Technology

‘Drawers Within Drawers’: 269-Square-Foot Apartment Hides Full-Size Pull-Out Tub

There are conventional methods of maximizing small living spaces — Murphy beds, futons, tables that fold flat onto the wall, etc. Then, there is Valentina Maini’s way.

Maini and her 269-square-foot apartment in Barcelona is one of the latest “tiny house” features by Fair Companies. Although many with small living quarters have to bring in designers for ideas on how to deal with the space, Maini, as an architect, already had a design in mind and simply hired a carpenter to make it happen.

First, let‘s start with the stairway leading up to Maini’s apartment. She leads with “don’t be scared,” as she walks up the little more than one-meter-wide winding staircase.

As Maini shows off some of the space saving elements of her apartment, she notes when she first saw it she thought would be too small to make it work as a living space and home office. Most of Maini’s space-maximizing features are characterized by drawers. There’s even “drawers within drawers.” Pulling out a few, she shows how the draws hide her closet and even a full-size bath tub.

Underneath the platform supporting for Maini’s Japanese-style kitchen chairs, is her “spa.” Her bath tub is underneath.

Here is a slideshow of images from Maini’s apartment:

Watch Maini’s apartment tour:

For small spaces, Maini tells Fair Companies, “it’s important that you need always to change the perspective.” When Maini is on her lofted bed, she can see outside. When she’s on the floor, her bed is concealed by other elements in the room.

Comments (40)

  • Cavy2see
    Posted on August 10, 2012 at 3:13pm

    They won’t have to force you to move…things will be so expensive you must move to closets…I don’t like mega homes but this is awful…they look like the opium rooms of the people in china used a century ago…

    Report Post » Cavy2see  
  • JEANNIEMAC
    Posted on July 29, 2012 at 3:09pm

    One of the goals of Agenda 21 is to confiscate farms and private property. Then people will be moved, whether they like it or not, to tiny apartments or high rise apartment buildings. The whole idea of Agenda 21 is to reduce the surplus population, and make the planet green for the elite and their progeny. The plans of the “intellectual elite and world bankers” were kept secret for over forty years
    by the NY Times, Washington Post, Time, etc. (David Rockefeller 1991 – Bilderberg meeting – Germany

    Report Post »  
  • historyguy48
    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 9:15pm

    Comrades even the great Joesph Stalin allowed 450 sq feet per person in the peoples housing in Moscow! If Dear Leader has his way a lot of us will have to do with far less, say a 5 x 8 room, with an exposed toilet and two bunk beds behind a nice set of shiney bars. Of course that is only temporary until they can dig another ditch.

    Report Post » historyguy48  
  • 1me2ao
    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 6:21pm

    how much does it cost to have the bathtub repaired if it slides in and out? how does the insurance work? i will move my large size family into that when holywood and bloomberg move their ass in it.

    they have all said that we all need to downsize. look up russian apartments and suprise suprise.

    Report Post »  
    • EL CHOQUE
      Posted on July 28, 2012 at 6:35pm

      Look closely. The tub does not move. The glass table rolls off & then the “seat” rolls off. The tub is locked in place.

      Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on July 29, 2012 at 8:47am

      Or when Obama takes up residence in a tiny 400 sq ft house, that‘s when I’ll move. Let our dear leader be the first. And it can’t be anything but his primary residence, not a “vacation” home.

      Report Post »  
  • AzThunder
    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 4:04pm

    no way!
    Maybe the white-house should be re-designed around this concept. A smart/dumb car for a limo, single engine plane for “airfarce” one. The 3 stooges for SS security.

    Report Post » AzThunder  
  • flatbroke
    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 2:14pm

    I will keep my home 2/2 in the midwest, cheaper, more space.

    Report Post » flatbroke  
  • ThoreauHD
    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 2:02pm

    I’d rather live in prison. At least I have no choice being there and the food is free.

    Report Post » ThoreauHD  
  • quiltgal
    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 1:14pm

    Well-outfitted cubicle apartments like this may offer clever answers to living within your means in high rent cities, but I’d never want to live in one if I had another choice. To make it work, you’d have to be completely ruthless in getting rid of sentimental “clutter,” give up hobbies, house guests, and gourmet cooking, and spend most of your time elsewhere to avoid boredom.

    Report Post »  
    • Cavy2see
      Posted on August 10, 2012 at 3:07pm

      or you are on drugs…and cannot move about…

      Report Post » Cavy2see  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 12:33pm

    …
    She might could afford a larger home, if she would give up smoking.
    Smoking is a very expensive addiction.
    And yes, she’s addicted. She could not even get through the home tour without a ciggy.

    Report Post »  
    • AzThunder
      Posted on July 28, 2012 at 3:59pm

      I’ll bet her cig is not tobacco, one would need something stronger to live like that

      Report Post » AzThunder  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 12:21pm

    …
    Due to the economy, I already live in a small home, but not this small. I‘ve already downsized as far as I’m going.
    The more I downsize and conserve, the higher the prices go up on taxes, power, water, phone, internet service, goods, groceries, and gas.
    It’s a lose, lose, situation. The Government, utility companies, gas companies, and big box stores adjust their prices, so they never lose money.

    Report Post »  
  • LameLiberals
    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 12:12pm

    Why do some people feel this woman is strange from living a tiny UNIQUE, cute, functional place WITH NO DEBT and small monthly energy bills as opposed to her buying a 3000sf huge cookie cutter McMansion that looks as ugly as all the rest of them, costs a fortune to heat/cool, property taxes though the roof and 30-40 year mortgage?

    I think 1000-1200sf would be better for one person but if she is happy – let her be.

    Report Post »  
    • bikerr
      Posted on July 28, 2012 at 2:21pm

      Where did it say she was debt free and paying little for utilities?.

      Report Post »  
  • china clipper
    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 12:06pm

    She could do with e-books

    Report Post »  
  • bbyrdhouse
    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 12:03pm

    @MARK0331
    Dude, … nothing wrong about someone choosing to live in a tiny place like this.
    How is that socialist or communist?

    If the government were forcing people to live like that then it would be socialism/communism.

    I grew up in a family of 5 in a 690 sq. ft house … small place, but it was ours and we loved it. Nobody forced us to live there, but it is what my folks could afford.

    Report Post »  
    • Mark0331
      Posted on July 28, 2012 at 12:20pm

      Like I said, live any way you want…I too grew up in a small house, make due with what you got….but would you trade what you have now to live in that?…..By the way, check NYC..they already passed a bill to create more of these cubicle apartments….so yes, in some respects that is all people will have to live in if they decide to move to NYC….Nobody forces us to buy expensive lightbulbs filled with mercury?…Nobody passes laws regarding soda size, salt intake?….it is a slippery slope, that is all I am saying….and its happening daily around us…..live any way you like, just don‘t be suprised when this sort of thing becomes mandatory due to ’enivironmental’ concerns….

      Report Post » Mark0331  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on July 28, 2012 at 3:05pm

      This is an attempt to force us to start living in smaller and smaller areas. Bloomberg is forcing builders in NY to build tiny apartments. His reasoning, “We have too much stuff, and there is too many people”. So, yes there is an uderlying reason you see these small places being showcased. The left is trying to make this the “Norm” and acceptable. Maybe not to people like me that live out west, but for all of those Urban dwellers.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • bbyrdhouse
      Posted on July 28, 2012 at 7:05pm

      @MARK0331
      Not trying to get into an argument, but your premise was wrong.
      No doubt the socialist and green tree huggers would have us all living in shoeboxes, but people ought to be free to choose a shoebox if thats what they want.

      Report Post »  
  • Mannamomof4
    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 11:30am

    I admire the fact that she took the time to be creative and make the best of a difficult situation. It paid off with a terrace she didn’t even know she had.

    Report Post »  
  • Individualism
    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 11:02am

    if that was like 200-300 a month than that would be fine, but for some reason i get the feeling its 5-6x so screw it. But you also have to be small, gl if your like 6 feet tall or something.

    Report Post » Individualism  
    • mils
      Posted on July 28, 2012 at 11:33am

      she also has a terrace that she did not show us..it would add to the space and not being so confined..sooooooo many books….
      people make do with what they have and she appears to be doing well….

      Report Post »  
  • HumbleCitizen
    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 11:00am

    A sh*thole (looking at the beginning of the video) that this woman with some ingenuity has made reasonably nice and comfortable.
    If the new world order has its way, we’ll all live in closets like this.

    Report Post » HumbleCitizen  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on July 28, 2012 at 11:21am

      I think you meant to say coffins

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • LMW
      Posted on July 28, 2012 at 12:29pm

      I agree,I have noticed that we see more and more of small spaces for living. I smell a rat as soon the US which was the envey of the whole world for its homes will be like “Mother Russia”. We will all live in our small apartments and will be confined to the cities as after all to protect us from the bad guys we must be close together. Only our dear leaders who know best will sacrifice to live in the country far from the cities in homes more suitable for such elites so we can have room for more space in town for the population. We can’t go to the country with out special passes as we would not wish to upset the eco-system. Remember they are only looking out after our wellfare and protection. Please report any malcontents as they are your enemy.

      Report Post »  
  • Wino911
    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 10:59am

    I would rather live in a nice tent in a wide open space.
    To reduce clutter & save more space she should put all those books on a Kindle.

    Report Post »  
    • ChildOfTheKing
      Posted on July 28, 2012 at 11:42am

      I agree! I love my Kindle!!

      Report Post » ChildOfTheKing  
    • ChildOfTheKing
      Posted on July 28, 2012 at 11:43am

      ….however, there are just GREAT REASONS TO HAVE AN ORIGINAL HARD COPY BOOK, like “A Tale of Two Cities, and all the CLASSICS! Let’s not get rid of all books.

      Report Post » ChildOfTheKing  
    • JACKTHETOAD
      Posted on July 28, 2012 at 12:25pm

      Farenheit 451 anybody?

      Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
  • Mark0331
    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 10:50am

    Notice how socialist nations and their idiot adherents in our own nation espouse the idea of living in stall like cubicles and high taxes as a good thing?…Just live like a beast and work for the almighty ‘State’….I am all for personal choice, but even in NYC they are loving the idea of ‘cubicle’ apartments… this is ridiculous.

    Report Post » Mark0331  
    • RobbieTLHughie
      Posted on July 28, 2012 at 11:21am

      Mark is too blatantly uninformed to realize that many people choose to live like this even in our country. He’s just insulting, like all the others here because he has so much red-hot hate in his heart for anything different than early 1900′s America.

      For some people this sort of home is more than enough, it’s inexpensive, comfortable and cozy. Some people don’t want to spend more on a house than they do on a car, or vice versa. Many people don’t realize you can build your own petite home in this country for under 30,000$, furnished and everything with all the fixings. Including the ability to get yourself off the grid, with whatever form of energy you choose.

      Every time an article like this comes up another socially-retarded, insulting mongoloid comes around screaming how living like this is ‘socialism’ or ‘communism’ or something like that. This has nothing to do with politics at all and is just the way some people choose to live. This may be a shock to some of our American friends but there are large houses in Italy, too! Did you know that? I know, surprising!

      I am so sick and tired of every time one of those super ingenious small house designs pops up you guys jump onto the back of it like a Bakersfield chimp and start clawing away at the eyes.

      Get over it, some people want to live differently than you and that’s all there is to it. Pure and simple ignorance in it’s finest, most granulated form here in a story that has nothing to do with politics

      Report Post » RobbieTLHughie  
    • Mark0331
      Posted on July 28, 2012 at 11:34am

      Wow, you wrote all that and said nothing…..your veiled defense of socialism and archaic child like insults make me laugh out loud…‘I am all for personal choice’…did you even read thart part of my post?…or did the words ‘socialism’ have you drooling and typing away?..your response has the reasoning and the shrill sound of the mis-informed and gullible…..live any way you like…live in a closet for all I care…

      Report Post » Mark0331  
    • Mark0331
      Posted on July 28, 2012 at 11:51am

      By the way Robbie the Robot…Did you know a cardboard box is an environmentally sound living cubicle as well and off the grid?…. I know, suprising, right?

      Report Post » Mark0331  
    • AzThunder
      Posted on July 28, 2012 at 4:14pm

      @Mark0331 – Well said. looks like a communist life style to me

      Report Post » AzThunder  
    • josh345
      Posted on July 29, 2012 at 8:40am

      MARK0331, you obviously weren’t paying much attention to Robbie. He said quite a bit, and I agree with it. Your type, who criticize African-Americans for calling people racist if they disagree with them, call people socialist or communist if they disagree with you. I know many people who live in NYC in small apartments and haven’t heard of a single case of the government forcing anybody to live anywhere. If you don’t have any evidence to back up your “facts”, then don’t state them. When was the last time you were in New York? How long ago was it that you talked to a New Yorker? Or to someone living in a small apartment?

      Report Post »  
    • RobbieTLHughie
      Posted on July 29, 2012 at 2:11pm

      This has nothing; zilch, zero to do with politics at all. Mark is angry about something I don’t know what, I thought we were restoring love and not furious anger.

      This has to do with living the way you want to at the cost you want to and obviously many of the people here aren’t really for freedom of choice at all. Every time an article about small housing appears on this site are wrenching cries of socialism and shades of the USSR. Living NICELY AND FREELY how you want to, is what is American. Not the size of your stupid house.

      Did Christ live in a mansion? I think not. And to address your silly joke about sustainability and energy independence I guess you enjoy depending on the government for everything? Including your power? Hypocrite.

      Report Post » RobbieTLHughie  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 10:42am

    Okay – BUT, who wants to live in a drawer?

    Report Post » Tri-ox  

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