Scandinavian Design

Are you attracted to the simplicity, functionality and beauty of Scandinavian design? We have narrowed down and provided you a recipe of the most essential ingredients, so you can play around with them and achieve a distinctly Scandinavian feel in your home.

The movement of Scandinavian design was recognised in the 1950’s and extends to the countries of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. It’s first and foremost associated with white wooden floors, open airy furnishing, minimalism and functional design.

Photo: HA Interior Design

Photo: HA Interior Design

Neutral colours such as pale blue, cool grey, white and cream are almost a trademark for this style. Maybe it is used to reflect the outdoor light as much as possible, as the lack of light much of the year is evident in these northern countries.

Let in the light – floor to ceiling windows is common in Scandinavian architecture, for that very reason. To let in the natural light you might refrain from having curtains also to keep a tidy and clean look (it also saves you a fortune). If you do want curtains, there are a lot of neat linen fabrics that compliment this clean look.

Photo: Himla.se

Clean lines – the clue is not to fill up your home with things you don’t need. It should be functional and de-cluttered. Leave a lot of space around your furniture, don’t leave too many items on the floor or standing by the wall and your home will feel more spacious.

Photo: Erik Jørgensen, dk

The 50’s and 60’s had so many great designers who really manifested in the “Scandinavian design” today, and I’m not even starting to do that list. I will highlight which shape you should look for to achieve the airy and elegant look. Sofas with straight lines, square edges and neat legs are a good start. A classic painted or wooden chair neat in its appearance is both good looking and very practical. Lots of retro cupboards can be found in antique markets, or if you go for a more contemporary look check out Montana for Danish design inspiration.

Photo: Arne Jacobsen

A love of nature – as we aim to reflect the outdoor light inside, we also want to bring nature into our home. Lots of green plants, wood, stone and glass, all supplement the Scandinavian hues.