A shared flat that works for everyone in it

Three flatmates, one compact apartment, and a lot of good sense about storage and shared spaces. Here is how clever furniture choices turned a tight layout into a home that actually suits everyone living in it.

A sleeping nook built into a window recess

A spare bay window became something far more useful than an empty corner. Rather than squeezing in a full bedroom, the recess was turned into a snug sleeping spot, with IKEA's BERGSHULT shelf fixed above for books and a SILVERHÖJDEN frame adding a personal touch nearby.

Below, storage keeps belongings out of sight, and a FRIDANS block-out roller blind can be drawn across for privacy whenever it is needed. A SNÖBYAR table lamp gives soft, low light for reading before sleep. It is a practical answer for anyone working with an awkward alcove rather than a proper spare room, which describes a good many flats and maisonettes.

SILVERHÖJDEN frame, gold-colour, 13x18 cmBERGSHULT shelf, brown-black, 80x30 cmFRIDANS block-out roller blind, white, 80x195 cmSNÖBYAR table lamp, grey-turquoise ceramic/grey, 52 cmFRIDANS block-out roller blind, white, 200x195 cmFRIDANS block-out roller blind, grey, 120x195 cm

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Keeping shared storage simple and separate

Living with others works best when everyday items have their own clearly defined homes. Mixing up toiletries, keys and odds and ends is where most household friction starts, so giving each person a dedicated spot removes a lot of the guesswork.

A SNIDAD basket by the door catches loose items before they spread through the flat, while an EDSBRUK frame and a SILVERHÖJDEN frame add character to a shared hallway without taking up floor space. Overhead, a SOLKLINT pendant lamp or SOLKLINT wall lamp brightens the area, and a SVANSELE mirror makes a narrow passage feel less cramped, a useful trick in older townhouses with tight corridors.

SOLKLINT pendant lamp, brass/grey clear glass, 22 cmSOLKLINT wall lamp, wired-in installation, brass/grey clear glass, 16 cmSVANSELE mirror, gold-colour, 73x158 cmSNIDAD basket, rattan, 54x39 cmEDSBRUK frame, black stained, 40x50 cmSILVERHÖJDEN frame, gold-colour, 30x40 cm

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A dining table that earns its keep

The dining table is where the real life of the flat happens, from quick meals after work to long evenings of cards and conversation. ODGER chairs gather round it comfortably, and overhead a STORSLINGA LED chandelier casts a warm glow over everyone seated below.

The table itself gets dressed simply but well, with ENTUSIASM side plates for everyday meals and a TILLAGD 24-piece cutlery set that covers whatever gets served. It is the sort of setup that works just as hard on a quiet Tuesday as it does when friends drop by unannounced, which in a small home tends to happen more often than planned.

ODGER chair, anthracite, 45x81x51 cmENTUSIASM side plate, patterned/blue, 18 cm, 4 packTILLAGD 24-piece cutlery set, blackSTORSLINGA LED chandelier, 8-armed, black/white, 70 cmSNITTA knife, black, 22 cm, 4 packMOPSIG 16-piece cutlery set

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A kitchen built around familiar flavours

Cooking together means juggling different tastes and habits, and a kitchen that stays organised makes that far easier. A HULTARP rail mounted on the wall keeps utensils within reach rather than cluttering limited counter space, which matters in galley kitchens common to flats across Malta and Gozo.

An ARTISTISK chopping board handles the daily prep work, while a GRÖNSAKER serving bowl brings dishes to the table with a bit more style. For the seasoning that turns a simple meal into something comforting, an INTRESSANT spice mill keeps favourite flavours close at hand, letting each person recreate a taste of home while introducing the others to something new.

HULTARP rail, polished/brass-colour, 60 cmARTISTISK chopping board, oak, 59x25 cmGRÖNSAKER serving bowl, bamboo, 28 cmINTRESSANT spice mill, acacia, 27 cmLÄMPLIG chopping board, bamboo, 53x46 cmAPTITLIG chopping board, bamboo, 45x28 cm

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A bedroom that separates work from rest

After a demanding job, a bedroom needs to feel like a genuine switch-off point. This one leans on a calm palette and furniture chosen to stay out of the way, starting with a HAUGA open wardrobe with 3 drawers that keeps clothes organised without closing in the room.

A SKURUP wall lamp provides gentle lighting for winding down in the evening, while a KRAGSTA nest of tables offers somewhere to rest a cup of tea or a book within arm's reach. A SILVERHÖJDEN frame adds a personal note to the wall. In a compact bedroom, choices like these make the difference between a room that feels crowded and one that feels like a proper retreat.

HAUGA open wardrobe with 3 drawers, white, 70x199 cmSKURUP wall lamp, wired-in installation, black, 9 cmSILVERHÖJDEN frame, gold-colour, 30x40 cmSILVERHÖJDEN frame, gold-colour, 40x50 cmKRAGSTA nest of tables, set of 2, blackMOSSLANDA picture ledge, white, 115 cm

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Maltashopper brings these IKEA pieces to homes across Malta, making it easier to furnish small spaces without sacrificing comfort or good sense.

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