Home design magazines often feature clean, elegant spaces – showing satin cushions, white couches and spotless bedspreads that soon become the wreckage of children. How do you attain a gorgeous, minimalistic space that all the family can enjoy? These two modern apartments under 1200 square feet from Minsk, Belarus and Dnipro, Ukraine, show how colouring and neutral tones can be both harmonious and child-friendly. Using clever partitioning to divide spaces, competing colours in kids’ bedrooms can be loud – and work together. Neutral undertones and subtle texturing make features out of background tones, creating the illusion of more space. Unique elements set several spaces apart, creating harmony in the space that your family meets, greets, and eats.
Designed for a family of four, this apartment in Radischeva, Minsk, covers 107sqm in a characterful fashion. Unusual features, split-colour schemes and monochromatics blend together in space well-used, well-partitioned and well-transitioned. In the living room, alternate chequered cushions sit before a game of checkers, atop a blue sofa and afront yellow accents. The result is a space that looks effortlessly cool, calm and collected. 
From behind the couch, a monochromatic panel housing TV and entertainment essentials meets the eye. Light wooden flooring, muted grey walls and a lack of clutter help it dominate the space. 
Muted hues add desirability to certain spaces, with little quirks to attract the eye. Hunger-inducing beige kitchen benches remind the visitor of coffee and bagels; light-wood slatted lights offer a warmth suitable for illuminating breakfast. Charcoal cabinetry in the kitchen reduces clutter in a busy family environment. 
The master bedroom excels in muted hues, with a colourful art contribution above the bed. Dreamy chiffon curtains let in not-too-bright light, while muted light grey, dark grey and navy colours say sleep. 
The kids’ bedroom and study injects more play. Lego-esque circles feature on cupboard walls and desk chairs in mustard and teal, tones bright but reserved enough for an office. Twin inlets framed by stone allow Batman and Superman feature walls to battle it out, while cross-matching duvet covers fit rather than match. Under-bed cabinetry hides away the toys. 
The family bathroom harks to the marine in an understated way. Metallic silver panelling behind the mirror extends it, reminiscent of fish scales. Electric blue tiling says swim, and textured white tiling ties it all together. 
The ensuite binds bathroom duties to master bedroom colouring. Charcoal cabinetry and light wooden features are combined in multi-hued tiling. Slatted wooden ceilings and clever inlets ensure the contemporary feel is maintained. 
