The successful conversion of an office into a 55sqm apartment for rent in Paris
AMEO Concept transforms an office space into a 55sqm apartment for rent in Paris, we break down all the design choices
Some projects start with a completely blank slate, but this one was even worse. Initially, the space consisted of a rather dilapidated 91sqm office suite and an adjacent 19sqm studio. The investors wanted two apartments for short-term rental, roughly equal in size, and ready to move into. The AMEO Concept agency took on Lot B, which underwent six months of renovation work. And here, after the renovation, we discover this 55sqm apartment for rent in Paris. It bears no resemblance to what existed before (see the “before” photos at the bottom of the article);
The result, delivered in 2024, meets all the specifications. The apartment is nothing like a typical furnished tourist rental. It resembles what one would expect to find when booking a Parisian boutique hotel. The place is now comfortable with an elegant atmosphere, along with its consistent decor from start to finish, make it the ideal pied-à-terre for short stays. It’s hard to believe that this space was an office less than two years ago.
The project’s first constraint was structural. To create two bedrooms and two bathrooms in this originally open space, AMEO Concept opened up a load-bearing wall. The central support column, unavoidable in this type of project, became an asset. The firm integrated it into the floor plan. It now delineates the living spaces without creating partitions, creating a natural flow between the living room and the dining area. This creates a small three-room apartment while maintaining a sense of spaciousness, a remarkable feat given the limited floor area.
The column remains visible, fulfilling its structural role and facilitating movement between rooms. Its understated design makes it all the more appealing.
The conversion of offices into residential spaces is a process Paris knows well. It almost always involves specific structural constraints, such as generous ceiling heights that sometimes compensate for a lack of volume, and windows positioned for professional rather than residential use. Here, AMEO Concept handles these particularities with an economy of means that commands respect.
The decor is based on a bold color scheme. Blue is used in a monochromatic palette throughout the apartment and is paired with warm-toned wood. This is a real risk in a rental apartment, where many investors opt for absolute neutrality for fear of displeasing tenants.
AMEO Concept takes the opposite approach. A memorable apartment rents better than a run-of-the-mill one. Travelers who choose an independent hotel property are looking precisely for this unique atmosphere that standardized chains do not offer. The deep blue creates an enveloping atmosphere, which is perfectly suited to short-term rentals.
The variations in tone, the materials that break up the uniformity, all of this creates a look that is both original and balanced. It’s a powerful palette that must be handled with care in a rather small apartment, and here it’s executed to perfection. The darker tones absorb light in the evening and create a cozy atmosphere. This is also what one looks for in a short-term rental.
The kitchen features a two-tone design. Two shades, one for the lower cabinets and another for the upper ones, distinguish them clearly, creating a visual rhythm that energizes the room.
The real decorative gem of this space is the mirrored backsplash. It reflects light, pushes the walls back, and adds depth to this necessarily compact 55sqm space. In a space like this, every centimeter counts. Its mirrored backsplash creates an immediate effect of virtually expanding the space.
The furniture is designed for optimization without sacrificing aesthetics. Its dining room features a storage bench, a multifunctional piece that provides seating and storage for four to six people. The living area includes a sofa bed, essential in a rental apartment where flexibility is key for hosting guests.
These choices are pragmatic, but AMEO Concept integrates them into the overall color palette rather than treating them as mere functional solutions. The bench is not a catalog piece placed there for lack of a better option. It is an integral part of the living room’s composition, dyed in a solid blue monochrome, treated as a true element of interior architecture.
It is precisely this approach that distinguishes an interior designer’s project from a simply furnished apartment. Practical constraints become decorative elements in their own right. We fully endorse this approach and applaud the consistency that extends from one room to the next.
In a 55sqm apartment for rent in Paris like this one, using standard furniture creates empty spaces and dead corners. AMEO Concept opts for custom-made fixtures, which optimize every nook and cranny and address every spatial constraint inherent in converting an open-plan space. It’s a decision that impacts the budget but produces an immediately noticeable result.
The space appears larger than it actually is. The horizontal lines of the storage units visually elongate the rooms. Height is utilized all the way to the ceiling. For a short-term rental, this is also a direct selling point. A well-organized apartment, where everything has its place, rents for a higher price and generates better reviews.
The bathrooms deserve special mention. In a conversion of this type, they often represent the real challenge. Two functional and pleasant bathroom spaces must be created within a space not originally intended for that purpose. Consequently, rigorous planning is required.
This 55sqm apartment for rent in Paris illustrates a simple truth: budget and space constraints do not condemn a space to decorative mediocrity. With a reasonable budget for a complete conversion, the result is remarkable. The professionals have made the most of it, focusing their efforts where they have the greatest impact. The color palette is bold, the custom layouts are effective, and the details are elegant, such as the mirrored backsplash.
Blue serves as the unifying theme, giving this apartment a distinct identity that makes it stand out immediately when searching for a rental. The decision not to fall back on neutrality, to choose a deep color, and to commit to it throughout the space, reveals a true decorative conviction.
If one were to express a regret, it might be the absence of a few more assertive graphic elements as a wallpaper applied here and there, or a colored ceiling in the bedroom, something that would make the living room even more memorable. As well as the presence of additional mirrors in the rooms to virtually enhance the sense of space. But these are minor reservations in the face of this perfectly executed renovation. AMEO Concept has delivered a project that confirms its mastery of small Parisian spaces designed for hospitality. Photo: © Agathe Tissier
BEFORE
The result, delivered in 2024, meets all the specifications. The apartment is nothing like a typical furnished tourist rental. It resembles what one would expect to find when booking a Parisian boutique hotel. The place is now comfortable with an elegant atmosphere, along with its consistent decor from start to finish, make it the ideal pied-à-terre for short stays. It’s hard to believe that this space was an office less than two years ago.
A load-bearing wall opened up to change everything
The project’s first constraint was structural. To create two bedrooms and two bathrooms in this originally open space, AMEO Concept opened up a load-bearing wall. The central support column, unavoidable in this type of project, became an asset. The firm integrated it into the floor plan. It now delineates the living spaces without creating partitions, creating a natural flow between the living room and the dining area. This creates a small three-room apartment while maintaining a sense of spaciousness, a remarkable feat given the limited floor area.
The column remains visible, fulfilling its structural role and facilitating movement between rooms. Its understated design makes it all the more appealing.
The conversion of offices into residential spaces is a process Paris knows well. It almost always involves specific structural constraints, such as generous ceiling heights that sometimes compensate for a lack of volume, and windows positioned for professional rather than residential use. Here, AMEO Concept handles these particularities with an economy of means that commands respect.
The monochromatic palette of blue and wood
The decor is based on a bold color scheme. Blue is used in a monochromatic palette throughout the apartment and is paired with warm-toned wood. This is a real risk in a rental apartment, where many investors opt for absolute neutrality for fear of displeasing tenants.
AMEO Concept takes the opposite approach. A memorable apartment rents better than a run-of-the-mill one. Travelers who choose an independent hotel property are looking precisely for this unique atmosphere that standardized chains do not offer. The deep blue creates an enveloping atmosphere, which is perfectly suited to short-term rentals.
The variations in tone, the materials that break up the uniformity, all of this creates a look that is both original and balanced. It’s a powerful palette that must be handled with care in a rather small apartment, and here it’s executed to perfection. The darker tones absorb light in the evening and create a cozy atmosphere. This is also what one looks for in a short-term rental.
The two-tone kitchen and mirrored backsplash
The kitchen features a two-tone design. Two shades, one for the lower cabinets and another for the upper ones, distinguish them clearly, creating a visual rhythm that energizes the room.
The real decorative gem of this space is the mirrored backsplash. It reflects light, pushes the walls back, and adds depth to this necessarily compact 55sqm space. In a space like this, every centimeter counts. Its mirrored backsplash creates an immediate effect of virtually expanding the space.
The storage bench and the sofa bed
The furniture is designed for optimization without sacrificing aesthetics. Its dining room features a storage bench, a multifunctional piece that provides seating and storage for four to six people. The living area includes a sofa bed, essential in a rental apartment where flexibility is key for hosting guests.
These choices are pragmatic, but AMEO Concept integrates them into the overall color palette rather than treating them as mere functional solutions. The bench is not a catalog piece placed there for lack of a better option. It is an integral part of the living room’s composition, dyed in a solid blue monochrome, treated as a true element of interior architecture.
It is precisely this approach that distinguishes an interior designer’s project from a simply furnished apartment. Practical constraints become decorative elements in their own right. We fully endorse this approach and applaud the consistency that extends from one room to the next.
Custom layouts: a worthwhile investment
In a 55sqm apartment for rent in Paris like this one, using standard furniture creates empty spaces and dead corners. AMEO Concept opts for custom-made fixtures, which optimize every nook and cranny and address every spatial constraint inherent in converting an open-plan space. It’s a decision that impacts the budget but produces an immediately noticeable result.
The space appears larger than it actually is. The horizontal lines of the storage units visually elongate the rooms. Height is utilized all the way to the ceiling. For a short-term rental, this is also a direct selling point. A well-organized apartment, where everything has its place, rents for a higher price and generates better reviews.
The bathrooms deserve special mention. In a conversion of this type, they often represent the real challenge. Two functional and pleasant bathroom spaces must be created within a space not originally intended for that purpose. Consequently, rigorous planning is required.
Our honest opinion on this AMEO Concept project
This 55sqm apartment for rent in Paris illustrates a simple truth: budget and space constraints do not condemn a space to decorative mediocrity. With a reasonable budget for a complete conversion, the result is remarkable. The professionals have made the most of it, focusing their efforts where they have the greatest impact. The color palette is bold, the custom layouts are effective, and the details are elegant, such as the mirrored backsplash.
Blue serves as the unifying theme, giving this apartment a distinct identity that makes it stand out immediately when searching for a rental. The decision not to fall back on neutrality, to choose a deep color, and to commit to it throughout the space, reveals a true decorative conviction.
If one were to express a regret, it might be the absence of a few more assertive graphic elements as a wallpaper applied here and there, or a colored ceiling in the bedroom, something that would make the living room even more memorable. As well as the presence of additional mirrors in the rooms to virtually enhance the sense of space. But these are minor reservations in the face of this perfectly executed renovation. AMEO Concept has delivered a project that confirms its mastery of small Parisian spaces designed for hospitality. Photo: © Agathe Tissier
BEFORE
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