The cheerful and colorful decor of a 34sqm studio apartment in an old building
A sunny yellow kitchen, unfinished hardwood floors, and Scandinavian decor characterize this 34sqm studio located in a building from 1904
This 34sqm studio apartment is located in a building constructed in 1904 in a Stockholm neighborhood. Carefully renovated, it retains its original hardwood floors and early-20th-century woodwork. The ceilings are high, and despite the small size of the space, you never feel cramped. Light streams in through tall windows set in deep recesses.
The current owner has chosen cheerful colors and vintage furniture that is both personalized and universally appealing. The result is a cozy studio, a far cry from the sterile apartments we see all too often, the kind where people play it safe when it comes to interior design. Its layout is optimized, and each area has its own designated space.
The entryway welcomes visitors with a freestanding coat rack. A dedicated area allows for hanging coats and bags without cluttering the walkway. A shelf installed above the front door makes the most of the high ceiling. The floor features the same white oiled finish as the rest of the apartment.
The walls are painted a soft gray that highlights the original moldings. This color choice unifies the entryway with the adjoining living room, which is painted the same color. It’s a simple trick to visually enlarge a small space. A round mirror hung in a corner reflects natural light and further opens up the space.
The living room is intentionally sparsely furnished to preserve the feeling of space. It has enough room for a bed and a sofa. A medallion adorns the ceiling, a remnant of the original decor that has been carefully preserved. The white-oiled hardwood floor still features its tall baseboards, typical of older Swedish apartments. The walls echo the soft gray of the entryway, highlighting the early-20th-century woodwork.
On the main wall, a collection of mismatched frames combines graphic posters and hand-painted canvases. This wall gallery, bursting with vibrant colors, from pink to orange to blue, brightens up the room. This choice contrasts with the neutral palette of the walls and gives the room character. On the floor, a thick, light-colored wool rug feels pleasant under bare feet and protects the unfinished hardwood floor. The bed, placed in a corner near the window, is dressed in bright colors.
Near the window, a wall shelf made of metal and wood holds books, ceramics, and various small objects. This open shelving is both discreet and practical. A succulent adds a touch of life. The choice of low, compact furniture keeps the view unobstructed toward the tall windows and the apartment’s exterior.
The kitchen of this 34sqm studio features a luminous yellow called “Sun Room” (which lives up to its name perfectly). This warm shade brings warmth to this long, narrow room. The high ceilings here allow for the installation of a double row of upper cabinets. Its white cabinet fronts reflect light from the large window throughout the space. The solid oak countertop and the backsplash made of beveled white metro tiles are classic, low-maintenance elements.
The white floor is oiled, just like the rest of the apartment. This country-style kitchen is typical for an older apartment. In the past, it was rare not to prioritize this space, where people spent so much time. The kitchen also serves as a dining area with its small table against the wall, perfect for a small apartment. A blown-glass pendant light, hung just above the table, makes mealtimes pleasant no matter the time of day.
A few potted herbs on the windowsill contrast with the yellow hue and add a touch of freshness. This enclosed kitchen keeps cooking odors contained, as it’s located far from the sleeping area.
Old apartment buildings are a dime a dozen in our major cities and often lack personality. The wall of frames paying homage to Matisse and Picasso not only brings the space to life but also adds color and cheer. The bed, far from being hidden away, is highlighted by textiles in vibrant hues.
Its yellow walls in the kitchen evokes classic country kitchens with its classic style and sunny color. It’s as if a little bit of Provence had been brought to Sweden.
This studio proves that a small space doesn’t mean you have to default to neutral, or even dull, colors. The yellow in the kitchen and the soft gray in the living room balance each other perfectly. Its wall gallery brings the decor to life by adding vibrant colors against a understated backdrop.
The vintage furniture, from the cylindrical Componibili storage unit to the burgundy mushroom lamp, are elements often found in period apartments, yet they avoid feeling overly nostalgic.
The only downside is that the kitchen has only a small table, which isn’t ideal for entertaining. Nevertheless, the overall design is inspiring for anyone looking to decorate a small, older space without sacrificing its character.
This 34sqm studio is located in Kungsholmen, a residential island in the heart of Stockholm. The neighborhood borders Lake Mälaren and offers long walks along the waterfront. This island is also home to City Hall, an iconic landmark visible from several piers.
The surrounding residential streets retain their uniform early 20th-century architecture. The building housing this studio, constructed between 1903 and 1904, bears the signature of architect Mauritz Lundstedt.
Two pointed pediments pierced by oculus windows, distinguish this building from the neighboring Art Nouveau structures. The City of Stockholm has designated the building as a “green zone,” recognizing its heritage value. This protection limits major renovations and explains why so many period details have survived to this day.
34sqm
This 34m2 studio is for sale at Historiska
The current owner has chosen cheerful colors and vintage furniture that is both personalized and universally appealing. The result is a cozy studio, a far cry from the sterile apartments we see all too often, the kind where people play it safe when it comes to interior design. Its layout is optimized, and each area has its own designated space.
A practical entryway
The entryway welcomes visitors with a freestanding coat rack. A dedicated area allows for hanging coats and bags without cluttering the walkway. A shelf installed above the front door makes the most of the high ceiling. The floor features the same white oiled finish as the rest of the apartment.
The walls are painted a soft gray that highlights the original moldings. This color choice unifies the entryway with the adjoining living room, which is painted the same color. It’s a simple trick to visually enlarge a small space. A round mirror hung in a corner reflects natural light and further opens up the space.
A living room in soft gray with colorful accents
The living room is intentionally sparsely furnished to preserve the feeling of space. It has enough room for a bed and a sofa. A medallion adorns the ceiling, a remnant of the original decor that has been carefully preserved. The white-oiled hardwood floor still features its tall baseboards, typical of older Swedish apartments. The walls echo the soft gray of the entryway, highlighting the early-20th-century woodwork.
On the main wall, a collection of mismatched frames combines graphic posters and hand-painted canvases. This wall gallery, bursting with vibrant colors, from pink to orange to blue, brightens up the room. This choice contrasts with the neutral palette of the walls and gives the room character. On the floor, a thick, light-colored wool rug feels pleasant under bare feet and protects the unfinished hardwood floor. The bed, placed in a corner near the window, is dressed in bright colors.
Near the window, a wall shelf made of metal and wood holds books, ceramics, and various small objects. This open shelving is both discreet and practical. A succulent adds a touch of life. The choice of low, compact furniture keeps the view unobstructed toward the tall windows and the apartment’s exterior.
A sun-kissed, old-fashioned yellow kitchen
The kitchen of this 34sqm studio features a luminous yellow called “Sun Room” (which lives up to its name perfectly). This warm shade brings warmth to this long, narrow room. The high ceilings here allow for the installation of a double row of upper cabinets. Its white cabinet fronts reflect light from the large window throughout the space. The solid oak countertop and the backsplash made of beveled white metro tiles are classic, low-maintenance elements.
The white floor is oiled, just like the rest of the apartment. This country-style kitchen is typical for an older apartment. In the past, it was rare not to prioritize this space, where people spent so much time. The kitchen also serves as a dining area with its small table against the wall, perfect for a small apartment. A blown-glass pendant light, hung just above the table, makes mealtimes pleasant no matter the time of day.
A few potted herbs on the windowsill contrast with the yellow hue and add a touch of freshness. This enclosed kitchen keeps cooking odors contained, as it’s located far from the sleeping area.
What this studio inspires in us for our small city apartments
Old apartment buildings are a dime a dozen in our major cities and often lack personality. The wall of frames paying homage to Matisse and Picasso not only brings the space to life but also adds color and cheer. The bed, far from being hidden away, is highlighted by textiles in vibrant hues.
Its yellow walls in the kitchen evokes classic country kitchens with its classic style and sunny color. It’s as if a little bit of Provence had been brought to Sweden.
Our take on this decor
This studio proves that a small space doesn’t mean you have to default to neutral, or even dull, colors. The yellow in the kitchen and the soft gray in the living room balance each other perfectly. Its wall gallery brings the decor to life by adding vibrant colors against a understated backdrop.
The vintage furniture, from the cylindrical Componibili storage unit to the burgundy mushroom lamp, are elements often found in period apartments, yet they avoid feeling overly nostalgic.
The only downside is that the kitchen has only a small table, which isn’t ideal for entertaining. Nevertheless, the overall design is inspiring for anyone looking to decorate a small, older space without sacrificing its character.
Kungsholmen, a neighborhood that has retained its authenticity
This 34sqm studio is located in Kungsholmen, a residential island in the heart of Stockholm. The neighborhood borders Lake Mälaren and offers long walks along the waterfront. This island is also home to City Hall, an iconic landmark visible from several piers.
The surrounding residential streets retain their uniform early 20th-century architecture. The building housing this studio, constructed between 1903 and 1904, bears the signature of architect Mauritz Lundstedt.
Two pointed pediments pierced by oculus windows, distinguish this building from the neighboring Art Nouveau structures. The City of Stockholm has designated the building as a “green zone,” recognizing its heritage value. This protection limits major renovations and explains why so many period details have survived to this day.
34sqm
This 34m2 studio is for sale at Historiska
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