NEVER TOO SMALL: Transforming Multifunctional Brazilian Apartment , 56sqm/603sqft

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Featuring the striking use of Cumaru (Brazilian teak) Veneer throughout, DB Apartment is a light-filled, flexible space that transforms depending on its owner’s needs. By cleverly removing the original terrace doors, architects Studio Papaya created a versatile indoor-outdoor space that overlooks the city. This multi-purpose space serves as an extension of the open-plan kitchen and dining area, where a circular wooden shelf built into the ceiling is the centrepiece. A set of bi-fold wood panels that intersect with a sliding door serve to section off the new living room that doubles as a second bedroom for guests. This leads to the main bedroom where a custom platform bed provides ample additional storage, while an L-shaped wardrobe cleverly combines mirrors and wood veneer to enhance the space.
#smallapartment #architecture #interiordesign
Ep 148
Project Name: DB Apartment
Architect: www.studiopapaya.com
Produced by New Mac Video Agency
Creator: Colin Chee
Director: Nam Tran
Cinematographer: Felipe Carvalho & Athos Dantas
Producer: Lindsay Barnard
Editor: Jessica Ruasol
Music: Sailing by Phury & I Don't Mind by smplsmth from Artlist.io

[@jennycampbell5236]

Fantastic apartment. The fact that the balcony was integrated into the rest of the apartment is a big plus to me. Also the living room/ guest bedroom is another innovative idea. I could quite easily live in an apartment like this. ❤

[@giovani5586]

The integrated balcony is quite common on most chic apartment in Brazil, this location is one of the most expensive neighborhood in Sao Paulo

[@kierand9410]

@@giovani5586what’s the coldest temp you’ll have to endure in SP?

[@giovani5586]

@@kierand9410 this year there was a single day that we got something like 3 Celsius, but usually never much below 10 Celsius

[@kierand9410]

@@giovani5586 this makes me less confident about how exposed the house is to the terrace. Glass sheets are not going to adequately keep those kinds of temperatures out.

[@Harry-fk5of]

I would have put the lounge room in the balcony conversion rather than an additional table and kitchen extension, but yes I love that they converted it.

[@luluscrooge3891]

I don't really comment much in this channel, but this is probably the best transformation I've seen. Please feature more of these rooms with a color palette that makes the space liveable and look lived in, unlike others that look like showrooms or simply for display. Everything here is so functional.

[@newleft2254]

Yesss, I hate those beautiful cold museums LOL

[@Anne-wx9sv]

Love the 2 retractable walls for the guest room. So much better than curtains. Guests get a real room that is private. But owners get to use that space everyday as a living room. Genius!

[@juliab3326]

Almost 60m^2, space for two fullsized tables and two bathrooms? Definitely NOT small, but beautifully executed and decorated. Calm colours, wood accents, different shapes and surface qualities - overall very balanced and homey despite lots of plain surfaces.

[@andeiorio641]

It's not too small 😊😢😅😅😅

[@daCubanaqt]

Nope, not at all. I lived in a space about the size at one point and it was more than enough space for 1-2 people.

[@newleft2254]

Yeah, it's not small at all but I think it qualifies for this channel because I have a small flat and those doors that transform the living space/guest room and that kitchen just gave me a wonderful idea for my own place. They've made excellent use of space.

[@Mike-er2ih]

That would be considered a luxury "apartment" where I live most likely ;)

[@kierand9410]

People write this doesn’t qualify as a small space. The joy of this series is less about the footprint per se, and more about clever design solutions to spaces that are small *relative* to the requirements of the client. Making an infrequently used but necessary second bedroom elegantly fit into a 600ft flat? This qualifies.

[@hypersynesthesia]

Finally a comfortable looking sofa 😅 the designers did a beautiful job, I particularly like the dropped wood ceiling that makes it feel like you’re in a ship’s cabin. I’d want more wardrobe space but this is pretty great.

[@TorontoJon]

What a stunning transformation! I love the use of mid-tone wood and was struck by the cleverness of that oval wrap-around ceiling shelf as well as the foldable panels and foldable window panes to transform the apartment as needed, particularly for guests, or to open it up to maximize the space to give it an airy feeling. Bravo! :)

[@iliapetrovic3582]

There’s many ideas to take from this gorgeous apartment. When we moved into our home over 20 years ago, I we removed walls and replaced them with sliding/folding floor to ceiling panels. I remember many friends not liking what I did, but we stayed true to the vision, now we have a multifunctional home that we have grown with rather than needing to move. Think carefully, property is expensive, but with careful planning it could be a worthwhile investment as rooms can change to your needs!

[@mypointofview1111]

This is probably one of the best transformations I've seen. Beautiful, practical with a hint of luxury. I'd live here no problem

[@GarzaB]

The mirrored column and oval opening in ceiling is something I hadn’t seen before. So interesting! Looks very rich and elegant.

[@saracuniberto8151]

I would have kept a second bedroom (or a storage room with a wardrobe/walk in closet that can be converted into a bedroom) instead of the living room: the sofa and TV in that beautiful terrace would have been amazing. Two tables (+ the desk) look like a waste of space to me!

[@CanuckJim]

That is simply exquisite. It feels cozy and HUGE at the same time. Mind-blowing.

[@wisecanadianwoman]

I think this is one of my favourite plans that I've seen. Colours are just perfect and use of space well placed.

[@keenalou595]

The colors, the folding walls...this one just made it to my top 3!!

[@pumaetigre]

Brazilian architecture is truly unique

[@valarya]

I knew from the first shot that this was one of my favorite spaces, yet. It's SO gorgeous, warm, inviting, cozy, and RAD.

[@LitteJeanie]

This is my favourite transformation so far. It feels a bit mid-century, and it manages to be elegant, homey and functional.

[@miyayume_eclectic_dream]

Not really a small apartament. Having 2 tables is a vaste of space for me. I like my kitchen contained between 3 walls with no door. The dropped ceiling is really nice idea [I could use for art works or books]. I do love the color palet.

[@chloeuntrau4588]

Yes...56m2 is not small...plenty houses where I live have this size! The clever thing is that it looks bigger thanks to the terrace.

[@4651adri]

That's the biggest downside for me, two tables and way too many chairs. The rest is really cool though

[@catemoon]

My thoughts exactly. The two tables and so many chairs makes the apartment look cluttered. It reminds me of buffet breakfast areas in hotels.

[@andressaantunes429]

Loving to see projects from Brazil ❣️ we have so much ideas to show. The cumarú wood is just one of our beautiful natural elements

[@ianklimisch4139]

The oval overhead ceiling-shelf feature is so incredibly stunning adds so much dimension and intrigue!

[@menutokitchen]

The terrace looks like dream with PLENTY of light. ❤

[@sabinereinert6337]

This is B-R-I-L-L-I-A-N-T!!! Chapeau to the designers! This is definitely one of my favorites with its bi-folding doors, color schema and and and. Thanks for sharing!

[@Kara_2505]

I would love to hear designers in their own language. People can then speak from feeling instead of reading a text. It would give more space for showing their passion and motives behind choices. And Brazilian Portuguese is such a beautiful language to hear!

[@camilanovalife]

I love this one so much!!! The project is incredible. The guest bedroom was a great idea. Love that they are Brazilians!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Amacott99]

My favourite place to date…..the colours, the terrace, the bifold doors and the plant shelves…..perfection

[@thurleralfena]

Loving the brazilian vibe in last few videos

[@frankn2720]

Probably one of the most beautiful apartments I've ever seen. It's an oasis of tranquility and soft energy. I love the colors.

[@sianthesheep]

This shows you don't have to compromise on creating a luxurious space just cause you're working with a small floor plan! I'm also loving how all the rounded curves softens the space and helps create a feeling of flow between the different areas of the apartment.

[@oimarcelolevi]

AAAAAA Eu nunca imaginei que ia encontrar aqui algum vídeo do meu país, mesmo aqui tendo tanta beleza e inovação ❤🇧🇷

[@studiopapayaprojetos]

😊😊 obrigado!

[@Dessert_x_Tat]

Colour scheme is brilliant and those two colonnades all in mirror steel the show/light again - middle name of every good architect! Love itttt.

[@rianamohamed300]

This is absolutely one of the best designs i have seen. Truly remarkable. Well done to the architects.❤

[@liademattosrocha6216]

So happy to see Brazilian architects on this channel. Beautiful flat

[@jenniferharris7633]

This is one of the best. The owner of this flat is one lucky guy.

[@jele77]

Very elegant design, love the living room and how it flips into an extra bedroom.

[@olivialula5923]

Very chic and well designed.

[@DaudRotama]

For some reason, this apartment looks like a cabin in a ship. Very relaxing.

[@hsvfanjan17]

This might be one of my favourite apartments featured on the channel!

[@gabimerlin]

Very happy to see videos showcasing great projects of my country, especially my city, like this one! But just so you know: this is NOT SMALL. Here in São Paulo there are 2-bedroom apartments being built with only 34 sqm, and some studios with just 16 sqm. Unfortunately, since we're in the most populated city of Latin America, this is the "new normal" for us.

[@nevertoosmall]

Thank you for your support! The perception of 'small' differs in different places. We feature cleverly designed projects under 60 sqm, not in a competition for the smallest place on Earth :-)

[@sasabinz7331]

Absolutely amazing! I am so impressed. I love the colors, the style, everything! This apartment looks much bigger than it actually is because of the fantastic design. Many thanks for sharing.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

This design is BRILLIANT! I've been watching NTS for a looong time, but rarely comment. This time I felt like I had to 😂This apartment is so clever & gorgeous!

[@Rei-we3ym]

The apartment feels modern but not cold at all at the same time. It gives me the warm, pleasant vibes and I'm all for it

[@GregCurtin45]

Converting to the terrace into workable/usable glass-in space is quite brilliant.

[@marianacastro1134]

I want to see more from Brazil! I loved this!!!

[@theupstudioarchitecture]

LOVE seeing the construction photos and demo plans! Well done, all!! 👏

[@kenrickhadley4499]

I love what you have done with this space from the choice of materials and especially the even more difficult choice of color. That neutral tone of green is just so inspiring. I also love how you have created hidden storage in so many areas that does not show everything. I am inspired. Thanks.

[@deborahhebblethwaite1865]

Many many years ago i fell in love with a Seatle USA makeover. There were many condos renovated in a factory building….brick walls, big windows high ceilings …. a one bedroom apartment that I fell in love with. The clients found old pine doors and made a bifold wall that was stunning. Thanks for the memories🇨🇦

[@orugma]

This was the best design you've featured in years!

[@JoannaRubiIsHere]

I also think this is the best transformation I have seen yet!

[@studiopapayaprojetos]

🥰

[@badger9156]

I like how this project shows how even a smaller 2 bedroom could be reconfigured to 1 bed plus guest room, so the space is fully utilised for more of the time. Not all small apartments are lucky to include such a wonderful terrace (or the weather to allow it to be inhabited year round!), but I love watching your videos and imagining how I could improve our 40 m2 2 bed, 1 bath apartment by knocking down some walls! A girl can dream 😊

[@grigorisgirl]

Beautiful design and colour ways. Clever use of the space with spare bedroom. Like somebody else said there seemed to be an awful lot of chairs! The enclosed balcony was very clever.

[@jackietequila9072]

we need a lot of chairs because we have a lot of friends and we like to receive friends and have parties at home.

[@grigorisgirl]

👍🏼@@jackietequila9072

[@JudgeyJudgeyable]

I always find it interesting when people in small spaces put so much thought into housing guests.

[@darthges25]

Absolutely amazing! One of the best projects yet, loved the color scheme and what they did with the space!

[@CherryAdora]

Great idea with the walls on the guest bedroom/living room 👏 and I love what they did with the glass wall in the balcony and extending the dining area to the balcony. Amd that nook for study area is also a great idea.

[@simonthomas1672]

This is so stunning! I love the dropped ceiling oval, the incorporation of the terrace, and clever details like the shelving hiding the equipment. The colour is neutral while still being distinctive. Such a transformation, well done.

[@andylk3671]

It's nice to see a Romanian architect being in on of the channel's videos. Thank you Delia

[@jazziechandra8231]

Absolutely brilliant! This space is the most beautiful and sleek I’ve seen. It is pure elegance. What a joyful home.

[@inthechairwithcloochy8102]

WOW!!! I think this is my favourite NTS video yet!!! So well thought of and executed!!!

[@_MSD75_]

I love the shelf that goes around above the kitchen area. Perhaps they could have removed the ensuite, made the second bathroom larger and then give more space in the bedroom. Having two bathrooms in such a small space seems too much.

[@laetifico]

I agree! Why have 2 bathrooms for? Super luxurious for a 1-2 people.

[@kobiadjei-yeboah6520]

This is so beautiful! Great job to everyone involved in creating this space!!

[@arlenesolis024]

❤❤I’m so in love with this apartment and how it uses every practical aspect of it. Amazing way of using the outdoor space to blend in with indoor spaces. Great job

[@MinhTuanTran2601]

Using the terrace to maximize usable space is a clever idea. But I am worried about the thermal performance. Putting the condenser unit in a cabinet with perforated doors inside of the apartment makes the space around it so much hotter. The holes in the doors also make it easier for cool air inside to move outside and hot air to move inside the apartment during warmer months.

[@Olli4]

Not just that, it basically defeats the whole purpose of having the aircon. It's moving heat from the one unit to the other using energy. That means energy is being added to the total (compressor in outdoor unit gets hot for example). And it's called an "outdoor unit" for a reason of course. Let alone the thermal performance of the glass on the balcony which looks to be single pane and has no seals. Beautiful conversion, but these technical mishaps are not really acceptable. Maybe the climate there makes it less of an issue but still. In most places (at least here in Belgium) you would not be allowed to take out the separation between living space & terrace either. Building code requires developers to include some form of "outdoor" space with each unit... including it in the living space makes that nonsensical.

[@lucas_nm238]

I thought the same. Very weird indeed.

[@dafarii]

A NTS episode which features a comfortable couch!

[@desperatebones]

Wow so beautiful. Love the living room/guest room design…it’s beautiful and clever and practical. Also happy they kept 2 bathrooms!

[@lifepulsateshere7586]

I just love this Channel "Never too small" very much, just small apartments/space can be transferred into just a beautiful miracle space with a lot of positivity, I enjoy watching your videos, keep it up team❤❤❤ come up with more and more videos.

[@ttoronto6956]

WOW! Love the colour palette, curves, textures and incredible use of space here! What an incredible design!

[@samiaafra7330]

beautiful space with so much light

[@MariaMaria-ve9fx]

The most beautiful in this entire chanell!!!! Sooo good taste Brazilian people have!!! This green is gorgeous!!!!🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤

[@extendedlimits]

This has to be my most favorite one yet!

[@studiopapayaprojetos]

🥰

[@amandavergara8043]

Oh what I'd give to live in this apartment!!🤩

[@Bblb1997]

This is the second apartment by Studio Papaya I watch and I absolutely love them!!

[@sylviege7534]

Beautiful flat with plenty of storage. I like the colours and the furniture. 👍

[@bardiel83]

I think I have just found my new favorite apartment in this series. The colors, the flexible layout, the lighting... everything works so well together. As much as I like the idea of a big terrace, fully integrating it in the living space was a huge win. I am slightly concerned about the air conditioning unit at 5:07. What about noise levels? I never owned an AC so I have no clue ^^'

[@ysbyttybedbug]

We need them in our climate and they are fine, they sound like a fan but maybe quieter. I loved how they hid them in the structure.

[@samtriglone8858]

Having the compressor inside the house does raise some questions. It would need to be permanently ventilated to the outside which would mean hot air would also enter the room when it wasn't being used. Maybe they found a way to fix this but certainly never heard of the compressor being inside before.

[@Rafaelrpaese]

@@samtriglone8858 Apartments in Brazil have a regulation that need to have a glass box, that trows the hot air outside. I didn't see in this project, so I'm also a little confused. But that's the norm here

[@samtriglone8858]

@@Rafaelrpaese it looks to me like one side is exposed to the outside and the other side is ventilated directly into the apartment through the holes in the door beside it. But if it wasn't set up properly it would very quickly be noticed by the residents as hot air would blow into the apartment so they must have solved it somehow.

[@usuariu1024]

@@samtriglone8858 the hot air blows to the outside, sucking colder air from the inside. Not ideal, but it works.

[@chimdi]

If I were to comment on everything I loved about this design I would be recapping the whole video!!! SO GOOD!!!

[@posyb71]

One of the best I've seen. Not sure two dining areas are necessary and would have been good to retain part of the terrace so it's fully outdoors but overall gorgeous.

[@carltongirl95]

This is one of the best small space video's I've ever seen...I love how they've managed to get two bedroom's and two bathroom's in this space...the lounge/guest room is fantastic and utilising the balcony like that makes the house so much bigger...thankyou for sharing 💜🇦🇺

[@davidjamessussex1671]

It is undeniably gorgeous - but also MASSIVE! “Never too small” is getting bigger by the video! It’ll be a ‘cosy’ Scottish castle before Christmas!

[@massabranca]

Very clever and cozy! Love the use of mirrors to disguise de beam!

[@DJTruntz]

This is probably going as my top 3 in this channel. For small apartments, I am not a fan of a small and separate terrace/balcony space. It's quite common here in here the Philippines. The way they extended their space into the terrace made the space A LOT more spacious. Plus the convertible guest bedroom is chefs kiss. I'd only add a loft style bedroom as the master bedroom and aside from that, LOVE IT.

[@I_am_Lauren]

This might be my favorite home yet! It's the perfect size! I love the color palate and the choice to use lots of custom woodwork. This feels like a proper cozy home that you feel comfortable living in.

[@arlenehutchinson9259]

One of the BEST I've seen. Gorgeous ❤🙌🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@karenstanislaw8912]

Very nice "patina" to the modern place - warm woods and craft feel. Love the **curviture to some of the rooms- gives more dynamism and interest. Very lovely place. Much joy within its clever walls to its young inhabitants.

[@lordking-kl5dl]

It seems to me that taking advantage of the terrace to maximize the useful space as they are doing is a smart idea

[@amyoungil]

Wow! Beautiful, elegant, unique, comfortable. I like how the architects took some care to downplay the HVAC, but didn't make ridiculous impractical structures that will have to be torn out if the appliances every have to be serviced or switched.

[@anitamcgrath906]

I love this apartment, it is somewhere that I could live.😊

[@ElizabethEllenCarter]

This is absolutely my favourite so far.

[@junehulton9776]

A very welcoming home ... functional in every way ...and works well in all areas of the home ..very nice .style design and colours...

[@gcervatti]

Maybe someone has already mention this, but it is important to provide some context. In São Paulo (and other Brazilian capitals), the newer apartments, such as the one showed in this video, are usually constructed/marketed as 2 bedroom or 3 bedrooms but in the reality new owners come in and do 2 changes: take one bedroom out - making it a 1 bedroom larger open concept apartment or a 2 bedroom larger open concept apartment. In both cases incorporating the varanda into the apartment, taking walls out and closing it with the sliding windows. Regardless, I think it was a very clever move from both architects for allowing the "2nd bedroom" to be flexible. Another thing i noticed, is the amount of bathrooms - you would not see - normally - 2 bathrooms in such an apartment this size in Europe for example. I love how our layouts are open to more than 1 bathroom. Last i would love to see more content from Latin America and how approaches to this newer buildings can be different. Especially if the client does not want an open concept. Thanks and great work DELIA and SAMUEL.

[@studiopapayaprojetos]

Many Thanks @gcervatti!🥰

[@rubensheep2]

You’re right, 1 bathroom is more typical on Europe, I agree that this multipurpose room works wonderful but I don’t see the point of having a very large kitchen with two dining tables, specially compared to the size of the living room/tv room. I think Brazilians should stop that and make a bigger living room instead.

[@MaíraImenesIshida]

​@@rubensheep2It is cultural in Brazil to hold meetings at home and the kitchen is the center of these meetings. It is in the kitchen that guests are welcomed and chatted while food and drinks are served. The room is only used for sleeping.

[@heitoroliveira5166]

So true, i'm from Salvador, and raised on a apartment that has aproximately 68sqm, 3 bedroons originaly, but 30 years ago my grandma put out the walls of the first bedroom to make a bigger living room. I have seem this move so many times, It's truly a Brazillian habit.

[@heitoroliveira5166]

Not all of us do that, but i have to say middle class ppl, specially from capitals, really love this. I would never, that 2nd dinning table bothered me a lot. I know is cultural to have a great dinning table, and i love it. But i felt like would be better and more elegant to have a single, big table for 8 or 10 insted to tables taking so much space. I feel that one of the reasons is that we like to have a lot of furniture. I have been on some places that really pissed me of bcs i could see was a big apartment, but it had so many things that felt like a really tiny place@@rubensheep2

[@deia_galvao]

Adorei ver um apartamento do Never Too Small tão pertinho de casa! O apartamento ficou lindo!

[@socialjusticejewelry]

Great. Now I want to immediately start trying to build an oval shelf on my ceiling. 😮 Very 😎.

[@suzelysabadini9845]

Nice to see a project from my country! Fantastic use of space and colors!

[@ismailkarim9429]

This is my favourite one so far !

[@ireneferrante2313]

Beautifully done,with excellent use of form and function! A place that would be wonderful to live in.

[@NEESHiMinaj]

This is my favorite home featured on this channel omg

[@nunziapiacenti2775]

Bravissimi. Ristrutturazione perfetta che ci dimostra come si può unire la funzionalità all'eleganza e al buon gusto.

[@mheynike]

Normally these types of interiors are fairly minimalist and do not feel so warm, cosy and luxurious. I love the warmth of this house. I would have thought the oval ceiling unit above the dining room table would make the room feel smaller, but it adds so much to the space. Really lovely design. I also love the wooden folding wall. . . . looks amazing as a backdrop for the dining room. That terrace space looks amazing for yoga! I would perhaps have made the bar table foldable for more space. Overall, really amazing design!

[@karateana7593]

Beautiful! one of the better spaces I've seen on this channel, tasteful.

[@studiopapayaprojetos]

Many Thanks!

[@Vitoria-ug9cc]

Finally some episodes in São Paulo! Yayyy! 😍

[@kaahfee]

im so srry but i cant believe that the before photos are the real before photos of this apartment!?! HOW?? Thats crazy. your creativitity is immense

[@MsWinterlife]

Great idea about the overhead shelving, our cats would love climbing up and running around on it :)

[@crystaldew1993]

Beautiful and smart, I liked how they hid the AC, made ventilation for the fridge in a very sleek way~~