The essentials of Scandinavian living room decor
- Scandinavian decor is refined, functional and modern, giving the room an elegant look and a cosy atmosphere.
- Scandinavian design is closely related to the principles of the Bauhaus: creating something beautiful, simple, practical and sustainable.
- Its hallmarks: light wood, white and light colours inspired by nature, clean lines without embellishments, and functional, comfortable furniture.
- White serves as the backdrop in a Scandinavian living room and comes in off-white, cream, lacquered, pearl, matt or glossy finishes.
- Pastel shades (beige, pebble grey, chalk, powder pink and steel blue) warm up the white base in small touches.
- Rich colours (teal, mustard yellow, forest green and burgundy) provide contrast, especially through decorative accessories.
What is Scandinavian design and how can you recognise a Scandinavian piece of furniture?
Scandinavian design is a style of furniture and decor that originated in the Nordic countries, based on light wood, white, clean lines and functionality. A Scandinavian piece of furniture can be recognised by its straight or curved lines without embellishments, its natural materials such as wood and wool, and prints inspired by nature, as well as its practical purpose above all.
Scandinavian furniture embraces a simple and functional design, close to the principles of the Bauhaus, the German art and design school whose founding principle associates form with function: creating something beautiful, simple, practical and sustainable. If a piece of furniture is functional, beauty follows naturally.
By choosing furniture for Scandinavian or Nordic-inspired decor, an interior gains comfort, elegance, simplicity and functionality all at once. This foundation can then be adapted to each room, particularly the living room.
What is a Scandinavian living room?
A Scandinavian living room is refined, functional and modern, built around light wood, white and simple lines. It prioritises comfortable seating, soft lighting and plants, creating a room that is elegant, warm and conducive to relaxation.
Would you like to furnish your living room in a Scandinavian style? Looking for simplicity and hygge in your life, with a breath of Nordic spirit? Would you also like to bring this cosy and welcoming decorating style to life alongside your current decor? How can you give your living room a Scandinavian touch or transform it into a completely Scandinavian space? Anything is possible! Here are a few tips to help you define your Scandinavian decor project and create a serene, refined atmosphere in your living room.
Scandinavian decor: from wall paint to decorative objects, which inspirations should you know about?
The inspiration behind Scandinavian decor can be summed up in a few key elements: light wood, white and light colours, clean lines, plants, functional and comfortable furniture, and soft lighting. These are the features that make Scandinavian style immediately recognisable in a living room.
Scandinavian furniture, decor and design, which have been very popular for several years, are easy to identify and recognise thanks to their timeless foundation. A restrained design, created for spending relaxing moments at home during harsh winters. Here are a few key elements to guide your choices towards Scandinavian decor:
- wood, and more specifically light wood,
- white and light colours or colours inspired by nature, widely found in the countries of northern Europe.
- softness, simplicity and clean lines
- pure, straight or curved lines without embellishments,
- simplicity and nature,
- plants! Some plants purify the air and will be the perfect allies for your Nordic interior! Examples include the missionary plant, the now-famous Monstera or split-leaf Philodendron, and why not a Fern, arranged in baskets made from natural fibres or in pretty plant pots,
- functional living room furniture, as well as comfort, particularly when it comes to seating (sofa, armchair, chairs, stools or beanbag)!
- soft lighting, from pendant lights to candles...
- in summary, Scandinavian decor is both refined, functional and modern, giving the room an elegant look, a warm feel and a cosy atmosphere that makes you want to fully enjoy your home.
Which colours should you choose for a modern Scandinavian-style living room?
A modern Scandinavian living room is composed of three levels of colour: white as the backdrop, light and pastel shades in small touches for softness, followed by a few rich colours such as teal or mustard yellow for contrast, introduced through decorative accessories.
Several colour palettes are part of Scandinavian design and decor:
- As a backdrop: in a Scandinavian living room, white comes in every shade: off-white, cream, lacquered white, pearl white, matt white or glossy white. White, so easy to introduce into our living rooms, is THE ideal shade for a Scandinavian living room. And let's not forget: it brings vital brightness to Nordic countries, where it is dark for half the year and winters are harsh... If your interior lacks light, don't hesitate: Scandinavian white is your friend! From floor to ceiling. You can of course opt for light wood flooring or even a bleached wood shade.
- As variations and touches to create a sense of softness: light colours and pastels, such as beige, pebble grey, chalk, eggshell beige, chick yellow, powder pink, steel blue or iced brown. These touches of colour will subtly dress up your white base and bring it warmth and a certain intimacy, elements that are very important in all Scandinavian interiors.
- In small touches, richer colours such as teal, mustard yellow, forest green, burgundy red or wine red. This addition of colour prevents the white from sometimes feeling overly austere and a little cold. These brighter shades bring contrast and life to your decor. These touches of colour will be very present in the decor: on candle holders or candles, a rug, a throw, a beanbag, cushions or even a very pretty vase with Nordic accents.
FAQ: Scandinavian living room decor questions
Which colours work for Scandinavian living room decor?
White dominates, available in off-white, cream, lacquered, pearl, matt or glossy finishes. Pastels such as beige, pebble grey, chalk or powder pink soften it. Teal, mustard yellow or forest green are used in small touches for contrast.
Which wood should you choose for a Scandinavian living room?
Scandinavian style is based on light wood, from flooring to furniture. A bleached wood shade also works very well, particularly in a living room that lacks brightness.
Which plants work in a Scandinavian living room?
The missionary plant, Monstera (also known as split-leaf Philodendron) and Fern are among the classics of Nordic interiors. Some plants purify the air. They can be placed in baskets made from natural fibres or in plant pots.
How can you give an existing living room a Scandinavian touch?
Without repainting the room, Scandinavian decor can be introduced through accessories: candle holders, rugs, throws, beanbags, cushions or a vase with Nordic accents. Soft lighting, comfortable seating and a few plants are enough to create a cosy atmosphere.
What is hygge?
Hygge is a Nordic lifestyle concept, originally known as the Danish art of living. It values whatever provides well-being and comfort, simple pleasures and the joys of everyday life. In interior design, it translates into a soft, serene and cocooning atmosphere.
What is the connection between Scandinavian design and the Bauhaus?
Scandinavian furniture shares with the principles of the Bauhaus the idea of creating something beautiful, simple, practical and sustainable. The rule is the same: if a piece of furniture is functional, beauty follows naturally. The lines remain pure, straight or curved, without embellishments.
