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Creating a Scandinavian-Inspired Home with Contemporary Furniture
Featured Product: Vesta Armchair
Welcoming natural textures. Cool, calming colours to set the mind at ease. Coffee and fireside chats on the sofa bringing the day to a lingering end…
If this sounds like your happy place, it’s time to get cosy with the ‘Hygge’ trend and transform your home into a serene and comforting oasis with some Scandinavian interior design inspiration.
In this article, we look at the enticing concepts that have made Nordic interior design so popular in recent years and explore simple ways to infuse it into your home with contemporary furniture for more relaxing living rooms, dining spaces and bedrooms curated for comfort and togetherness.
What is Scandinavian interior design?
Scandinavian interior design has been embraced in homes far and wide, thanks to its supremely liveable approach that emphasises simplicity, functionality, and peaceful living in close connection with nature.
Some of its defining features include:
- Functionality – everything in the space should serve a clear purpose. Multi-purpose furniture and storage help optimise living areas so they feel uncluttered and efficient.
- Streamlined Simplicity – Furniture features simple symmetric forms and clean lines. Décor is minimal to prevent visual noise, letting light and space speak for themselves.
- Neutral Colour Palette - Pale woods, whites and light greys dominate, allowing the outside world to shine in. Pops of colour come from accents like plants and artwork, rather than bold fabrics and patterns.
- Connection to the outdoors – Large windows frame nature and welcome plenty of natural light to promote calm and well-being.
- Natural Materials – Natural elements and textures like wood, wool, stone and organic patterns help spaces feel grounded and soothe the senses.
- Embracing ‘Hygge’ – Furniture and décor choices serve to create a cosy feel centred on social spaces to encourage rest and togetherness.
Featured Product: Clyde Armchair
What is the concept of Hygge?
If you really want to understand Scandinavian interior design, you need to cosy up with the concept of ‘Hygge’. Indeed, it’s time to channel your inner Olaf!
Hygge (pronounced ‘Hoo-gah’) is a Danish concept that’s about creating a mood of cosiness, comfort and wellness. You might say it’s about designing your space in such a way that it gives you a mental and emotional hug (and makes you more inclined to want to hang out with and hug others in the vicinity!).
Fortunately, you don’t have to have a Fjord-side ice palace or a cabin nestled in the snow to create the Hygge in your home. It’s really quite simple and affordable to pull off this serene and cosy feel with a selection of contemporary furniture.
Read on for tips and ideas to achieve a Scandinavian aesthetic and turn your living room, dining room and bedroom spaces into Hygge havens.
Choosing a Scandinavian colour palette
Achieving a bright minimalist Scandinavian space starts with making colour choices that set a tranquil tone. Since this design style is about calm simplicity and connection with nature, you want to go for neutral shades that allow natural light to bounce around freely.
Popular Scandinavian neutrals include pale grey, white, cream and off-white tones. Accents in soft blues, greens and muted wood tones will add subtle visual cues that emphasise a connection to nature. You can take this idea a step further by layering sky, sea and earth tones like dove blue, sea green, pale sand and misty grey. Darker accents should be used sparingly to avoid cluttering the light-filled look.
Featured Product: Arcadia Coffee Table
How to furnish your living space Scandinavian style
Scandinavian interior design favours clean-lined, multifunctional furniture made for relaxed modern living. Light-filled spaces with flowing open layouts are complemented by sleek, solid pieces sans frills and fuss.
Here are some practical ideas to create your own Scandinavian minimalist living room:
- Choose a simple sofa in a neutral-coloured fabric to define the seating area. Opt for slim, tapered legs to complement the airy vibe.
- Add streamlined armchairs or ottomans that can be easily rearranged for conversations. Look for styles with exposed wood frames or featuring natural materials.
- Choose a low, wide coffee table in wood, stone or glass to maintain an open feeling. Avoid unnecessary table décor.
- Add open shelving or cabinetry to display cherished keepsakes, or mount pieces on walls to preserve open floor space.
- Drape curtains from ceiling to floor in lightweight fabrics like linen to frame views beautifully.
Featured Product: Vancouver Bed
Creating a bright, functional bedroom with Scandinavian bedroom furniture
A Scandinavian-inspired bedroom offers a peaceful refuge to slough off the tension, declutter your mind and re-energise after a long day.
Transform your bedroom into an invigorating personal sanctuary with these practical tips:
- Prioritise natural materials like wool, linen and organic finishes to connect your space to the calming outdoors. This could be in the form of furniture with natural wood grain finishes, or indoor plants.
- Choose a platform bed or low-profile bedframe in a light wood like reclaimed pine or acacia wood. Top the bed with neutral-themed bedding and add a woollen throw for a touch of nature-inspired cosiness.
- Opt for nightstands in a matching style or the same wood tone as the bed frame for a simple, streamlined look.
- Design for flexibility with multi-functional and compact furniture. Focus on quality materials crafted to last.
- Drape sheer, light-filtering curtains in linen or cotton to frame views and maximise natural light during the day.
- Add free-standing storage with ample drawer space to prevent clutter. Clear the space out regularly and store away any non-essentials when not in use.
Featured Product: Vancouver Dining Table & Enzo Dining Chairs
How to curate a relaxing Nordic-style dining space
In Scandinavian home design, the dining area is a hub to cultivate togetherness around shared meals and conversation. Dining rooms favour casual, multipurpose furniture to keep an easy flow going during and between meals.
Follow these tips to bring Nordic flavour to your dining space:
- For a Scandinavian style dining table, choose a long, narrow table made from solid acacia, oak or teak wood with a natural finish or white laminate top.
- Opt for light wood or sleek upholstered dining chairs in a neutral colour, or dining benches to keep it casual.
- Add a solid wood server with cabinets, drawers or open shelving for easy functionality that keeps dinner things in easy reach and prevents clutter.
- Add plants, florals or candles as a simple centrepiece for the table.
- Display favourite books, pottery, dried flowers and family memories decoratively on open shelving to bring warmth and intimacy to the space.
Featured Product: Vancouver Dining Table & Enzo Dining Chairs
Where to buy modern Scandinavian style furniture online
By embracing nature's simplicity and unfussed functionality, Scandinavian interior design provides an effortless formula for crafting spaces that soothe the senses, boost well-being and bring people together.
Whether you're seeking respite from a busy day (or year!), quality time with loved ones or renewed motivation, a touch of Hygge can transform your surroundings into a nurturing home base.
To find your Nordic inspiration, browse Cielo’s wide selection of contemporary living room, bedroom and dining room furniture featuring natural materials and Hygge-worthy designs that are sure to give you all the feels.