A New York–Style Penthouse in Sweden with a Sleeping Loft
In some way or another, Swedish structural design engineer Niklas Lindén has been shaping the vision for his dream apartment from a young age. “As a kid, I loved building treehouses and sort of make-shift buildings, so I wanted the loft addition to feel like a clubhouse inside my home”, Lindén mused, before adding “I also loved seeing New York–style apartments in the movies, so this is my New York treehouse”. Though it echoes the Big Apple’s industrial chic style, Lindén’s 41 square meter (441 square feet) apartment is half a world away in a newly developed residential area of Halmstad – a quaint town on Sweden’s west coast renowned for its beautiful beaches, picturesque castle, and cosy atmosphere.
When Lindén first acquired the apartment, he saw untapped potential. Namely, it was a penthouse with high ceilings that reached a lofty 4 meters in some parts, which he noted was rather rare of most new builds. The precious height, however, was mostly underutilized and the apartment as a whole lacked adequate storage solutions. For the treehouse lover, the solution was clear: to add a loft. The relatively simple adjustment would allow Lindén to preserve the majority of the layout while creating room for both a cosy bedroom and comfortable office – both tucked behind a glass wall with doors.
A Small Apartment that Feels like a Grand One
From the moment you step into the apartment, it’s clear that every detail has been thoughtfully considered. The compact entrance area – with tiles underfoot help to zone the area from the rest of the apartment – features ample storage space for shoes and jackets, in a seamless design that blends with the kitchen cabinetry. A mirror for last-minute outfit checks also separates the entrance from the kitchen visually and makes the area feel more spacious as a whole.
From here the cohesion just continues via the efficient yet stylish kitchen through to the expansive and chic open-concept living area. Lindén’s selections of materials and furnishings, from marble to steel or brass, make the space feel not only elevated, but grand. And at no point does it feel cramped: “My motivation was to create a small apartment that feels like a big apartment”, he explained. “I wanted all the things I've had before in larger apartments but in a smarter, cheaper, and more compact form”. Yet, not all of Lindén’s selections put compactness first. In fast, he not only chose a generously sized sofa but also placed it centrally in the room, a decision he notes creates a feeling of spaciousness. By positioning key furniture pieces to maintain natural pathways, he maximizes the flow of the space while ensuring comfort and style.
The bedroom loft is the heart of Lindén’s design vision. Inspired by the make-shift structures (or “koja” as they are known in Swedish) of his youth, the sleeping area at the top of the stairs has a cosy atmosphere with just enough room for a bed and side table. With no distractions and curtains for privacy or light when needed, it truly feels like a sanctuary within the home. The office below (a must for Lindén’s days working from home) holds a generous desk as well as a cleverly integrated IKEA wardrobe for clothing. It is light-filled and open but can be closed within a door if ever a guest were to visit.
A Vision for the Future of Small Living
Lindén’s design philosophy is driven by the need to optimize small spaces for a future where housing efficiency will be ever more crucial. “It’s important to show what can be done,” he says. “By adding simple changes and upgrades to small homes, we can house more people in the same amount of space.” His penthouse, or New York treehouse as he likes to call it, with its careful attention to space and design, proves that even the smallest apartments can offer all the comforts of larger homes if approached with creativity and thoughtful planning.
