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From the beginning, Nimi Attanayake, founding director of Nimtim Architects, knew she would have to make the most 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 creating a larger footprint beneath an upstairs neighbor’s existing balcony. They hoped it would have a strong connection to the garden where their dog Maple loves to play, as well as a shared living and dining area that flowed seamlessly into the kitchen—without existing in one giant room. And here’s the kicker: They also requested a spot to put 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 nevertheless, the owners wanted more options than their spare room or a potential pull-out bed. So, Attanayake figured out how to fit this robust wishlist within this modest extension—and did so well, in fact, that guests might miss their sleeping arrangements upon 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 discussing this plan with the owners to make sure it was what they needed.”
The UK double bed is tucked away by two sliding timber catches that pivot to release the frame, which all comes in a kit. The contractor assembled it all, and then ensured that the bed blended in with a custom panel and shelf. It’s a project you can do yourself, 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 are in town, Attanayake provided privacy by designing a pocket door that conceals the extension from the other two bedrooms. Sure, the owners (and Maple) can still come in to use the kitchen and garden as they please, but so far, it’s worked out just fine. Attanayake was told that the owners’ parents prefer it to the guest room because it’s so comfortable.
“It’s an efficient use of space, and the materials we chose are robust enough to handle family life while still being colorful and warm,” she says.