Mellanrummen

Mellanrummen, literally “the in-between rooms” in Swedish, is a term used to describe transitional spaces within buildings. The word combines mellan ("between") and rummen ("the rooms"). In architecture and interior design, mellanrummen refer to halls, corridors, foyers, landings, stairwells, and other zones that mediate movement between larger functional spaces. These spaces influence circulation, daylighting, acoustics, and privacy, and they help define how occupants experience the layout as a whole.

Design considerations for mellanrummen include proportions, material choices, color, lighting, and furnishings. A well-crafted intermediate space can function as a pause in a path, frame views into adjacent rooms, or subtly guide movement. Architects may use thresholds, glazing, or changes in ceiling height to signal transitions, while surface finishes can create a sense of continuity or differentiation between connected rooms.

In cultural and design discourse, the term is often associated with Scandinavian design principles that emphasize simplicity, material honesty, and smooth transitions between private and public realms. Mellanrummen can also appear in urban planning discussions when addressing semi-public courtyards, building entry areas, or shared circulation zones.

There is no widely documented geographical location or organization known as Mellanrummen in major reference sources. If Mellanrummen refers to a specific place, additional context about its region and history would be required.

Related concepts include threshold, vestibule, corridor, transitional space, and interstice.