Small home living, done well with smart IKEA finds

Compact Maltese homes can still feel considered and calm. From a kitchen that works hard to a bathroom with character, here is how a few well-chosen IKEA pieces help small apartments and townhouses live bigger, without any clutter creeping in.

A kitchen that earns its keep

A galley kitchen in an apartment or converted townhouse rarely has spare inches, so every surface and hook needs a job. A NEREBY rail along the wall keeps utensils and the ARTISTISK chopping board within reach, while open shelving means jars and the KONSTFULL vase double as quiet decoration rather than just storage.

Closed cupboards handle the rest, with an IKEA 365+ jug with lid for everyday juice and a VARDAGEN glass or two for the table. An OSTBIT tray turns odds and ends into a tidy serving moment, and a RÖNNINGE chair pulled up to a RÖNNINGE trolley gives you a second workbench whenever the counter runs out of room.

VARDAGEN glass, clear glass, 31 cl, 6 packOSTBIT tray, bamboo, 25x33 cmIKEA 365+ jug with lid, clear glass/cork, 1.5 lARTISTISK chopping board, oak, 59x25 cmNEREBY rail, birch, 60 cmKONSTFULL vase, green-brown, 16 cm

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One table for everything life needs

In a smaller home the dining table rarely sticks to one job. It is where post gets sorted, where laptops open for work, and where a game of cards unfolds on a slow evening, so it helps to keep the setup flexible rather than fixed.

A TILLREDA portable induction hob means you are not tied to the kitchen when friends drop by, letting you cook or warm something up right at the table. Afterwards, a GLADELIG mug makes the shift from dinner to coffee feel natural, and because both pieces are light and easy to put away, the table clears in minutes once the evening winds down.

GLADELIG mug, grey, 37 clTILLREDA portable induction hob, 1 zone white, 27x6.2x30.5 cmGLADELIG mug, blue, 37 clDINERA mug, dark grey, 30 clUPPHETTA coffee/tea maker, glass/stainless steel, 1 lGOTTFINNANDE espresso cup, clear glass, 8 cl

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A living room built for long conversations

When floor space is limited, the living room has to multitask without feeling crowded. A BORGEBY coffee table keeps snacks and the next book close at hand, and a BURVIK side table slots in beside the seating for a cup of tea or a lamp.

A FRÖSET easy chair adds a second seat for guests without eating into walking space, while an ODDNY cushion cover and a GUNNEMOR throw bring in colour and texture that is easy to swap with the seasons. An IVAR cabinet with sliding doors handles the overflow, hiding away records, games or paperwork so the room stays easy on the eye.

BURVIK side table, white, 38 cmIVAR cabinet with sliding doors, pine, 80x30x60 cmODDNY cushion cover, off-white/dot pattern black, 50x50 cmGUNNEMOR throw, off-white/grey-beige, 170x130 cmBORGEBY coffee table, birch veneer, 70 cmFRÖSET easy chair, black stained oak veneer, 59x74x57 cm

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A restful bedroom that still works hard

Bedrooms in older Maltese townhouses and newer apartments alike often need to do double duty as dressing rooms, so clever storage matters as much as comfort. A KLEPPSTAD bed frame keeps the look simple, leaving room either side for a KYRRE stool to rest a book or a glass of water.

Behind the bed, a BUMERANG hanger and a HEMMAFIXARE shoe box keep clothes and shoes properly sorted, while DYTÅG curtains add privacy and soften the morning light. A BEKVÄM step stool earns its place too, useful for reaching the top shelf of a wardrobe in a room where every corner counts.

KYRRE stool, birch, 42x45x48 cmHEMMAFIXARE shoe box, fabric striped/white/grey, 23x34x19 cm, 2 packBUMERANG hanger, white, 43 cm, 8 packBEKVÄM step stool, beech, 63 cmKLEPPSTAD bed frame, white/Vissle beige, 160x200 cmDYTÅG curtains, 1 pair, white/with heading tape, 145x300 cm

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A bathroom that feels bigger than it is

Humid summers and a lack of natural ventilation can make small bathrooms feel damp and cluttered, so good storage and quick-drying materials go a long way. A VILTO shelving unit keeps towels and toiletries lifted off the floor, and a VILTO towel stand nearby means a waffle weave towel actually gets a chance to air out between showers.

A BÄNGBULA hook by the door is handy for a dressing gown, while a LURPASSA box with lid tidies away smaller items like cotton wool or spare toiletries. A SALUDING laundry basket finishes the room off, keeping washing contained in even the tightest of layouts.

BÄNGBULA hook, black, 2 packLURPASSA box with lid, set of 2, seagrassVILTO towel stand, birch, 57x150 cmSALUDING laundry basket, handmade bamboo, 50 lVILTO shelving unit, birch, 46x150 cmMULIG clothes rack, white, 99x152 cm

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Maltashopper brings these IKEA pieces to homes across Malta and Gozo, so furnishing a small space well never has to mean compromising on either comfort or style.

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