Project Overview and Objectives

The goal of this project was to deliver a comprehensive interior design scheme for a holiday rental house in Faro, Algarve. The design needed to maximise every square centimetre of the limited footprint while reflecting a modern, low-maintenance lifestyle. A core requirement was a highly adaptable, multi-functional space that served as a productive home office during the week and seamlessly converted into a comfortable second bedroom for guests.

Spatial Requirements and Layout Given the tiny home typology, the layout focused on fluid transitions and smart zoning rather than rigid walls. The key zones included the hub for living, dining, and the kitchen, which was an open-plan area that utilised integrated appliances, a hidden extraction hood, and a compact dining solution such as a drop-leaf or pull-out table.

The flex-room served as the office and guest bedroom. In day mode, it was a streamlined, ergonomic workspace that featured hidden cable management and built-in storage for office supplies. In night mode, it was a transitional setup that utilised either a high-end Murphy bed or a bespoke trundle system, revealing a double mattress without requiring heavy lifting.

The sanctuary, or primary bedroom, was a minimalist sleeping area designed with elevated under-bed storage and floor-to-ceiling fitted wardrobes to utilise vertical space. The wet room was a compact, fully tiled bathroom that included a floating vanity, wall-mounted toilet, and recessed mirrored cabinets.

Aesthetic Direction and Concept

The design language borrowed from Warm Minimalism and was infused with subtle cues from modern Portuguese architecture. The concept flowed from light and airy spaces to maximised vertical space and seamless multi-functional furniture.

A neutral, light-reflective colour palette of warm whites, soft creams, and pale greys was specified to make the space feel larger. Accents of terracotta, dusty olive, and deep ocean blue were chosen to connect the interior to the Algarve landscape. Layered lighting was critical. Recessed LED architectural strips were planned to sit flush with the ceiling to add height, paired with directional task lighting in the office zone and warm, low-level ambient lighting for the evening.

Low-Maintenance Material Specification To meet the low-maintenance brief, all selected materials had to be exceptionally durable, easy to clean, and resistant to the coastal humidity of Faro.

For flooring, large-format porcelain tiles with a micro-cement finish were recommended because they were scratch-resistant, cool underfoot, and incredibly easy to mop, providing minimum grout lines. Engineered Quartz or Dekton was chosen for kitchen worktops as it was non-porous, stain-resistant, and heat-resistant, requiring no sealing unlike marble. Anti-fingerprint matte laminate was specified for cabinetry and joinery to reduce visible smudges and wipe clean easily. Upholstery utilised performance fabrics like Aquaclean or stain-treated linen blends, allowing spills to be cleaned using just water. Bathroom walls featured micro-cement or large porcelain slabs, which eliminated traditional grout lines where mould could accumulate.

Smart Storage and Joinery Solutions

Because clutter was the enemy of space in a tiny home, every piece of joinery had to serve a dual purpose. Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry utilised the full vertical height of the property for seasonal storage. Pocket doors replaced traditional swinging doors to save valuable floor space between the main living area and the flex-room. Finally, the desk setup was built into a custom integrated office wardrobe joinery unit. When the workday concluded, the desk could either slide away or be concealed behind sleek bi-fold doors, visually shutting off the work mindset.