Scandinavian Design – All about the triumph of the Nordic living and interior design style

The modern world of interior design has seen numerous minimalist styles come and go. But there is one purist interior design trendthat will probably never truly go out of style: Scandinavian interior design, also commonly referred to as Scandi style, Skandi style or Skandi chic .

This style combines various textures, the interplay of contrasts, soft colors, emphasizing modern and strictly functional furniture, and the use of natural materials in an almost perfect way. In doing so, it manages to create a homely and cozy atmosphere that one wouldn't necessarily expect from a more purist and minimalist interior design style.

Like no other interior design style, it fulfills our seemingly contradictory needs for order and cleanliness on the one hand, and comfort and coziness on the other.

It's no wonder, then, that Nordic design is once again enjoying a triumphant march around the globe. Even if you don't have a clear, concrete image in your mind when you think of it, you've most likely already encountered this style.

It's impossible to avoid it on social media, design blogs, and in specialist magazines. The sheer number of design tips and suggestions is overwhelming. Even a stroll through furniture and home furnishing stores—and we're not talking about IKEA here—reveals the increasing dominance of furniture and interior design ideas from Northern Europe.

What characterizes Scandinavian design?

As already mentioned, the core feature of this style is the combination of modern elegance, functional approaches, cozy accents and nature-inspired elements.

One special feature that has probably made an important contribution to the popularity and spread of this interior design trend is its simple aesthetic, which can be combined almost seamlessly with virtually any other style and is also timeless.

Let's take a closer look at the individual features.

Minimalist / purist credo

A closer look reveals nuances that distinguish Scandinavian design from trends like minimalism, modernism, and contemporary decor. Nevertheless, it can confidently be described as minimalist, with a strong focus on simplicity and functionality.

No clutter – clear order – avoidance of superfluous elements – functional and reduced to the essentials.

Niki Brantmark, author of “Lagom: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life” and owner of the English-language blog My Scandinavian Home, sums up the Nordic approach to design as follows:

Scandinavian design has a tradition of striving to ensure everyone has access to good design, not just the elite, she explains. "This is why you'll see beauty in everyday pieces. IKEA is a good example of this."

Translated into German, roughly equivalent to:

Scandinavian design has a tradition of striving to make good design accessible to everyone, not just the elite. That's why you find design beauty in everyday objects. IKEA is a good example of this

Inspiration from nature and the environment

This trend first emerged in the 1930s. It became truly popular in the 1950s. A design show that toured the USA and Canada between 1954 and 1957, promoting the work of Nordic designers .

The emphasis was on simple patterns and styles inspired by the regional nature and environment. People quickly embraced the simple aesthetic and beauty, which thus found its way into their everyday lives.

The close relationship with nature is also reflected in the choice of materials. Wood, stone, furs, wool, and similar materials are frequently used. Combinations with industrial elements made of iron or steel are also common – for example, in lighting or cabinets. Wooden shelves are another example.

One such example is the Rackbuddy John wooden shelf with fittings made of silver tubes. Light pine wood combined with the galvanized iron fittings is definitely influenced by the Nordic style and underlines a Scandinavian look – with a touch of industrial chic.

Improvements for daily life

It's in the DNA of Scandinavian styleto positively transform people's daily lives. In the Nordic countries, inhabitants often have to make do with less than seven hours of daylight during the winter months. It's therefore natural that lighting plays a fundamental role in interior design. This is also reflected in the Scandinavian style.

Furthermore, you will likely not find any large carpets or rugs. Rooms are intended to appear brighter and more inviting thanks to natural flooring (often made of wood) or white floor coverings.

The furniture is strictly functional, has a modern and uncluttered look, and is often designed to use space as efficiently as possible. Now it no longer surprises me that IKEA furniture is primarily found in small student apartments. Incidentally, in Scandinavian style, either not covered or framed at all, or only very subtly. This allows maximum light to enter the rooms. A charming side effect is that you don't have to bother with dusting and cleaning curtains.

Textures to combat excessive bareness

The use of textures, patterns, and differently finished surfaces enlivens larger areas and ensures that they are presented in an exciting way. This prevents the apartment from appearing bare, empty, or too clinical.

This way, you don't need to fill your apartment with lots of knick-knacks and unnecessary decorative accessories. The Scandinavian style largely manages without decorative objects.

Textile materials such as sheepskin, wool, and mohair are frequently found in Scandinavian interiors. A necessity in cold climates, they also create a cozy and inviting atmosphere in our homes. One rule of the Scandinavian style states that every element should not only be decorative but, above all, serve a concrete, practical purpose.

Subtle color scheme with carefully placed accents

The predominant color palettes are neutral, soft, and understated. No bright color mixtures or garish, pop-art designs.

Light, pastel tones form the basis – mixed with color accents from nature such as sand, earth tones, dark green, blue and all shades of grey and brown.

This use of muted colors has a calming effect on our minds. A welcome respite and an oasis of slowing down in an increasingly hectic world.

Hygge is a lifestyle

Hygge – that's what coziness means in Denmark. Often described as the Danish recipe for happiness, which we're using as a guide to make ourselves truly comfortable indoors during the colder months.

Since 2016, this Danish term has been heard more and more frequently. It is often equated with a design trend, which is a gross oversimplification. Hygge is, after all, a lifestyle, a feeling, a concept for everyday life.

Consequently, it also has a major impact on all design processes – not least in interior design. It thus forms the basis of the Scandinavian style, but is not synonymous with it.

It's all a question of balance

Similar to the Danish concept of hygge, the Swedes also have a word that strongly influences Nordic design: lagom. It means: not too little, not too much. It's about balance and creating equilibrium.

Applied to our needs when designing our interiors, Lagom encourages us to strive for a balanced relationship between minimalism and coziness, old and new, coolness and warmth. Only in this way can a relaxed atmosphere and calming effect unfold.

Timeless look

Scandi charm has been enchanting us for over 80 years. It wouldn't have achieved this without its timeless design. The beauty of Scandinavian design is incredibly versatile and easy to combine, not to mention its practicality.

Clean and straightforward shapes, subtle colors, organic forms and textures. An excellent foundation on which to build with other styles and add your own individual touch.

You can find numerous suggestions and outstanding examples of Scandinavian-style interior design in the following articles by us:

• Harmony through minimalism: What is Scandinavian interior design?
• Colorful Nordic design – Scandi style with a color upgrade