6 Steps to Rock a Scandinavian Look in Your Home

'Lagom' or 'Hygge' anyone?

Hyped-up catchphrases aside, the cool, cosy Scandinavian aesthetic has captured the world's attention in recent years. Instantly recognisable, this particular style is all about playing with contrasts: clean yet thoughtfully detailed, muted yet subtly colourful and effortlessly cool while still feeling warm and inviting.

While it all seems like a lot of work, achieving the Scandinavian style is surprisingly easy – with the right elements! Here are six must-have features to recreate a Scandinavian look for your own home.

Step 1: Deck walls in monochromes and pastels

Scandinavian interiors are airy and bright; think winter whites and forest-like tones. The overall colour scheme should resemble warmth and cosiness; this of course, can be achieved quite simply with light hues.

Choose shades of white, grey, brown and even splashes of black to draw a contrast against furniture or other accent pieces. Modern Scandinavian interiors actually deviate slightly to include vibrant colours such as yellow, pink and green in gentler tones. Try incorporating these upbeat hues if you're looking to update your Scandi-inspired home.

Step 2: Open up (your windows)

You don’t have to do anything with your windows; in fact, keeping window treatments minimal and clean and even forgoing curtains is very Scandinavian indeed. The reason for this has much to do with letting plenty of natural light enter the home.

However, to counter erratic local weather or for privacy’s sake, you can still incorporate drapes, albeit in lighter materials. Sheers are best, but opaque ones will work as well in pale colours such as white, cream, beige, silver or dove-grey.

Bonus tip: If you don’t want to put up curtains or let your window just be, go with blinds instead! This will give you the option to completely draw up to expose your windows or draw down to darken the space as needed.

Step 3: Go bare with flooring

Whitewashed or natural timber floors are an iconic Scandinavian-themed feature. Skip full carpeting and huge area rugs that cover up natural floors and opt instead for smaller, warm accent rugs in materials like flat-weave wool, jute or faux fur.

For flooring, go for warm or dark wood varnishes that would balance out the white starkness. In addition, add accents like plush throw pillows and warm coverlets to create a lived-in, homely vibe.

Can't afford expensive parquet? Wood-look tiles and vinyl flooring now come with highly realistic alternatives that can get the same look for less.

Step 4: Select furniture with simple, classic lines

Words like 'functional', 'practical' and 'sturdy' are synonymous with Scandinavian furniture pieces. How does that translate to design? There's a focus on compact, loose furnishings, sometimes with multipurpose uses such as additional hidden storage.

In addition, Scandi-inspired furniture often features simple, classic shapes; think well-crafted wooden pieces with smooth edges, tapered legs (for chairs and tables) and boxy, regular lines, especially for sofas.

Step 5: Throw in some wooden or metallic pieces

Most of us are familiar with incorporating wooden elements in a Scandinavian home. From furniture to flooring, even accent pieces could be timber-toned. However, most people might miss out on adding this key component – metal accents.

Metallic pieces work well with its wintery appeal and help to reduce the bulk and visual weightiness of wooden furnishings, whilst providing a lighter, more reflective balance. How do you integrate them into your interiors? Via lighting pieces, kitchen furniture and also storage (e.g., metal shelves, wire racks or cabinet handles).

Step 6: Declutter and Decorate!

One major arc in Scandinavian décor is minimalism – but that doesn’t mean keeping your interiors entirely bare. With all the loose furniture and contrasting elements, it's more about decluttering and discarding any unnecessary items that would mess up the careful balance created in a Nordic-style interior.

You can still populate your space by selecting decorative pieces that are simpler or pared down. For example, plain coloured lampshades, unembellished wall sconces and heartwarming knick-knacks that evoke memories. Add little pops of colour around with artwork and small decor items.

Other tips to nail the look

Here are three extra ways to give your home a Scandinavian lift:

1. Rather than fitting your furniture together in traditional, closed settings, open up the space by deliberately leaving empty spaces between furniture.

2. Place small potted plants in the home bearing dainty flowers like orchids or greenery such as the aloe plant or paddle plant. Remember to use plain vases – modest white/black flowerpots are a Scandinavian staple.

3. Use nature-themed accessories such as artwork with leaves or forest motifs on simple backgrounds, winter-inspired sculptures or wood-framed mirrors.

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