Interior design has always been an interest of mine, and it most definitely still is. But my interest has probably moved from being interested in new trends, to being interested in finding a sustainable style that will last over time. And since buying a flat for the first time last year, after having flat-shared for many years in London, I’ve had the opportunity to really explore what I like and how I can build a conscious home.
As both my partner and I had given away or sold most of our homeware when moving to Stockholm, I’ve been able to explore what Stockholm has to offer in terms of conscious interior design in order to equip our home. I’ve taken the time to think about what I like, and what sustainable options there are – natural materials, time-less and long-lasting design, second hand – whilst also considering what we really need, to avoid consumption for the sake of it.
I’ve found some great interior design shops that focus on sustainability and craftsmanship, and have also mainly been shopping in second hand shops across the city so I thought I’d share a guide to some of my favourites for anyone living in or visiting the Swedish capital.
Norrgavel, Norrmalm
A furniture store with strong values around people and the environment. They design and produce their furniture in Sweden with natural and environmentally friendly materials. The design is simple but homely, feels current but also time-less, which is a great way to look at sustainable and conscious interior design. They create many of their larger pieces on order but also have a wide selection of homeware items in store – the furniture is rather expensive but as the pieces are supposed to last a life-time they should be seen as investment pieces.
Afroart, Norrmalm and Södermalm
Established in Stockholm in 1967, Afroart collaborates with local artisans across Africa, Asia and Latin America, celebrating ethnic crafts and craftsmanship. It’s a great shop for things like cushions, kitchenware, and baskets – I’ve got a great large one that holds blankets in our living room.
Betonggruvan, Norrmalm
Designer Josefine Halfwordson runs Betonggruvan, designing shelving systems, tables and other items for the home. I would love to get some shelves from there at some point, but so far I’ve bought a small side table and a mirror. Betonggruvan stands for simple and flexible designs that are meant to last and can change as your life changes. There are also other pieces by other brands on sale in the shop but they all follow the same ethos.
Iris Hantverk, City and Södermalm
A beautiful shop filled with items for your kitchen and bathroom and other parts of your home. Natural materials and soft designs. Iris Hantverk’s main production focuses around its brush binding manufacturing in Stockholm suburb Enskede, where visually impaired craftsmen from different cultures make brushes by hand according to an old Swedish tradition. I could literally buy everything in this shop, especially when it comes to reducing plastic in our home as the focus is on wood and other natural materials, but I try not to get too carried away when I visit. I’ve got a nice selection of brushes from there – a wool brush (collaboration with clothing brand Filippa K), a super soft face brush, and a toilet brush.
Granit, Södermalm and other locations
A smaller chain of stores with a focus on homeware in neutral colours and natural materials that keeps your home tidy and organised. Great for things like boxes, jars and baskets as well as textiles, flower pots and kitchen tools. As a teenager I was well into their stationery, but now it’s more about stuff for my kitchen and balcony. All products are made in a conscious way and they continue to develop their work for social sustainability and transparency with an ethical supply chain.
Swedish Nature Collaborations, Kungsholmen
A concept store bringing together vintage, design, craft and art, created by a collective of artists. Handmade products such as jewellery and ceramics, alongside a great selection of curated second hand furniture, homeware and fashion. I’ve bought both clothes and stuff for the home here.
Mimmi Staaf, Midsommarkransen
This is a design favourite in the suburb of Midsommarkransen. The store is gorgeous with simplistic interior design and I would basically like to live in there. There is a curated selection of homeware, with anything from organic cotton bed linen to mirrors to handmade ceramic bowls to eco-friendly cleaning products. There is also a studio for furniture restoration where you can buy fixed-up furniture or have yours fixed.
Vintagefabriken, Midsommarkransen
Also in Midsommarkransen is this vintage shop with a mix of interior design, clothes and kids stuff. There is a nice mix of vintage and curated small-scale products chosen by the owners based on consciousness for the product, the manufacturers and the planet.
På Andra Våningen, Midsommarkransen
Another great vintage shop in Midsommarkransen, this one with an extremely stylish selection of mainly midcentury treats. Gorgeous vases and bowls, as well as furniture and art – the whole store feels like a classy gallery.
Floras Retro, Bagarmossen
Probably my favourite second hand shop, with a great selection of midcentury Scandinavian design and interior design treats from the 40s, 50s and 60s. The shop is in suburb Bagarmossen and is only open a couple of days a week but it’s a real gem. I’ve bought furniture as well as smaller pieces for our home here, like vases, flower pots and candle holders.
Photo credit: Visit Stockholm (Snickarbacken), Betonggruvan, Iris Hantverk, Granit, Floras Retro/Instagram. All other images by The Conscious Edit