Designing a 26sqm studio with IKEA storage ideas

Many of us live in one-room apartments and have to fit our entire lives into them. IKEA entrusted the challenge of designing a 26-square-meter studio to Martina Andersson, one of the brand’s interior designers. She furnished this small apartment with simple and affordable storage solutions.

Her philosophy can be summed up in one sentence: living in a small space doesn’t mean living cramped. The kitchen, dining area, office, bedroom, and entryway all coexist here without ever feeling cramped. The result is a bright interior dominated by white and light wood. We took a closer look at each area of this studio to draw inspiration for ideas that are easy to replicate at home.

A white-and-wood palette to make the space feel larger

The walls, cabinet fronts, and sofa are all white, a staple in many studio apartments. The light pine wood warms up this very bright scheme and adds contrast for a cozier feel. This blurs the room’s boundaries and makes the space feel more generous. The furniture blends into the walls, while a few graphic touches of black add depth.

A freestanding kitchenette on a budget

Martina Andersson is quick to point out: there’s no need to spend a fortune to have a real kitchen. The studio is equipped with a freestanding kitchenette featuring a stainless-steel sink and a stovetop. Any refrigerator, small or large, will fit right next to it, tailored to your lifestyle and cooking habits. The metal backsplash of the kitchenette includes a bar and hooks for hanging oven mitts and dish towels (or other items). The entire setup takes up just a few linear meters yet includes everything needed for everyday cooking.

Narrow cabinets and shelves to save space

Around the kitchenette, every square centimeter is optimized for storage. The designer installed a narrow white sideboard to store dishes, as well as a solid pine cart for the Italian coffee maker and pots. Under the sink, a dish rack and two lidded trash cans fill the empty space.

The perforated panel, the star of the small kitchen

The corner wall of the kitchen features a white perforated panel lined with hooks. Pots, pans, the colander, and spatulas all have their place there, always within easy reach. A small wall sconce mounted directly on the panel illuminates the work area. This solution makes up for the lack of upper cabinets. The perforated panel also offers great flexibility, as the hooks can be moved as needed.

A multi-purpose folding table

In a studio apartment, the dining table should be able to disappear once the meal is over. Martina Andersson chose a white IKEA folding table, which she finds particularly practical. It expands to accommodate guests, serves as a side desk, and hides storage space under its tabletop.

Stackable white stools complete this very compact dining area. After dinner, they stack neatly in a corner, immediately freeing up space. A large white conical pendant light illuminates the dining area and defines the space.

The LASTARE system, a floor-to-ceiling storage wall

The centerpiece of the studio, the LASTARE storage system covers an entire wall. It combines large white doors with open niches to create a custom-designed unit.

Behind the doors are clothes, linens, and less photogenic items. A narrow column without doors holds wire baskets. The designer recommends choosing flexible storage that blends into the room. It should offer space to display what you love and hide the unnecessary.

Making the most of the ceiling height

In this studio, the tops of the cabinets aren’t just gathering dust. They’ve become a real storage area, utilized all the way up to the ceiling. Martina Andersson emphasizes a key point: making full use of the height requires a sturdy wall mount. The white boxes blend in with the cabinet fronts and prevent the space from looking cluttered.

Stylish open shelving

The open shelves of the LASTARE system serve as a small bookshelf. Cookbooks, home decor magazines, and notebooks are stacked there with great care. A light-wood tray holds small everyday items.

A ceramic pencil holder, a decorative sphere, and a small houseplant complete the arrangement. Martina specifically recommends storing small items in a variety of containers. This thoughtful arrangement prevents the cluttered, storage-room-like appearance that overloaded shelves often take on.

The work area occupies a well-lit wall, right next to the window. A narrow white desk with drawers is paired with a light-wood chair featuring rounded lines. “A desk with a drawer lets you put your laptop away in the evening,” notes Martina Andersson.

This simple gesture marks the boundary between work time and rest time. A small white desk lamp and a floor lamp with a shade illuminate the area. This way, working from home finds its place without taking over the living room.

A Display Cabinet Transformed into an Indoor Garden

Next to the desk, a large white display cabinet has been given a completely new purpose. Instead of protecting tableware, it now houses a collection of houseplants. The glass shelves let light through and evoke a small indoor greenhouse. This idea brings life to the studio and is definitely worth noting!

Nightstand that keeps essentials within reach

In the sleeping area, the bed is placed against the closets, supported by a simple white headboard. A solid pine nightstand with a drawer holds a carafe, a glass, and a small speaker. The drawer hides items you’d rather not display, such as earplugs and packs of tissues.

An adjustable reading lamp and an architect’s lamp attached to the headboard make it easy to read in bed. The white bedding and cream throw match the style chosen for this IKEA-designed studio.

An organized entryway with perforated panels and shelves

The entryway holds everything you need when you’re heading out. Three white IKEA perforated panels mounted on a plywood wall hold everyday items, ranging from a water bottle to a cap. On the floor, the OMAR shelf made of galvanized steel serves as a two-tiered shoe rack. Together with the KRONÖREN open closet, the ensemble evokes a highly functional workshop locker room.

The solid pine coat rack for jackets and shoes

Another option for the entryway is the RAGGBERG coat rack with shelf, made of solid pine, which offers a light, airy look. Its rod holds clothes hung on white hangers. The raw pine wood complements the wood of the walls.

Martina Andersson’s five tips

The designer summarizes her organizing method in five easy-to-remember tips. First tip: Use the full height of the ceiling with a sturdy wall mount. Second tip: Display the items you love and hide anything that clutters the view. Third tip: Organize small items in containers of various sizes. Fourth tip: Install clip-on lamps and string lights for ambiance and visibility. Fifth tip: set aside a separate storage space for each person living in a shared home (though sometimes you live alone in a studio, don’t you?).

These simple rules apply to all small spaces, regardless of your budget, and IKEA is the perfect solution to stick to them.

Our take on the decor

What we like most about this studio designed by IKEA  is the great consistency of its design choices. The combination of white and light wood creates a bright and soothing atmosphere. The storage units blend into the walls, enhancing the sense of space.

We particularly love the display case repurposed as a mini-greenhouse, a poetic idea that’s easy to replicate. The wooden knobs on the cabinets add a subtle warmth to the very simple cabinet fronts. Finally, architect-designed lamps provide multiple light sources. This project shows that a reasonable budget can create a polished and warm interior.

Studios under 30sqm (and often smaller) are abundant in major cities. Many older apartments feature high ceilings, ideal for storage that reaches all the way to the top. And IKEA, with its affordable solutions, is a valuable ally for furnishing them without breaking the bank