Architects Annie Ritz and Daniel Rabin have altered the layout of a "cramped" home in Los Angeles to maximise space and natural light.

Named The Little-Big House by the clients, the project involved gutting the interior of the property and reorganising the rooms to create the illusion of greater space.

"We took on the task of transforming a cramped, poorly sub-divided 1960s house into an open, hip, hillside home," said the duo.

Most of the floor area is situated on the ground level, with the main bedroom upstairs, alongside a bathroom occupying a thin room.

During the renovation, the guest bedroom and kitchen were both relocated to create a more fluid series of spaces. A light material palette and minimal furnishings also gives the impression of extra room.

A low wood-fronted unit wraps around three sides of the living area, creating storage and an L-shaped window seat on either side of a ridged wall around an electric fireplace.

"Built-ins, a textural fireplace and custom seating helped to distinguish each living zone and give the open space definition," said Ritz and Rabin.

A freestanding dining table is placed in front of a large window that offers a view of the hills beyond, and beneath a large bell-shaped lamp by Danish brand Normann Copenhagen.

The kitchen area features a marbled countertop and splashback, with cupboard fronts in a very pale green. From here, a sliding glass door provides access to a small patio.

Walls and ceilings were painted white, while a wood floor links the living spaces together. Shelving installed high up helps to keep clutter out of the way.

"To overcome the narrow footprint of the master bathroom, we opened up the ceiling, added a skylight, and combined a continuous graphic tile with a light material palette," said the architects.

Along with the tiles, the bathroom has copper fixtures and fittings that provide accents against the light walls and black sink unit.

Photography is by James Elliot Bailey.