Small-Space Calm in a Gothernburg home

It’s fascinating how people thrive in different environments – some love the peace and tranquility of the countryside, while others are comforted by the buzz of the city. The sound of distant heels and chatter on pavements outside, the odd car hurrying past – it can be strangely soothing. As a girl who grew up in London, I have always found this comforting, a reminder of being surrounded by life even when tucked away in my own quiet corner.

This 38 m2 (409 f2) Gothenburg apartment captures that same balance. Bathed in natural light, it feels like a soft exhale the moment you step inside. The creamy beige walls create a calm backdrop for layered textures, while the oversized paper lantern makes the living room feel airy yet grounded. Isn’t it amazing how something as simple as linen curtains, gently filtering daylight, can completely transform a space?

One of my favourite details is the window nook filled with cushions and greenery – a perfect little sanctuary for reading, sipping coffee, or just watching the world go by. And the kitchen, with its muted palette and brass accents, is modern but never cold, carrying just the right touch of warmth – I can imagine it looking nice with cookery books, something bubbling on the stove and other signs of action!

Ready to take a snoop?

This apartment has likely been staged to sell so it is fairly minimal, but there are some lovely opportunities for the news owners. For example. Bookshelves over the sofa would make a cosy touch and provide extra storage.

Older buildings like this one, which was built in 1929, often have nice, wide window sills that can double up as a window seat.

The front door opens straight into the sitting room (as is sometimes the case in smaller apartments) – if you look closely to the right of the door, you’ll catch some shoes, and I’m wondering if there are some coat hooks hidden from view. Even so, I’d like to see a curtain that can be pulled across the door to block the view of the sitting room when the door opens, as well as to prevent drafts. Some extra storage to the left would also be great (I’m a big fan of these pockets from Norrgavel.

These Scandinavian traditional woven baskets have had a huge revival in recent years, and not only do I think they’re really pretty, they’re useful too!

In case you’re wondering about the layout, here’s the floor plan:

Translation: kök – kitchen, vardagsrum – sitting room, sovrum – bedroom.

If you had to choose one standout feature here – the calm kitchen, the layered living room, or that nice window seat (a perfect perch for people watching) – which would it be?

Is there anything else that caught your eye?

I must say, time has flown by today, and I need to dash – but if you’d like to explore a few more ideas, why not take a look at the small spaces archive? There are thousands of homes to discover!

Have a happy Monday!

Photography and floor plan courtesy of Entrance, with thanks.