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Swedish Man Reveals How to Thrive in Tiny Apartments: A Tour of His Ingenious Living Space
In cities around the world, one trend is becoming impossible to ignore: people are learning not just to live in tiny spaces, but to thrive in them. What once was seen as a compromise—sacrificing comfort and space for location or affordability—is now being celebrated as a form of intentional, inspired living.
One Swedish man’s tiny apartment has gone viral as a case study in how to do this well. He didn’t just make small space livable—he transformed it into an efficient, expressive, and deeply personal home. His story provides not only a tour of his ingenious living space but also universal lessons in design, mindset, and the art of living with less.
A Tiny Space with a Big Story
Let’s start with the setting: a compact, pocket‑sized apartment in Malmö, Sweden. At around 32 square meters (about 344 square feet), it’s modest by any measure—especially for someone living in the heart of a bustling city. But rather than seeing his small apartment as a burden, this Swedish man, Linus (as he was introduced in an IKEA “Life at Home” feature), embraced his tiny space with ingenuity and joy.
Instead of cramming furniture or cluttering the room, Linus made thoughtful choices that optimized every inch of his home while making it reflective of his personality. What was once a bare, compact rental has become a functional, welcoming sanctuary that serves multiple purposes—sleeping, working, eating, relaxing, and hosting.
Why Small Spaces Matter
Before we walk through the apartment itself, it’s worth exploring why stories like this resonate so deeply today.
Across Sweden—and much of the world—housing markets in urban centers have become increasingly competitive. Smaller apartments are now commonplace, especially in city cores where land is scarce and rent is high. In Sweden, new apartments are often built with compact living in mind, and regulations have adapted to allow smaller minimum living spaces for studios and one‑bedroom units.
Instead of fighting this reality, many Swedes (and others globally) are finding that a smaller footprint can be liberating, not constraining. Living tiny encourages clarity about what you really need, fosters more intentional design, and often leads to a simpler, healthier relationship with possessions and space.
The Entrance: Function Meets First Impressions
Upon entering Linus’s apartment, you step into a narrow hallway that instantly gives a clue about his design philosophy: no space is wasted. This hallway does double duty—not just as a passage but as his storage hub. A tall, floor‑to‑ceiling wardrobe hugs the wall, offering enough room for clothes and seasonal items. By building upwards instead of outwards, Linus made space where others might see none.
This use of vertical space is a hallmark of compact living. In tiny apartments, floor space is precious, so designers and homeowners alike look up—literally—to gain storage without impeding movement.
Simple hooks near the entrance keep jackets, backpacks, and essentials ready for the day. A small stool serves as both decor and a practical perch for putting on shoes or reaching higher shelves.
Open Living: A Room That Does It All
From the hallway, you walk into a combined living, sleeping, and relaxing area. It’s open, but intentionally so. Instead of adding walls or partitions that would consume precious space, Linus created zones within a single room—each with its role but without barriers.
Sleeping Space
The bed is one of the most ingenious features. Instead of a traditional frame, Linus built a custom platform bed that rests against both walls. Beneath it, storage boxes slide in and out easily, keeping seldom‑used items like off‑season clothing, spare linens, and other essentials tucked out of sight. This subtle integration of storage and sleeping area exemplifies dual‑purpose design—where even furniture is multitasking.
To create a sense of privacy without building structures that would fragment the room, he uses a simple clothes rail as a soft divider. It separates the bed from the living area while keeping the overall room open and airy.
Living Area: A Space for Work, Relaxation, and More
Across from the bed is his living space—a cozy area with a sofa that doubles as a lounge and occasional seating for guests. The key here is flexibility: pieces aren’t fixed to a single purpose. His small round dining table, for example, is where meals happen and where work gets done when needed. Multitasking furniture like this is essential in tiny spaces.
He also made use of wall space above his TV bench to create a striking gallery wall: framed prints and art pieces that draw the eye upward, making the walls themselves feel like part of the decor rather than empty expanses. Using art at eye level—or higher—can visually expand a room by giving it depth and character without crowding floor space.
Kitchen: Compact Yet Complete
In many tiny apartments, the kitchen becomes a multi‑purpose hub, and Linus’s is no exception. Instead of separating his dining, working, and cooking zones, he combined them. The kitchen counter serves not just as a place to cook but also as a makeshift desk on slow mornings, a dining surface in the evenings, and a shared conversation area when friends stop by.
The key here isn’t necessarily in fancy gadgets or bespoke cabinetry—it’s in how the space is used. A functional, efficient kitchen can be compact as long as everything has a place and purpose.
Bathroom: Small But Smart
The bathroom—tiny by traditional standards—is another lesson in compact design. Instead of trying to fit traditional shelves and cabinets that would crowd the room, Linus made use of hooks, mirrors, and built‑in nooks. These elements keep essentials accessible without cluttering the floor. The result? A bathroom that feels clean and functional, not cramped.
Design Lessons from a Tiny Space
So far, you’ve seen how Linus’s apartment works. But what broader lessons can we take from this Swedish tiny home?
1. Zones Over Rooms
Tiny apartments often lack distinct rooms, but they can still have distinct zones. A space can feel separate without being enclosed—through furniture placement, lighting, or visual cues.
2. Think Vertical
Walls and ceilings aren’t just structural—they’re potential storage banks. Tall shelves, built‑in storage, and vertical organization help maximize usable area. This approach is ubiquitous in compact living design.
3. Multi‑Purpose Furniture
Every piece should “earn its place” by serving more than one function. A dining table that doubles as a workspace or a bed platform with hidden storage is worth every square centimeter.
4. Keep It Light and Open
Light colors, reflective surfaces, and minimal clutter create an illusion of space. Strategic lighting makes areas feel larger and more dynamic.
5. Embrace What You Love
A tiny apartment doesn’t have to be bare or purely functional. Personal touches—art, plants, meaningful books—add warmth that makes a space feel like yours.
Mindset Matters: Thriving, Not Just Surviving
Design tips are useful—but the real magic lies in mindset. Many people assume that living in a tiny space means giving up something. Linus’s approach shows the opposite: living small can be a choice grounded in freedom and intentionality.
When you reduce excess, you often gain:
- Clarity about what matters
- Less time spent cleaning and maintaining
- More appreciation for everyday experiences
- Freedom to focus on life beyond possessions and walls
It’s not about sacrificing comfort—it’s about redistributing it. In a tiny apartment, comfort isn’t in unused corners, it’s in well‑lived moments.
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