Project Description
Project details
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Category: apartment
(short term rental)
Surface: 66 sqm
Intervention: interior design
Layout optimization
New identity
Functionality improvement
Colour palette
Lighting
Decoration
Baixa Charme
When a home is not designed, conceived, and cared for, it becomes a missed opportunity, its potential left frozen. Sometimes, transforming a space requires very little: a single idea, coherence, and the willingness to listen to the identity of the place.
Project description
The short-term rental market is extremely competitive and constantly expanding, especially in cities that are top tourist destinations like Lisbon. It is easy to fall behind the competition when a space is forgettable and review ratings begin to drop.
This apartment is located in one of the city’s most prestigious areas, rich in history and significant architecture: the Baixa Pombalina. This characteristic fabric of historic and noble buildings lies at the heart of the city, in a strategic and advantageous position for rentals. The building itself has a lot of charm, distinguished also by its privileged location near services and monuments, as well as by its architecture and materials.
However, in its original state, the apartment reflected neither the place nor the character of the building. It was furnished with a random collection of inexpensive furniture and decorations, poorly lit, resulting in a dull and confusing space.
/ The project aimed to recover the identity of the space, elevate the guest experience, and create a new image for the apartment, making it attractive and competitive.
/ A second key factor was the timeline, with the goal of minimizing vacancy time and reducing rental losses.
/ The third and final factor was, naturally, cost: achieving the maximum result with minimal effort. While it is easier to obtain great results with great budgets, the economic and entrepreneurial nature of the property demanded a rapid return on investment and proportionality between the intervention and the space’s revenue potential.
To recover the space’s identity, almost all previous furnishings were removed and replaced with new furniture that is modern, functional, and simultaneously elegant, capable of elevating the environment. The chosen colours and materials belong to a very simple palette: dark greens, black, dark walnut wood, and select white details.
The arrangement of the dining table, TV, and sofa was improved by freeing the wall between the windows and removing all ugly exposed wiring. The ample available volume was simplified by removing most wall decorations, applying decorative mouldings that recall the building’s original style, and installing Italian pendant lamps that combine functionality with decoration.
The base lighting was also updated, including kitchen and bathroom spots and bedroom lamps. This was a focal point of the project, essential to elevate the style of the spaces and make them adequately bright and vibrant. Continuing the theme of materials and exposed structure, plaster was removed from one wall to reveal the characteristic mix of stone, brick, and mortar typical of the era.
The works were completed in approximately three weeks, including the removal of old furniture, various technical improvements (electrical system, heating, bathroom repairs), cosmetic modifications, delivery and assembly of new elements, and lighting installation. This was made possible through meticulous planning and careful logistics, which allowed the movement of furniture and materials to be concentrated at few carefully scheduled moments.
By adopting a more minimalist and architectural approach, we selected few elements, but of high quality, to reimagine the apartment. The previous confusion was removed, allowing the space, volume, and materials to speak for themselves. By focusing attention on what is important and carefully choosing every component, we managed to give the apartment new life and new light, investing essentially only four months’ worth of rental profits.
Continuing with the same attention to detail, we also completely renewed the guest guide to reflect the new style of the home.
With its new image and rediscovered personality, the apartment is now ready to compete among the best accommodation options in central Lisbon, combining style, practicality, and location in a winning mix.