The Scandinavian design style has always been on trend! What’s the main reason? The Scandi style is a perfect blend of modern design, clutter-free space, and multifunctionality, giving it a laidback yet aesthetic charm that brings warmth to any space.
The Scandinavian style of interior design is popular for its simplicity and minimal approach. With a rich blend of soft hues and textures, it creates a cozy and warm feeling. Moreover, it focuses on functionality and draws attention to using every corner of the house.
With the Scandinavian interior design style, you will notice how the furniture is minimal, allowing more light and air to flow around the space. It works mostly on the principle of prioritizing functionality over aesthetics and beauty.
When we talk about Scandinavian design, we're referring to the group of northern European countries—Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland—that comprise Scandinavia. This design movement, now a global interior design phenomenon, has roots that stretch back to the 1800s and gained momentum in the early 1900s.
Scandinavian designs often blend elements of Constructivism, Functionalism, Minimalism, and Surrealism. The term ‘Scandinavian design’ was coined from a traveling design show that toured the United States and Canada between 1954 and 1957. This exhibition promoted simple living, exemplified by the work of Nordic designers. During this same era, mid-century modern design was also gaining prominence. The synergy between these movements demonstrated to the world that good design could, and should, be accessible to everyone.
Here are basic characteristics that distinguish a Scandinavian interior design from other interior design styles:
The Scandinavian design follows white and light colors so that the natural light from outside can reflect off the ceiling and wall colors.
Scandinavian homes are popular for being compact, cozy, minimal, and multifunctional, ensuring that the rooms remain spacious, light, and airy.
Scandinavian interior design embraces nature by bringing greenery inside with beautiful flowers and plants to brighten up the space.
Let the light in, make the furniture functional, bring nature in, and give a home neutral color palette makeover by adopting the Scandinavian interior design style. A modern Scandi-style living room perfectly blends minimal and cozy interior styles to make everyone feel welcome.
If you are unsure of how to get started with a Scandinavian living room, here are 12 tips to help you:
Scandinavian design doesn't adhere to one strict rule, but many homes in this style often embrace a neutral color palette. In this living room, the crisp white backdrop feels clean and uncomplicated, while the varied textures prevent it from seeming too stark or clinical.
To create an open and airy atmosphere, opt for cool shades of white. Complement this with natural wood finishes to introduce warmth without making the space feel darker.
A well-lit room is the hallmark of Scandinavian design. This delightful space boasts a beautiful neutral palette that we love, complemented by multiple lighting sources that create a calming environment any time of day.
Abstract prints suit Scandi-inspired homes beautifully with their relaxed and effortless style. Opt for understated colors and striking shapes – this blend offers a minimalist yet captivating appearance.
Modern Scandi living room is all about sculptural design, especially curved silhouettes. Incorporating homeware with intriguing yet subtle shapes into your interior design can attract attention in a quiet, refined way.
The Scandinavian-style living room is not afraid to utilize different natural wood materials. Most Scandinavian living rooms use darker shades of wood, but it’s never a bad idea to play around with lighter shades of wood, along with grey or white painted surfaces.
Another feature widely popular in Scandinavian houses is the presence of greenery all around. Apart from being airy, minimal, and bright, Scandi-style living rooms use green plants and lots of flowers to mimic the outdoors and avoid a design-heavy home that looks cluttered.
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The Danish concept of "hygge" doesn't have a direct translation, but it captures the essence of warmth and comfort. This couch perfectly fits that Scandinavian vibe. Enhance the coziness with knits, woven fabrics, and pillows, but be mindful not to overwhelm the space with clutter. Striking the right balance is essential.
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While Scandinavian interiors are typically airy and light-themed, deeper shades like black or navy can also be successfully incorporated. Adding a splash of black paint on one living room wall can be both sophisticated and true to the Scandinavian style, provided the accessories remain simple and the overall design is clean and uncluttered
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To create a cozy ambiance in your home, focus on natural textures and generous lighting. Materials like cane and rattan add a tactile element to your space. One practical and stylish option is a lampshade made from these natural materials, which serves both a functional and decorative role.
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When we say Scandinavian interior design is all about functionality, we mean it. Here’s the perfect example of how you can combine style and functionality—incorporating an accent chair! An accent chair is not just there for extra seating for your guests but also for adding a charming personality to the room.
But why an accent chair? An accent chair is a better choice than a regular sofa as it is bolder in looks and brings a nice pop of personality to the living room.
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To apply Scandinavian principles practically, ample space isn't necessary. Coordinating in soft pastel tones, the lounge chair and contemporary sofa feature sleek, clean lines that make them ideal for those with compact living rooms aiming for a modern Scandinavian aesthetic.
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The distinctive Scandinavian style focuses solely on essentials, avoiding unnecessary embellishments. Embrace simplicity and elegance, emphasizing minimal artwork and décor.
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Achieving a Scandinavian living room isn’t all that difficult. The above 12 tips are just a few ways in which you can base your modern Scandi-style living room. But we know that physically recreating a Scandinavian living room can be expensive. And if you still want to recreate the magic of a minimal and simplistic Scandinavian living room come to life before you lift a finger, consider virtual staging!
With virtual staging, you can digitally transform any space by adding decor and furniture. This gives you a realistic idea of how the space will turn out without undergoing the hassle of moving furniture or spending money on decor.
You can take virtual staging to the next level with Styldod. This extremely simple and user-friendly platform helps you transform any living space into a Scandinavian or any other design style by simply uploading pictures. It provides a budget-friendly option to explore various design concepts and discover the ideal Scandinavian aesthetic for your living space.
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