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Make space for what you love

Make space for what you love

Part 1
A storage-packed studio

Store more,
live more

Martina Andersson
Interior Designer at IKEA

A profile image of Martina Andersson.

Just because your home is on the small side, it doesn't mean you have to live small. There should still be room for all your stuff, including the things you probably don't need but absolutely refuse to part with (we all have them!), and, importantly, the people you love.

In this 26 m² studio, IKEA interior designer Martina Andersson shows how clever, budget-friendly storage can make every inch work harder, keep clutter under control and still leave you with a calm, practical home that looks good too.

Kitchen to go

Whether you're more of a cereal-for-dinner person or firmly in the meatballs-and-mash camp, everyone needs to eat. "You don't need to invest lots of money to have a kitchen," says Martina. "A freestanding kitchenette, slim storage units and bins with lids cover the everyday cooking, washing-up and recycling, while pegboards, hooks and extra shelves make clever use of the walls and keep cooking essentials within reach."

A white kitchenette with open shelving in an open-plan living space.
Pots and pans hang on a peg board over a wooden trolley in the corner of an open-plan kitchen and living room area.

  • Room to eat, work and stash

    In a small space, flexible, functional furniture is key. “The gateleg table is really practical as you can extend it, use it as a desk, and it also has storage underneath for cutlery, napkins and other dinnerware,” says Martina. Add a few stackable stools or folding chairs to the mix, so you can bring them out when you need them and stash them to one side when you don't.

    A white gateleg table surrounded by white stools in front of a white storage system.

No attic? No worries

It's amazing how much stuff we gather over time, all essential, of course! Living small doesn't mean letting go of what you love, just storing it cleverly. Wall-to-wall storage can hide everything from old photos and extra shampoo to clothes and exercise gear. "Choose flexible storage that blends into the room, with space to display what you love and hide what you don't," says Martina. "That way, your storage becomes part of the design and reflects your style."

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  • A white wall-to-wall storage system with open and closed storage.

    The LASTARE storage system can be tailored to your space and your style. Use the planning tool to configure it to suit your needs.

  • White shelving filled with stationary and smaller storage containers surrounded by closed storage.

    Use a variety of boxes, organisers, trays and pots to keep smaller items in order.

  • A white box filled with camera equipment resting on a white shelf.

    A box with a lid makes an ideal home for camera equipment, creative tools and other odds and ends.

  • Room to work, room to relax

    Whether you work from home or just need a spot to sort bills and tackle your to-do list, the last thing you want is for it all to keep staring at you when you've clocked off. Good storage means your to-do list can disappear too.

    "A desk with a drawer lets you tuck your laptop away in the evening," says Martina. "And a narrow wall-mounted cabinet that looks sleek but stores plenty is the perfect companion."

    A white desk with a closed white wall mounted cabinet above and a white glass-door cabinet beside.

Sweet dreams are made of… calm surroundings

A floor lamp will shine a light on your page-turner while a bedside table keeps your book, water glass and other bits and bobs neatly off the floor. “A bedside table with a drawer hides small items such as earplugs and your phone so the light from the screen won’t disturb you,” advises Martina.

A speaker and vase with water on a light wood bedside table,
A wooden bedside table beside a white bed in front of open and closed white wall-to-wall storage.

A welcoming home (for your stuff)

From the morning rush to the evening crash, the hallway can quickly become chaotic. Keep coats, shoes, keys, dog leads and other everyday essentials in check with good-looking coat racks, shoe storage and a flexible pegboard or two.

A light wood hallway with white pegboards, a metal shoe rack and wooden coat rack.
A light wood open wardrobe in front of a white wall.

Hallway helpers to take home

A KRONÖREN open wardrobe in solid wood.

KRONÖREN open wardrobe

A practical wardrobe, ready to be styled the way you want. “You can choose how to fill it, whether you want boxes to hide things away or prefer to keep it all open,” says Martina.

The OMAR shelving unit in galvanised steel.

OMAR shelving unit

Quick to assemble, this galvanised steel shelving unit is ideal for keeping shoes in order and off the floor.

The RAGGBERG coat rack with shelf in solid pine.

RAGGBERG coat rack with shelf

Neat and compact, this solid pine coat rack has space for up to 5 hangers, plus a handy shelf above to store extra bits and bobs.

Martina's 5 tips for maximising storage in a small space

Let's get you sorted!

Get ready to create a calm, practical and organised home surrounded by everything you love. Visit your local IKEA store or shop online to get started.