Split between two people, 600 square feet can quickly feel cramped. So when Pavel Yanev of All In Studio was tasked with renovating a one-bedroom apartment in Sofia, Bulgaria, he used two main strategies in the yearlong project to make the place feel as spacious as possible: color and flexible furniture.

The first step was defining a simple color palette of bright white, expressed through a pared-down selection of materials: concrete, marble, lacquer, and MDF. The color was chosen to "open" the space, but instead of simply painting, MDF was used to provide a variety of textured surfaces. On the wall separating the bedroom from the main living space, vertical strips draw the eye upward, while in the bedroom, squares of varying depths create a rhythmic pattern.

"The residents wanted clear lines and a pure white feeling."
—Pavel Yanev, designer

With this the simple white backdrop established, Yanev turned his focus to function. Storage is carefully hidden throughout the space, including a wall-length wardrobe in the bedroom and a cabinet system that spans the main living room wall.

In addition, All In Studio created a custom selection of modular furniture that can be reconfigured to suit the residents' needs. The sofa's two seats swivel to face one another or can be extended to form a bed. Fabricated in charcoal gray, they're a subtle counterpoint to an otherwise colorless canvas.

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A Bright Palette Makes This Bulgarian Apartment Feel Bigger Than Its 600 Square Feet