Scandinavian style appeals to you, but is it really for you? Layout, colors, materials, prints. Which ones to favor for a Scandinavian decoration? We give you the keys to success for a successful Nordic atmosphere. In the Scandinavian countries, winters are often harsh and not very bright, and even if the inhabitants take advantage of the slightest ray of sunshine, the house then becomes a refuge. There, they recharge their batteries, find themselves. Hence the need to make their interior a friendly and warm place, which resembles the person who lives there.
A Scandinavian living room is ideal for creating a cozy living space, in which to spend long cocooning evenings or entertain in a friendly atmosphere. Scandinavian decor is renowned for being design, warm and refined at the same time, with neutral colors and minimalist pieces of furniture.
Do you want to redecorate your living room to give it a Scandinavian look? At first glance, this style seems easy to achieve, but be careful: a decor that is too refined can seem cold and uncomfortable.
Tips to create an authentic Scandinavian living room
The stake remains complex, since it is a question of designing a place where one feels good while creating in his guests the impression that they are at home. The decoration professional therefore gives us her advice on the layout, furniture, colors, materials or even prints to favor for a Scandinavian atmosphere. For us, she unraveled the mysteries of the genre.
A Nordic look is impossible without white and wood
Combining white and wood is highly recommended for a Scandinavian decoration worthy of the name! Indeed, this color calling for calm and purity and this raw material par excellence immediately bring an unparalleled Nordic breath to a room when combined. As these examples of Scandinavian living room layout demonstrate.
Let the light in your Scandinavian living room
Nordic countries such as Sweden, Norway and Denmark experience harsh winters accompanied by particularly long nights. This is why the Scandinavians attach a lot of importance to the luminosity in their interiors. So don’t hesitate to do the same for your Scandinavian living room by letting in as much exterior light as possible. For this, choose large bay window style openings. Avoid curtains to take full advantage of natural light until dark.
Bet on natural colors
Colors are of paramount importance for a Scandinavian-style decor, which is primarily intended to be warm and cozy and is one of the most famous interior design styles. Also, do not hesitate to opt for natural and clear colors, such as white, ecru, beige, powder pink or “eggshell”. You can associate them with colors with a pronounced character such as duck blue or mustard yellow for example. This association will indeed create a subtle contrast that will energize your room. You can then reheat all natural-looking textiles such as linen, cotton, velvet or synthetic fur in the form of plaids, rugs or cushions.
Use textiles at will
You can hardly imagine a cozy Scandinavian living room without a few rugs, cushions and other cozy throws. Also, do not be afraid to pile up the cushions on your sofa and accompany them with a soft blanket that you will take care to lay out carelessly. The rug is also a safe bet for a Scandinavian decoration, preferably placed at the foot of your sofa. Want even more decor ideas? Use geometric patterns on your textiles. Also consider synthetic fur textiles to accentuate the expected cocooning effect.
Furnish your Scandinavian living room with a vintage sideboard
This vintage style furniture par excellence is a must have for all lovers of interior decoration and a centerpiece for a Scandinavian living room. In addition to being practical thanks to the storage space it houses, a Scandinavian sideboard has several advantages:
●sober lines
●it takes up very little space
●rests on compass feet which make it a slender piece of furniture
Get some nesting coffee tables
Very popular for their practicality, nesting coffee tables are also a staple of the Scandinavian style. Often sold in pairs or trios, they are able to stack, divide but above all to deploy, in order to invest the entire surface and thus be within everyone’s reach. Whether you use a nesting system to act as a coffee table or an end table, you will see that it will energize your Scandinavian living room in the blink of an eye!
Choose your cozy sofa carefully
In a living room, the sofa is undoubtedly the star room. All the more so for a Scandinavian living room, in which it must be welcoming, whether with generous proportions or a “fluffy” seat. Then comes the color, which will determine the trend to adopt for the rest of the room. For this, you can bet on light tones (powder pink, ecru, light gray, sky blue, etc.). These will be combined with decorative objects or dark textiles. You can also, conversely, opt for a dark sofa which will highlight more light textiles such as the essential sheepskins, particularly sought after in Scandinavian decor. Finally, the little extra that will make all the difference in your Scandinavian living room will be that your sofa rests on light wood compass feet.
Combine your sofa with the right Scandinavian armchair
Another essential for a Scandinavian living room decor, the Scandinavian armchair is a must have in terms of style and comfort. It will indeed reinforce your sofa to create a harmonious rendering in your living room, which will also gain in capacity. There are several possibilities for this, namely coordinating your Scandinavian armchair with your sofa or choosing a model that can vary in terms of color or style. Whichever one you choose, this piece will give your Scandinavian living room the note that will make all the difference.
Adopt a Scandinavian tv cabinet in your living room
To better combine the useful with the pleasant with style, a Scandinavian TV cabinet will be strongly recommended to you to perfect the decor of your Scandinavian living room. The lines of a Scandinavian TV cabinet are reminiscent of those of the inevitable row mentioned above, because this piece is generally made of light wood, equipped with sliding doors but above all with compass feet. The TV evenings are yours under the best auspices, with a Scandinavian TV cabinet that will highlight the Nordic character of your Scandinavian living room.
Hang wall shelves
Wall shelves appear regularly in the Scandinavian decor landscape. Even if most are very practical in terms of storage, they remain above all an additional decorative asset that will highlight your most beautiful rooms! The benchmark in this area are undoubtedly the String wall shelves, with a sober and minimalist design imagined more than sixty years ago by Nisse Strinning.
5 essential elements to create a Scandinavian style living room
Here are 5 elements to consider to create a Scandinavian living room that is warm, inviting and where quality materials are in the spotlight.
Floors
Blond, but sometimes also dark, typical Scandinavian floors are rustic, natural and devoid of artifice. Underfoot, an area rug is sufficient to add a splash of color and patterns. When possible, opt for hardwood with wide planks in the living room and in the bathroom, for large format ceramic installed in a linear fashion to maintain the clean look.
The colors
Pristine white, smoky gray and an array of shades of blue are the basis of Scandinavian design. To bring the decor to life, add bold color accents like green, red and yellow to this neutral palette. Or, a mix of primary and pastel colors like pink, blush and mint green. Finally, touches of black complete the look brilliantly, defining certain angles and drawing the eye to certain objects in particular.
The furniture
This is the opportunity to discover some of the most iconic furniture in history, in addition to the designers who designed them. Between the 1930s and the 1960s, several Danish, Swedish and Finnish designers made their mark, including: Eero Saarinen, Jens Risom, Alvar Aalto, Hans Wegner, Poul Kjærholm, Arne Jacobsen, Borge Mogensen and many others.
Obviously, for the long term value of your furniture, I encourage you to find original pieces from these designers, which are worth their weight in gold in the resale market. Having said that, a single chair or an armchair can sometimes sell for several thousand dollars. There are however some very beautiful furniture inspired by the time, which will give you the essence of Scandinavian style at a reasonable price.
Accessories
As for accessories and decorative objects, the rule is: the less the better. Escape clutter and overcrowded shelves and focus your attention on decorative items that have real use for the decor.
Art is however excluded from this rule, because it represents in itself one of the main components of the Scandinavian style. Presented in the form of an art gallery, with several works and illustrations assembled on the same wall, or with a single large piece highlighted on the wall, the art will add color and texture to the refined decor.
The choice of materials
Finally, there is the choice of materials. Between two items, choose for sure the one made of eco-responsible materials: from VOC-free paint to organic fabrics, including the wood of furniture from FSC-certified forests. Also prioritize quality materials, with a preference for wood, which is at the heart of Scandinavian design. When it comes to textiles, cushions and rugs, we love merino wool, linen and organic cotton.
Decorative tips for a Scandinavian style
Favoring softness, clarity or even simplicity, the Scandinavian style has enjoyed some success in recent years. Choice of accessories, colors, lighting, furniture or even the preferred materials, here are some tips to avoid mistakes of taste and create a beautiful Scandinavian-inspired decoration.
Scandinavian style: a refined decoration is required
Straight from the Nordic countries (Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland), the Scandinavian style breathes a natural and refined atmosphere into the house. Based on a minimalist atmosphere, this style of decoration prohibits anything that is superfluous and bulky. The Nordic countries being fervent defenders of the environment, nature invites itself in this type of interior. In addition, the climatic conditions marked by harsh winters also influence this decoration. It thus relies on a warm and welcoming aspect. From the living room to the office, including the bedroom, the Scandinavian touch is perfect to breathe new life into the interior.
Furniture combining simplicity and functionality
Inspired by the Bauhaus movement of the 1920s and 1930s, the Scandinavian style favors sleek furniture. Practical furniture that takes up little space is to be adopted to decorate a Scandinavian-inspired room. As space saving is essential, nesting tables, stackable stools or even removable tables constitute suitable furniture. For a living room bathed in a Nordic atmosphere, choosing a sofa and armchairs with rounded lines and fitted with wooden legs is recommended.
A minimalist coffee table with a compass base and a Scandinavian sideboard are required to complete the set. To equip a bedroom or an office, bed, bedside table with compass legs, chest of drawers, work table and many other pieces of furniture always display the minimalist and refined design favored in Scandinavian decoration. To add a touch of authenticity to the room, furniture with a retro design can be integrated into it. By marrying contemporary furniture with vintage elements, one gives a soul to the interior decoration. The geometric shapes are also preferred, especially at the shelves. Rectangular or triangular models will bring a design and modern touch.
Integrate wood into the decoration
To create a soft and warm atmosphere, wood is the flagship material of the Scandinavian style. Moreover, the use of this material reflects the importance given to nature by the Nordics. Whether it is accessories, furniture or even the floor, this style of decoration uses four main species, namely oak, pine, beech and ash. Depending on taste, these materials can be bleached, tinted or even smoked. To create a subtle contrast, other noble materials are used such as marble, leather, metal or even uivre. They are mainly used in decoration through accessories.
Bring nature into the decoration
Apart from wood, the Scandinavians invite other natural elements in their decoration. To bring freshness to the decoration, a few green plants or driftwood easily find their place in a room with a Nordic atmosphere. To enhance the decoration, adding fresh cut flowers is another option. The addition of these various decorative elements must however be done sparingly in order to avoid clutter.
The flagship colors of Scandinavian style
To meet their needs light, especially Scandinavians favor the white in their decor. This shade is displayed from floor to ceiling and is associated with pops of color to create a bright and serene atmosphere. Note that the other shades are preferably from nature such as blue reminiscent of the ocean, the cold or warm gray of pebbles or yellow, the color of clay. To warm up the atmosphere and brighten up the decor, touches of pastel are also in order. Mint green, sky blue, sugar plum pink and other pastel colors dress the accessories with softness. To give a chic side to a room, darker tones like black can be added in a subtle way in the decoration.
The choice of lighting
To evolve in a harmonious environment, the Nordic countries favor light, both natural and artificial. To create a bright interior, the arrangement of the room should be thought out accordingly. For example, the space around windows must be clear. In the same spirit, it is also advisable to bet on the multiplication of light sources. A large ceiling light, small well-placed lamps, candles above the fireplace or even a few standard lamps or light garlands illuminate and reinforce the cocooning side of the room.
Cushions and throws for a comfortable interior
To cope with particularly harsh winters, the Nordics are multiplying the accessories that warm their interior. To optimize the warm character of the Scandinavian style, plaids in soft material cover the armchairs or the beds. The carpet sheepskin or cow are also perfect for setting the mood. To accentuate the charm of the decoration, but also to ensure comfort, the cushions are other essential accessories. In sheepskin or faux fur, these accessories perfectly enhance the room.
Choosing the right curtains
Curtains are another accessory to add color and brightness to a Scandinavian-inspired room.
●For a bright interior, white or ecru accessories are required.
●To break up a total white look, the curtains can be chosen in pastel and cool shades like lime green or yellow.
●Material side, natural materials such as linen or organic cotton are always preferred.
Focus on geometric patterns
To energize a Scandinavian-style interior and break the monotony, geometric patterns are perfect. Whether on carpets, cushions or posters and wall paintings, squares, diamonds and stripes give pep’s to this style. For a successful decoration, you just have to make sure to choose colors that match the rest of the furniture, styles and accessories.