Toronto Townhome Design: How We Created a Bedroom from Thin Air
by Kalli George
Toronto’s real estate game is not for the faint of heart. Whether you’re buying into a condo tower downtown or a stacked townhouse in Etobicoke, square footage is precious. Every inch counts. But what if I told you that with thoughtful interior planning, you could unlock rooms you didn’t know you had—without building up, out, or even moving walls?
That’s precisely what we did for one of our recent clients.
She loved her townhome’s location, the schools, and the sense of community. But with two daughters growing fast, the home’s three-bedroom layout was becoming a squeeze. She didn’t want to leave—but she couldn’t see a way to stay.
Enter a little creativity.
There was an open-air void between the second floor and the kitchen below. It's a design feature, sure—but not a particularly useful one. The youngest daughter needed a bedroom. This gap offered an opportunity.
From Overlooked Nook to Code-Approved Bedroom: A Toronto Small Space Success
We assessed every inch. By reclaiming this unused space and borrowing just a bit from the living room, we met the Toronto building code requirements to create a legal fourth bedroom. Just 75 ft² later, we had something no one expected: a functional, beautiful new room that didn’t exist on the original floor plan—or in the homeowner’s imagination.
Here’s what we fit inside this made-from-scratch micro-bedroom:
A twin bed
A custom teardrop desk that folds neatly into the wall
Wall-mounted shelves for vertical storage
An internal window to share light from the living space
Floor-to-ceiling custom storage
Yes, it’s small. But it works.
The design of the new bedroom also drew inspiration from our Japandi-inspired palette, used throughout the home: calming textures, soft neutral tones, and a minimalist approach to furniture and storage. By keeping the visual noise to a minimum and emphasising natural light and clean lines, the room feels grounded—even in its compact footprint.
Most importantly, it met our client’s real need: a dedicated room for her youngest daughter, who was ready for a space of her own. Bonus? The additional cabinetry provided more storage than the family had before.
This is the heart of small space interior design: designing from the inside out. When you start with how the space needs to function—rather than how it’s “supposed” to look—you open up surprising possibilities. Light, flow, and lifestyle all take priority. The result? A home that supports the way your family lives.
This story isn’t just about one Toronto townhome. It’s about how design can reshape what’s possible, even in small condos or tight floor plans. Whether you're working with 300 ft² downtown or a narrow semi in Etobicoke, the same principle applies: you don’t always need more space. You need a better plan for the space you already have.
And sometimes, a room can appear from thin air.
This room is part of the Toronto Home Remodel project. At the time of this blog it is almost completed. To see how we are remodeling this home floor by floor head to the linked page.
Are you renovating your home this year?
Before knocking down walls—or knocking on real estate agents' doors—take a closer look at your layout. You might be surprised what’s already possible.
Let’s design smarter. Let’s create better. Schedule Your Complimentary Discovery Call.