10 Inspiring Ways to Work Scandi Style in Your Living Room
Go north for inspiration – Scandinavian style is bright, clean and surprisingly easy to pull off
Long dark days, cold winters, remote landscapes – Scandinavia might seem an unlikely place to look for design inspiration. Yet it’s this region’s very particular climate and geography that has driven its people to develop a unique interior style. Key ingredients of this pared-back aesthetic include light-reflecting white, tactile touches, open fires and plenty of natural materials, and the good news is you can work them into any living room, from Sussex to Stockholm, Cornwall to Copenhagen.
Go big on natural materials
Wood, stone, slate and animal hides are staples of the Scandi look, and it pays to use them with confidence. Here, a barn conversion has a statement wall of logs, ready for the fire, and a dramatic floor laid with oversized stone slabs.
Wood, stone, slate and animal hides are staples of the Scandi look, and it pays to use them with confidence. Here, a barn conversion has a statement wall of logs, ready for the fire, and a dramatic floor laid with oversized stone slabs.
Warm up with wood
Stick to the classic Scandi recipe of white walls and curtains, but add some warmth with a wooden floor. Timber boards will anchor a bright white scheme, knocking some of the harshness out of it without compromising the look.
Stick to the classic Scandi recipe of white walls and curtains, but add some warmth with a wooden floor. Timber boards will anchor a bright white scheme, knocking some of the harshness out of it without compromising the look.
Light a fire – or a candle!
If you don’t have an open fire in your home, or don’t need the heat from one in summertime, choose the next best thing – candles. Arranged in a hearth like this, their flickering flames warm up a white scheme and bring a touch of pure Scandi style to your living space.
If you don’t have an open fire in your home, or don’t need the heat from one in summertime, choose the next best thing – candles. Arranged in a hearth like this, their flickering flames warm up a white scheme and bring a touch of pure Scandi style to your living space.
Invest in a classic
If your budget allows, add a piece of classic design to a simple room scheme, so it shines out. Scandinavia has produced some of the world’s finest designers, including Denmark’s Hans J Wegner. This elegant wooden armchair is his ch28 design.
If your budget allows, add a piece of classic design to a simple room scheme, so it shines out. Scandinavia has produced some of the world’s finest designers, including Denmark’s Hans J Wegner. This elegant wooden armchair is his ch28 design.
Accessorise from nature
Bring the outside in and use woodland treasures gathered on a walk as accessories in your Scandi scheme. From pine cones to antlers, choose objects for their natural beauty, not their chic design.
Bring the outside in and use woodland treasures gathered on a walk as accessories in your Scandi scheme. From pine cones to antlers, choose objects for their natural beauty, not their chic design.
Let the light in
Making the most of natural light is at the heart of Scandinavian design philosophy. This starts at the windows. Forget heavy curtains in colours that suck up the light and stick to pale, sheer drapes or minimal roller blinds that let the daylight flood in.
Be inspired by mood-enhancing lights
Making the most of natural light is at the heart of Scandinavian design philosophy. This starts at the windows. Forget heavy curtains in colours that suck up the light and stick to pale, sheer drapes or minimal roller blinds that let the daylight flood in.
Be inspired by mood-enhancing lights
Add pops of colour
Modern Scandinavian design has fun with colour, while still staying true to the pared-back, light-loving aesthetic associated with all things Nordic. Use colour as an accent on furnishings and art, or incorporate a feature wall of graphic patterned paper.
Modern Scandinavian design has fun with colour, while still staying true to the pared-back, light-loving aesthetic associated with all things Nordic. Use colour as an accent on furnishings and art, or incorporate a feature wall of graphic patterned paper.
Celebrate timber
When wood makes up the fabric of your home, let it be the star of the show by adding minimal furniture. This Danish summerhouse might be too spartan for everyday living, but its wooden walls and floors do look stunning!
When wood makes up the fabric of your home, let it be the star of the show by adding minimal furniture. This Danish summerhouse might be too spartan for everyday living, but its wooden walls and floors do look stunning!
Go monochrome
White, black and dark grey are essential, much-used shades in the Scandinavian palette. Work in plenty of interesting textures and tactile materials to keep them feeling welcoming and stick to white on the walls as a fail-safe and fresh backdrop.
Are you a fan of Scandi style? Tell us how you incorporate it into your home in the Comments.
White, black and dark grey are essential, much-used shades in the Scandinavian palette. Work in plenty of interesting textures and tactile materials to keep them feeling welcoming and stick to white on the walls as a fail-safe and fresh backdrop.
Are you a fan of Scandi style? Tell us how you incorporate it into your home in the Comments.
For a total white out, treat floors as well as walls to snowy bright paint. Designed to maximise light during a dark Scandi winter, this white-box effect suits any room in any climate.
Check out more crisp white design schemes