| Type | Description |
|---|
Property listings in Sweden are full of terms like "etage", "loft" and "souterräng". If you don't know what they mean, it's easy to miss a home that suits you perfectly – or to be disappointed at a viewing. Here we explain the most common Swedish housing types in 2026.
Maisonette (etagelägenhet)
An etagelägenhet is an apartment over two or more floors connected by an internal staircase. "Etage" comes from the French word for floor. It feels like a townhouse or villa, but within an apartment building.
- Pros: a clear split between sleeping and living areas, often higher ceilings and more light.
- Consider: the staircase takes space and doesn't suit everyone, e.g. families with toddlers or people with mobility needs.
Loft and gallery-access buildings
A loft is an open-plan space, often with high ceilings and a sleeping mezzanine – popular in converted industrial buildings. Don't confuse it with a gallery-access building (loftgångshus), where apartments are reached via an open outdoor walkway.
Garden level (souterräng)
A souterräng floor sits partly below ground level, but with windows and an exit on the side where the ground slopes. It often gives a cool, secluded floor – common in houses built on sloping terrain.
Terraced, semi-detached and linked houses
These are popular middle grounds between an apartment and a detached villa:
