With only 11 m² for each family member, this two-room apartment works perfectly for a family of four

Doctor Nina Lindén, 37, and practical nurse Aki Lehtosaari, 30, live with their two children, aged two and a half and one, in a 45.6 m² two-room apartment in Kallio, Helsinki. Their building was built in the 1920s. Nina and Aki appreciate that the entire home can be seen from the hallway. Peeling old paint has been left visible on the bathroom door. The ceilings and walls of the kitchen and hallway are painted in Cover Story’s shades Virginia and Eeva.

From the staircase, you enter directly into the combined kitchen and hallway. The kitchen was renovated by the previous residents. A cushion by Johanna Gullichsen rests on a pre-owned Artek stool. You can follow Nina and Aki’s daily life on Instagram @ninalindenn and @lehtosaariaki.

How have you renovated your home?

Nina: Our home’s natural colors and the combination of different wood tones were inspired by my favorite city, Copenhagen. The idea for the soap-treated plank floor also came from Denmark; it’s beautiful and simply invites you to walk barefoot on it. When someone gets a splinter in their foot from the floor, it’s time to repeat the soap treatment. We painted the walls and ceiling with Cover Story paints. The painting didn’t produce any unpleasant odors, so we were able to stay at home during the process. We painted the walls over several months whenever we could find the time, with the kids running around our feet. In the finishing phase, my mother came to help as well.

The pine chair and stool in the dining area are from Vaarnii, a manufacturer of pine furniture. The Wishbone chairs were a graduation gift for Nina, and the 1960s dining table belonged to Nina’s mother. The Samsung Frame television came with the apartment purchase and is the only TV that Nina allows in the home.

Warm shades with hints of yellow appeal to Aki and Nina. Nothing unnecessary is stored in the cabinets of their home. All the dishes and vases are used both in everyday life and on special occasions.

Is your home complete now?

Aki: Our long-term dream is to add even more functionality to the kitchen and bathroom. The kitchen, renovated ten years ago by the previous resident, is functional, but I dream of being able to replace it with a kitchen custom-made by a carpenter. The 20-year-old bathroom is also quite outdated and doesn’t really meet our needs. We will carry out these updates when we have the time, money, and energy.

The dining area is in the living room, which also serves as the parents’ bedroom. The old pine chest of drawers by Lundia was found on online second-hand store Tori. Next to the piano are ceramics by Armi Teva. Nina received one ceramic relief as a gift from her mother and purchased the other herself.

For Aki’s 30th birthday, Nina commissioned a tufted wall rug from Salon Matto ja Ryijy. The burl bowl atop the IKEA rattan cabinet is a Tori find. The creamy white wall color is Zadie by Cover Story.

How does your tiny urban home function in everyday life?

Nina: Living in a compact home is made easier by the fact that both us parents work outside the home. In a small space, it’s crucial not to own anything unnecessary, and for everything to have its own place. Not everything needs to be out at once; seasonal items can be stored in the attic or storage.

Aki: I appreciate that in Kallio, everything is close by. This also allows for spontaneity in daily life with small children. The pie bakery next door and the local café are everyday luxuries.

At the time of the photo shoot, Aki was on parental leave with the children. “A unique and important period in my life,” Aki says. The Artek floor lamp next to the sofa is from Nina’s grandparents and the three-legged Artek stool from Nina’s mother. On the Cozy sofa by Hakola are patterned throw pillows by Johanna Gullichsen. The framed print is by Laura Annala.

The crib is in the combined living room-bedroom.

On the Artek wall shelf are a painting made by Aki’s mother, Artek’s Midsummer Dream vase, and wooden fruits from Salakauppa.

What do you value in furniture?

Nina: I appreciate imperfections and love when furniture has a story. I also value timelessness in objects and furniture, so you don’t have to constantly be seeking something new.

Aki: Besides the material, the functionality of furniture is important, and it is especially highlighted when the home is small. It would be nice to buy more art for our home. We are slow in acquiring it and often ponder decisions for an unreasonably long time. On the other hand, I enjoy the journey toward our shared dreams.

The children’s room, at ten square meters, feels spacious. The bright room has a view through the entire home. Most of the children’s toys are from flea markets or received as gifts. Grandparents have also been encouraged to favor flea markets as places to shop. The pear-shaped rattan basket is from Ferm Living. The wooden bench intended for the sauna is from Prisma. The colorful plastic baskets are by Aykasa.

Combining the living room and the parents’ sleeping area works in the daily life of the family. The futon is from Mulperipuu, and the percale cotton bed linens are from Tekla. The bedside table is an old box intended for transporting eggs. The lamp is from Audo Copenhagen.