Most apartments in Hai Phong are 50–80 m² and many alley townhouses are only 3.5–5 m wide. In spaces like these, choosing furniture for a small home is not just about looks: a sofa 30 cm too long or a badly placed wardrobe can make a whole room feel cramped. These are the principles and reference sizes HICONIQUE × PQT architects use for small interiors.
Measure and plan before you buy
Measure every room, including doors, windows, sockets, air conditioners, columns and beams; draw a scaled plan and place furniture on it; check the delivery route (lift, front door, stair landings); and mark furniture outlines on the floor with masking tape to feel the real size.
Sizes worth remembering
| Item | Reference size |
|---|---|
| Main walkway | 80–90 cm |
| Sofa to coffee table | 40–45 cm |
| 2–3 seat sofa for a small living room | 1.6–2.0 m long, 80–90 cm deep |
| Double bed | 1.6 × 2.0 m (1.4 m in small rooms) |
| Clearance around the bed | at least 50–60 cm |
| Dining table for 4 | 1.1–1.2 × 0.7–0.8 m, or 0.9–1.0 m round |
| Wardrobe depth | 55–60 cm |
| Kitchen worktop | 80–85 cm high, 55–60 cm deep |
Adjust final sizes to your family's height and habits.
Built-in storage that goes up
Floor area is the most valuable thing in a small home, so build upwards and into walls: floor-to-ceiling wardrobes and kitchen units, recesses and under-stair cupboards, beds with drawers or gas-lift storage, wall-hung shelves and TV units. Made-to-measure joinery fits every corner and can use moisture-resistant cores for kitchens and bathrooms, which matters during northern Vietnam's humid season.
Multifunctional and raised furniture
Choose extendable or wall-folding dining tables, sofa beds, storage benches and desks integrated with cabinets. Furniture on slim legs 15–20 cm high shows more floor, looks lighter and is easier to clean. Avoid bulky, rarely used pieces such as large display cabinets or heavy solid-wood sets.
Colour, materials and light
Use one light, consistent palette for walls, ceiling and cabinet doors; run the same flooring through living room, kitchen and corridor; place large mirrors to bounce window light; use glass, acrylic and slim metal for tables and partitions; and layer your lighting. Our lighting calculator estimates how many fittings each room needs. Light curtains hung from ceiling to floor make rooms feel taller.
Room by room
In 1–2 bedroom apartments, use an I- or L-shaped kitchen, perhaps with a small island that doubles as a dining table, and sliding wardrobe doors in small bedrooms. In narrow townhouses, replace solid walls between living room and stairs with glass or slatted screens, and put storage under the stairs.
Buy in the right order
Fixed elements first (floors, ceilings, lighting, kitchen, built-ins), then large loose furniture sized to the plan, then curtains, rugs, art and plants.
Start with a budget: try the apartment interior estimate, then request a quote and our architects will measure, plan and propose bespoke furniture for your home.
