This atmospheric apartment is located in a historic 1890s building on the island of Södermalm, a central district in Stockholm.
Once known as a working-class area marked by fishing shacks, poverty, and crime, Södermalm has transformed over the decades. Today, it’s one of the most desirable and expensive neighborhoods in the city.
With great infrastructure, proximity to the city center, beautiful historic buildings, high ceilings, and spacious layouts, the district has become a highly sought-after place to live.
Tourists often walk around the island, but very few get a glimpse inside the entrance halls of these 19th and 20th century buildings—or see how Swedes actually live in such historic homes.
This apartment, featured today on HyggeMag, is located on the second floor and spans about 200 square meters (approximately 2,150 square feet).
The current owners, a retired couple, have lived here for 30 years. The apartment was inherited as part of a family legacy.
They raised three children in this home—kids who once crossed the street to attend the local school, then later attended university, which was within walking distance. Today, the children live in different countries, with families of their own. That’s why this spacious family apartment is now for sale.
Here’s what it looks like today, with with the original furnishings still in place.
In the foreground is the dining room with a traditional Swedish tile stove (kakelugn). Just beyond the open doorway is the living room.
The apartment has six rooms in total. That includes three bedrooms—one of which has been turned into a family library—a dining room, and a living room.
The layout follows a traditional enfilade style (rooms aligned in a row, connected by doorways). The original wood floors remain, along with ornamental plasterwork and six functioning traditional Swedish tile stoves (kakelugnar).
Although all the stoves are in good condition, the couple mainly uses the one in the dining room. During family dinners, they often light a fire for a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Ceilings are 3.2 meters (10.5 feet) high.
The doors and ornamental plasterwork are all original, over a hundred years old. Both the current and previous owners have carefully restored them multiple times over the years.
Despite the passage of time, the decorative details are beautifully preserved.
The husband’s office includes a small adjoining utility room, now used as a laundry area.
This is where the wife used to work. She’s retired now but still does some part-time work from time to time.
The couple’s bedroom is still in use, but the former children’s rooms are now closed off. They’re opened only when guests stay over, which doesn’t happen very often.
Family portraits hang on the wall.
The hallway connects to nearly every room in the apartment.
The oldest son’s former bedroom now serves as a home library.
One corner of another bedroom has been turned into a guest room.
The kitchen is simply designed and was renovated in 2020. The owners preserved the original 1950s cabinets.
The backsplash runs almost up to the ceiling.
Even the entryway has built-in bookshelves.
The building’s common areas are just as grand as the apartment itself. Intricate ornamental plasterwork, heavy double doors…
This is what the staircase and elevator look like.
