The Scandinavian aesthetic differs from other decorative styles for several reasons. The Nordic countries have a close relationship with nature, which is the greatest influence on this design. The inspiration for this style can be found in the materials, the organic shapes, the love for simplicity and functionality ideally required for a living room.

Geometric patterns and wooden pieces are a must-have in Scandinavian interiors. This style of interior design, over the years, has become the choice of younger generations for its practicality, elegance, uncomplicated designs and is a mirror of what we want our life and home aura to be.

Discover how you can turn your living room into a true Scandinavian paradise.

Open plan living space

Clutter is no part of a Scandinavian living room. From this style expect cleans lines, minimalist furniture and a focus on bringing nature indoors. Most Scandi homes are open plan, connecting the kitchen, living room and dining room to create the heart of the home.

This style of environments encourages reduced clutter, keeping only the essentials to display with great style. Choosing furniture with storage tools promotes streamlining and maximising spaces, and is an incredible addition to your living room.

Neutral colour scheme

A neutral background is always a good starting point to turn your living room into a space with a totally Scandinavian look. A blank canvas is a timeless choice and can be easily combined with accessories, delicate furniture or even artwork.

If you’re a lover of colour and pattern add a few splashes of colour rather than overloading your living space with heavy palettes. Opt for patterned cushions or rugs or even a textured sofa to give body and personality to your living room.The feeling of cosiness is an intrinsically Scandi aspect.

Natural raw materials

Natural raw materials such as wood, leather, wicker and cotton play a very important role in an authentic Scandinavian living room. There is a strong relationship between the design elements and nature, driven by the Nordic forests and the abundance of phenomenal outdoor space.

Scandinavian design surrounds itself harmoniously with various materials such as stone, wood and linen, and should be kept within a similar range of tones and colours such as whites and creams.

Textures

The secret to make a difference in this simple design is to bet on textures, highlighting fabrics such as sheepskin, boucle fabrics or even leather in caramel tones. The contrast of materials lies between stone wood and concrete in counterpoint to velvet upholstery to create a comfortable and cozy atmosphere.

Furniture

Scandinavian furniture design is aesthetically pleasing to the eye as well as functional. The Scandinavian landscape inspires the colour palette as well as the materials used. Wood in its natural state is favoured to give a feeling of nature more present in the space. Leather and linen are used to sprinkle life into the upholstery of the sofas, chairs and armchairs, maintaining a clean aesthetic line.

The furniture trend in this style is towards slim silhouettes. The legs of the sofa are in slim lines, the table top is slim like the base of the slender lamps. These elements provide a pleasant visual effect, revealing the round shapes around the living room, making the decorative elements stand out in an even more elegant way.

Light

Due to their long, dark winters, Scandinavian interiors are filled with as much light as possible. Large windows and white walls help the process, but adding the ideal type of lighting is crucial. Elegant lamps give soft tones and multi-directional light to the raw details of the wood.

Floor lamps are the perfect choice to create a sublime reading nook. Decorations such as candles add a touch of charm and intimacy to settings, fitting in inspiringly with your Scandinavian living room.

Art

This is one of the strong points you should bet on in a Scandinavian design living room, showing how interesting it can become. The artwork adds colour and value to the room while maintaining the colour palette. Colourful art is hardly ever found in Scandinavian interiors, but when it happens, it is often used in nature-related graphics, giving interesting lines of colour.

Decorating the fireplace

Scandinavian homes are known for having fireplaces in the corner of a room, not in the centre of a wall. Thus the furniture arrangement is often designed accordingly. Smaller featured chairs float closer to the fireplace, while sofas are generally positioned in the middle of the room, leaving room for passage.