Nordic design living room
27 Scandinavian Living Rooms for Nordic Inspired Design
The appeal of Scandinavian living rooms reaches much farther than the Nordic countries of Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. Around the world, many people adore Scandi style home decor. Our guide is here to help bring you inspiration as you design your dream Scandi living room. These nordic living room ideas will help you create a beautiful living room that works for every member of your home.
The living room is one of the most important rooms in the home. It’s where we spend time with our loved ones, watch movies, sip our morning coffee, and perhaps enjoy some quality time alone. At a minimum, your living room should have a great sofa, a practical coffee table, and perhaps an accent chair or side table. Beyond that, you’ll need to consider whether you want a living room rug, a table lamp, overhead lighting, a television, and more.
If you are interested in Scandinavian interior design, you already know that this style of Nordic decor is influenced by minimalism and practicality.
Scandi decor is all about using furniture that takes a simple form and decorative objects that are also highly functional. There’s rarely any frivolity to nordic style homes – everything is simple and has a purpose.
These gorgeous Scandinavian living rooms will exemplify the core Scandinavian decorating principles. You’ll find simple gray sofas, creamy white decor, and pops of Scandinavian blue.
Pampas Grass Coffee Table Centerpiece
Pampas grass is a very popular neutral decorative accent that you can use almost anywhere in your home. Here three stems have been placed in a spherical glass vase to create a Scandi coffee table centerpiece. A good tip is to always use flower stems in groups of odd numbers – 3, 5, and 7 for example!
@emmamelinsFaux Fur Stool
A faux fur stool adds extra seating and serves as an interesting accent piece in this Americanized Scandi living room design.
Samantha GluckWhite Slipcovered Sofa and White Coffee Table
This is an example of a nordic-inspired living room design – a white slipcovered sofa, black floor lamp, beige walls, and round white coffee table work together harmoniously.
Pink and Blue Colorful Throw Pillows
You can incorporate subtle pops of color in your living room like this space which has pink and blue throw pillows tossed on the sofa.
Jess Frazer StylingBlock Marble Table
Scandi living rooms often feature solid block marble coffee tables.
vaningen.seBlack Wall Sconce Lighting
Black minimalist lighting fixtures seem to be the most popular choice for Scandinavian home lighting decor.
@emmamelinsBeige Sofa
This warm Scandinavian living room has lots of charm.
Sara Medina LindBlack and White Striped Rug
vaningen.seMinimalist Line Art for Walls
Minimalist line art of various sizes works to form this beautiful gallery wall. This is one of my favorite Scandinavian living room feature wall ideas!
@casa_pedersenNesting Coffee Table
vaningen.seBlack Leather Butterfly Chair
UnknownGeometric Glass Coffee Table
UnknownGray Velvet Sofa
The gray velvet sofa in this living room gives it an upscale and sophisticated vibe.
Black Marble Coffee Table
The black marble coffee table in this living room is eye catching, but so is the black and white accent wall. Scandinavian living room paint colors include black, gray, white, and cream.
UnknownArc Floor Lamp
UnknownGallery Wall Art
This is a great example of a Scandinavian living room feature wall with multiple artworks and graphics displayed in black, white and wood frames.
UnknownGray Sectional Sofa
Scandinavian sectional sofas can provide ample seating for people with large families!
UnknownBeni Ourain Rug
This minimalist Scandinavian living room has a sprawling Beni Ourain rug to keep things cozy and comfortable.
Bo BedreBohemian Scandinavian Decor
Why not include a little boho flair into your Scandinavian home design?
UnknownWhite Coffee Table
You can’t go wrong with a simple white coffee table in your Scandi family room.
Farah ProchaskaExposed Wood Ceiling Beams
The exposed wood beams on the ceiling of this rustic Scandinavian living room make for a cozy interior.
Pink Sofa
This is another great example of decorating with muted colors in Scandinavian homes. This pale pink sofa looks beautiful inside this Scandinavian living space.
@wredefastighetsmakleriFloor Poof
Floor poofs have become a very nordic style design element.
UnknownFaux Fur Chair
You have to keep warm in the winter, after all!
The Key ItemWhite Marble Coffee Table
A rectangular coffee table made of marble is the perfect living room companion.
Homey Oh MyBlack Leather Sofa
Go bold with a black leather sofa.
Pella HedebyCeramic Vases on Coffee Table
You can decorate with a beautiful ceramic vase on your coffee table. Leave them empty for a minimal look. I love the Matisse Blue Nude print on the wall of this living room, too.
@kielyramosphotoI would be so happy to spend time in any of these gorgeous Scandinavian living rooms. I hope you enjoyed this post and found the inspiration you were looking for to complete your own design project! We have many more Scandinavian design ideas on Pinterest right here.
More Scandinavian Decor Guides by Room
Keep reading our other Scandinavian decor and design guides for different rooms in your home:
- 15 Simple Scandinavian Entryway Decor Ideas
- 15 Scandinavian Home Office Decor Ideas
- 10 Best Modern Scandinavian Kitchen Design Ideas
- 12 Scandinavian Bedroom Decor Ideas to Know
- 21 Modern Scandinavian Bathroom Decor Ideas
- 17 Chic Scandinavian Dining Rooms
Happy curating!
Curated Interior
We share the best home decor ideas, furniture recommendations, coolest products, and interior design tips for America's most stylish women.
15 Scandinavian Living Rooms to Spark Ideas
By
Ashley Knierim
Ashley Knierim
Ashley Knierim is a home decor expert and product reviewer of home products for The Spruce. Her design education began at a young age. She has over 10 years of writing and editing experience, formerly holding editorial positions at Time and AOL.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 08/12/22
Cathie Hong Interiors
If you want to create a cozy oasis at home, Scandinavian home decor is the perfect inspiration. Warm, inviting, and comforting, Scandinavian design is sleek and modern, but with a welcoming vibe that works in any home. With a strong focus on textures and light, airy hues, Scandinavian decor is perfect for lightening up any living space no matter the size.
A sister of minimalism, Scandinavian design is all about focusing on what matters and reducing the clutter that doesn't add to your home. If you are looking for that perfect Swedish home decor inspiration, here are some of our favorite Scandinavian-inspired living rooms.
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Keep Things Light and Airy
True Home
There is no single rule to following Scandinavian design, but many Scandi homes focus on a neutral color palette.
The crisp white palette in this living space is clean and simple, but the textures in the room keep it from feeling stark or clinical. Focus on cool shades of white to keep your home feeling open and airy. Pair white with natural wood finishes to add a bit of warmth without darkening your room.
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Focus on Just the Must-Haves
Burchard Design Co.
This tan and brown living room is a perfect example of a Scandinavian living room that experiments with color but still feels straight out of a Danish home decor magazine.
The signature Scandinavian look is stripped back and concentrates just on what is needed and nothing that isn't. Keep things simple and elegant, with minimal art and decor.
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Mix Types of Wood
LeClair Decor
Most Scandinavian homes utilize lots of natural wood materials as seen in this living space. While most homes will focus on lighter, washed-out woods, don't be afraid to play with different shades of wood, even white or gray painted surfaces.
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True Simplicity
Home and Spirit
You won't find colorful, oversized artwork in most Scandinavian homes, but that doesn't mean Scandi design is devoid of all art. This lovely living space features two simple pieces of wall art that feel purposeful and pair beautifully with the simple color palette in the rest of the room.
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Find the Right Lighting
emskipihla / Instagram
Nothing screams Scandinavian more than a perfectly lit room. This lovely room not only features a beautiful neutral palette we can't get enough of, but the multiple sources of lighting are also perfect for creating a soothing space no matter the time of day.
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Add in Greenery
Esther B Schmidt
Though the Swedes are all about simplicity, rooms that feature greenery like this space are a great way to marry the minimalist look with a space that channels the outdoors.
We love the various textures used in this living room that give it depth but don't feel cluttered or too busy. -
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Let the Light In
vivandtim.home / Instagram
The perfect Scandi living room features lots of bright, natural light like this wonderful room. If you're lucky enough to have ample natural light, embrace it and plan your living room around the windows and doors and limit the window coverings to let the most light in.
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Embrace the Undone Look
ahintofcashmere / Instagram
There's just something utterly welcoming and comforting about this living room above. It could be the soft textures throughout the space or the rustic wooden coffee table, but we think it also has something to do with the purposefully messy lived-in look. A Scandinavian room is never overly polished or clinical–instead, it feels well-loved and casual.
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Little Extras
my_sweet_little_home / Instagram
Make your Scandinavian living room feel personalized and perfect for you with an accessory like this causal hammock featured above.
The best element of Scandi design is that it has no rulebook–anything goes, as long as it follows a few simple principles. -
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A Scandi-Inspired Gallery Wall
@brooks.creativestudio / Instagram
Just because many Scandinavian homes limit wall art, doesn't mean yours has to. This lovely room proves that as long as you keep your art focused on a single color palette, a well-curated gallery wall can be the perfect accessory to a Scandinavian living room.
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Add Layers
Design: S.U.S.A.P.
You already know that adding texture is key when it comes to Scandi living rooms, but this cozy space proves that a few layers can make all the difference. As long as you stick to monochrome color palettes, you can experiment with various textures and patterns and still keep your space calming and inviting.
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A Dark Color Palette
home_numberfifteen / Instagram
Though most Scandinavian spaces are light and airy, you can still make deeper colors like black or navy work.
This lovely room proves that black paint can look sophisticated and Scandi, as long as you maintain simple accessories and clean lines throughout the rest of the space. -
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Hygge As a Priority
lifeofthechapmans / Instagram
Though there is no direct translation for the Danish word "hygge," it embodies the idea of coziness and comfort and this couch couldn't be more in line with this Scandinavian theme. Add knits, woven fabrics, pillows and more to create a cozy space, but avoid going overboard and adding clutter. Balance is key.
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Midcentury Themes
lifeatseventeen_ / Instagram
Though Scandinavian design is not the same as midcentury modern, they do share some common themes. This living room features clean lines and tapered legged furniture that work well with either design style. Both styles embrace the art of minimalism and design with intention in a way we love.
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Break the Rules
thejeningtongosfor / Instagram
The best thing about Scandi design is there are no rules.
While there are some common themes, it's easy to use the basics of Scandinavian design and make it your own. This living room plays with color and textures a little more than some of our other Scandi spaces, but still embodies that feeling of modern simplicity.
As far as design trends go, Scandinavian design is one of the easiest to get behind. What's not to love about a movement that embodies the feeling of comfort and warmth and strives to create calm in every space? Scandi design is a great inspiration for bringing a bit of simplicity and happiness to your own space.
Living room in Scandinavian style: 80 photos, design rules
In the hall, we gather with family and friends, spend leisure time, relax after hard days. This space should be comfortable and cozy, relaxing and at the same time be ceremonial enough for home holidays and meetings with loved ones. Living room in the Scandinavian style is just that. In the article we will tell you what rules to follow in order to design it authentically and beautifully.
Designing a living room in Scandinavian style
Features
Design rules
— Palette
– Finish
— Furniture
— Decor
— Lighting
Social media blogger idaskvm
Scandi can be safely called one of the most recognizable and long-playing destinations. It immediately evokes clear associations (light furniture, cult models of the Swedish brand, laconic finishes) and is loved by many. Due to the similarity of climate and mentality, Nordic design quickly took root in our latitudes, and the techniques that it uses are also close to us. When decorating the interior of a living room in a Scandinavian style, as in the photo in the gallery, rely on its main principles.
Simplicity
Scandinavians are not characterized by deliberate luxury, well-being is not demonstrated openly, but can be traced in high-quality materials, handicrafts, piece decor. That is why the Nordic design is equally well suited for both expensive interiors and budget repairs.
Simplicity in this case does not mean a boring or poor environment, but the absence of unnecessary things, flashy colors and colorful ornaments. Finishing plays the role of a background, most often the walls, floor and ceiling are made plain. The furniture is laconic, with simple silhouettes and without an abundance of decorative elements. All this makes the space calm and versatile: if desired, you can easily change individual details, creating the right mood.
Design: Anna Sludin
Design: Anna Sludin
Blogger social networks Jonnaluukko
Blogger social networks Jonnaluukko
Blogger social networks Jonnaluukko
Inspires of northern countries are primarily screaming. The local landscape and climate also affect how the houses look inside. In Scandinavian apartments, you rarely see tropical jungle, red-orange palette, elements of Mediterranean style. Simple lines, discreet neutral colors, natural decor in the form of twigs, dried flowers, wood and stone products come to the fore.
Wood in any form predominates among the materials: from solid wood to its derivatives, including cork and MDF.
Storage systems should be predominantly closed, although it is not forbidden to make a couple of shelves or put an open shelving - this will just become an interesting accent element and the main placement of the decor. It's great if the furniture is multifunctional: a sofa - a folding sofa, an ottoman - with a storage compartment at the bottom, a dining table - sliding, etc.
6photo
Taking care of the environment is also expressed in conscious consumption, so, first of all, it is worth choosing materials and furniture that will last a long time. And, secondly, you can turn to the secondary use of things: restore a chest of drawers inherited from your grandmother and paint it instead of buying a new one, or purchase some furniture on an ad site. Very often there are sold or even donated things in excellent condition, which do not even need to be purposefully put in order.
photo
Design: Irina Molchanovskaya. Photo: Elizaveta Gurovskaya. Decorator: Anna Strizhak
Design: Irina Molchanovskaya. Photo: Elizaveta Gurovskaya. Decorator: Anna Strizhak
Design: Irina Molchanovskaya. Photo: Elizaveta Gurovskaya. Decorator: Anna Strizhak0003
Abundance of light
The main problem of all northern countries is short daylight hours and lack of sun. That is why the Scandinavians pay special attention to letting as much light into the room as possible. This is helped by light textiles on the windows (and sometimes even its complete absence), an open layout with a minimum of blind partitions, and a well-thought-out artificial lighting system. It is easiest to implement all these techniques in the living room, especially if no one is sleeping in the hall: for example, you can safely abandon thick curtains in favor of transparent tulle or arrange the maximum open space.
Listed the main design rules in a short video
Palette
Social media blogger jonnaluukko
The traditional Nordic palette is well known to everyone who has ever encountered this direction or just saw a photo on the Internet.
Here are some key principles:
- The color scheme is based on light shades. They visually increase the space (especially true if the room is small), add more light and air.
- Palette based on white. This is a versatile background that goes well with any other colors.
- It is complemented by other basic shades: gray, beige, brown. Almost always, the contrasting element is black.
- You can use brighter colors, but locally and choosing the most natural tones. Grassy or olive green, brick, mustard, deep blue, gray-blue, muted berry or wine fits well into the Scandi palette.
Choose colors inspired by local or simply Nordic nature. Foggy forest, mountains, cloudy sky, sandy shore - all this becomes the basis of the living room interior palette in Scandinavian homes.
photo
stadshem.se
stadshem.se
stadshem.se
stadshem.se
stadshem.se
stadshem.se
stadshem.se
Social media blogger jonnaluukko
Social media blogger jonnaluukko
Decorating
Decorating a Scandinavian-style living room in a house or apartment is always a calm, discreet backdrop.
Social media blogger interiorbyjosephine
Active ornaments are practically not used, attention is focused either on furniture and decor, or on natural active textures. The walls are painted, plastered or covered with plain washable wallpaper. Natural or decorative brickwork will add to the mood of the loft.
Since the living room is not a wet area, laminate, engineered board or parquet can be laid on the floor. Also, quartz vinyl is often used today - unlike tiles and porcelain stoneware, it is warmer and more pleasant to the touch, so it is suitable not only for the kitchen, hallway and bathroom.
The ceiling is designed as concisely as possible: without multi-level and complex decor. If it is low, it can be made visually taller by painting it exactly the same shade as the walls, thus erasing the border between them. And if, on the contrary, the height allows, you can add some stucco (for example, cornices or a socket for a chandelier) - you get an interesting combination with the classics.
Like any modern trend, Scandi includes elements of minimalism.
historiskahem.se
First of all, this concerns furniture: there should not be a lot of it. The basic set for a standard living room in a Scandinavian-style apartment includes a soft group (sofa, 1-2 armchairs, coffee table), a TV area and a storage system. Usually this is a chest of drawers, a TV stand and / or a couple of shelving for books, decor and other small things. Do not forget about the principle of a practical approach: for example, the upholstery of upholstered furniture should be durable, resistant to abrasion, ideally washable and impregnated with a dirt-repellent composition. A great option is removable covers that can be dry-cleaned, or even better, washed in a typewriter.
If you are setting up a Scandinavian-style kitchen-living room, a dining group will appear between the seating and cooking area. The table can be round, square, rectangular - any standard shape that fits into your interior will do. By the way, vintage furniture is also well suited for Scandi space, if you put it in order. For example, you can put the same old table or a set of chairs in the hall. In combination with modern products, they will look organic and at the same time make the atmosphere more individual.
alvhem.com
Use:
- Any natural jewelry. These can be twigs collected in the park, dried flowers, interior bouquets, saw cuts, crystals or stones.
- Mirrors in simple frames or without them - they also visually increase the space, and if you put them so that the window hits the reflection, then the room will have more natural light.
- Live plants. Any will do: succulents and cacti, flowers, compact varieties on the windowsill or larger ones that can be placed next to the sofa or on a chest of drawers.
- Decorative pillows, throws, carpets, simple floor-length curtains or tulle - any textile immediately makes the interior cozy. It can be brighter, playing the role of color accents and diluting a neutral, often even monochrome range, or to match the overall palette. In the second case, choose textured fabrics so that they create the necessary volume and make the space more interesting.
If the room's windows face north or are just small, use warm light bulbs to make the room feel cozier. Don't forget about layering. In addition to the main overhead lamp, local illumination of individual zones is needed: a soft and dining group, a reading corner, if any, etc. Choose sconces and lamps of simple shapes, avoid massive chandeliers, candelabra and other similar paraphernalia. Volumetric lamps with fabric shades are very popular in Scandi.
Living room in Scandinavian style: decorating tips and tricks
TipsRooms
- Photos
- RICHARD WIDNER
What furniture to choose for a Scandinavian living room?
It is obvious that creating a living room interior in Scandinavian style requires functional furniture with simple, concise forms and strict lines. Sofas on lion's paws and armchairs in velvet upholstery will obviously not suit you. The main principle that should be followed both when buying furniture and when decorating a room as a whole: Less is More. We choose a simple, comfortable sofa and increase the number of “seats” with the help of compact armchairs and stools.
- Photo
- @vitra
Pragmatic Scandinavian design emphasizes smart, thoughtful storage. The question is not only to hide unnecessary things away from prying eyes, but, on the contrary, to demonstrate to everyone how well they are organized and in what order they are contained. Therefore, wall-to-wall shelving is a common solution for a Scandinavian living room.
- Photo
- @entrancemakleri
What colors to choose for a Scandinavian living room?
Scandinavian style doesn't have to be sterile white walls. In recent years, Scandi has been getting rid of the stereotypes imposed on it and constantly proving that it adapts perfectly to different color nuances. As a rule, we are talking about natural neutral shades, the so-called new neutrals, the fashion for which is now returning. But with no less love, the Scandinavians also treat bolder shades: sunny yellow, blue, blue. If, nevertheless, you opt for more classic light colors, do not forget to add bright accents in the form of carpets, textiles, decor items and live greenery.
Home of stylist Sophia Wood.
- Photo
- @sofia_wood
Three tips for creating a Scandinavian mood in your living room
1. Mixing different materials
Namely, eco-friendly materials inspired by nature itself, in their pristine beauty. Unpainted wood, rough stone texture, soft textiles, wool, fur - all this, combined, creates the very homely comfort and hygge atmosphere for which we love Scandinavian interiors so much. A sofa and armchairs in textile upholstery, a wooden floor covered with a fleecy carpet, a “woolen” pouffe and a fluffy plaid are the main components of a Scandinavian-style living room.
Designed by Noah Santos.
2. More lights!
If Scandinavian style had to be described in one word, we would say: LIGHT. From Verner Panton to Arne Jacobsen, all the prominent designers in Northern Europe paid special attention to lighting fixtures, which is not surprising: the sun sets early in the north, and lighting becomes key in the interior. Therefore, when creating a Scandinavian-style living room, add more light sources - not only the main ones, but also spotlights. A floor lamp by the sofa, a sconce on the wall, a table lamp on the chest of drawers, candles on the windowsill and coffee table - the more light, the better! Result? All the same soothing and peaceful environment that we associate with the Scandinavian "hygge".
- Photo
- @entrancemakleri
Bright and varied decor
Although the Scandinavians have a minimalist philosophy when it comes to furniture, their asceticism ends when it comes to accessories and decor. Any excesses are allowed here. Bright design objects, colorful pillows and throws, graphic vases, modern art, vintage photographs, bright trays and of course candlesticks of all kinds and colors on a coffee table, chest of drawers or shelves - it's hard to imagine a classic Scandinavian living room without this.
