Noah Dixon, 26, lives in a 269 sq ft flat in Islington, about the size of two parking spaces and nearly 50 per cent smaller than the average UK one-bedroom home. Despite its size, a clever redesign by Diego Dalpra of CIAO architects has turned it into a fully functioning home with a well-equipped kitchen, separate living area, bedroom, and ample storage.
Family investment leads to renovation
Dixon's mother bought the studio in around 2013 as an investment. After years of renting, Dixon moved in in 2022 and lived there for 18 months, experiencing its shortcomings: no oven, slow hotplates, outdated bathroom, and poor heating. His girlfriend, Abby Reilly, 24, found it cold in winter and hot in summer.
In 2024, Dixon moved out to rent with a friend. His mother then decided to completely redesign the space with Dalpra's help.
Multipurpose divider and clever storage
A birchwood ply divider splits the main room into living and sleeping areas. On the living side, it holds a fold-out table, media unit, and storage; on the bedroom side, a wardrobe. It does not reach the ceiling, preserving garden views from the sash windows.
The kitchen, separated by a Japanese-style sliding panel with reeded glass, has two hotplates and an oven. Above it, a mezzanine storage area accessed by a ladder provides what Dalpra calls “game changing” space. Two window seats offer extra seating and storage, and a slimline unit fits by the entrance.
Challenges and costs
Work began in spring 2025 and was completed last November, delayed by the tiny scale. The bathroom wall had to be moved “literally about two feet” to fit fittings. A planned desk under a window was abandoned due to a concrete beam.
Underfloor heating was installed throughout. The bathroom uses cream terrazzo tiles and a walk-in shower with a higher ceiling built into the mezzanine. The colour palette includes warm white walls, timber floors, and birch plywood.
The project cost £100,000. Studio flats in Islington currently sell for between £265,000 and £360,000.
Dixon plans to stay for a couple of years or more. The flat could later be rented out or used by his parents. “The change is unbelievable,” he says. “Before it wasn’t exactly a hosting flat, now I’m happy to have people around.”
