Graham Hill Just Made the Microapartment of Your Dreams

The concept of living in a  microapartment may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But there’s something about minuscule homes and minimalist spaces that captivate the imagination.

The quiet allure of pristine perimeter paired with modern fixtures is a concept that TreeHugger founder Graham Hill demonstrated so well that one cannot think of stylishly sustainable spaces without bringing to mind Hill’s amazing tiny apartment transformations.

The LifeEdited.com CEO built his brand around the concept of living well with less. He took minimalism to a whole new height by revamping two tiny apartments he bought in 2010.

The idea was simple; he wanted to turn these crumbling, rickety spaces into showrooms that highlight tiny living at its finest. His experiments proved that it’s possible to enjoy high end living in a microapartment as long as you are willing to invest in smart designs.

Hill is a firm believer that simple living doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort, functionality, or style.

His pragmatic aspirations, a keen eye for details, and his holistic approach to sustainable design allowed him to transform small spaces into sleek, practical and more importantly, eco-friendly abodes worthy of a Better Homes and Gardens feature:

From a modest 420-square-foot space, Hill added the functionality of 1,100 square feet into the space. He accomplished this by combining ingenious designs with space-saving furniture.

Bulky appliances are concealed using sleek cabinets with insulated panels. Eye-catching curtains double as a space divider:

Key areas of the apartment unfold to seat more people. The living room converts into a dining area. The dining area converts into a fully functional at-home office sans the clutter.

Walls are movable to morph one room into two. Hidden drawers and beds reveal themselves with just a push, a flick, a shove.

The once-derelict, two bedroom apartment was transformed into a stunning, energy efficient home. The space is roomier with 6 rooms + two guestrooms, a home theater, and a massive dining area that can seat 12 guests.

The microapartment is like a giant jigsaw puzzle where everything can be manipulated to repurpose the space. The space is never overwhelmed with bulky furniture.

Entire rooms are downsized into closet-sized storage space, keeping clutter hidden from sight. Crisp, clean lines and seamless cabinetry are complemented by all-white interiors.

Strategic lighting to give the illusion of a larger space. Contrasting furniture serves as an anchor that pulls the designs elements together. Furnishings create harmony within the space. Multipurpose drawers and cabinetry serve as stylish organizer-cum-storage areas.

Using high design and low-cost housing materials, Hill successfully pushed the limits of what’s possible in such a small space. He doubled the functionality of a micro-apartment.

Unsurprisingly, his concept designs fueled the demand for affordable yet functional community-centric housing. And he’s just getting started!

After completing the Life Edited 1 project, successfully demonstrating the “less but better” lifestyle, Hill jumped on another project.  This time working on an even smaller apartment, about 350 square feet.

LE2 may be smaller than LE1 but it’s just as well-designed as the first project. Every square inch of space was maximized to boost functionality and style.

The new and improved LE2 featured a multipurpose living area that can seat up to 10 guests. The same space transforms into a boardroom or a cozy master’s bedroom:

Multipurpose fold-down shelves such as the ones seen here can be used to set up the TV or a modest home office…

… Or as a serving table for wine, cheese, and cocktails as one does! Foldable, collapsible, and hidden cabinets and drawers are aplenty to make the most out of the space.

LE2 was completed last year. The microapartment adopted the same “less but better” approach to design.  The all-white interiors are nicely complemented by accent walls in a contrasting color to break the monotony.

The herringbone oak floor adds depth and richness to the space. The microapartment features life simplifying but energy efficient fixtures!

Hill’s stylized and optimized micro apartments changed the public’s perception of minimalist design. The projects are a testament that high-end living is possible even in a limited space.