More and more of us reside in small homes, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy style and comfort – as this duplex attic apartment proves. Located in the Swedish city of Gothenburg, it’s a great example of how clever design can be used to make compact spaces beautiful to look at and practical to live in.
The apartment’s layout has been carefully considered, and every nook is used to maximum effect. The landing has been turned into an additional sitting area which also doubles as a guest bedroom, and a cosy snug accessed via a ladder has been created in the space between the bathroom ceiling and the eaves.
Velux windows have been installed in the roof to flood the space with light, and the wall between the kitchen and the staircase has been opened up to illuminate a once-dark corner.
The use of the same neutral colour palette throughout the apartment also enhances the sense of space. White walls and pale ash floors bounce light around the interior and make it look larger than it actually is, while autumnal beige and brown accents add warmth. In addition, lots of natural textures – linen curtains, woollen cushions, rattan chairs, untreated wooden shelves – are used in every room.
Clean-lined, understated furniture has been chosen to maximise the airy, minimalist feel: the living room has a plain white dining table and a boxy sofa, while a HAY tray table and low-slung leather daybed sit on the floor above. They’re offset by a couple of eye-catching statement pieces, including a canvas ‘Butterfly’ chair and, in the bedroom, Studio VM’s ‘VM String’ lounge chair for Menu. Accessories are also kept simple – just a few muted ceramics, foliage-filled glass vases and contemporary art prints.
In the kitchen, wall-hung units extend all the way to the ceiling to provide extra storage, and additional shelving has been squeezed into the gaps between the fridge, the wall and the oven. The black tiles used above the worktops are repeated in the bathroom, adding another note of continuity that connects the various spaces together.
My favourite room is the bedroom. I love the loose linen cover on the headboard, and the way a desk has been integrated into the corner. Small homes mean workspaces often end up in areas that should be reserved for relaxation, but the clever styling here means the room still looks calm and not remotely office-like.
Styling by Grey Deco; photography by Jonas Berg for Stadshem
I have an unhealthy obsession with small spaces. The challenge is addictive. The use of space is superb here (it doesn’t feel small at all!). Who wouldn’t want to be a guest there?
I know just what you mean – small spaces force you to be creative. There are so many clever tricks in this place.