Novum East Interior Design and Small Flat Renovation in Quarry Bay
Interior design by D-8 Limited for a compact Hong Kong home at Novum East, 856 King's Road, Quarry Bay. The project approach focuses on efficient planning, correctly proportioned furniture, integrated storage, practical lighting and a visually calm interior that makes limited floor area easier to use.
Explore the Novum East property facts, small-flat planning strategy, custom storage design, open-kitchen considerations and .
A Compact Urban Home Designed Around Everyday Use
Novum East is a modern single-block residential development on King's Road in Quarry Bay. Its published apartment range includes studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom layouts, with saleable areas of approximately 193 to 451 square feet. These dimensions make furniture depth, door movement, storage volume and circulation especially important to the success of an interior design.
A compact apartment should not be treated as a reduced version of a large home. Every element performs more than one role: the entrance controls clutter, the kitchen participates in the living space, the dining area may support work, and bedroom storage must use height without making the room feel enclosed.
D-8 Limited approaches the project as an integrated design exercise. Space planning, ceiling coordination, lighting, electrical points, material junctions and custom furniture are developed together so that one improvement does not create a problem elsewhere.
Animation visualization can also help the client understand proportions before construction. A walkthrough can show the width of passages, the relationship between furniture and windows, the effect of cabinet depth, and whether doors, drawers and dining chairs can operate without conflict. Learn more about our interior design and visualization service.
About Novum East, 856 King's Road, Quarry Bay
Novum East, known in Chinese as , is located at 856 King's Road on Hong Kong Island. The development was completed in 2019 and contains 464 residential units in one tower. Published property information identifies a saleable-area range of approximately 193 to 451 square feet, with layouts from studios to two-bedroom homes.
Verified development facts
- English name: Novum East
- Chinese name:
- Address: 856 King's Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
- Development type: Single-block private residential development
- Number of residential units: 464
- Occupation permit date recorded by the Buildings Department: 18 April 2019
- Published saleable-area range: Approximately 193 to 451 square feet
- Published apartment types: Studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom layouts
- Primary One Admission school net: 14
- Secondary-school allocation district: Eastern District
Why the exact floor plan is essential
The development-level size range does not describe an individual home. Before design starts, the flat letter, saleable area, architectural plan, window positions, structural walls, service points, balcony or platform arrangement and actual site dimensions must be confirmed.
Two apartments with similar saleable areas can require different solutions because of façade geometry, entrance position, column locations, room width and the relationship between the kitchen and bathroom services. Final cabinetry should therefore never be fabricated from an estate brochure alone.
Location and urban context
Novum East sits on King's Road within the established Quarry Bay urban area. For interior planning, this means the home may need to support a fast daily routine, work-from-home activity, compact food storage, laundry, parcel handling and efficient organisation near the entrance.
Transport and neighbourhood descriptions should support, rather than replace, project-specific planning. The design still has to respond to the actual resident, flat orientation, daylight, acoustic conditions and furniture requirements.
Small Flat Interior Design Strategy for Novum East
In a compact apartment, the most valuable result is not the maximum number of cabinets. It is a balanced plan that combines usable storage, comfortable movement, daylight, ventilation and furniture that fits the resident's real routine.
Start with clear circulation
The route from the entrance to the living area, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and balcony should remain visually and physically clear. Cabinet corners, dining chairs and open doors must not narrow the route unnecessarily.
A drawing should show furniture in use, not only in its closed position. Dining chairs need pull-out space, wardrobe doors need opening space, and drawers should not collide with the bed, entrance door or one another.
Use furniture with correct proportions
Oversized sofas, deep television cabinets and large coffee tables can consume the centre of a small living room. The correct furniture size is determined by the room width, circulation and viewing distance rather than by showroom appearance.
Where appropriate, a slim sofa, movable side table and compact dining table can preserve more usable floor area than a conventional matching furniture set. Flexible pieces also allow the living room to change between dining, work and relaxation.
Keep the principal sightline open
On entering the home, the eye should travel toward the brightest or deepest part of the apartment. Full-height cabinets should be concentrated on suitable solid walls rather than distributed across every available surface.
Consistent floor tones, aligned cabinet faces and a restrained material palette reduce visual interruption. This does not enlarge the legal floor area, but it can make the interior easier to understand and less crowded.
Design for one real household
A studio used by one working professional requires a different plan from a one-bedroom home shared by a couple or a two-bedroom flat occupied by a young family. Clothing volume, cooking habits, working hours, luggage, sports equipment and future household changes should be recorded before layout options are prepared.
Our Design & Build service coordinates these planning decisions with construction, while the Design Project service is suitable for clients who require drawings and visualization as a separate scope.
Creating an Organised Arrival Zone
Shoe storage based on measured demand
Count the household's shoes by type before setting shelf spacing. Flat shoes, trainers, boots and frequently worn pairs do not require identical storage heights. Adjustable shelves use cabinet volume more efficiently than a series of fixed, oversized compartments.
Everyday drop zone
A shallow tray or drawer for keys, access cards, wallets and charging cables prevents these small objects from spreading into the living area. Hooks or a ventilated compartment can support umbrellas, reusable bags and frequently worn outerwear.
Ventilation and cleaning
Shoe cabinets should include ventilation and removable or washable internal surfaces where practical. The cabinet base should allow convenient floor cleaning, while lighting should not be blocked by an open entrance door.
Mirror placement
A mirror can support the departure routine and increase reflected light, but it should not create glare or visually double an untidy storage area. Its final position should be checked against lighting, door movement and privacy.
A Flexible Living Room Without Visual Clutter
Combine functions carefully
In a studio or one-bedroom apartment, the living area may support dining, computer work, television, exercise and guest seating. These uses should share the room without requiring every piece of furniture to remain permanently open.
A compact dining table can also serve as a work surface if it has comfortable knee clearance, nearby power and appropriate task lighting. Foldable or extendable mechanisms should be selected for stability and ease of daily operation rather than novelty alone.
Television and media storage
The media cabinet should account for the television width, viewing height, router ventilation, power adapters, game equipment and cable access. Concealed wiring remains useful only if the equipment can still be disconnected and serviced.
A slim wall-mounted solution may preserve floor depth, but the wall construction, fixing method and concealed services must be checked before drilling. Access panels should remain removable after decoration.
Daylight and glare
Televisions and monitors should be positioned to reduce direct window reflection where the plan permits. Layered window treatment can combine a sheer layer for daytime privacy and glare control with a heavier curtain or blind for darkness and thermal comfort.
Air-conditioning coordination
Furniture should not block air supply or return paths. The location of air-conditioning units, drains, electrical isolators and maintenance access must be coordinated before ceilings and full-height cabinets are finalized.
Custom Storage for a Compact Novum East Apartment
Custom furniture can use wall height, shallow recesses and difficult corners efficiently, but greater cabinet volume is not automatically better design. Each cabinet should have a defined inventory, suitable internal dimensions and an accessible maintenance strategy.
Storage audit before design
Record hanging clothes, folded clothes, shoes, luggage, bedding, documents, cleaning equipment, pantry items, appliances and personal collections. The design can then assign the correct depth and location to each category.
Use depth deliberately
Not every object requires a wardrobe-depth cabinet. Books, documents, toiletries and display objects can use shallower storage, preserving circulation. Deep cabinets should be reserved for hanging clothes, luggage and large household items.
Use height without losing access
High-level cabinets are suitable for seasonal or infrequently used items. Frequently used belongings should remain between comfortable reach heights. A safe, designated location for a step stool may be more practical than assuming every upper shelf is easily accessible.
Protect ventilation and services
Cabinetry must not conceal ventilation openings, distribution boards, water valves, air-conditioning access, window hardware or drainage points without removable panels. Heat-producing equipment requires adequate airflow.
Specify the hidden components
A quotation should identify board type, thickness, edge treatment, visible finish, backing, hinges, drawer runners, handles, internal fittings and fixing method. Moisture-resistant material is especially important near kitchens, bathrooms, windows and floors.
See our Custom Made Furniture service for wardrobes, entrance cabinets, media units, dining storage and integrated workstations.
Bedroom Storage, Bed Access and Visual Comfort
Confirm the mattress first
The bed should be drawn using the actual mattress and bed-frame dimensions. Bed frames, upholstered headboards and storage mechanisms can be larger than the nominal mattress size, reducing the remaining passage.
Choose the correct wardrobe door
Hinged doors provide full internal access but require opening clearance. Sliding doors save opening space but overlap part of the wardrobe. The decision should reflect aisle width, internal fittings and how the resident dresses.
Under-bed storage
Drawer storage requires side clearance, while a hydraulic lift requires safe operation and adequate overhead space. The mechanism should not interfere with bedside furniture, curtains or electrical outlets.
Bedside functions
Provide accessible power, charging, reading light and a small surface on the side used by each resident. These functions can be integrated into a headboard, but removable access should remain available for wiring and maintenance.
Control visual weight
Full-height cabinetry can be visually softened through aligned panels, restrained handles and a finish related to the wall colour. Open shelves should be limited to items the resident intends to display and maintain.
Open-Kitchen Planning and Renovation Considerations
Published Novum East information describes open-kitchen layouts. Because the kitchen is visually connected to the main living space, appliance size, storage, lighting, ventilation and material coordination directly affect the appearance and usability of the whole apartment.
Verify management and statutory requirements
Owners should obtain the approved flat plan and management renovation rules before altering kitchen partitions, doors, ventilation, gas, electrical services or fire-safety provisions. Existing approval does not automatically mean that every proposed alteration is permitted.
Confirm appliances before cabinetry
Record the exact refrigerator, cooking appliance, extractor, microwave, washer or washer-dryer and any countertop appliances. Confirm dimensions, door swing, ventilation gaps, power loading, water supply and drainage before fabrication.
Protect usable worktop space
A small kitchen can lose most of its preparation surface to appliances. Tall storage and appliance housings should be balanced against continuous worktop, while sockets should be positioned for safe use without forcing cables across the sink or cooking zone.
Improve drawer access
Full-extension drawers can make pots, bowls and dry goods easier to reach than deep low cupboards. Internal organization should reflect the resident's cooking habits rather than dividing every drawer into overly specific compartments.
Lighting and cleaning
General ceiling light alone can leave the worktop in shadow. Under-cabinet task lighting should be coordinated with switches, drivers, splashback and cabinet depth. Finishes near cooking areas should tolerate routine cleaning and should have sealed junctions.
Odour and ventilation control
Extraction performance depends on the approved installation, duct route, hood width, airflow and maintenance. Air-conditioning is not a substitute for kitchen extraction. Grease filters and access points should remain easy to clean.
Compact Bathroom Design and Waterproofing
Keep services maintainable
Water valves, traps, flexible connections, concealed cisterns and electrical equipment require inspection and repair access. A fully sealed decorative panel may look tidy but can make a minor repair unnecessarily destructive.
Coordinate door movement
Check whether the entrance door, shower screen, vanity drawer and toilet-use area conflict. A plan that appears acceptable without door arcs may fail in daily operation.
Waterproofing and flood testing
If bathroom finishes are removed and the waterproofing is renewed, the scope should define substrate preparation, waterproofing system, upturns, pipe penetrations and testing before tiles are installed. Keep photographic and test records for handover.
Drainage falls
The finished floor should direct water toward the correct drain without uncomfortable excessive falls or persistent ponding. Drain positions and tile setting-out should be coordinated before work begins.
Moisture-resistant storage
Bathroom cabinets need sealed edges, moisture-appropriate substrate and ventilation. The bottom of the cabinet should be protected from regular floor water, and the vanity should not obstruct trap or valve access.
Layered Lighting for a Small Hong Kong Home
A dense grid of downlights does not necessarily make a small apartment brighter or more comfortable. The lighting plan should support movement, work, cooking, reading, grooming and evening relaxation with separate, understandable controls.
Ambient lighting
General light should provide comfortable background illumination without excessive glare. Ceiling fittings should be coordinated with sprinklers, detectors, air-conditioning equipment, curtain pockets and cabinet doors.
Task lighting
Worktop lights, wardrobe lights, reading lights and bathroom mirror lighting place illumination where it is needed. This can be more effective than increasing the output of one central fixture.
Accent and indirect lighting
Indirect light can add depth to a compact room when it is integrated carefully. LED profiles, drivers and access points should be specified so the system can be repaired rather than treated as a sealed decorative feature.
Colour consistency
Use a coordinated colour-temperature strategy across connected living, dining and kitchen spaces. Colour rendering is important where materials, food, clothing and skin tones need to appear natural.
Switching and control
Residents should be able to operate the principal lights from logical positions. Avoid unnecessary control complexity in a small home; clearly grouped circuits are usually easier to understand and maintain.
A Calm and Durable Material Palette
Limit unnecessary transitions
Too many unrelated finishes can divide a small apartment visually. A controlled palette can connect the entrance, living area, kitchen and bedroom while allowing practical changes where wet-area or cleaning requirements differ.
Use samples in the apartment
Material colour changes under daylight, warm artificial light and shadow. Review physical samples in the actual flat and observe them beside the existing windows, kitchen fittings and fixed finishes.
Consider maintenance
High-touch surfaces, kitchen fronts, entrance cabinets and floors should be selected for realistic cleaning and repair. Highly reflective finishes may show fingerprints and uneven substrates more clearly.
Detail the junctions
Quality is often visible where materials meet: cabinet to wall, worktop to splashback, skirting to door frame, tile to metal trim and curtain pocket to ceiling. These junctions should be drawn and priced rather than decided casually on site.
Plan replacement access
Lighting drivers, sealant, appliances, filters and hardware will eventually require maintenance. Durable design includes a method for replacing these parts without dismantling unrelated finishes.
Electrical, Data and Air-Conditioning Coordination
Prepare an appliance schedule
List cooking appliances, refrigerator, washer-dryer, water heater, air conditioning, dehumidifier, television, router, computer equipment and chargers. The electrical design can then be checked against actual loading and locations.
Avoid extension-cable dependence
Provide sockets where equipment will genuinely be used, while keeping them clear of water, heat, moving furniture and cabinet hardware. Built-in furniture should not permanently cover sockets that need regular access.
Plan wired data where useful
A stable wired connection can support a workstation, television or network equipment. Router position should consider incoming service, power, ventilation and signal distribution rather than being hidden in an enclosed metal-filled cabinet.
Record concealed routes
Photograph cables, pipes, drains and air-conditioning routes before walls, floors and ceilings are closed. Include reference dimensions where practical so future drilling and alteration can avoid concealed services.
Electrical completion records
Fixed electrical work should be carried out, tested and certified by appropriately registered personnel. Relevant completion certificates and circuit information should form part of the handover documents.
From Site Survey to Completed Novum East Interior
1. Requirements and inventory
Record who will live in the flat, daily routines, work requirements, cooking habits, clothing, luggage, equipment, preferred materials, budget and target dates.
2. Measured site survey
Measure walls, openings, ceiling heights, beams, floor variation, service points and fixed equipment. Photograph existing conditions and note areas requiring further inspection.
3. Layout development
Compare practical layout options using real furniture and appliance dimensions. Review circulation, door operation, storage volume, daylight and maintenance access.
4. Design and visualization
Develop material direction, lighting, cabinetry, reflected ceiling plans, elevations and details. Animation visualization can help the client understand scale and movement before construction.
5. Itemized quotation
Prepare a written scope covering protection, demolition, electrical work, plumbing, ceilings, finishes, custom furniture, hardware, testing, waste removal, exclusions and provisional items.
6. Management submission
Confirm working hours, deposits, insurance, worker registration, lift protection, material delivery, waste removal and restrictions on noisy work with the building management.
7. Construction and inspection
Complete site protection, demolition, first-fix services, substrate work, ceilings, finishes, joinery and final fixtures in the correct sequence. Inspect concealed work before it is covered.
8. Testing and handover
Test doors, drawers, sockets, lighting, appliances, water supply, drainage and air conditioning. Complete snagging and issue the relevant records, warranties and maintenance information.
What a Novum East Renovation Quotation Should Include
A useful quotation should allow the owner to understand what is included, what is excluded and how changes will be valued. A single undivided total makes it difficult to compare material quality or identify missing work.
Preliminaries and protection
- Management submission and coordination
- Insurance and required documentation
- Common-area and in-flat protection
- Delivery, handling and waste removal
- Final cleaning and handover
Construction scope
- Demolition and disposal
- Masonry, plastering and floor preparation
- Electrical and data work
- Water supply and drainage work
- Waterproofing and tiling where applicable
- Ceiling, painting and decorative finishes
- Doors, ironmongery and sealant
- Custom cabinetry and hardware
- Fixture, appliance and accessory installation
- Testing, certification and defect rectification
Commercial information
- Brand, model, material and finish assumptions
- Quantity or measurement basis
- Provisional sums for unconfirmed work
- Variation procedure and unit rates
- Payment stages tied to work progress
- Estimated programme and stated exclusions
- Defects-liability or warranty arrangements
Use the D-8 Limited quotation form to provide your floor plan, site photographs and project requirements.
Inspection and Handover Checklist
Cabinetry and furniture
- Open every door, drawer and lifting mechanism
- Check alignment, clearances and soft-close operation
- Confirm shelves and rails match the approved schedule
- Check sealed edges and exposed junctions
- Confirm service panels remain removable
Electrical and lighting
- Test every switch, socket and fixed appliance connection
- Confirm circuit identification and safety-device operation
- Check dimmers and lighting colour consistency
- Verify access to LED drivers and transformers
- Collect relevant electrical completion records
Water and drainage
- Run fixtures individually and simultaneously
- Inspect exposed connections for leakage
- Confirm water drains without persistent ponding
- Check traps and access panels
- Retain waterproofing and test records where applicable
Doors, finishes and cleaning
- Check door movement, locks, handles and seals
- Inspect paint under daylight and normal room lighting
- Check tile alignment, grout and sealant
- Confirm windows and balcony access remain unobstructed
- Record outstanding defects before final completion
Recommended handover documents
- As-built drawings where included
- Final material and hardware schedule
- Concealed-services photographs
- Electrical and testing documents
- Waterproofing records where applicable
- Appliance manuals and warranties
- Spare paint, tiles and hardware
- Defect-reporting contact and warranty terms
Novum East Interior Design FAQ
Request a Novum East Interior Design Quotation
Send the floor plan, flat letter, site photographs, household requirements, appliance list, storage inventory, preferred style, budget range and target dates. D-8 Limited can review the information, arrange a site visit and prepare a written itemized quotation based on the actual scope.
Call 9135 3998 or email enquiry@designd8.com.
Get a Quote Back to Portfolio