Looking for Layout Tips for My 40sqm Ground Floor Terraced Apartment in Ireland 🏠

Hey Reddit community,

I recently started an exciting project—a 40sqm ground floor terraced apartment located in beautiful Ireland! The apartment's front door faces east, which means I get to wake up to lovely morning light. However, the space is currently a blank canvas, with bare block walls, no stud walls dividing rooms, and unfinished concrete floors. To help you better understand the space, I've attached a floor plan of the apartment's footprint, which includes a staircase belonging to the upstairs neighbor and won't be part of my living area.

Description of Floor Plan:

The floor plan shows the footprint of my Irish apartment, revealing the available space to work with. The presence of neighbors on both external walls means no windows can be placed there. However, I have the flexibility to modify the rear (garden) wall to introduce windows and a door, enhancing natural light and access to the garden. (note current windows and door can be replaced)

What I'm Looking For:

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1. Space Planning: With no existing stud walls, I'm excited to hear your creative ideas on how to plan the layout to create distinct functional areas while maintaining an open and airy feel.
2. Storage Solutions: Since the apartment is a blank canvas, I'm eager to explore your creative storage ideas to keep the space clutter-free and organized.
3. Lighting: Given the opportunity to design the lighting from scratch, tips on the perfect lighting setup to create the right ambiance throughout the space are highly desired.

Current Challenges:

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1. The presence of neighbors on both external walls restricts the placement of windows, but I can make changes to the rear (garden) wall to incorporate windows and a door for natural light and access to the garden.
2. The staircase in the floor plan belongs to the upstairs neighbor and won't be part of my living area, so we have more room (under stairs) to play with than it may initially seem.

Your Expertise is Appreciated!

I value your experiences and ideas, especially if you have expertise in interior design, architecture, or similar projects in Ireland. Your input is invaluable in transforming this 40sqm apartment into a functional and inviting space, maximizing the east-facing front door and the garden's potential.

TL;DR: I'm seeking expert tips on space planning, storage solutions, and lighting for my 40sqm ground floor terraced apartment in Ireland. The space currently has bare block walls, no stud walls, and unfinished concrete floors. I want to modify the rear (garden) wall for windows and a door to access the garden and welcome natural light. Your advice will help create a cosy and functional home in this beautiful Irish setting.