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A bed with white linen and a blue upholstered headboard, separated with white curtains from a dining area where a person hangs artwork from the ceiling.
A person lays glassware on a narrow white table, surrounded by an assortment of different chairs and stools.
The corner of a room with a large window, SÖDERHAMN sofa, high-pile rug and a pendant lamp made from four connected REGOLIT pendant lamp shades.
A person stands chopping food at a BROR trolley, with an ÄSPINGE kitchenette in the background.
Bags, jackets, hats, books and more on various storage units in a hallway.

Room to be me!

A portrait of Hans Blomquist wearing a light blue shirt and standing against a white wall.

Designer
Hans Blomquist

Location
Paris, France

Concept
Simplicity always wins

Money is tight and space is even tighter! The good news is that with a clear vision, some clever furnishings and a pinch of creative thinking, a lot can be squeezed from the tiniest of floorplans and budgets.

Hans designed this 25m2  home for a young graphic design student with a tight budget, busy social life and bright future. "The challenge was to fit a everything a young person needs into a small room, while also thinking about their next chapter after this home," he explains. The tiny space packs in flexible furniture, space-smart storage and wallet-friendly finds. Meanwhile, longer-lasting investments like the upholstered bed and modular sofa will follow along well beyond their owner’s student days.

Illustrated aerial view of a small studio apartment.

Feeling inspired?

At your local IKEA online store, you'll discover even more tips and ideas to make the most of every room in your home.

The sweet-dream centrepiece

Nothing beats a solid night of snoozing to get that inspiration flowing! For the person living here, making space for good sleep and a big, comfy bed was not up for discussion – even in such a tiny studio. The TUFJORD upholstered storage bed, layered linen and curtains all add up to one cosy cocoon of rest and relaxation that sets the tone for the entire room.

"Comfort and rest was a top priority, so that was the starting point for the whole room. It's all about defining what matters most to you and your life, and working around that." – Hans

This pendant lamp sets a dreamy mood for bedtime, emitting a soft, diffused light. Its ruffled design ties in well with the other soft textures in the room.

From clothes to textbooks (and even an extra dining chair!), this small corner of the room has an impressive capacity with its mix of storage solutions.

Seizing every storage opportunity

With no space to waste, even that small bit of wall beneath the window is put to work. Long, narrow shelving runs the full length of the room, offering light and accessible storage that doesnt eat into the room. An array of boxes and organisers hold plenty, while keeping clutter at bay.

"Thanks to the gap between the two lower shelves, extra stools and side tables can be pushed against the wall when they're not in use." – Hans

Making it feel like home

When there's barely any wriggle room, it's easy to think that furnishings should all be practical and space efficient. Take it from this living room corner that "cosy" and "compact" can co-exist in blissful harmony.

Though a calm white palette dominates the room, layering in different textures and decorative objects goes a long way in warming things up.

"Textiles are such a powerful way to create a homey, personal feeling; especially if you're on a tight budget or living in a temporary space, like this student." – Hans

Get creative in the kitchen

Shelves, rails, cabinets – and everything else you could need for quick, everyday cooking – are all packed into this studio's kitchenette, which fits oh-so snuggly into a small niche. The nearby trolley is a handy expansion pack, offering more storage and worktop space. Wheel it away from the wall to get more cooks involved, or out of the way if the living area needs to spread.

"The kitchenette's shelves and rails aren't just great for accessible storage – they're also a way to make your kitchen more personal with what you choose to display." - Hans

The ultimate storage corner

The hallway is where you'll find this home's most heavy-duty storage: floor-to-ceiling shelves, cabinets and hooks that handle the bulk of the resident's belongings. From appliances and dinnerware closest to the kitchen, to scarves and outerwear nearest to the door – this tight corner really does hold it all.

"This corner is the first thing you see when you walk through the door. To keep it clear of clutter, everything not used every day gets packed away." – Hans