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.

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This Little Swedish Allotment Cottage is a True Summer Oasis!

It's that time of year in Scandinavia when everyone is falling over themselves to enjoy the long-awaited warmer weather (we're talking 16 C/ 60 F today - we'll take it!). While some will be looking forward to hanging out in their garden or local parks this bank holiday, there are others who will be cycling across town to their 'kolonistuga'. Nestled on koloniområdes or 'allotments', these, small and often simply-decorated cabins offer a perfect opportunity to grow your own veg and relax in a green oasis without heading out of town. In spring the water and electricity are turned on for the season and the allotment communities spring to life! This beautiful allotment cottage in Slottsskogskolonien, Gothenburg is a perfect example. Located on a plot far from the road, the 27 m2 / 290 f2 cottage offers all the silence and stillness of the countryside as well as comfy beds for an afternoon siesta or overnight stay - a true oasis! 

The exterior gives the impression that the cottage is rooted in the past, so I was somewhat taken back when I saw the interior pictures! On closer examination though, the cottage was actually built in 2020 and the older appearance lends itself to upcycled windows and doors - a wonderful nod to the previous property on the plot. 

The owners have added modern comforts and contemporary touches such as marble countertops in the kitchen and a wood burning stove by the sofa. However, to use the loo and shower you'd need to navigate the short distance to the communal bathroom nearby. 

I love how the wood floor has been painted different colours which help to carve out zones within the open-plan space. The storage is also really clever - doubling up as room dividers. 

When not in use, the ladder hooks to one side (we've emulated this in our own little cabin, it's important as they take up way more space than you think). 

It might be small, but the clever design allows space for four berths in twin beds and a sleep loft. I've had first-hand experience of sleep lofts recently thanks to the one we have built at our cabin. I also love the bed in the beams above the kitchen in this little cottage! When floorspace is tight, it makes sense to make the most of the height of the room. 

During the day, the twin beds double up as seating to form an indoor dining area. 

Naturally, the most important feature for an allotment cottage is the garden. This charming place benefits from a mature garden with plum, apple, and pear trees as well as favourites such as roses, tulips and daffodils and the more unusual Japanese snowball, Amer maple and flowering dogwood plants.  

So idyllic! 

Fancy one of these allotment cottages? I've got good news; this lovely abode is for sale. And if you happen to be in Gothenburg this Sunday or Monday, you can pop along to the open viewing! Maybe you'll be the lucky one to snap it up! 

Who needs a country estate when you can have a green oasis right there in the city centre?

See other little allotment cottages here: 

A truly idyllic Swedish kolonistuga

Charming details in a Danish allotment cottage

A charming little allotment cottage in Malmö

A pretty allotment cottage in summertime

Do you have something similar to this in your country? I'd love to hear about it if so! 

It's a bank holiday here tomorrow so I'm planning on spending some downtime with Per and the girls - hopefully up at our little cabin but we'll see! I hope you have a lovely, relaxing few days. 

Vi ses på Måndag (see you on Monday!). 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Svensk Fastighetsförmedling, found via Nordroom with thanks. 

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A Charming Little Allotment Cottage In Malmö, Sweden

Fancy finishing the week with something quintessentially Swedish? In my mind, you can't get more 'svensk' than a 'kolonistuga' - and this little one is charming in every way! The little allotment cottage dating back to 1923 has been beautifully renovated by Rebecka Franzén - a physiotherapist with a passion for remodelling and decorating. I chatted to her about her little kolonistuga here in Malmö, the history behind these little cottages and why she's decided to put hers on the market. 

What is the story behind the 'kolonistuga'?

Allotment cottages have existed in Sweden for over a century. They were originally built for factory workers who moved from the countryside to the city as part of urbanisation. The idea was to give people an opportunity to grow their own vegetables and staples such as potatoes, carrots and fruit so they had some connection to their roots and could extend their household budget. 

Who owns these cottages today?

In recent years they have become increasingly popular with green-fingered people looking for a second home near to the city centre. 

How does a kolonistuga differ from other types of Swedish summer cottages?

The kolonistuga are usually quite small and not eligible for year-round living. Water is typically turned off between October and April. 

I am guessing they have been a welcome respite this summer? 

Oh yes, during the pandemic, they've been a real breath of fresh air for the owners, who can come here and feel connected with others while still maintaining social distance. 

Do these allotment areas have a close-knit community? 

Definitely. It's a place where people of all ages come together. There often organised events such as plant exchanging days, gardening activities and even boule tournaments and karaoke nights! Midsummer is also magical. 

Why have you decided to sell your cottage?

I recently quit my day job and bought an apartment in Lisbon that I am planning to renovate. This is why, with a heavy heart, I decided to sell my cottage. I really hope to find a new owner who loves this cottage as much as I have done. 

Well, I have to say, whoever snaps this up is one very lucky person!

Interested? Find out more information here. 

Curious to see a few other pretty allotment cottages? Here are some of my favourites: 

A Truly Idyllic Swedish Kolonistuga

A charming Swedish allotment cottage in summer time

Life at Danish allotment cabin

A Weekend Retreat In Skåne

Could you imagine hanging out in one of these all summer? 

Or perhaps you have something similar I your own country? 

I know that in the UK you can build a shed but nothing that resembles a cottage. I remember spending copious amount of time at my Mum and Dad's allotment as a child - and will never forget treading on a slug barefoot. It still makes me shudder! My sister is on the waiting list for one in London, but it has a three-year waiting list! 

Right friends, I do believe it's time to wrap-up the week. I hope you felt inspired by all my posts this week! have a wonderful weekend! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Bjurfors.

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Small spaces: a little summer cottage in the heart of the city

Cycling through Malmö, it's exciting to see all the bright green leaves spring to life on the trees after many months of dormancy. And across town, allotment season has begun! I was amazed to discover that Swedish allotments often have 'kolonistuga' - small inhabitable cottages in which you can live from late spring to early Autumn, providing a country oasis in the heart of the city. Do you have something similar in your country?

This pretty cottage was on the market last year and I was excited to see it snapped up by Hannes Mauritzson (who's apartment I once featured here). Located on 'Slottsskogskolonien' in Gothenburg, which I believe is the same allotment area as Elin Lannsjö's charming allotment, the cottage measures a teeny 27 m2 / 290 f2. Hannes has applied his own signature touch to the little cottage using a lick of paint and vintage touches - while some of the original wood still shines through. Take a quick peek at how it looked when Hannes bought it and then scroll down to see how the pretty cottage looks today! 

What a perfect place to tend to blooms, maybe grow a few veg, sip rosé and sleep over the summer, don't you think? His faithful four-legged friend Charlie certainly looks content! 

And just in case the Swedish weather gods aren't playing nicely (fair chance!) - there's always the wood burning stove too! 

Would you like to see more allotment cottages today? I've featured quite a few in the past: 

A truly idyllic Swedish allotment cottage

A charming little summer cottage in the heart of the city

Lovely details in a Danish allotment cottage

An endearing cabin on a Danish allotment

I hope these lovely spaces have filled you with inspiration today. 

Niki

Photography / credits: Hannes Mauritzson - shared with kind permission

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A Charming Swedish Allotment Cottage In Summer Time

If there's one thing the Scandinavians are good at, it's a staycation. It could be because the system is set up to give people a long summer holiday (3 weeks in a row is very normal), it could also be that everyone has waited so long for the good weather to arrive that the last thing they want to do is miss it! Some may stay home in the city (or countryside), others might visit friends and family, and others again might head to their summer cottage or 'kolonistuga' (a small house on an allotment that you're allowed to stay in over a limited period). I touched upon the latter a few weeks ago when I showed a wonderful little artist's cottage in Copenhagen. And today, I stumbled across this pretty abode! Located on aptly named 'Spenatgången' ('spinach aisle'), the one bedroom cottage has everything you need for a summer's day (an easy chair, a radio and a vintage tea set!) and reflects the simple, back to basic lifestyle that so many love to enjoy here in summertime.  After all, who needs a load of fuss around you when you have an abundance of light?! 

Look at the floor! Loving this mint hue - something to consider if you opt for a white interior! It also took me a while to spot the simple plug-in hob on the counter-top!

I can just imagine the owners toiling the earth before rewarding themselves with a cup of tea (actually... make that an extra strong coffee if I know my Swedish friends right!) in the deckchairs! 

As the Swedish proverb goes 'borta bra, men hemma bäst' (away is good, but being at home is best) - and when I look at this little cottage, these words certainly ring true. 

Could you imagine spending your summers here? Bet you know what I'm going to say! Yep, this charming allotment cottage in Gothenburg is for sale! Read more about it here if you're curious! 

You might also like a Danish allotment cabin, a weekend allotment retreat in Skåne and a truly idyllic Swedish allotment cottage. 

Here's to a simple summer! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Helins Mäklarbyrå with thanks.

I have been reading all the new comments that came in over the weekend on my reflection post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on such an important topic, I'm proud to be part of this community.

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