How to create a home within a home

Part of being a teenager is craving independence. When moving isn’t an alternative for another few years, arranging part of your home to feel like a separate household can be a timely solution.

Fully furnished room with high windows, as in a basement or garage, with bed, desk and storage in various shelving units.

Corner of a room with a large shelving unit filled with clothing; a fitted black-out roller can be rolled down in front.

Make it easy to arrange – and rearrange

When space is limited, flexible furniture is a great ally. Lightweight, multifunctional items (like a roller blind that both covers shelving and doubles as cinema screen) can quickly be adapted to your needs, rearranged, and later brought along to a new home.

See all blinds

Wooden shelving unit where a large void houses a bin and a laundry bag, a cross-hairs target drawn above the latter.

The unbeatable feeling of laundry sorting

Clothes ending up on the floor may seem like a law of physics. Enter a bit of gamification and scoring points into the laundry basket may well be enough to upset nature.

Shelf of wooden shelving unit devoted to a minibar-type set-up: filled glass tap jars, tray of glasses, Bluetooth speaker.

Minibar included

A personal refreshment stand lessens the need for trips to the kitchen. Throw in a sound system and you’re set for weekend parties, too.

Shelf of wooden, open shelving unit with a mini chest of drawers filled with and surrounded by typical teenage accessories.

All accessories in check

Whether it’s for completing today’s look – like this grooming station – or for other important items, ways to hold day-to-day details in order are always welcome.

“

It doesn’t take a fully equipped household to create the feeling of one. Having your own domain can mean a lot for someone with a growing need of independence – and for the balance at home.

”

Kristina Pospelova, IKEA interior designer

Children’s chair hanging from wall-mounted hooks. The chair, surrounded by wall-mounted desk lamps, holds a film projector.

A shelf to take you back in time

You know that adorable children’s chair that you’re too fond of to throw away, yet can’t find a purpose for? Problem solved! Use hooks to turn it into a decorative shelf. Perfect for your most prized possessions, or maybe a film projector.

Small home workspace formed by storage unit with folded-out desk surface. Cables and office stuff on the shelves.

No more cable clutter, fingers crossed

Cable management is a constant challenge. A tailored combination of hooks and containers is a good start. When you’re not using the workspace, fold up the table to hide away the charging station.

End of a bed with the side of a shelving unit standing ladder-like beside it; book, throw, headphones hanging from its slats.

Keep everything you need within reach

A bedside table is sometimes more in the way than helpful. Instead, use the ladder-like (not to be confused with a real one) side of a bookcase. Use the slats to hang all you need close, then let it come along wherever you move.

Which combination does the most for you?

Teenager’s mini home, guest room, film den, sublet or dance floor. With a space furnished with easy rearrangement in mind, you can swiftly change it to match your needs.

We love to see our customers get creative with our products. Go for it! But please note that altering or modifying IKEA products so they can no longer be re-sold or used for their original purpose, means the IKEA commercial guarantees and your right to return the products will be lost.

Made by
Interior designer: Kristina Pospelova
Photographer: Martin Inger
Writer: Henrik Annemark