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A Mini but Mighty Stockholm studio

It's all very well featuring regal, spacious apartments with dazzlingly high ceilings and sweeping staircases, but the reality is many of us live in much smaller (but beloved) spaces! This little gem of a studio in Stockholm measures a mere 28 metres square (301 square feet) and has everything you need at your finger tips - and looks pretty too! There are some small space rules there to be broken- and I for one, love how the owners have gone for the big SMEG refrigerator and turned it into a style statement - it just goes to show, you don't always need to compromise! 










Floor plan

Photography: Fredric Boukari for Historiska Hem (found via Nordic Design with thanks).

In case you're working through the puzzle of furnishing a small space, here are some things I've learned over the years which might help to achieve your own, functional yet stylish oasis.

5 Things To Think About for a Small Space

1. It may seem obvious, but flexible items such as tables that fold-away / extend and stackable chairs are ideal for homes where space is of a premium.
2. Use the full height of a room and store lesser used items higher up.
3. Opt for multipurpose furniture such as a sofa bed, shelving that can also be used for hanging (as seen in this home), and pieces that double up as storage (there are some great coffee tables with built in storage around!).
4. Work to create distinct zones using rugs / different flooring.
5. Use negative space to create an illusion of size - but don't be afraid to go for big pieces of furniture too!

Please feel free to add any tips and tricks you've discovered in the comment section. 

More space love: 15 small space hacks to learn from a Danish home, a small Swedish space that's big on cosiness, small space inspiration from a swedish home.

I'm heading up to Stockholm today to visit the Bemz headquarters (I've loved my sitting room and bedroom make-over collaborations with them so far, so I'm really excited to meet the team in person!). I hope I also have time to nip into the Carl Eldhs Studio Museum during my trip (another recommendation from Karolina Modig!). I'll be on stories if you'd like to follow along!

I hope you have a fun day too!

Niki

PS Anyone else still thinking about Purrli the Internet cat from yesterday's post? More importantly though - what a fabulous home?! Loved the art!

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5 Great Design Tricks To Learn From a Small Swedish Space

It was a while since I featured a small space - which is a shame, as Scandinavian's are masters are these! This delightful apartment in Gothenburg, Sweden measures up at a mere 56 sqm (602 f2) - but the owners have still managed to squeeze in everything they need: including a light and airy kitchen, sitting room, home office, private bedroom, wardrobe space and a bathroom - and all with impeccable style too! Here are five things I love about this space - and what I see as the key to its success! 

1. Keeping to one era: the mint green kitchen cabinets wouldn't look out of place in the 50s - 60s - and yet it was newly renovated in 2016. To match the look, they've added a Gubi semi pendant lamp* which was designed in 1968, a set of classic 7 series chairs (designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1955) and a vintage mid-century table and dresser. Despite the eclectic materials, this has helped to create a cosy, cohesive kitchen. 

2. Lots of pieces, without the clutter! If you look closely at the windowsill there's a lot going on - 5 unique pots (love the spotty one - I think it's by Elin Frodig), a little lamp and a candlestick holder. But since they're all in the same tone, it looks interesting without looking visually cluttered, 


I'd love a larder, sadly they rarely build new houses with these! 




3. Grouping: in small spaces, it's really important to leave areas empty. This helps to give the illusion of space. This can easily be achieved by grouping objects together (as seen above with the shelves and gallery wall). If you have shelves at home that feel cluttered, try grouping items together in threes or fives and leaving space between the next group - it will instantly elevate the space! 

4. Elfa storage: I always think Swedish brand Elfa is such an unsung hero of the interior world. The solutions are much more budget friendly than say, String (seen below) - and you can create endless different looks - as seen with the shelf and desk in the home office above, and the wardrobe below. A small space's best friend! FYI I'm not paid to say this, in fact I've never even spoken to them, I just love what they do. Hmmm. Maybe I should reach out? 

5. Sliding doors: No, I'm not talking about the 1990s romantic-comedy (although - I did used to love that film!), I'm talking doors that glide into the wall and simply 'disappear'. We have three sliding doors in our own home and I can't tell you how much space they help save. But also, the door frame can be way wider which means more light can filter into the room. Perfect for windowless rooms like this little bedroom alcove! The one in the picture below is from Bauhaus


PS I also love the use of bold pattern and colour in a tiny space - it adds so much drama and detracts from the size. Are you a fan off this too?

Perhaps you spotted some other great ideas from this lovely Swedish apartment, if so I'd love to hear below. 

In case you're curious to see the layout etc - there's a load more info here (this flat is for sale!). 

All in all, one lovely pad, don't you think?

I'll leave you with a few other teeny Scandinavian apartments to look at this bright and sunny (yet very cold Wednesday - there's a deep freeze going on here right now and tomorrow we're looking at a high of 8 degrees C - BRRRRRR!). 


Have a lovely day friends! 

Niki

Photography Anders Bergstedt for Entrance
*affiliate links

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Beautiful Small Space Living in a 19th Century Swedish Apartment

Every now and then a real gem comes on the market - like this apartment in a 19th century farm building right in the heart of Gothenburg! Measuring a mere 38 m2 (402 foot square), the living space might be considered relatively small - but it's an absolute dream for a single occupancy or a couple. Think lovely high ceilings, large arched windows and doors and beautiful old beams. In summertime the apartment spills out onto an inner courtyard, extending the living space. All in all, it's a wonderful lesson in organising and decorating a small space - and of course a dream for anyone that snaps it up. Enjoy!  









I'd be so happy to call this space my home, how about you? 

Sadly, but not surprisingly, it's already sold. 

Other Scandinavian small space inspiration: 

7 small space tricks to learn from a Stockholm home

Clever small space ideas in a Swedish studio

A cosy small Swedish pad with warm tones

Wishing you all a lovely day!

Niki

Photography: Jonas Berg, styling Grey Deco for Stadshem

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10 Ways To Turn a Pokey Top Floor Flat Into A Swoon-Worthy Living Space




Why, hello there! How was your weekend? I thought we could kick off the week with something a little more down-to-earth. After all, it's lovely to sit back and enjoy incredible homes with towering ceilings, impeccably preserved stucco, and large, spacious rooms - but when you live somewhere that's not big enough to swing a cat, they can just feel well, a little too far from reality sometimes. And the beauty of this itsy-bitsy 35 metre square (376 feet square) top floor flat, is that it's proof that a pokey living space, with tricky angled ceilings and limited natural light can be swoon-worthy and highly practical too!  Here are a few clever interior tricks to steal from this small attic space in Gothenburg:


1. Keep it simple: It's easy for a small open-plan living space to feel cluttered - so try to stick to a simple colour scheme throughout (in this case white, charcoal and brown). It's enough to just stick to this colour scheme for bigger items - sofa, rug, bedding etc to create the impact you're after.

2. Use art to create different zones: In the open-plan living space, a carefully placed gallery wall creates a focal division between the bedroom and living room area. Note how they've been placed at all different heights - a popular styling trick!

Above: The Wise Man by Hein Studio*, Her Side by Nord Projects*, Grain pendant light by Muuto*


3. Let in the light: In a small space with limited windows, it's important to keep the flow of natural light as unobstructed as possible I.e. knock down dividing walls to create an open-plan space and avoid heavy curtains or clumsy-light-blocking pieces of furniture (note the cane chair!).

 4. Put it on a pedestal: Plinths are no longer reserved for galleries and museums. I've been seeing an increasing number of them in humble homes like ours! They are perfect for highlighting an item you really love such as a plant, sculpture or even a pile of books.

Above: Muuto nerd bar stool*, pick up a similar plinth here - or keep a look out on Ebay.



5. Make the most of every inch: angled ceilings can be tricky, but with some clever custom-made storage, you can make the most of every single centimetre of your apartment! IKEA has some great solutions and will help you design the space.

6. Somewhere to reflect: Use mirrors to bounce light around and also reflect items you love!



7. Play with shapes: Monochrome it maybe, but this little bathroom is far from boring thanks to the fabulous chevron and square tiles. Note the contrasting grouting in both cases! The plant adds a touch of harmony too! 


8. Space under the window: in a flat measuring 35 metre square you've got to maximise floor space! This otherwise redundant area under the window has been used for a washing machine and recessed storage - and I noticed they have done the same with shelving in the main living room too.


9. Get a look-in:  These internal windows allow light to flood into what would have been an otherwise dark stairway / entrance hall.

10. Extra storage: Recessed shelving in the stairwell is ideal for providing a little spot for keys, glasses etc (in my house they'd no doubt be loaded with a ton of other random stuff too - honestly, the things my girls pick up during the day!).

Bonus tip! I was chatting to a friend the other day who lives in a tiny apartment- we're talking shoe box size. And he said 'everyone is raving about 'tiny homes' right now,  but there is one major drawback (space limitations aside) - and that's how everything suffers from more wear and tear - the floors, the furniture etc - since it is used more. If you're in the process of decorating a small space, he recommended making sure you invest in high quality, durable flooring, rugs and furniture that can withstand a lot of use. Wise words!

I'm sure I've missed a load of things, so please feel free to add anything in the comment section below - I'd love to hear your thoughts / observations!

If you found this home inspiring, you might also want to have a rifle through the small space archive - it's one of the most popular!

Have a fabulous start to the week!

Niki

Photography: Alen Cordic
Styling: Emma Fischer
For sale through Bjurfors 

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A Small-ish City Flat With a Lush Balcony & Clever Room-Divider

Hi campers! I hope you had a lovely, relaxing easter weekend? I'm feeling all revived and ready for some inspiring Scandi-style home inspiration, I hope you are too? I thought I'd kick off with this charming Berlin apartment. Bang in the centre of the city, it measures a mere 50 metres square (538 foot square), but owners Kateryna Gonchar and her partner have made sure it covers all bases. The light-filled kitchen leads out to a lush, green balcony oasis, while a second room has been divided into a bedroom, sitting room and dining area. Oh, and there's even a small workspace and of course, a bathroom! A perfect oasis for two in the heart of the German capital! 

An extendable balcony table ensures that the balcony can cater for a cosy evening for two - or a party for four or more. Smart!

Notice how the shelving also includes a mirror to reflect the light and visually enlarged the room - a clever small space decorating technique. 

Such a clever use of space - and above all, a lovely place to come home to after a day in the office. 

I can just seem myself on that balcony with a cool glass of rosé on a balmy summer evening, how about you? 

See more of Kateryna's home here.

Would you like to feel inspired by more clever small space design ideas today? Check out: 


Har det så fint! 

Niki

Photography: Kateryna Gonchar shared with kind permission

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