A 45sqm apartment designed entirely around color-blocking
Follow Planète Déco on Google — add us to your favourites to keep our decor articles in your news feedIn this 45sqm two-room apartment, color-blocking transforms the atmosphere with its blocks of color, pink kitchen, and multicolored entryway
On the ground floor of a building constructed in 1922, a 45sqm apartment surprises with its boldness. Located in Stockholm’s chic Östermalm neighborhood, this small space has a strong identity. The building has undergone a complete renovation, and the apartment was designed by Lotta Agaton, a renowned Swedish interior designer known for her clean, monochromatic style. Yet the interior of this apartment is anything but minimalist. Here, color-blocking dominates the entire design, from the striped ceiling in the living room to the kitchen cabinet fronts.
Color-blocking involves juxtaposing solid blocks of bold, pattern-free colors to define specific areas. This technique, which originated in fashion, has become widely adopted in interior design in recent years. It allows a wall, a piece of furniture, or an entire room to be divided into several distinct blocks. In this apartment, it serves as the primary tool for creating rhythm in each space. Each zone is assigned its own distinct shade, without any gradients or transitions, creating an immediate graphic effect. This design choice transforms a small space into a colorful, rhythmic journey. It also defines the zones without requiring any additional partitions.
The living room and kitchen flow seamlessly into one another thanks to an open-concept layout. An antique dining table takes center stage in the room and visually connects the two areas. The walls are painted a muted blue, enhanced by a blue-and-white striped ceiling. Behind the sofa, a large block of green, blue, and pink covers an entire wall section. This triangle of bold hues perfectly illustrates the principle of color-blocking applied vertically.
Each geometric shape defines a specific area, with no gradients or transitions between colors. A built-in bookcase, painted in the same pastel blue as the walls, provides additional storage. The deep window sills, fitted with radiator covers, extend into open shelves. This continuity between built-in furniture and the color blocks creates a sense of unity throughout the space.
The custom-designed kitchen applies color-blocking in a more subtle yet equally effective way. Its upper cabinet fronts are finished in a powdery pink, while the lower cabinets feature a deeper shade of pink. This simple horizontal dividing line is enough to visually organize the entire room without adding any patterns.
The cabinet fronts extend all the way to the ceiling for a perfectly integrated and seamless look. A white marble countertop and a matching backsplash add a mineral-inspired touch. The matte black faucets contrast beautifully with the soft pink hues of the two color blocks. This kitchen proves that a bold shade can also be synonymous with simplicity and sophistication.
It is in the entryway that color-blocking reaches its most striking expression. The large built-in cabinets are divided into several distinct blocks: pink, salmon, yellow, and sky blue. Each cabinet front changes color depending on the height or section of the cabinet in question. The door leading to another room features a deep blue that forms its own distinct block.
This interplay of juxtaposed colors, without any gradients, transforms a simple storage hallway into a graphic composition. A small antique stool, placed in front of the yellow and blue blocks, adds a welcome vintage touch. This entryway alone encapsulates the entire decorative concept applied throughout the apartment.
The bedroom deliberately breaks with the color-blocking scheme used elsewhere. Its walls and ceiling are adorned with Novelette wallpaper by Cole & Son. This cloud motif, designed by Fornasetti, gives the bedroom a serene and enveloping atmosphere.
The immaculate white bed contrasts with the soft gray tones of the surrounding decor. This room actually forms a single large gray block, consistent from floor to ceiling. A choice that reinforces the rule rather than contradicting it, with a single dominant shade. This soothing room offers a true counterpoint to the colorful energy of the rest of the home.
The color pink resurfaces in the bathroom, this time as a single solid color. Marble covers the floor and shower, bringing a sense of freshness and mineral elegance. The walls and ceiling feature a single, very enveloping shade of powder pink. Storage units painted in the same shade are tucked under the sink and above the washing machine. This uniformity of tones transforms the entire room into a single, large block of color. The matte black faucets punctuate this pink block with great precision.
From the living room, a glass door opens onto a 12sqm terrace. This private outdoor space clearly extends the living area on sunny days. A low seating area and a dining table share the space. Wooden trellises separate the terrace from the rest of the inner courtyard. Here, natural wood replaces the colorful blocks and offers a welcome visual respite.
This choice of bold colors in such a small space deserves unreserved praise. Many are wary of color-blocking in small spaces, fearing it will overwhelm the area. Here, on the contrary, the color blocks energize each room. The contrast between the vibrant living room and the serene bedroom works particularly well. This alternation between energy and calm cleverly sets the rhythm as you move through the entire apartment. The living room wall, however, remains the riskiest choice in the entire project.
It will appeal to fans of colorful decor, but will likely divide more traditional visitors. The entryway, on the other hand, is thoroughly convincing thanks to its coherence and meticulous layout. This blend of antique furniture and contemporary pieces gives character to every corner. To recreate this look at home, it’s best to choose no more than two or three colors per room. This limit prevents the space from feeling overwhelming while maintaining the full impact of color-blocking. It’s also a good idea to set aside a neutral room, like this gray bedroom, to give your eyes a rest.
Östermalm is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the Swedish capital. Many of its wide avenues, lined with stately buildings, date back to the early twentieth century. The neighborhood is home to numerous embassies, elegant boutiques, and the famous Saluhall indoor market. Its proximity to Djurgården Park attracts families seeking green spaces.
Living in Östermalm means enjoying a rich heritage setting, just a stone’s throw from downtown. This historic environment stands in stark contrast to the apartment’s very contemporary color-blocking. This contrast between the classic facade and the graphic interior perfectly captures the spirit of current Scandinavian design.
Color-blocking, which features heavily in this apartment, is also enjoying great success around the world. Today, it’s used to energize small urban spaces. A 45sqm space is common in our major cities, and this apartment proves that you can dare to decorate them in an original way even if they’re small.
This 45sqm apartment was sold by Wrede
Color-blocking: the unifying theme of the entire design
Color-blocking involves juxtaposing solid blocks of bold, pattern-free colors to define specific areas. This technique, which originated in fashion, has become widely adopted in interior design in recent years. It allows a wall, a piece of furniture, or an entire room to be divided into several distinct blocks. In this apartment, it serves as the primary tool for creating rhythm in each space. Each zone is assigned its own distinct shade, without any gradients or transitions, creating an immediate graphic effect. This design choice transforms a small space into a colorful, rhythmic journey. It also defines the zones without requiring any additional partitions.
The living room, featuring deep blue and a multicolored wall
The living room and kitchen flow seamlessly into one another thanks to an open-concept layout. An antique dining table takes center stage in the room and visually connects the two areas. The walls are painted a muted blue, enhanced by a blue-and-white striped ceiling. Behind the sofa, a large block of green, blue, and pink covers an entire wall section. This triangle of bold hues perfectly illustrates the principle of color-blocking applied vertically.
Each geometric shape defines a specific area, with no gradients or transitions between colors. A built-in bookcase, painted in the same pastel blue as the walls, provides additional storage. The deep window sills, fitted with radiator covers, extend into open shelves. This continuity between built-in furniture and the color blocks creates a sense of unity throughout the space.
The kitchen, horizontal color-blocking in pink
The custom-designed kitchen applies color-blocking in a more subtle yet equally effective way. Its upper cabinet fronts are finished in a powdery pink, while the lower cabinets feature a deeper shade of pink. This simple horizontal dividing line is enough to visually organize the entire room without adding any patterns.
The cabinet fronts extend all the way to the ceiling for a perfectly integrated and seamless look. A white marble countertop and a matching backsplash add a mineral-inspired touch. The matte black faucets contrast beautifully with the soft pink hues of the two color blocks. This kitchen proves that a bold shade can also be synonymous with simplicity and sophistication.
The entryway, the apartment’s color-blocking manifesto
It is in the entryway that color-blocking reaches its most striking expression. The large built-in cabinets are divided into several distinct blocks: pink, salmon, yellow, and sky blue. Each cabinet front changes color depending on the height or section of the cabinet in question. The door leading to another room features a deep blue that forms its own distinct block.
This interplay of juxtaposed colors, without any gradients, transforms a simple storage hallway into a graphic composition. A small antique stool, placed in front of the yellow and blue blocks, adds a welcome vintage touch. This entryway alone encapsulates the entire decorative concept applied throughout the apartment.
The bedroom, the only room spared from color-blocking
The bedroom deliberately breaks with the color-blocking scheme used elsewhere. Its walls and ceiling are adorned with Novelette wallpaper by Cole & Son. This cloud motif, designed by Fornasetti, gives the bedroom a serene and enveloping atmosphere.
The immaculate white bed contrasts with the soft gray tones of the surrounding decor. This room actually forms a single large gray block, consistent from floor to ceiling. A choice that reinforces the rule rather than contradicting it, with a single dominant shade. This soothing room offers a true counterpoint to the colorful energy of the rest of the home.
The bathroom, a pink block from floor to ceiling
The color pink resurfaces in the bathroom, this time as a single solid color. Marble covers the floor and shower, bringing a sense of freshness and mineral elegance. The walls and ceiling feature a single, very enveloping shade of powder pink. Storage units painted in the same shade are tucked under the sink and above the washing machine. This uniformity of tones transforms the entire room into a single, large block of color. The matte black faucets punctuate this pink block with great precision.
A very understated private terrace
From the living room, a glass door opens onto a 12sqm terrace. This private outdoor space clearly extends the living area on sunny days. A low seating area and a dining table share the space. Wooden trellises separate the terrace from the rest of the inner courtyard. Here, natural wood replaces the colorful blocks and offers a welcome visual respite.
Our take on this masterfully executed color-blocking
This choice of bold colors in such a small space deserves unreserved praise. Many are wary of color-blocking in small spaces, fearing it will overwhelm the area. Here, on the contrary, the color blocks energize each room. The contrast between the vibrant living room and the serene bedroom works particularly well. This alternation between energy and calm cleverly sets the rhythm as you move through the entire apartment. The living room wall, however, remains the riskiest choice in the entire project.
It will appeal to fans of colorful decor, but will likely divide more traditional visitors. The entryway, on the other hand, is thoroughly convincing thanks to its coherence and meticulous layout. This blend of antique furniture and contemporary pieces gives character to every corner. To recreate this look at home, it’s best to choose no more than two or three colors per room. This limit prevents the space from feeling overwhelming while maintaining the full impact of color-blocking. It’s also a good idea to set aside a neutral room, like this gray bedroom, to give your eyes a rest.
Östermalm, a historic neighborhood in Stockholm
Östermalm is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the Swedish capital. Many of its wide avenues, lined with stately buildings, date back to the early twentieth century. The neighborhood is home to numerous embassies, elegant boutiques, and the famous Saluhall indoor market. Its proximity to Djurgården Park attracts families seeking green spaces.
Living in Östermalm means enjoying a rich heritage setting, just a stone’s throw from downtown. This historic environment stands in stark contrast to the apartment’s very contemporary color-blocking. This contrast between the classic facade and the graphic interior perfectly captures the spirit of current Scandinavian design.
Inspiration for other spaces
Color-blocking, which features heavily in this apartment, is also enjoying great success around the world. Today, it’s used to energize small urban spaces. A 45sqm space is common in our major cities, and this apartment proves that you can dare to decorate them in an original way even if they’re small.
This 45sqm apartment was sold by Wrede
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