Small Spaces: Grandma Style Meets Urban Jungle in a Berlin Rental Decorated on a Shoe-string

Hej hej! I hope you had a fabulous weekend?! Mine was just what I needed – hanging out, swimming in the sea, relaxing. And it was during one of these moments, a friend made a comment while browsing an interior magazine: ‘the homes and items in this magazine are so exclusive and out of my reach that it all feels completely irrelevant.” Do you feel like that sometimes too? You’re not alone, my ‘small spaces’ archive is the most popular and viewer figures sky rocket when I feature a low budget home. And this is what inspired today’s tour!

Joana Gericke is an environmental engineer masters student and lives in Berlin with her boyfriend (also a student) and two cats (does everyone in Berlin have a cat?!). The pair have decorated their delightful 56 square metre (602 square feet) rental apartment almost entirely with secondhand and handmade items. Joana shares her tips on how to create a beautiful home on a shoe-string budget – and enjoy a ore sustainable lifestyle as a result!

This striped linen table cloth* is similar, glass storage jars*, source vintage basket* and scales*

“My home is a mix of Grandma style and urban jungle – very few pieces are new” Joana told me. “I like my home to feel personal, cosy and full of memories.”

A dark blue accent wall in the kitchen helps to create impact and a vintage ladder provides extra storage without having to drill into the walls of the rental apartment.

A stove top kettle helps to free up counter space in the galley kitchen (I so need to get one for my own kitchen – I’ve got my eye on one of these vintage beauties*!).

Dried flowers are a big trend this year – and of course, they last forever! Perfect!

“If you are on a tight budget, go to flea markets, especially those that aren’t crowded with tourists,” advises Joana. “This is a problem in Berlin – so called ‘vintage markets’ are expensive. I’d recommend going to smaller ones in suburban areas. I also like eBay Kleinanzeigen where you can buy and sell low cost items. I don’t know if there is something similar in your country but I think so.”

“If there is something you can’t find second hand, think about making it yourself – there’s often an easy way and it’ll feel more personal and can fit your needs and style.”

“If there’s something you want but don’t need right away, it’s better to wait until you can afford it rather than buy a cheaper version that is not quite right,” advises Joana.

The bed is on a raised platform so that the room can double up as an office.

Isn’t this space charming? There are so many lovely ideas to steal!

It’s quite incredible what an impact vintage items and plants can make to a space – and it’s amazing what you can find for a song if you’re smart about it.

Is there anything you love in particular about Joana’s home?

Joana finds inspiration at: @friederikchen, @becausethereisnoplanetb_ and @doitbutdoitnow

(among others) and of course, there’s always Joana’s own inspiring feed!

Check out more small spaces here and two beautiful homes decorated on a shoe-string budget here and here!

Have a great start to the week!

Niki

Photography: Joana Gericke