Home idea with IKEA: Scandinavian style meets Latvian traditions

IKEA Interior Designers have done makeovers in all kinds of spaces, but now it's time for an unprecedented challenge – a sauna anteroom! The space to become a storage and family gathering space, faces different challenges: lack of space, humidity from the sauna and limited daylight from the single small window. The task is not easy, but designer Alina is ready to put all her knowledge and skills to work!

Before: an impractical and outdated solution

The owners describe the sauna anteroom as a place where everyone can come together and have a good time, but also acknowledge that the existing décor is outdated. The space needs a fresh start both visuallu and functionally, as it currently lacks basic facilities for washing hands and preparing snacks and drinks.

After: cosy sauna with a Scandinavian feel

After the makeover, the anteroom has a different feel. The fresh, mint green shade is an unconventional solution, but it fits in perfectly with the green of the bath brooms, the warm wood shade of the ceiling and the white accents that are visible in several places and visually make the room feel lighter and more spacious.

A practical and functional entrance area

The new layout offers essential functionality. Careful thought has gone into a solution that is truly comfortable. When you enter the room, there is a bench right by the door where you can put your things and shoes. You can also store slippers for guests or other items. A combination of bathroom furniture suitable for humid spaces offers storage and possibilities for hand-washing and preparation for snacks and drinks.
 

Compact and practical: storage solutions around the sink

The new layout doubles as a bathroom and a small kitchenette around the sink, cleverly combining the two. Open shelves and drawers are combined, with plenty of space for storing belongings. The open shelves are very handy for storing everything you need to have on hand at once, and rails can also be added to hold a variety of hooks and utensils.

Dining area furnishings suitable for humid environment

The entrance hall of the sauna had a table and chairs before, but now the interior designer has decided to opt for a full dining area, spacious and comfortable enough for several people. It is designed with outdoor furniture that is also suitable for a humid environment, which is particularly important in this space. The wood tone of the furniture matches the colour of the ceiling and is echoed in the wall hangings, blending perfectly into the interior and emphasising the natural feel.
 

How to plan ample storage without making the room look like a warehouse

The small space serves not only as a gathering place for the hosts, but also as a storage space for seasonal items and winter supplies, so the designer had to remember to plan enough space to store all these things. Sometimes that's not so easy, especially if you don't want to make the space feel cluttered and warehouse-like. Here, the harmonious impression is achieved with a variety of cupboards and lockers where everything you need can be hidden behind doors.

Storage for large and small items

The main storage elements in this room are cupboards, which are designed to be used both inside and out, and therefore able to withstand humidity. The unobtrusive tone matches the colour of the walls, making the furniture more inconspicuous and therefore creating a lighter overall impression. In order to avoid a monolithic feel, the designer has included shelves painted in the wall colour, which make the overall facade more visually interesting.

"For a space to function as a whole, zoning needs to keep in mind unifying elements. In this room, I've used wooden furniture to match the ceiling and decorative elements. I chose traditional-style furniture because it fits perfectly with the room itself and with the traditions of the bath."