How to create the design of a bright open space interior on the 7th top floor, we will try to explain in this article. We will take a new construction with a 65m² apartment as a basis, which will be transformed into 103m².
- Renovation
When you need to increase the space, it is best to consider renovation. An interesting solution would be to merge multiple rooms and eliminate traditional corridors. You can combine the hallway, kitchen, and living room.
Here we will show the layout solution from the Developer and our own version.
- Finishing
Combining several building mixtures on the walls will allow you to change the color without affecting the texture. This technique can be applied to all walls in the apartment, maintaining a consistent style.
You can omit baseboards, which will make cleaning easier, and use hidden installation baseboards instead.
- Color Scheme
To create a cohesive picture, you can use the same color for several central elements. For example, order a wardrobe and kitchen made of the same material and in a light/dark shade. At the same time, choose the entrance door in a dark/light color. We unified the color and concealed door installation throughout the apartment. This will make the furniture resemble architectural cubes, and the contrast between objects will enhance the effect.
The color of the internal doors can be matched to the wall, preserving the minimalism of the space, which we achieved in deZZign.
- Air Conditioning
A ducted air conditioner may seem like an unexpected idea, but by cleverly integrating its placement, you can achieve a unique result. Moreover, for such an apartment, it is a more cost-effective and compact solution than a standard system with units for each room.
- Recreation Area
If there is an opportunity to arrange a recreation area in the apartment, it should be utilized. A corner window is a rare occurrence, but if you have one, it should definitely be turned into a cozy corner. In our case, it is the living room. A high ceiling, a sofa, and panoramic windows create a sense of comfort and grandeur.
- Lighting
The most important thing is to plan the placement of lights in advance. In the bedroom, you can install spotlights that turn on when entering the room and turn off, for example, near the bed. In the hallway, we used track lighting and directed the light sources.
- Additional Storage in the Kitchen
There is never enough storage space, so it is worth using every possible option. We recommend hidden pull-out drawers that can not only store things but also conceal any imperfect elements of the cabinetry.
- Refrigerator
If one refrigerator is not enough, and purchasing a second one is not possible, there are various options for integrated refrigerators. It can be installed in the dining area or incorporated into the kitchen island.
If you have been inspired by the ideas presented in our short article and would like to update the interior design in your apartment or condo in Seattle or anywhere in Washington State, we would be delighted to help you bring them to life!
Where the Extra 38 m² Came From
The apartment sits on the top floor, and the pitched roof left enough height for a second level. The sections above show how we placed it over part of the apartment while keeping the living room at full height. That is how 65 m² on the developer's plan became 103 m² of usable space: the first level holds the entry, kitchen and dining area, living room, bedroom, and bathroom; the second adds another room, a work area, and storage. Not every building allows this. It takes enough ceiling height, an engineered floor structure for the upper level, and a safe stair. But when the conditions are there, it is the most efficient way to gain space without moving.
What to Check Before Opening Up a Floor Plan
Before removing walls, find out which ones are load-bearing, where ducts, vents, and plumbing stacks run, and whether a wet room would end up above a neighbor's bedroom. In Seattle, structural changes, new plumbing, and most mechanical work need a permit from the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections, and condominium owners usually also need approval from the HOA. Good space planning and functional zoning at the start avoids rework and surprise costs during construction.
Ducted Heat Pumps in the Pacific Northwest
Many older Seattle homes were built without air conditioning, and the hotter summers of recent years have made cooling a common request. A ducted heat pump does the same job as the ducted unit in our project: one quiet indoor unit hidden in a dropped ceiling, with heating and cooling delivered through slim grilles. In an open-plan apartment it keeps walls clear of wall-mounted heads and works well with hidden doors and flush ceilings.
How These Solutions Work Together
None of the eight ideas works on its own. An open plan gives you room, but without well-planned light it feels empty. Flush doors and hidden baseboards calm the walls, while matching kitchen and wardrobe fronts turn furniture into architecture. Ducted cooling removes visible equipment, and hidden storage keeps the space tidy without extra cabinets. That is why we design the whole apartment rather than room by room. See our kitchen interior, living room interior, and bedroom interior services, and our article about interior lighting. A finished example of the same approach is our Residence 11 project.
FAQ
Can a regular apartment get a second level? Only if the ceiling height allows it and a structural engineer designs the new floor. Top-floor units under a pitched roof and lofts with tall ceilings are the most likely candidates, and in a condo building you will also need HOA approval.
Do I need a separate air conditioner in every room? Not necessarily. In an open-plan apartment a ducted system is often more compact: the indoor unit hides in the ceiling of a hallway or bathroom, and air is distributed through grilles.
What does a flush baseboard give you? A clean line between wall and floor, less dust in the corners, and easier cleaning. It is installed before the final wall finish, so the decision has to be made at the design stage.
