Authentic Scandi-Style Decoded
Though we may think Scandi style is just 'one look', it isn't. Use this guide to pinpoint the precise Nordic look that speaks to you
The Scandinavian aesthetic is clean, cool, unpretentious and timeless. The idea is that everyday objects should be both functional and beautiful – with lots of white to reflect the light. If Scandi style is what you’d like your interior designer to achieve, do your homework and narrow down what you really like before you meet. Be clear from the start and keep an open mind – it’s the designer’s job to draw from your ideas and come up with an inspired design that ticks all the ingredients off your list.
Urban Comfort
Ingredients
Select a neutral, textured rug, add layers of textured throws in neutral off-whites, lambskin and light greys. To dust off the mix, install open floating shelves to display simple objects that harmonise with the other ingredients. A few books and vases are the icing on the cake.
Key words for your interior designer: neutral, light and airy, layered, texture
Ingredients
- Crisp, white walls
- Natural blonde timbers for flooring and furniture
- Textured throws
- Soft, ambient lighting
- Dotted greenery
Select a neutral, textured rug, add layers of textured throws in neutral off-whites, lambskin and light greys. To dust off the mix, install open floating shelves to display simple objects that harmonise with the other ingredients. A few books and vases are the icing on the cake.
Key words for your interior designer: neutral, light and airy, layered, texture
White Nights
Ingredients
Start with an all-white backdrop to create a cool palette. To add a savoury element to the mix, place dark timber accents in the room in the form of opening shelving, a buffet or console table. For more warmth, tan leather never goes astray. Having two of the same armchair is a welcome touch. Accessorise with white vases and candles and don’t forget the winning garnish: greenery!
Key words for your interior designer: crisp, clean, elegant, timeless
Ingredients
- An all-white blank canvas
- Dark timber accents
- Marble surface
- Tan leather
- Greenery
Start with an all-white backdrop to create a cool palette. To add a savoury element to the mix, place dark timber accents in the room in the form of opening shelving, a buffet or console table. For more warmth, tan leather never goes astray. Having two of the same armchair is a welcome touch. Accessorise with white vases and candles and don’t forget the winning garnish: greenery!
Key words for your interior designer: crisp, clean, elegant, timeless
Cosmopolitan
Ingredients
Paint walls in a striking dark charcoal, but keep the architraves and skirting boards a bright white for contrast. Print on a thick cotton paper some simple black-and-white portraits. Hang a length of string across the wall on hooks or screws, then clip the prints onto it for a simple and effective art vignette. To create another focal point, select a large-scale pendant light that’s textured but in a neutral shade. Adorn seating areas with textured sheepskins and throws for drama.
Key words for your interior designer: moody, sophisticated, dramatic, urban
How to Carry Off Scandi Pale Wood Floors
Ingredients
- Limewashed floorboards
- White or neutral-coloured furniture
- String
- Bulldog clips
- Black-and-white portrait photography
- Large-scale pendant light
Paint walls in a striking dark charcoal, but keep the architraves and skirting boards a bright white for contrast. Print on a thick cotton paper some simple black-and-white portraits. Hang a length of string across the wall on hooks or screws, then clip the prints onto it for a simple and effective art vignette. To create another focal point, select a large-scale pendant light that’s textured but in a neutral shade. Adorn seating areas with textured sheepskins and throws for drama.
Key words for your interior designer: moody, sophisticated, dramatic, urban
How to Carry Off Scandi Pale Wood Floors
Modern Pastels
Ingredients
Anchor the room with a soft-coloured sofa, then frame the sofa with an artwork featuring a pastel accent colour. Create interesting shapes using a blonde timber floor lamp with a neutral shade, two odd armchairs and a patterned footstool. The key is to keep these pieces framed on a large patterned rug in a soft pastel tone.
Key words for your interior designer: pretty, calming, soft, clean, modern
Sweeten Your Space With Pastels
Ingredients
- Large-scale artwork
- Tall floor lamp
- Armchairs
- Side tables
- Geometric, soft-toned rug
- Soft footstool
Anchor the room with a soft-coloured sofa, then frame the sofa with an artwork featuring a pastel accent colour. Create interesting shapes using a blonde timber floor lamp with a neutral shade, two odd armchairs and a patterned footstool. The key is to keep these pieces framed on a large patterned rug in a soft pastel tone.
Key words for your interior designer: pretty, calming, soft, clean, modern
Sweeten Your Space With Pastels
City Chic
Ingredients
Choose a soft pink sofa that looks as good as it feels; a cotton twill or fine-woven linen will do the trick. Make sure the ottoman is large enough to seat two people as this will balance the room. To make the space appear roomier, select a large mirror in a simple frame that will reflect a minimal, yet beautiful, pendant light. The aim is to keep the room balanced with these key ingredients. For extra zing, dot a few side tables around with a sprinkle of statement vases. And don’t forget to add an element of ‘wild’. This can be either in the form of an animal skin throw or cushion – faux, preferably.
Key words for your interior designer: soft, elegant, understated glamour
Ingredients
- Soft blush upholstery
- Large ottoman
- A simple, shapely mirror
- Coffee tables in different heights
- Animal skin
Choose a soft pink sofa that looks as good as it feels; a cotton twill or fine-woven linen will do the trick. Make sure the ottoman is large enough to seat two people as this will balance the room. To make the space appear roomier, select a large mirror in a simple frame that will reflect a minimal, yet beautiful, pendant light. The aim is to keep the room balanced with these key ingredients. For extra zing, dot a few side tables around with a sprinkle of statement vases. And don’t forget to add an element of ‘wild’. This can be either in the form of an animal skin throw or cushion – faux, preferably.
Key words for your interior designer: soft, elegant, understated glamour
Country Retreat
Ingredients
Separate the lounge area with an ornamental rug that makes a statement. Add soft slip covers for a more casual feel, along with plump, overstuffed cushions. Paint storage furniture in a soft accent colour picked out from the floor rug.
Key words for your interior designer: comfortable, casual, homey, relaxed
Ingredients
- Linen slip covers for sofas
- White sheer curtains
- Painted furniture in a soft pastel
- A floor rug
Separate the lounge area with an ornamental rug that makes a statement. Add soft slip covers for a more casual feel, along with plump, overstuffed cushions. Paint storage furniture in a soft accent colour picked out from the floor rug.
Key words for your interior designer: comfortable, casual, homey, relaxed
Eclectic
Ingredients
Combine texture and monochrome together for a curious vignette. Timber wall panels in a deep grey wash create a backdrop for the seating area and make artwork stand out. A floor rug in a similar tone creates a visual sense of calm. Next, hang artwork and don’t be afraid to go for odd shapes and a variety of frames. Keep the subject similar, however, for a more cohesive look and stick to black and white if you can. Add a few black and white cushions and a throw, and your room will be a delicious treat!
Key words for your interior designer: Scandi, layered, neutral, cool
TELL US
Which room is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
Browse more Scandi-style spaces around the world
Ingredients
- Timber wall panels
- A comfortable, feather-filled sofa
- A collection of interesting art pieces in various sizes
- Monochrome cushions
Combine texture and monochrome together for a curious vignette. Timber wall panels in a deep grey wash create a backdrop for the seating area and make artwork stand out. A floor rug in a similar tone creates a visual sense of calm. Next, hang artwork and don’t be afraid to go for odd shapes and a variety of frames. Keep the subject similar, however, for a more cohesive look and stick to black and white if you can. Add a few black and white cushions and a throw, and your room will be a delicious treat!
Key words for your interior designer: Scandi, layered, neutral, cool
TELL US
Which room is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
Browse more Scandi-style spaces around the world
Ingredients
- Pine panelling
- Eames rocker
- Low seating
- Painted floorboards
- Natural cow hide
MethodSelect a neutral upholstery palette to mix in with the simple lines of furniture classics such as the Eames rocker. Keep an eye out for vintage sideboards and secondhand mid-century-style sofas that will work well together. Garnish with a little greenery on the side to finish the look.
Key words for your interior designer: pared back, timber panelling, earthy tones