ByKelly Dawson,Photography ByMegan Taylor
PublishedMar 20, 2025 1:51 PM EDT
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Domino Reno: Before + Afters, DIYs, and Hot Takes From the Pros
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From the jump, Nimi Attanayake, founding director ofNimtim Architects, knew she'd have to squeeze every last drop out of an already multi-hyphenate space. The couple who live in this two-bedroom South London flat wanted to extend the rear of their property by carving out a larger footprint beneath an upstairs neighbor's existing balcony. They hoped it would connect strongly to the garden where their dog Maple loves to goof off, plus deliver a shared living and dining area that flowed seamlessly into the kitchen—without melting into one giant room. And here's the kicker: they also wanted a spot to stash guests.
"My team and I are increasingly seeing a move away from open plans to a more nuanced layout," Attanayake says. "People want flexibility in their homes, and this is especially important in small spaces."
Visiting friends and family would be sporadic, but the owners still wanted more options than their spare room or a potential pull-out bed. So Attanayake figured out how to wedge this robust wishlist into this modest extension—and pulled it off so well that guests might just miss their sleeping arrangements on arrival. A Murphy bed is set into the wall-to-wall bookcase that unites the living and dining areas, hiding behind a textural sheet of stained plywood that faces the sunken kitchen.
"This solution allowed for a flexible layout," Attanayake says. "We thought through all of the scenarios: How will it look when you have guests? Can you see the cook in the kitchen? Can you still see the garden? We spent a lot of time hashing this plan out with the owners to make sure it was what they needed."
TheUK double bedis tucked away by two sliding timber catches that pivot to release the frame, which all arrives in a kit. The contractor assembled it all, then made sure the bed blended in with a custom panel and shelf. It's a project you can DIY, but Attanayake has some advice: "Plywood comes in a variety of grades and thickness, so it's important to choose the right board," she notes. "I recommend speaking to timber suppliers, checking with the Murphy bed supplier, and ordering a sample board to manage expectations."
When visitors roll into town, Attanayake baked in privacy by designing a pocket door that seals the extension off from the other two bedrooms. Sure, the owners (and Maple) can still march through to use the kitchen and garden as they please, but so far, it's all worked out fine. Attanayake was told the owners' parents actually prefer it to the guest room because it's so comfy.
"It's an efficient use of space, and the materials we chose are tough enough to handle family life while still being colorful and warm," she says.
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