“Home idea with IKEA”: three generations in one kitchen

This week, we’d like to share a story about family love and the life that cooks in the kitchen. Gintarė reached out to us with a heartfelt wish – to surprise two very special women in her life, her mother Reda and grandmother Adelė, with a kitchen makeover. The two had recently decided to move in together, and the kitchen was the only space in their flat that hadn’t yet been renovated. Our interior designer Birutė took on the challenge with one clear goal: to create a comfortable, safe, and easily accessible space where everyday cooking would bring joy rather than extra effort. Did she succeed? Judge for yourself!

Interior designer‘s task:

• Design a bright, cosy, functional and comfortable kitchen.
• Find space for a dining area for four within a very limited room size.
• Conceal unsightly gas and drainage pipes that had been installed in unusual places.
• Include not only a hob and fridge, but also an easily accessible microwave so that the grandmother could heat up her meals whenever she wished.

Spot the transformation!

The renovated kitchen features a warm, single-colour palette that makes the space feel bigger and more inviting. All utensils are hidden behind closed cabinet doors, keeping the room tidy, even with heavy use.

We decided to install fewer appliances – a smaller fridge, a two-burner hob and a convection oven that doubles as a microwave. This smart choice frees up storage and creates a spacious, practical work area. The kitchen now feels lighter, more open and simply perfect for everyday cooking.

Kitchen furniture

excluding appliances, lighting and decorations
1 877 €

Bring these great solutions home:

Kitchen furniture & accessories

Little space, lots of order

When planning a kitchen, the key is to listen to your own needs and clearly define which items are truly essential. By keeping only what you actually use, you’ll avoid cluttering up valuable cabinet space. In a small household, there’s no need for an excess of pots and bowls – just a few compact, versatile dishes will do. For instance, IKEA 365+ glass containers of various sizes are perfect not only for storing food but also for cooking, heating or serving meals. They can safely be used in the fridge, microwave and even the oven.

A golden rule: the more closed cabinets you have, the more spacious your kitchen will appear. Additional shelves and hooks keep everyday utensils within easy reach, while smooth cabinet fronts help hide less frequently used items, maintain order and reduce visual clutter. Even better, install your cabinets all the way up to the ceiling – it will make the kitchen look taller.

Drawer & cabinet organisers

Even standard furniture can turn into smart, unconventional solutions in a well-designed kitchen. They’re ideal for concealing less attractive features, neatly hiding awkwardly routed pipes or a gas meter.

Unexpected guests? We’re ready!

Although it’s usually just Gintarė’s mother and grandmother at home, the kitchen is always ready to welcome more company. Gintarė and her mother’s sister often visit, so it was important to have a table that could comfortably seat at least four people when needed. To make this compact kitchen more guest-friendly, we added an extendable TONSTAD table with uphostered chairs, and tucked a few extra folding chairs neatly behind the curtains – ready to be brought out whenever guests arrive.

STOCKHOLM 2025

table lamp, Ø35 cm
49,99 €

Dining room furniture

One light source is a good start, but to truly bring out a room’s potential, it’s worth investing in layered lighting. Practical under-cabinet lights provide excellent illumination for the kitchen worktop, making food preparation easier, while a table or sideboard lamp adds a touch of warmth and cosiness in the evenings.

Extending the kitchen beyond its walls

'Our interior designer decided to extend the small kitchen space into the hallway. There, she placed a sideboard that not only visually connects the two areas but also provides extra storage for kitchen items that didn’t fit in the main room. In this way, the hallway transforms from a simple passageway into a cosy and practical part of the home.

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