Skip to main content

The average Swede probably wants to live in this home, but would you?

Three bedrooms, an open kitchen, one-and-a-half baths, and 1,200 square feet of boxy space coated in red: That’s what the ideal home in Sweden looks like, based on two million people’s opinions. Swedish housing website Hemnet analyzed data from over 200 million clicks to find what the country really wants in a home, and architectural firm Tham & Videgård turned it into a reality.

”The fact that two million people visit Hemnet each month provides a good foundation to interpret what kind of homes people are dreaming about,” Hemnet spokesperson Staffan Tell said in a statement. “The Hemnet Home provides interesting insights into how Swedes want to live right now.”

Hemnet House Swedish Dream House LightsThe resulting structure might not suit everyone, but it takes into account what many people are looking for: It has four rooms, not including the kitchen, because the houses most Hemnet visitors click on have an average of 3.8 rooms. Over half, 57 percent, have an open kitchen instead of a dedicated room, so the property’s kitchen is “social.” These design choices are either black or white, but the architects decided to marry other elements to suit several tastes. The boxy shape has an almost shipping-container look, but its color is “Falu red,” a nod to the deep red paint found on traditional Swedish barns and cottages, making the exterior both modern and classic.

Based on data about interior design, there are neutral-colored sofas (with gray, black, white, brown, and beige being amongst the most popular hues), white walls, and wood parquet floors. Tiles cover the walls and floors of the 1.5 baths, and the guest bathroom also includes a shower.

Since the homes are tailor-made for Swedes, they may soon be able to buy them for their very own. The process of selling these airy, efficient little homes is just getting under way, but Hemnet expects them to go for about $332,000 each. One of the most fascinating things about the Hemnet House is that it makes us imagine how different the U.S. version would look. Twelve-hundred square feet? Newly built American homes are an average of 2,400 square feet and just keep getting bigger. The one thing we can all agree on? Balconies for everyone!

Jenny McGrath
Former Senior Writer, Home
Jenny McGrath is a senior writer at Digital Trends covering the intersection of tech and the arts and the environment. Before…
6 smart home devices that can save you hundreds per year
A stack of ten-dollar bills.

The smart home marketplace has seen tremendous growth over the past few years. From smart thermostats and smart light bulbs to video doorbells and solar panels, there are plenty of ways to upgrade your home and give it a boost in functionality. Best of all, many of these smart home devices can save you money.

They might require a bit of an upfront investment, but there’s a look at all the smart home devices that can cut down your monthly energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint.
Smart thermostats

Read more
SimpliSafe now offers live home monitoring with new Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera
The SimpliSafe Smart Alarm Indoor Camera.

SimpliSafe is already one of the best options when shopping for home security solutions, and it’s looking to become even more enticing with the launch of the new Smart Alarm Indoor Camera. Coinciding with the latest product is a new service -- 24/7 Live Guard Protection -- which allows agents to access a live feed of your property for enhanced response times.

The 24/7 Live Guard Protection service is only available on the Smart Alarm Indoor Camera. Previously, SimpliSafe agents could only review recorded footage after an alarm was triggered. Now, the team can monitor a live stream through the Smart Alarm Indoor Camera for improved response times. They can even interact with the intruder thanks to two-way audio, informing them that the police are on the way and that they’re being recorded.

Read more
Why you should be using Google Home Routines
The Google Nest Hub Max in use.

If you’ve finally jumped into the smart home world by picking up a Google Nest Hub or other Google Home-compatible gadgets, you might think setting up Routines is something to postpone until you become an expert. After all, coming to terms with your new smart home might take a few days -- and Routines can often sound like a complex feature that’s best saved for a rainy day.

However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Routines are shockingly easy to use, and they allow you to harness the full power of your smart home. Here’s a look at what Routines are, how they work, and why you’ll want to start using them as soon as possible.
What are Google Home Routines?

Read more