Micro living experiment: a visit to our test apartment
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The experiment: presenter searches test apartment wearing VR glasses
The lab at Blum requirements research is home to a fully furnished flat measuring just 22 square metres. This is where our experts have set up a fully functional micro apartment. Plans that make clever use of space are especially important in homes as small as this one. Requirements research expert Belinda Gasser wanted to demonstrate just how crucial storage space is, so she set up an experiment. The idea was to send TV presenter Eric Schroth on the search for extraordinary storage space solutions while wearing virtual reality glasses.
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The new role he's been assigned comes as a surprise at first: "I wasn't expecting to be used for an experiment here," the TV presenter from Cologne admits. "But it was really exciting to be guided by Belinda's voice in my ear. Normally, I'm the one who asks the questions or presents the show; it was the other way round today."
The real star: SPACE TWIN
The experiment centred on , Blum's innovative cabinet solution for narrow gaps. This concept uses diagonally offset runners to create extra storage space in gaps that previously went unused.
SPACE TWIN is ideal for storing bottles, chopping boards and spices in the kitchen – and this is also where the solution is used most frequently.
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SPACE TWIN in the kitchen – turning gaps into storage space
But you can also get creative by using the narrow cabinet to store books in the living room or conceal a clothes hanging space in the bathroom. This is what we did in our 22-square-metre home, where we adapted the size and inner dividing system of the narrow cabinets to the storage items in the apartment.
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Eric discovers the SPACE TWIN as a larder unit in the kitchen.
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A SPACE TWIN with books and magazines is hidden in the living room.
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The bathroom even has a fold-out drying rack hidden away in the SPACE TWIN.
Fresh insights guaranteed
The experiment was a success. Eric knew Blum products were versatile, but he was still pleasantly surprised: "I've got Blum products in my kitchen at home. I'd heard of the sink pull-out before but it was something else to experience it. The solution for narrow cabinets was completely new to me."
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In addition to the wow factor, SPACE TWIN guarantees maximum user convenience with cabinets featuring the electrical opening support system. They seem to open by themselves with just a single touch – and also close softly and effortlessly with , the adaptive soft-close system.
Eric also finds the solution incredibly intuitive and easy to use: "I really like the fact that the narrow cabinets can be fully extended so you can easily access all the contents."
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Every square centimetre counts
"The aim of our experiment is to create as much storage space as possible using smart solutions and then watch how people respond to the storage ideas we've hidden in the 22-square-metre flat," says the requirements research expert. SPACE TWIN is ideal for this purpose, as Blum's concept for narrow cabinets makes full use of the storage space available in small rooms, turning unused gaps in the kitchen layout into usable space.
The takeaway: the experiment was a complete success
Belinda's takeaway: "Eric did very well. He found almost everything." Eric's verdict is also extremely positive: "It uses every centimetre of space − I think that's brilliant," says Eric, who loves to cook in his spare time.
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The experiment's crowning glory: a SPACE TWIN in the armrest of the sofa
But the experiment saved the biggest highlight for last. As a final surprise for Eric, Belinda had a custom SPACE TWIN unit built into the presenter's sofa. "I was completely flabbergasted by the narrow cabinet in the armrest of the couch. What a beautiful surprise!" says Eric. "I'm a film buff and that cabinet would be really nice to have when watching films. It would certainly impress guests. It's right at the top of my wish list."
We'll admit that our requirements research department teamed up with an upholsterer and pulled out all the stops to create the special solution – but it goes to show just what you can do with SPACE TWIN and a bit of creativity.
At a glance: storage space with SPACE TWIN
Our experiment with Eric Schroth in the micro apartment at Blum requirements research – which measures just 22 square metres – shows that with the right cabinet solution, even the smallest gap can be used as storage space.
The SPACE TWIN can be implemented with all Blum box and runner systems as well as with an electrical or mechanical opening support system.
The SPACE TWIN can be installed from a width of just 15 centimetres.
The SPACE TWIN has a high load bearing capacity of up to 20 kg per cabinet – so you can easily store heavy items such as bottles and baking trays here as well.
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