Scandinavian Calm in a Small Space

Why, hello there! I thought I’d ease into the week by taking you on a little tour of a mini Swedish apartment. After all, over half of us (according to the stats!) now live in cities – and that often means compact living. But small can be beautiful and seriously inspiring still, don’t you think?

Measuring just 24 square metres (258 square feet), this bright 1940s apartment in Stockholm’s Södermalm district is a masterclass in calm, clever design. Everything you need is within arm’s reach: a charming kitchenette with internal windows to let the light (and conversation) flow, traditional Swedish storage jars, a cosy dining nook – and even a balcony.

It’s easy to imagine someone putting their personal stamp on it and calling it home. Or perhaps using it as the perfect little pied-à-terre — I actually know a couple of people who commute from Malmö to Stockholm during and need a peaceful place to stay while they’re away from their families.

I could happily picture this as a dreamy little city pad – perfect for working, wandering, and tucking into a bowl of fresh strawberries in the sunshine. How about you?

A lovely, peaceful, calming spot.

I really like the three colours in the bedroom zone: that soft blue-green, the warm cognac, and a pop of fuchsia pink! The little dining area is charming too — simple but inviting.

What’s missing from these pictures is storage — I’m guessing there’s some tucked under the bed, and there’s definitely room for more at the foot of it. There might even be some built-in space around the corner in the hallway. And of course, it could use a few bookshelves — but there’s plenty of space for those!

Did anything in particular stand out to you?

Do you live fairly compact yourself? If you’re in the mood for more small-space inspiration today, feel free to scroll through the small spaces archive. (This one might pop up first — if it does, don’t worry, you’re still in the right place! Just scroll on down to the next tour.).

I mentioned at the beginning of this post that I was going to start small this week — what I didn’t mention is that I’ll be ending on quite a big note… with a trip to Rome! I’ve been kindly invited by a lovely Italian bathroom company, and I’ll be staying on for a couple of days to explore a little. I feel very lucky — and excited!  If you happen to have any tips or favourite spots in the city, I’d be so grateful to hear them.

It does mean I won’t be able to post on the blog this week, but if you fancy tagging along, I’ll be sharing a few glimpses of my trip over on Instagram Stories.

See you back here on Monday — and in the meantime, I hope you have a really lovely week!

Niki

Photo: Dana Ozollapa
Styling: C Lindholm design
For Historiska Hem

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Escaping to the Woods: Frederika's Swedish Summer Cabin

It’s a beautiful, sunny day in Scandinavia, which means my mind immediately drifts to the idyllic life at a Swedish summer cottage. Over Easter, many spent time preparing theirs for the season, and now we’re all counting down the days until July, when we can close the doors to our city homes and head to the countryside.

Since summer cottages are all about slowing down and spending quality time with family and friends, many choose to expand their living space by adding small garden dwellings – known as an attefallshus (25 m² / 269 ft²) or komplementsbostadshus (30 m² / 323 ft²). These charming little houses offer a perfect spot for extended family or visiting friends to stay.

I recently featured Frederika Palmstierna’s boho Stockholm apartment, and today, I thought I’d share the beautiful cabin she recently built on the grounds of her family’s summer cottage. Inspired by a design from Sommarnöjen, the cabin’s green wooden façade blends effortlessly into the surrounding woodland.

On warm summer days, large glass doors open wide, creating a seamless flow between indoors and out – making the most of the compact living space. On chillier days, meals are enjoyed in the cosy kitchen area, or the family (including their lovely dog!) likes to curl up by the wood-burning stove. Simply furnished yet wonderfully inviting, it’s the perfect little retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Let's take a peek! 

Lovely!

The light wood and white interior reminds me very much of our little cabin, which we too are layering over time. 

Could you imagine spending your summer here? Is there anything that stood out to you? 

In case you missed the link at the beginning, make sure you take a look at Frederika's charming Stockholm apartment, which is filled with art. 

And why not take a look at small space inspiration from Swedish attefallshus - they are great for small space ideas! 

Wishing you a happy mid-week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @freddiepalmstierna, with thanks. 

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A Peek Inside a Perfectly Compact Swedish Home

A smaller space for you today—and proof that a 19-square-metre (204-square-foot) apartment can have everything you could want and more! This cosy living space in Stockholm is perfectly designed to make the owner feel at home: a delightfully personal living area looking out over the courtyard, a little dining table, kitchenette, and bedroom.

Touches of blue, pink, yellow, and green add a cheerful and inviting feel to the decor, while the tactile velvet sofa looks like the perfect spot to cosy up with a coffee and a good book. And what’s more, the home has plenty of storage too, with bookshelves that go up and around the balcony door and an entire unit in the bedroom for clothes and accessories.

Welcome inside this charming home for one in the heart of the Swedish capital!

A balcony extends the living space in spring, summer and autumn. 

Balconies like these often come with a concrete floor, but adding wood decking is a great way to make it feel more warm and inviting. 

The kitchen area makes full use of the high ceiling and offers plenty of space for crockery, glasses and utensils, which helping the space to feel less cluttered.  

I love how the bed is in a nook, for a more private feel. The windowsill can double up as a bedside table and built in storage units offer plenty of space for clothes. 

Incidentally, these Swedish apartments often come with a 'cage' in the basement for extra storage—perfect for things like Christmas decorations, skiing equipment, and other bulky items. It’s such a smart feature and really helps to keep the living area free from clutter.

I’m curious—do you live in a small space like this? If so, what have you found to be the biggest benefits and challenges when it comes to decorating and furnishing a one room apartment? Maybe you’ve discovered some brilliant solutions too—if so, I’d love to hear them!

Could you imagine living here? I know I certainly could!

If you're looking for more ideas today, there are a lot more small space home tours as well as small space living tips and tricks to be found in this archive. 

I'm off to Copenhagen this afternoon to visit my wonderful client Skandinavisk. They have just launched an exciting candle and scent diffuser in a new fragrance called KYSS (meaning kiss in Swedish and Norwegian) and it smells divine (such a perfect valentine's present!)! I'm hoping to pick one up for my home so I can spread a little love!  

Have a lovely day friends–happy mid-week! 

Niki

PS I snuck in an extra post yesterday about my forthcoming trip to Formland in Denmark - did you see it? There's a nice little instagram tip in it for anyone visiting Copenhagen too!

Photography: Ono design studio, Styling: Thomas Lingsell for Historiska Hem, found via Nordroom with thanks. 

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Scandinavian Serenity: A Cleverly Curated Apartment Full of Calm

Hej kompisar! Welcome to your mid-week breath of fresh air—and a masterclass in creating a sitting room and bedroom in one! This light and airy 51-square-metre (549-square-foot) apartment in Gothenburg has been beautifully curated in a soothing palette of white, cream, amber and brown to create a calming oasis in the heart of the city.

The main living area seamlessly combines a cosy social zone, a home office, and a sleep space—all while maintaining a wonderful sense of serenity. And guess what? There's even plenty of storage! The spacious kitchen is another highlight, with just the right amount of warm wood.

While it’s undeniably styled and curated, there’s still plenty of inspiration to take from this delightful Swedish apartment. Välkommen in!

The bedroom area is tucked into a small alcove off the sitting room. For added privacy—or simply to avoid making your bed every day!—you could hang a curtain. Don’t have an alcove like this? No problem! A wrap-around curtain or canopy can also help define a bedroom space and create a cosy feel. There’s a great example of this in this Swedish apartment. 

The wooden floor is likely the original from 1900, when the building was constructed. Many people choose to sand off the varnish and treat it with a special soap or wax for protection and a natural look. Of course, it helps that shoes are never worn inside a Swedish apartment—one of the secrets to keeping floors in such great condition!

I love the soft bedside table! Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the lamp is actually from H&M Home (they do great lamps!). 

What a great starting point! Now all that’s left is to add books, art, and all those personal treasures you’ve collected over the years to make it truly yours.

What do you think of the bed solution? Would you have done it the same way? Personally, I find these smaller sleeping areas so cosy—there’s something wonderfully cocooning about them.

You can see more sleep zones / smart bedroom zone areas in the small spaces archive - there are some really beautiful homes in there! 

Thank you for your warm wishes for my daughter (who is now back at school - yay!) and Per - who is hobbling around one of those boots (for the next 6 to 8 weeks) but also getting on with things. The sun is shining in Malmö today - so everything feels brighter! I hope the sun is shining where you are too. 

See you Friday, friends! 

Niki

Photography: Walti Hösli 

Styling: Emma Fischer

For Entrance Mäkleri, 

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A Small Swedish Apartment with Inspiring Touches

Woah, this week has gone fast, don't you think? I thought it would be fun to wrap up with a fascinating little Swedish apartment that's filled with quirky touches and lovely ideas for the weekend - what do you reckon? 

Formerly a milk shop, the 28 metres square (301 square feet) ground floor living space in Stockholm is made up of a kitchen, bathroom and one room that combines the hallway, sitting room and bedroom. While the overall look is earthy and calm, there are some fun details - like a blue door and stripes and other touches that bring a contemporary vibe to the space. 

I also love the use of textiles, sheepskins and cushions throughout which add a really cosy feel for autumn. 

Välkommen in! 

Repurposed textiles like antique embroidered sheets have become really popular as window treatments. Here, a lovely old sheet has been clipped up in the window to prevent prying eyes from peeping in - while still allowing light to flow in from above. 

I love the old coffee table too - so beautiful and warm! 

The entrance may be small - but the owners have more than made up for it with plenty of storage. The mirror doors help to bounce around the light and brighten up the space - as well as help the storage to fit in seamlessly. 

Doors can take up a surprising amount of space. Here, a cute yellow curtain has been used to close off the kitchen from the main living area. 

When space is tight you need to make use of every inch. Sorting boxes have been nailed to the side of the chest of drawers to keep paperwork in order. 

A simple curtain can be pulled across for privacy at night. 

Curtains have also been used in the kitchen to hide less aesthetic items like the recycling bins.

I love how the inside of the cutlery drawer has been painted blue for an element of surprise! Could you imagine doing something like this? 

I spoke about how doors are becoming a statement in their own right on Wednesday - and this blue one is no different! 

What a special little space - so well thought out and unique. 

Did you enjoy this tour too? Any ideas that stood out to you that you might implement in your home? 

You can see more small spaces in this wonderful archive over the weekend. 

Have a fabulous couple of days - thank you so much for stopping by and for all your thoughtful comments. I look forward to pouring myself a coffee this weekend and responding to reading through them all and responding to each and everyone of them. 

Stor kram and happy Friday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem

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