Laura Helminen and Elias Räikkönen were living in a spacious 60-square-meter rental apartment in Helsinki when they had an idea. Elias was studying media, and the couple thought it might make sense to move to a smaller place during his studies.
“We wanted to see if we’d go crazy in a smaller space,” Laura says.
Home: A two-room rental apartment built in 1946 in Helsinki’s Toukola district, with 2 rooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom, 42 m² in total.
Living here: Laura Helminen and Elias Räikkönen.
The old wooden sofa once belonged to Elias’s grandparents. Laura painted it a soft blue hue to honor its original turquoise. The dining table came from Laura’s mother’s partner. The rattan chairs were found close by through Tori marketplace. The ceiling lamp is from Ferm Living, the poster is by Veera Sorri, and the wall color is Tikkurila’s V386 Niili.
Laura had long dreamed of a Paavo Tynell table lamp. She sewed the curtains herself from Marimekko’s Tiiliskivi fabric.
They found their home in Toukola the summer before last. From the listing photos, Laura could already tell their furniture would fit right in.
That feeling was confirmed on their first visit, and she immediately knew that they had found their new home.
“I love that the original doors are still in place. I also appreciate the apartment’s personality and its windowsills. Of course, it has typical rental features like laminate floors. Fortunately, they’re neutral and don’t bother us too much,” Laura says.
Laura and Elias instantly fell for Helsinki’s Toukola neighborhood. “Rocky outcrops begin right by our front door, and Annala Manor and its gardens are close by. Of course, I dream of a house with a garden here in Toukola, but that’s more of a lottery-win wish.”
Laura has painted the IKEA step stool lavender. A painting by Oona-Maija Hyle hangs on the wall.
The Hay plastic boxes hold decorative items and belongings that aren’t used every day. The flower painting is by Oona-Maija Hyle, whose work Laura discovered on Instagram. She now owns three of her pieces.
It’s not always guaranteed you can paint walls in a rental, but Laura got to fulfill her dream of adding colorful walls here. Experimenting with color and creativity balances out her detail-oriented job in accounting and financial management.
“Why hide things that can be beautifully displayed?”
“I love being able to go wild with decorating! Not everything has to match, and even the most out-there combinations can work. I love rearranging and creating fresh displays and views. I’ve found the confidence to follow my own instincts,” Laura says.
Laura’s workspace is tucked inside the coffee table. “I work from home a lot, so being surrounded by beauty is important to me.” The striped Hakola sofa is a favorite spot for both of them. “The moment I saw a photo of the Hakola sofa, I knew I’d want one someday. It brings such warmth and color to our home.” The floor lamp is a DIY project. The wall showcases a piece by Veera Sorri.
Laura reupholstered an IKEA armchair Elias bought with fabric she found at a Marimekko sale. The display cabinet is an heirloom from her great-grandfather. The mirror is from Jotex, the Paavo Tynell wall lamp is a Gubi reissue, and the brass candleholder was designed by Werner Stoff in the 1960s.
The disco ball was purchased at Juhlamaailma, and the vases are vintage. The Iittala pitcher was bought in 2021, when Laura fell in love with the color of the year—amethyst. “Purple glass pieces are still my favorites.”
Elias found the wall colors and striped sofa a bit out-there at first, but after getting used to them, he’s glad they went for them.
“I focus on comfort when it comes to home and decor. I also try to rein things in a bit so our home doesn’t get completely filled. I’ve learned I can trust Laura’s taste,” Elias says.
The kitchen sits between the living room and bedroom, and a large window brings in plenty of sunlight. Although their previous apartment had a bigger kitchen, they now have more counter space, which they’re both happy about.
Elias’s specialty is homemade pasta using a pasta machine. Pasta Bolognese is the couple’s current favorite pasta dish.
Laura collects dishes—some are inherited, some thrift store finds, some gifts, and some bought brand new. “This display cabinet is IKEA’s Billy, and we got it from our previous landlord. We’ve replaced the handles with ones from Ferm Living.”
The couple have learned that in a small home, every item needs a carefully planned spot.
“I’m an aesthete and love beautiful things. I adore clothes, and they’re displayed on racks in the bedroom. My remote work setup is tucked away in the coffee table, and I keep decorative items in colorful boxes under the TV. Why hide things that can be beautifully displayed?” Laura says.
The chrome shelving unit is IKEA’s Omar, conveniently narrow for a small bedroom. The Pond mirror by Ferm Living is from Finnish Design Shop, and the bathrobe hanging on the hook is from the Marimekko–IKEA collaboration collection.
Laura commissioned a painting from Oona-Maija Hyle for her 30th birthday. “I was born on Midsummer Eve and wanted the painting to have a relaxed party vibe with champagne, fries, and strawberries.” The wall color is Tikkurila’s H353 Lemmikki.
