A Home That Grows With Every Generation

When several generations share one roof, every room has to work harder. This home shows how a compact kitchen, flexible dining space and relaxed living room can suit grandparents, parents and children alike, without feeling cramped or chaotic.

Keeping the kitchen calm and clear

A busy household kitchen does not need to look busy. Here, the approach is deliberately pared back, with natural materials and simple finishes doing the work instead of clutter. IKEA's HEJSTA glass door brings a softer, more open feel to wall cabinets, while the ÄLMAREN kitchen mixer tap and IDEALISK colander keep everyday cooking tasks straightforward.

Above the counter, the SKURUP pendant lamp adds a warm pool of light without taking up precious worktop space, something that matters in the smaller kitchens found in many Maltese apartments and townhouses. The result is a kitchen that feels tidy even mid-meal.

HEJSTA glass door, anthracite/reeded glass, 30x100 cmIDEALISK colander, stainless steel/black, 34x23 cmSKURUP pendant lamp, black, 19 cmÄLMAREN kitchen mixer tap, stainless steel colourLAGAN single-lever kitchen mixer tap, chrome-platedKALLSJÖN pillar tap, chrome-plated

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Making every shelf and corner count

When cooking duties are shared across generations, storage has to earn its keep. Building upwards rather than outwards makes sense in a compact footprint, and open shelving keeps frequently used items visible and within easy reach rather than buried in a cupboard.

IKEA's KUNGSFORS kitchen trolley is a practical answer for anyone short on fixed storage, rolling into place wherever it is needed and just as easily out of the way again. Alongside it, rows of KORKEN jars with lids keep dry goods, pulses and pasta organised and visible, so nobody has to hunt through the cupboards to find what they need.

KORKEN jar with lid, clear glass, 0.5 lKORKEN jar with lid, clear glass, 1 lKORKEN jar with lid, clear glass, 1.8 lKUNGSFORS kitchen trolley, stainless steel, 60x40 cmISTAD resealable bag, patterned/green, 6/4.5 l, 30 packISTAD resealable bag, patterned/black yellow, 1/0.4 l, 60 pack

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One table for quiet nights and big gatherings

A dining table in a multigenerational home needs to flex, seating four on an ordinary evening and stretching to fit everyone when the wider family comes together. IKEA's STRANDTORP extendable table is built for exactly that shift, while NORDVIKEN chairs offer sturdy, comfortable seating that suits long meals and lively conversation alike.

Overhead, the NYMÅNE LED pendant lamp sets the mood, dimming the room down for an intimate dinner or lifting it for a full table of guests. It is a simple way to let one space serve very different occasions.

NORDVIKEN chair, black, 44x97x54 cmSTRANDTORP extendable table, brown, 150/205/260x95 cmNYMÅNE LED pendant lamp, wireless dimmable white spectrum/anthracite, 38 cmSKANSNÄS extendable table, brown beech/veneer, 115/170 cmNÄSINGE extendable table, dark brown stained/beech veneer, 130/190x80 cmMÖRBYLÅNGA table, oak veneer brown stained, 220x100 cm

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Ready for guests without even trying

Being prepared to welcome visitors does not mean living surrounded by extra furniture. YNGVAR chairs stack neatly against the wall when not needed, ready to be pulled out the moment numbers grow, while a cabinet keeps dinnerware close at hand rather than packed away in storage.

RIKLIG teapots and IKEA 365+ mugs make it easy to serve tea or coffee for two or for ten, and the OMBONAD tray carries everything through in one trip. A BLIDVÄDER table lamp softens the corner of the room, so it still feels inviting even when no one is expecting company.

YNGVAR chair, anthracite, 53x71x51 cmRIKLIG teapot, glass, 1.5 lIKEA 365+ mug, clear glass, 36 clOMBONAD tray, walnut, 42 cmBLIDVÄDER table lamp, off-white ceramic/beige, 50 cmFÖRNUFT 24-piece cutlery set, stainless steel

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Dividing the living space without closing it off

In a home shared by several generations, a bit of privacy now and then goes a long way. Rather than a solid wall, a RISÖR room divider in solid wood creates a natural break in the living room, giving it a defined focal point while still allowing light and conversation to pass through.

Soft furnishings do the rest of the work: KRYDDBUSKE cushion covers add colour and texture to the ÄPPLARYD 3-seat sofa, and an OMBONAD tray keeps odds and ends corralled on a side table. It is a flexible way to carve out a quieter corner without losing the open feel of the room.

RISÖR room divider, white/black, 216x185 cmKRYDDBUSKE cushion cover, light beige, 50x50 cmOMBONAD tray, walnut, 42 cmÄPPLARYD 3-seat sofa, Lejde light grey, 231 cmNÄMMARÖ privacy screen, light brown stained indoor/outdoor, 140x80x50 cmKALLAX shelving unit, white, 147x147 cm

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A living room built for slow evenings together

The living room is where the whole household tends to end up, so it needs to be comfortable enough for a long film night and practical enough for everyday life. The ÄPPLARYD 3-seat sofa offers generous seating, and the LYDERSHOLM flatwoven rug grounds the space underfoot, a welcome bit of softness against tiled floors common in Malta and Gozo.

An extra-long TV bench keeps media and clutter out of sight, while a shelf tucked under the coffee table holds books and magazines within arm's reach. Overhead, the STORSLINGA LED chandelier adds a touch of low-key glamour without feeling formal.

LYDERSHOLM rug flatwoven, in/outdoor, medium brown, 80x150 cmSTORSLINGA LED chandelier, 8-armed, black/white, 70 cmÄPPLARYD 3-seat sofa, Lejde light grey, 231 cmMORUM rug flatwoven, in/outdoor, beige, 200x300 cmMORUM rug flatwoven, in/outdoor, dark grey, 200x300 cmMORUM rug flatwoven, in/outdoor, dark grey, 80x200 cm

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Maltashopper brings these IKEA pieces together for homes across Malta and Gozo, with orders delivered straight to your door.

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