Slow Living by the Sea: A Tiny Cabin Getaway on Gotland

Today is a "red day" in Sweden – a public holiday – and like many others, I’m spending it at our summer cottage. With less than two weeks until the school holidays, thoughts are already drifting toward summer.

Sweden has no shortage of classic holiday spots, but few are as iconic as Gotland.

This beautiful island in the Baltic Sea truly comes alive in summer – with cosy cafés, artist studios, farm shops, beaches, and a laid-back, joyful vibe. It’s one of my all-time favourite places in Scandinavia.

This morning, I stumbled across a tiny beach cabin in Väskinde, and it instantly had me dreaming of slow, simple days by the sea.

The cabin has everything you need – a kitchenette, dining table, sofa bed, and a separate little bathroom cabin just steps away. There’s a peaceful outdoor nook between the trees, perfect for morning coffee in the sun. And at night, you can drift off to the sound of the waves. 

A small pier sits just beside it – perfect for a refreshing dip and the large sea-facing windows are shielded with a wooden screen, letting in the light while keeping things private.

Oh, and best of all? It’s on Airbnb – dangerously easy to book, and very hard to resist. A perfect little escape to get us in the weekend mood! 

So lovely!

Can you imagine relaxing here, drifting off to the sound of the waves?

If you're visiting Gotland, I highly recommend renting a car — it's the best way to explore the island at your own pace. I put together a guide a while back that you might find helpful — you can check it out here.

Want to see a few more Gotland homes today? Here are some beautiful tours to inspire you:

A rustic summer cottage with a pool
Elsa's charming summer cottage
A beautiful limestone barn on Gotland

Well friends, that’s it from me this week. As always, thank you so much for stopping by — and for sharing your thoughts and observations. I’ve loved reading them, and I’ll be settling down with a coffee at some point this weekend to respond.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb, with thanks. 

READ MORE...

9

City Escape: An Allotment Cottage Oasis Tucked Away in Gothenburg

When I look for homes to feature here on My Scandinavian Home, I’m naturally a little dictated by the season. In the property market, winter is all about selling flats, while now, in late spring, it’s all about houses and summer cottages with nature on their doorstep. And just like you saw in Wednesday’s post, it’s also the season for the charming allotment cottage.

So, indulge me a little this Friday while I share another lovely kolonistuga with you – tucked away in a tranquil corner of Änggården’s growers’ association, a green oasis in the heart of Gothenburg. This little cabin is only 25 square metres (269 square feet), but the outdoor space plays a big role too, with its expansive terrace, tables and chairs, and even a pizza oven.

Inside, the green interior mirrors its lush surroundings. There’s enough space for a kitchen, dining area, and a sofabed, making it the perfect urban escape and one of those rare gems that seldom come on the market.

Ready to dream this weekend?

Can you imagine sitting here with your closest friends, sipping wine under the string lights this evening? Maybe a board of cheeses around the fire… or perhaps pizza? (It would be rude not to make the most of that outdoor oven, after all!) Lovely.

It may be simple, but sometimes, you really don’t need much more than that. Do you agree?

It’s also the perfect place to get into a bit of gardening – I’m sure the soil here is far more forgiving than the sandpit I’m currently battling with at our summer cottage (yikes!).

You can see more inspiring allotment cottages here, and if you’re in the mood for a little more city living, don’t miss these Gothenburg apartment tours: 

Izard's earthy green apartment (one of the most popular tours of the year). 
A beautiful Gothenburg apartment with a hint of English style
Inside Anna's coastal home on an island just outside Gothenburg

Thank you so much for all your thoughtful and interesting comments this week. I’m really looking forward to taking a bit of time out this weekend to reply to each one. You make this such a warm and welcoming community, and your insights truly add so much to every post.

Trevlig helg! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Stadshem

READ MORE...

12

A Charming Swedish Allotment Cottage in the Heart of the City

While many Swedes head to the coast or countryside in summertime, there’s another delightful retreat that truly comes into its own come spring – the allotment cottage!

These charming little cottages are tucked away in garden communities – often right in the heart of the city. They offer a unique blend of urban living and nature, where you can grow and harvest your own flowers, fruit and veg just a short cycle from home.

You can stay there from spring to autumn, after which the water is turned off for the season. Despite their simplicity, they’re incredibly cosy – typically featuring a small kitchen, dining area, sitting room, and a place to sleep. They're perfect for spending a few days at a time tending your garden and enjoying a slower pace of life.

This pretty example on 'The Pea Trail' in Slottskogskolonin in the cetnre of Gothenburg offers a glimpse into the quintessential Swedish allotment cottage – and guess what? It’s for sale! Oh, the possibilities… Enjoy the tour!

Although it’s pared back, I can really see the charm and potential in this lovely cottage. It offers the best of both worlds – a countryside feel right in the city's heart!

Can you imagine owning an allotment cottage? And are you into growing your own fruit and veg? This year I’m growing cucumbers and tomatoes from seed – they’re looking good so far, so here’s hoping we’ll be enjoying fresh summer salads before long!

Let’s peek at a few more beautiful allotment cottages today – who knows, you might find your dream plot:

This swedish allotment is a true summer oasis - see the tour once the new owners moved in here. 
Charming details in a Danish allotment
A Swedish allotment in summertime
A charming allotment cottage in Malmö

Happy Wednesday!

Niki

Photography and interior styling: Krister Engström & Martina Mattson for Kvarteret.

READ MORE...

18

Step Inside A Tiny Scandinavian-Inspired Hideaway in the Wilderness

You’d be forgiven for thinking this tiny cabin is an attefallshus tucked away in the garden of a Swedish summer cottage. But in fact, this charming red-and-white retreat is located on the other side of the world, in Tasmania (yes, I know—I’m obsessed with Tassie, even though I’ve never actually been!).

Owners Maša and Michael, the duo behind Heartful Table—a blog dedicated to plant-based recipes—are passionate about tiny homes and the magic of Scandinavian living. Embracing the simplicity and cosiness of both, they built this wilderness escape near Little Blue Lake and aptly named it Little Falu.

The name is a nod to Falu red (Falu rödfärg), the traditional deep red paint used on wooden cottages and farmhouses across Sweden. Originally derived from the Falun copper mine in Dalarna, the pigment not only gives that signature rustic look but also helps preserve the timber.

Though compact, every detail of Little Falu has been thoughtfully considered and designed for comfort and practicality. The kitchen is fully kitted out, inviting guests to settle in, enjoy the surrounding wilderness, light a fire, and maybe even indulge in a bath or two.

Small space living at its finest—let's take a peek inside! 

The stairs have been designed around the cabinets in order to maximise the full use of the space. 

A kitchen with modern amenities is especially important to Maša who is passionate about plant-based cooking. 

When space is of a premium, every inch counts. Everything in the cabin has been built bespoke to fit the space. Notice how a small gap between the sofa and door has been used for extra storage! 

Note the 'Dalarna häst' (or Dala horse) - a traditional, hand-carved and painted wooden horse from the Dalarna region of Sweden. Originally made as children's toys, these cheerful figures have become a beloved symbol of Swedish folk art and heritage. Have you seen one of these before? 

While the cabin may be small, the owners have made sure to make room for comforts such as a soothing bath! 

Wow, this cabin is so incredibly well designed—it’s like a TARDIS!

I’m a huge fan of tiny house living ever since building my own tiny cabin, which only measures 30 sqm (323 square feet), but somehow has everything we need.

Do you live small too? If so, I’d love to hear about your experience!

Or maybe there’s something that caught your eye in Little Falu? Let us all know below!

You can find out more about this gorgeous little space, book a stay (lucky you!), and see more pictures here.

Shall we take a peek at a few more tiny homes today? Check out:

A tiny off-grid Swedish cabin in the woods
A dated Swedish caravan becomes a stylish and cosy home
A tiny cabin and pottery studio in the woods
A Swedish couple turn a Mercedes Sprinter into a tiny home

Would you also like to feel inspired by some lovely small apartments today? Head on over to this archive. 

Have a great start to the week all! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @littlefalu / littlefalu.com, shared with kind permission. 

READ MORE...

10

A Dated Swedish Caravan (Camper) becomes a Stylish and Cosy Home

Homes come in all shapes and sizes. And today, I'm excited to share Monica Karlstein's caravan. 

Monica is well known in Sweden for her DIY expertise - and recently transformed a dated caravan into a beautiful home from home in which to travel the country and beyond in comfort and style! 

Let's dive in to the before and after renovation: 

It's quite incredible what you can do with a few rolls of Sandberg wallpaper (I love the print we put up in the summer cottage bedroom!), a link of paint and layers of textile, don't you think? 

Tiered hanging baskets offer extra storage where needed, and since they move with the caravan, you can be sure nothing will fall in transit. We use baskets like this on our boat and they are so handy! 

Note how Monica has used strategically placed linen curtains to separate the cabin and sleeping quarters when needed. 

The kitchen fittings have remained unchanged, but a lick of paint has transformed the area into a light and airy space to prepare meals. A row of hooks provide space for tea towels and other small items. 

The dining area now has uber comfy seats for evenings indoors (when the weather isn't behaving), while seatbelts can be used for passengers when in transit. 

Small touches like braided decor and baskets with plants help to make the space feel homely. 

Such a beautiful renovation. And best of all, they'll have a lovely place to stay wherever they go! 

Could you imagine touring Scandinavia in this caravan too? 

You can find more details about this makeover here (in Swedish but nothing that a few pictures and google translate can't solve!). 

I love to see what people can do with tiny spaces and have featured a few other 'homes on wheels' before  including a Swedish couple who turned a Mercedes Sprinter into a campervan and a tiny house built on wheels. Or for tiny home inspiration you might like to discover: dream life on a budget: a tiny home and pottery studio in the woods and a tiny Danish cabin that's big on style. 

I hope this post has inspired you today!

Kram! 

Niki

Photography by Monica Karlstein, shared with kind permission. 

READ MORE...

2