Pack it up, pack it in, then rearrange it again: an upper-story loft made out of 250 feet of usable square footage sounds like a recipe for cabin fever. That would make this the outstanding exception.  Combining elements of Japanese architecture and boat cabins, a whole world unfolds from one tiny room in Barcelona.

What starts as a living room becomes bedroom or dining area on demand, utilizing fold-up and flip-down furniture, never-ending nooks, crannies, cupboards and chests to squeeze every last square inch for storage space.

To give just one example of the transformative thought that went into this refab: the roll-out bed slides out from under the exterior deck, doubles as a bench or couch, then serves as a staircase to the outdoors as well.

Shelves, sinks, dishwasher and pantry are also all tucked into the walls, out of the way unless needed. Toilet and bath are built to bare minimums, serving required functions without taking up too much room.

In fact, when everything is closed, it is surprisingly hidden from sight, making the place feel almost empty.