Scandinavian interior design style ideas 2024. What is Scandinavian style? A to Z Scandinavian design guide. Features of Scandinavian furniture design, selection of accessories and lighting.

Are you ready to learn all the details about one of the most popular decoration styles, Scandinavian style? If you haven’t met before, we guarantee you’ll love the natural, cozy and cool Scandinavian design style! Here, Scandinavian interior design style ideas 2024 and wonderful examples…

Note: Before exploring the Scandinavian interior design style, don’t forget to take the ‘Interior Design Style Quiz‘ to discover your own decoration style! 🙂

What is Scandinavian Style?

What is Scandinavian Interior Design Style

Scandinavian design, belonging to the school of modernism, is a design movement that focuses on functionality and simplicity. This Scandinavian design style expresses a natural, relaxing, calm and balanced interior design style. Although the Scandinavian style has existed since the 1950s, it is still among the most popular styles in interior design today.  

This style is characterized by an elegant and sophisticated look. Although it resembles a minimalist and modern interior design style at first glance, the fact that natural elements and comfort are at the forefront distinguishes the Scandinavian interior design style from its counterparts. An ideal Scandinavian design is based on pragmatism and minimal aesthetics. Its relative simplicity and useful designs have made it possible for the Scandinavian style to remain relevant and popular today. 

How to do Scandinavian Interior Design?

Do you want to decorate your living space in Scandinavian style? Here are all the details you need to know about Scandinavian interior design style:

1. Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas 2024:

Simple, Simple and Tidy

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Because traditional Nordic houses were very small, not many items could be used. Even though houses are built much larger today, the philosophy of avoiding mess and chaos still continues. For this reason, we can say that simplicity and order are the most important features for Nordic style interiors. These homes do not have too much decor and detail. Modern and robust furniture with clean lines is preferred. There’s plenty of storage space like cabinets and shelves for a tidy look. Thus, it is ensured that the spaces look visually clean and tidy. 

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Tidy
Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Simplicity

Light and Neutral Colors

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Colours

Since Nordic houses rarely receive daylight for geographical reasons, light colors are generally preferred for decoration. The color palette used for Scandinavian interior design style includes shades of white and gray. Black, pale pink, and blue can sometimes be used to pop the decoration. In addition, the walls are often painted white to highlight furniture and decorative pieces.

Neutral colors should be used to create a clean and relaxing effect in Scandinavian style home design. However, the latest trends in Nordic design include natural colors such as earth tones, dark blue and sea green. Also, warm wood and sepia tones are popular in Scandinavian interior design ideas. Because they make a room feel sunny and bright without using dominant bright colors.

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Comfortable and Balanced (Hyyge & Lagom Philosophy)

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Comfort

“Hygge”, a life philosophy for the Danes ; It means happiness, warmth and peace. This philosophy has been described as a kind of “home warmth” in Nordic homes. Scandinavian living encourages a relaxed lifestyle. For this reason, a large number of cushions and blankets scattered around the house are used to increase comfort.

Similar to the idea of Hygge, Swedes use the word “Lagom”, which denotes balanced life. This means “to be neither too much nor less “, that is to find balance. For Nordic homes, this can be interpreted as a mix of old and new, or a balance between minimalism and comfort. For example, while a minimum number of furniture and accessories is used in a Scandinavian style house; wide range of comfort home textiles are used, such as sheepskin, linen pillows and layered rugs.

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Hyyge Lagom

Functionality and Space

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Cabinets

Scandinavian interior design style evokes modern design with its cold and plain appearance. Functional furniture and the use of few accessories are characteristic features of this style. The feeling of emptiness is important. No unnecessary accessories are used to fill the gaps.

In the Nordic countries, culturally, the simplicity of life is respected. This situation is also reflected in interior designs. Scandinavian furniture designs are simple and generally works of art.

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Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Open Space

Light Color Wooden Flooring

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - White Wooden Flooring

Almost no carpets are used in Scandinavian interior design style. Light colored wooden parquet is used as flooring. Generally, wooden parquets in natural light color or painted in white are preferred. The light color of the floor is very important for the light and spacious feel to be created in the Nordic home.

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Wooden Flooring

Contrast

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Black White

High contrasts are another feature of Scandinavian design. Using black details in a completely white space creates a dramatic and striking atmosphere. Black color is often used in limited quantities in frames and paintings, furniture, Scandinavian fireplaces and home textiles.

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Contrast

Mixed Textures

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Trends

Minimalism is generally considered cool and simple. In the simple but warmer Scandinavian style, instead of creating chaos with lots of decorative items, textiles add warmth to the environment. Soft textiles such as sheepskin, wool and mohair are a must for Nordic homes in cold climates. In homes inspired by this style, they are mostly used for aesthetic and visual warmth. A coat thrown on the floor or a rough textured rug breaks the white sterile air of the environment and adds a warm look to the space.

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Textures

Nordic Style Fireplace

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Fireplaces are an important part of Scandinavian decor with a very cold climate. In Nordic homes, black cast fireplaces are often used in the corner of a room and independently of the wall. The seating is arranged according to the position of the fireplace. Small seating elements such as chairs and berjers are close to the fireplace; Armchairs and sofas are placed in the middle of the room, leaving a walking area around it.

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2. Scandinavian Furniture Design Features:

Clean Line and Functional Furniture

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The main theme of this design is that the lines are clean and straight. This rule also applies to furniture. Scandinavian furniture design in simple form and functional features do not contain unnecessary ornaments and details. In Nordic style house interior where less furniture is used; modern lines, smooth rounded edges and furniture with conical wooden legs. Most Scandinavian furniture design has soft and natural hues. Nordic design is famous for its innovative and functional furniture.

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Scandinavian Furniture Design Features
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Solid Wood and Metal Details

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Solid Wood -2

The most used material in Scandinavian interior design is solid wood. It is possible to find wood not only on the floor but also almost everywhere such as furniture, accessories and even toys. In keeping with the simple and bright design concept, the wood types used for this style are usually beech, ash and pine.

One of the main components of Scandinavian style design is the use of natural and sustainable materials. These are generally opposite materials.

Another of the latest trends in Scandinavian design style is to use wood and metals such as brass and copper together. For example, by using metal details in furniture legs or lighting elements, brightness is added to the environment.

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Solid Wood

Decorative Shelves

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Shelves

Scandinavian design style is also characterized by its innovative and functional use of space. Storage as a decor is an important idea in this style, as everything should be functional. This is why it is common to see multi-level wall shelves in the Scandinavian style living room. While these storage areas save space, they add aesthetics to the area with their decorative appearance. 

Storage as a decor is an important idea in Scandinavian design, as everything should be functional.

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Decorative Shelves

3. Nordic Style Accessories:

Warm and Comfortable Textiles

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Since Northern countries have an extremely cold climate, using soft covers is a necessity for Nordic homes rather than aesthetics. For this, blankets and carpets made of wool, sheepskin or angora are used. These accessories are ideal for creating a cozy and warm environment that reflects the Scandinavian spirit, especially in the winter. Soft covers with natural color and texture not only add a sense of warmth and comfort to the environment, but also add different layers of texture to the design.

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Simple Accessories

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Accessories

As we mentioned above, Scandinavian interior design style is all about simplicity. So, decor is kept to a minimum. Bare walls and empty spaces are left simple. Therefore, you should always choose decorative accessories with minimal quantities and simple designs. For example; elegant glass vases, white candles, simple geometric patterned pillows and wooden accessories are among the Scandinavian style accessories.     

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Vibrant Flowers and Greenery

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Greenery

Vibrant flowers and green plants are often used to add life and color to Scandinavian style spaces. People in Northern countries are known for their love of nature. In this area, the streets are often full of florists selling colorful vibrant flowers. Therefore, Scandinavian decoration contains many elements from nature. Flowers, branches and greenery are used as accessories for home decor.

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Black and White Geometric Patterns

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The simplicity of Scandinavian interior design style does not mean that no patterns are used. On the contrary, geometric patterns are frequently used in these spaces. Patterns are seen in unexpected places such as walls and floors, as well as accessories such as throw pillows. These patterns are mostly not colored, but black and white or gray.

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Patterns

4. Nordic Style Curtain:

Maximum Natural Light

Scandinavian Interior Design Style Ideas - Natural Light

In fact, there is no such thing as a Scandinavian style curtain, because Nordic homes mostly do not use curtains. The already limited daylight is very valuable for Northern houses. Windows are often left bare to let in as much light as possible. In case of necessity, curtains are kept to a minimum in order not to block natural light.

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Minimum Curtain Options

Scandinavian Interior Design Style - Nordic Style Curtain

If curtains must be used in a Scandinavian style space, white tulle curtains or thin linen curtains should be preferred first. Thus, the passage of natural light is not prevented and the light infiltration through the curtain at night adds a romantic atmosphere.

Scandinavian Interior Design Style - Comfortable Textiles

5. Nordic Style Lighting:

Various and Iconic Lighting Elements

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Most Nordic homes can only benefit from natural light only seven hours a day. For this reason, lighting has a great place in Scandinavian design. Lighting is considered a source of life. When decorating in this style, different lighting elements are used together to provide enough light.

The way of lighting is also important in terms of the ambiance it creates in the environment. Candles and candlesticks used with pendant lamps and wall lamps in Nordic houses add a warm and romantic atmosphere to the environment. Scandinavian style lighting elements with their iconic and modern looks have gained an important place in the design world. 

Scandinavian Interior Design Style - Nordic Style Lighting

In this article, we gave information about Scandinavian interior design style ideas 2024 among the most popular interior design styles in the world. You can check out Scandinavian style living room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, baby room and wall decoration examples by going to our Scandinavian Home Design Examples‘ article. Don’t forget to visit our homepage for inspiration on different topics related to interior design & decoration! 🙂


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