone basin and a brown zellige-tiled splashback provide further texture and character.

With its well-planned layout, tactile materiality and cohesive colour palette, this is a calm haven in a vibrant city. It’s the definition of warm minimalism – and an important reminder for those of us with compact homes that size really isn’t everything.

Find out more about booking the studio here; Armando and Natalia also have a similarly beautiful one-bedroom apartment to rent nearby.

All photography courtesy of Hilma Homes

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