Houses of less than 80 m2: when the valuable comes in a small format

After the update of the PGOUM (General Urban Planning Plan of Madrid) at the end of 2023, the minimum meters for a home to be considered as such became 40 m2 (previously it was 38 m2) and, in general, in most cities around a similar figure. These micro houses are often the result of segregations of large properties. But the truth is that also in new construction the average size of vertically owned homes has been decreasing year after year.

Housing prices in Spain undoubtedly influence this reality, already exceeding the highs of the 2007 bubble. But this being an undeniable reality, we must not forget that there are those who by choice would not want to live in a large apartment either. Without reaching the minimum 40 m2 of the ordinance, there are homes that do not exceed 80 m2 where the distribution, the level of services and the qualities offer a comfort that has little to envy of their older sisters. On the other hand, for a single life or as a couple, it is a way to reduce the effort of maintaining and cleaning the home, especially if the home is planned as a stopover in a place in Europe as desired as Madrid, a vibrant city. and fashionable, and the best link between America and Spain.

We review some of the most pleasant small format pied à terre in our portfolio in the Spanish capital.

Mountain refuge… in the city

If we give a small space the quality of wood, the charm of an attic and a small fire, for a moment we will be in a hidden alpine refuge… although in this property in the Los Jerónimos neighborhood, when we go out to the street we will not We will find a cable car, but the wonderful Retiro Park in Madrid. A fun game of contrasts in this pied à terre that enjoys the luminosity of being on a sixth floor.

The property has a main area consisting of a living-dining room, a cleverly integrated kitchen, a master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and a dressing room, plus a second bedroom and a guest bathroom. It also has an office or multipurpose outdoor space with attics.

The open kitchen is undoubtedly one of the key elements to gain square meters, but also as a design element that suggests that cooking is no longer something to hide and cover, but with today’s cutting-edge smoke extractors, it is no longer something to hide and cover. It is justified by the issue of odors to have to hide the kitchen, a space very worthy of showing and its integration allows whoever dedicates themselves to these tasks to at the same time enjoy what happens in the living room.

Playing with heights

Can you imagine an 89 m2 triplex in the heart of the Chamartín neighborhood, a few meters from El Viso and the pleasant Berlin Park? Well, it is possible, and without a feeling of extreme verticality in this house designed by the prestigious architecture studio Nieto Sobejano. It is a property that was formerly a large warehouse, now renovated into 8 charming and avant-garde lofts.

At The Sibarist we have one of them for sale, an 86 m2 oasis thanks to its south orientation and its luminosity, which together with its private garden patio make it a jewel of urban living. The three floors differentiate the uses and life of the house, creating functional spaces where comfort and exceptional energy efficiency prevail. On the ground floor at street level we have the entrance and an open kitchen with stainless steel panels that can be closed and hidden. This floor has a guest toilet, and a perfect area to establish a dining or living room area. The upper floor The upper floor has great height and luminosity, and is ideal as a living room, office-library or cinema area. The lowest floor has an open loft-style bedroom with a built-in dressing room, freestanding bathtub, large separate shower and toilet. In addition, it has a large closet area, and a storage room in the stairwell. Finally, another pleasant surprise: a private garden patio, an exterior exit that is not easy to find in the Madrid inside the M-30.

Multifunctional spaces

Without a doubt, when you want to take advantage of the space, the best thing you can do is give it several functions. This home in the attractive neighborhood of El Viso gives a creative class on how to do it by playing with heights and furniture. The apartment has been renovated in detail with magnificent qualities and an original custom-made piece of furniture for the bed that can be fitted in during the day, leaving a much more open living space. In addition, a discreet double height visually separates a space that serves as a work area, and where there is also an armchair that can be used for visitors.

A true lesson in making smart use of 52 m2, perfect for someone who wants to have a place to spend specific periods of time in Madrid.

A white canva in Salamanca

There are those who, however, prefer to buy a property rather than renovate it to their liking and whim and for that there are purchase opportunities like this 81 m2 apartment in the premium area of ​​Salamanca, the Lista area, the authentic Golden Mile. Currently the The house has three bedrooms and a bathroom, which allow many redistribution options, because they already have the most important thing: excellent location and luminosity. 

If in this area large-format apartments are sought and quoted as a great opportunity and a rare find in this neighborhood, it is also true that small-sized apartments are not easy to find, so special properties that go beyond the average apartment prototype 120-150 square meters are highly sought after and valued, both for housing options and profitability.

Hassle-free on Recoletos most desirable street

If, on the other hand, the buyer prefers to enjoy their stopover in Madrid with everything taken care of, we offer an interesting portfolio of turnkey properties in the best areas. This 89 m2 house, on one of the most significant streets in the Recoletos neighborhood, is a good example of this. It is completely renovated with top-level qualities and has two bedrooms, one of them en suite. Play with the key to get the most out of these small-format properties: open spaces, absence of hallways and exposed kitchen, but with an interesting visual separation through the high counter that serves as a fire area and high table.

In these renovations, another asset to create a relaxed feeling is the use of light tones and built-in wardrobes from top to bottom. In this way, not only is space maximized, but also the absence of moldings, handles or other objects that segment the space creates a pleasant feeling of spaciousness.

A hunch to move into Trafalgar

Why is someone willing to pay more or less in the same area for the same square meters? A matter of taste, and often a matter of crush. Most buyers when purchasing real estate look for a feeling of home, something that is different for each person. Thanks to excellent interior design work, this home combines classic attributes with cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art facilities. That mix of environments is something it shares with the neighborhood where it is located: Chamberí. And specifically this area of ​​Ponzano and Trafalgar, where we find a unique combination of shops and lifelong residents, and at the same time the most cutting-edge and casual gastronomic establishments. A unique combination that has conquered audiences of all nationalities and ages. 

That’s why thinking big is not always a matter of square meters, but rather being very clear about what you want, and going for it when you find it. And Madrid offers opportunities that make you fall in love not only in XXL houses, but also, like some great jewelry and perfumes, the best comes in small format.

Una corazonada para entrar a vivir en Malasaña

¿Por qué alguien está dispuesto a pagar más o menos en una misma zona por los mismos metros cuadrados? Cuestión de gustos, y muchas veces de flechazo. La mayoría de compradores cuando compran inmuebles buscan sensación de hogar, algo que para cada persona es distinto. Esta vivienda combina gracias a un excelente trabajo de interiorismo los atributos clásicos con tecnología punta e instalaciones de última generación. Esa mezcla de ambientes es algo que comparte con el barrio donde se ubica: Malasaña, donde encontramos una combinación única de comercios y residentes de toda la vida, ya a la vez los locales gastros más punteros y desenfadados. Una combinación única que ha conquistado a público de todas las nacionalidades y edades. 

Por eso pensar en grande no es siempre cuestión de metros cuadrados, sino de tener muy claro lo que uno quiere, e ir a por ello cuando se encuentra. Y Madrid ofrece oportunidades que enamoran no solo en casas XXL, sino que también, como algunas grandes joyas y perfumes, lo mejor llega en pequeño formato.