my scandinavian home: small spaces

Small-Space Calm in a Gothernburg home

It’s fascinating how people thrive in different environments – some love the peace and tranquility of the countryside, while others are comforted by the buzz of the city. The sound of distant heels and chatter on pavements outside, the odd car hurrying past – it can be strangely soothing. As a girl who grew up in London, I have always found this comforting, a reminder of being surrounded by life even when tucked away in my own quiet corner.

This 38 m2 (409 f2) Gothenburg apartment captures that same balance. Bathed in natural light, it feels like a soft exhale the moment you step inside. The creamy beige walls create a calm backdrop for layered textures, while the oversized paper lantern makes the living room feel airy yet grounded. Isn’t it amazing how something as simple as linen curtains, gently filtering daylight, can completely transform a space?

One of my favourite details is the window nook filled with cushions and greenery – a perfect little sanctuary for reading, sipping coffee, or just watching the world go by. And the kitchen, with its muted palette and brass accents, is modern but never cold, carrying just the right touch of warmth - I can imagine it looking nice with cookery books, something bubbling on the stove and other signs of action!

Ready to take a snoop?

This apartment has likely been staged to sell so it is fairly minimal, but there are some lovely opportunities for the news owners. For example. Bookshelves over the sofa would make a cosy touch and provide extra storage.

Older buildings like this one, which was built in 1929, often have nice, wide window sills that can double up as a window seat.

The front door opens straight into the sitting room (as is sometimes the case in smaller apartments) - if you look closely to the right of the door, you'll catch some shoes, and I'm wondering if there are some coat hooks hidden from view. Even so, I'd like to see a curtain that can be pulled across the door to block the view of the sitting room when the door opens, as well as to prevent drafts. Some extra storage to the left would also be great (I'm a big fan of these pockets from Norrgavel.

These Scandinavian traditional woven baskets have had a huge revival in recent years, and not only do I think they're really pretty, they're useful too!

In case you're wondering about the layout, here's the floor plan:

Translation: kök - kitchen, vardagsrum - sitting room, sovrum - bedroom.

If you had to choose one standout feature here – the calm kitchen, the layered living room, or that nice window seat (a perfect perch for people watching) – which would it be?

Is there anything else that caught your eye?

I must say, time has flown by today, and I need to dash - but if you'd like to explore a few more ideas, why not take a look at the small spaces archive? There are thousands of homes to discover!

Have a happy Monday!

Niki

Photography and floor plan courtesy of Entrance, with thanks.

Small Space Living: A Stockholm Home Full of Colour and Creativity

Hejsan hoppsan! The weekend whizzed by in a blur—am I the only one? Today in Malmö, the skies have darkened, and the lights are on. So when I stumbled across this fifth-floor apartment in Stockholm, with its cheerful colours, playful patterns, and fun accessories, I knew it was just the place to brighten up a grey day!

Measuring a fairly compact 35 m² (377 ft²), what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in personality. The apartment exudes a young and vibrant vibe, with light pink curtains, a sunny yellow parasol and cushions on the balcony, and a bedroom dressed in deep pink and ochre. Even the wardrobe and entrance have been given their very own bold hues, which add to the home’s sense of warmth and character.

Keep your eyes peeled for sculptural ceramics—everything from small details like cups, vases and items hung on the wall to larger pieces like a bedside table. Could there be a ceramicist living here? I’m willing to bet there is! Oh, and they sure do love plants too - even giving each one a very cool plinth (is that a ceramic shelf I see?).

Välkommen, as they say in Sweden!

This is so much fun! The more you look, the more you discover—wavy mirrors, crocheted bags, funky lamps... every piece in the home feels like art in itself!

Did you spot something cool too?

I hope this apartment has brought a little sunshine to your day.

And in honour of this lovely home, I thought you might like to take a look at a few other homes with fun touches today - these ones are sure to raise a smile or two:

12 playful designs in Sussi's Danish home (those pink stairs!)
A vibrant, light-filled loft with fun touches
Lisa's playful and relaxed Berlin home
Gen's playful summer cottage in Sweden

I hope you have a happy start to the week!

Niki

Credits: Styling - Lindholm, photography - Boukari, for Historiska Hem, found via Nordroom with thanks.

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

FILED UNDER: small spaces swedish apartment swedish home

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!