A small 49sqm apartment with a well-designed bedroom
This small 49sqm apartment with eclectic decor in an older building has been optimized with a well-designed bedroom
This small 49sqm apartment is located on the fourth floor of a building constructed in 1905 in the Södermalm neighborhood of Stockholm. Its interior design and clever layout are of interest to anyone looking to make the most of a small space while giving it personality.
Quite spacious, it opens directly onto the kitchen, which you must pass through to reach the living room. It retains its vintage charm, with its original built-in cabinets, very practical when you come home. The cabinet doors still have their original look and have simply been repainted in off-white.
Two large windows flood the living room with light. It features a pale yellow sofa paired with a black-and-white striped armchair. The amber-colored blown-glass pendant light has a slightly ’60s vibe. The glass coffee table, meanwhile, visually lightens the space and allows the original hardwood floor to show through. You’ll also notice the absence of a rug, which might have felt “too much” in such a small space.
Black-and-white photographs, vintage posters, and colorful contemporary illustrations liven up the wall. This display has turned the space into a veritable personal art gallery. The living room is reserved for relaxation, since the dining area is set up in the kitchen. It opens onto the bedroom through a second doorway.
It opens onto the living room and has no windows. We can assume it was once a storage room. It also features large built-in closets, a valuable asset in a small apartment.
Its style is minimalist. Light floods in through the double doors, which, when fully opened, allow plenty of light to enter. And when they’re closed, light enters through an opening in the living room wall, where shelves provide a place to display objects.
This architectural solution clearly illustrates how a small, older space can be perfectly adapted to a contemporary layout with the right ideas. Rather than putting up with a windowless room, the residents have turned it into an asset by opening it up to the living room.
Since the living room is rather small, the dining area has been moved into the generously sized kitchen. The round table, painted sage green, is paired with light-wood Windsor-style chairs. This furniture, with its traditional turned details, contrasts harmoniously with the blue “Flowerpot” pendant light by Verner Panton. This iconic light fixture comes in many colors and fits into any room in a home, regardless of its style. The mix of eras works well here, even if it seems like a risky choice at first.
Long off-white linen curtains fall from the ceiling to the floor. This is a bold move in a kitchen where grease and moisture could stain them very quickly. However, this creates a space that feels as much like a reception area as it does a place for meal preparation. A chest of drawers in a soft pastel mint green tones down the brighter colors of the gallery of frames.
The kitchen itself is understated, with its matte gray Shaker-style cabinet fronts and classic brass handles. The overall look is timeless and warm. A large mirror on one of the walls reflects the light from the windows and accentuates the sense of space.
The white tiles laid vertically and the gray-and-white checkerboard pattern on the floor are must-haves in a retro, Scandinavian-style bathroom. Perhaps they’ve been preserved since the apartment was first built. The freestanding bathtub, a classic of Swedish interiors, adds undeniable vintage charm.
The authenticity of this room has been preserved and lends extra charm to this small 49sqm apartment. A contemporary renovation would not have had the same effect.
This apartment features a well-balanced mix of styles, and that’s what makes it unique. It combines the classics of Scandinavian design in the living room, the charm of a country-style kitchen, the minimalism of the bedroom, and the vintage feel of the bathroom. It all works thanks to the understated color palette used in most of the rooms.
The overall effect is a success, further enhanced by period elements such as the molded doors, high ceilings, and antique hardwood floors. Combined with more contemporary furniture and artwork, these elements make this interior a true showcase of a well-thought-out space.
The apartment is located on a bustling street in the Södermalm neighborhood. In the summer, the street becomes pedestrian-only and transforms into a promenade lined with outdoor cafes all the way to Vitabergsparken. The shores of Lake Årstaviken, with their walking paths and swimming areas, round out this particularly pleasant urban setting.
This early 20th-century apartment is reminiscent of what can be found throughout Europe, particularly in Haussmann-style or classic 19th- and early 20th-century buildings. High ceilings, molded doors, and original hardwood floors are also features of well-renovated homes where the original elements have been preserved.
In Paris and other major European cities, such as Stockholm, these small, charming older apartments appeal for their architectural character. It’s hard to find the same thing in new construction, and even though these apartments are more difficult to optimize, their charm more than makes up for these minor flaws. Take, for example, a bedroom that’s been converted from an old storage room and is lit only by by indirect light.
49sqm
This small 49sqm apartment is for sale at Bjurfors
The entryway
Quite spacious, it opens directly onto the kitchen, which you must pass through to reach the living room. It retains its vintage charm, with its original built-in cabinets, very practical when you come home. The cabinet doors still have their original look and have simply been repainted in off-white.
The living room
Two large windows flood the living room with light. It features a pale yellow sofa paired with a black-and-white striped armchair. The amber-colored blown-glass pendant light has a slightly ’60s vibe. The glass coffee table, meanwhile, visually lightens the space and allows the original hardwood floor to show through. You’ll also notice the absence of a rug, which might have felt “too much” in such a small space.
Black-and-white photographs, vintage posters, and colorful contemporary illustrations liven up the wall. This display has turned the space into a veritable personal art gallery. The living room is reserved for relaxation, since the dining area is set up in the kitchen. It opens onto the bedroom through a second doorway.
The bedroom
It opens onto the living room and has no windows. We can assume it was once a storage room. It also features large built-in closets, a valuable asset in a small apartment.
Its style is minimalist. Light floods in through the double doors, which, when fully opened, allow plenty of light to enter. And when they’re closed, light enters through an opening in the living room wall, where shelves provide a place to display objects.
This architectural solution clearly illustrates how a small, older space can be perfectly adapted to a contemporary layout with the right ideas. Rather than putting up with a windowless room, the residents have turned it into an asset by opening it up to the living room.
The kitchen and dining area
Since the living room is rather small, the dining area has been moved into the generously sized kitchen. The round table, painted sage green, is paired with light-wood Windsor-style chairs. This furniture, with its traditional turned details, contrasts harmoniously with the blue “Flowerpot” pendant light by Verner Panton. This iconic light fixture comes in many colors and fits into any room in a home, regardless of its style. The mix of eras works well here, even if it seems like a risky choice at first.
Long off-white linen curtains fall from the ceiling to the floor. This is a bold move in a kitchen where grease and moisture could stain them very quickly. However, this creates a space that feels as much like a reception area as it does a place for meal preparation. A chest of drawers in a soft pastel mint green tones down the brighter colors of the gallery of frames.
The kitchen itself is understated, with its matte gray Shaker-style cabinet fronts and classic brass handles. The overall look is timeless and warm. A large mirror on one of the walls reflects the light from the windows and accentuates the sense of space.
The retro bathroom
The white tiles laid vertically and the gray-and-white checkerboard pattern on the floor are must-haves in a retro, Scandinavian-style bathroom. Perhaps they’ve been preserved since the apartment was first built. The freestanding bathtub, a classic of Swedish interiors, adds undeniable vintage charm.
The authenticity of this room has been preserved and lends extra charm to this small 49sqm apartment. A contemporary renovation would not have had the same effect.
Our take on this decor
This apartment features a well-balanced mix of styles, and that’s what makes it unique. It combines the classics of Scandinavian design in the living room, the charm of a country-style kitchen, the minimalism of the bedroom, and the vintage feel of the bathroom. It all works thanks to the understated color palette used in most of the rooms.
The overall effect is a success, further enhanced by period elements such as the molded doors, high ceilings, and antique hardwood floors. Combined with more contemporary furniture and artwork, these elements make this interior a true showcase of a well-thought-out space.
Skånegatan, a lively street in the heart of Södermalm
The apartment is located on a bustling street in the Södermalm neighborhood. In the summer, the street becomes pedestrian-only and transforms into a promenade lined with outdoor cafes all the way to Vitabergsparken. The shores of Lake Årstaviken, with their walking paths and swimming areas, round out this particularly pleasant urban setting.
Can this style of apartment be found in other countries?
This early 20th-century apartment is reminiscent of what can be found throughout Europe, particularly in Haussmann-style or classic 19th- and early 20th-century buildings. High ceilings, molded doors, and original hardwood floors are also features of well-renovated homes where the original elements have been preserved.
In Paris and other major European cities, such as Stockholm, these small, charming older apartments appeal for their architectural character. It’s hard to find the same thing in new construction, and even though these apartments are more difficult to optimize, their charm more than makes up for these minor flaws. Take, for example, a bedroom that’s been converted from an old storage room and is lit only by by indirect light.
49sqm
This small 49sqm apartment is for sale at Bjurfors
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