Style Spotlight: Scandinavian Design

Also known as Scandi design or Danish Modern, the muted, understated elements that compose the modern Scandinavian design are a celebration of the simple things in life. It’s light, crisp, nature-inspired and above all, inviting. 

The look is steeped in the influences of the lifestyle surrounding hygge, a Danish word that translates to express the feeling created by finding the extraordinary in the everyday, encompassing a sense of comfort and connection with the world around you. It is appropriate then to realize that the core components of Scandinavian design are easily recognizable and virtually effortless to build into your own decorating ideas for any room. 

What is Scandinavian Design? 

With origins going back to the 1930s, it was influenced between countries and between decades, becoming a timeless, always modern classic in homes across the globe. Scandinavian design developed in the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden as a practical home style. The basic embrace of nature and free spaces followed it from place to place.  

With a Scandinavian home design like hygge, the emphasis is on sometimes small style shifts that lend most to adding comfort, a sense of “home,” or finding happiness with the simple things in life. The pieces chosen for decoration in a Scandinavian-designed home would be there because they add a sense of contentment or coziness, whatever that may look like.  

Versatile and durable, it could outlast the cold and lean months while encouraging light, creativity, and comfort. Different variations have developed over time, such as the Scandi-Industrial look, so it can fit your own personal tastes and lifestyle. 

Similar Design Styles 

A running theme through Scandinavian design is simplicity, similar to minimalism. It goes further, however, by incorporating lifestyle and emotional attachment into the design of your space. There are multiple European ideals that have a similar translation or representation through home design, such as the feeling of mys to the Swedish culture, or gezellig ideals among the Dutch, all intent on living in a home that’s both cozy and comfortable. 

Lagom is another interior design style borrowed from Scandinavian culture. With lagom, it’s almost the opposite of hygge: lagom is based on the idea of finding balance in all areas of life and maintaining that with the design of our homes. The core of the concept is “not too much or too little” in the search for what is “just right” rather than the notion of adding comfort and cozy touches.  

Lagom is a lifestyle pursuit that carries over into home design. With lagom, it’s important to moderate all elements within a space. There should be a balancing weight and equality to everything in the home, from the colors and textures to the amount of clutter and storage used to contain it and the presence of greenery and natural fibers brought in for decoration or even furniture. 

The comfort obtained through balance and simplicity is associated with the concept of lagom, while hygge emphasizes adding warmth and coziness through accents and colors rather than focusing on balance. The two concepts complement each other well but are not mutually exclusive. Both can be austere and open, comfortable and natural, so it is all in the way you bring the pieces together. 

Incorporating the Open Style of Hygge

The starting point with Scandi design is always openness. White walls and pale, natural flooring work together even in small rooms to create the perception of space. Hardwood flooring or modern white-washed planks are an attractive nod to nature, the look of timber reflecting sunlight to create warmth and cheer with straight lines. 

From a clean white canvas, bring in color in stages. With Scandinavian design, the main color palette is lighter shades, like blues or grays. They offer a cool contrast to the warmth of natural wood. Furniture choices are from wood or silver-colored frames with bold, slanted lines. To emphasize and stand out against the straight lines and edges, the fabrics should be soft and comfortable, in neutral, muted colors. 

Natural and Cozy Flooring 

With Scandinavian design, one of the main goals is to show empty, exposed floors whenever possible. The square edges of furniture can be tucked in corners. Small but comfy chairs and sofas can serve their purpose while taking up a smaller footprint.  

Bare wood floors can be cold, so the clever use of area rugs can create the illusion of negative space while also emphasizing comfort. (Your toes will thank you in the winter.) Keep to a neutral, reflective color scheme, so the rugs don’t take away from the appearance of an open floor. 

Accessorizing in Scandinavian Style 

Once the foundation has been set and the furniture is in place, more personal touches come in to craft your own look. Bring in accent pieces, such as comfortable throw pillows and blankets with rich textures, to add the pop of your favorite color. Incorporate plants, or nature prints on the walls, to bring the great outdoors inside year round. Keep it simple. Keep it light. 

Scandi Lighting 

The original foundation of Scandinavian style’s attachment to brightness and openness was to make the most of the limited natural light available during the long winters of the Nordic countries. Rather than curse the coming darkness at the end of a too-short day, the goal becomes welcoming the interior retreat. Light it up and make it interesting, engaging, and comfortable, no matter the hour.  

This means, traditionally, candles and, more modernly, bare bulbs in reflective or glass shades. Pendant lights, floor lamps, and mirrors are another way to bring in functional color and design. Work with light to keep your area open, cool, and peaceful. 

Bring the Style to Your Home 

The bare and spartan look of Scandinavian design should provide a sense of freedom, inspiration, and comfort. Keep it uncluttered and purposeful, so you have a tidy room that meets your needs and keeps you cozy. With just a little color and the right natural materials, you can easily create your own green-friendly, tranquil space with the look of Scandi design.