Design Scandinavian Living Room

Design Scandinavian Living Room

Scandinavian living room design is distinctive for several reasons: pared-back, unfussy, uncluttered spaces – and a winning combination of form and function create aesthetically pleasing, yet practical interiors.

After all, where better to while away long, bright summer days or dark, cold winter evenings then surrounded by the clean lines, comfort, and simplicity of a Scandinavian living room?

Scandinavian living rooms

With busy modern lives, more and more homeowners aim to find a balance between minimalism and luxury for their living room ideas. Adopt Scandinavian design principles to create a space that is focused, functional, and features only a few meaningful and cherished items.

1. Embrace an open-plan living space

(Image credit: JDP Interiors / Bess Friday)

Rarely will you see an abundance of clutter in a Scandinavian living room. Instead, expect to see clean lines, minimalist living room furniture and a focus on bringing nature indoors.

The majority of Scandi homes are open-plan, joining together the kitchen, living room and dining room to create the heart of the household whilst also giving a sense of space. Open-plan living room layouts also encourage us to reduce clutter and keep only special, curated items on display. Opt for fitted furniture ideas to streamline the interiors and maximize living room storage.

2. Introduce functional furniture

(Image credit: Sarah Shields Photography / Whittney Parkinson Design)

The main purpose of Scandinavian living room design is to improve daily life. Furniture is therefore not only about stylish elegance, but also about functionality – it should serve a purpose and stand the test of time.

Select a few key pieces of furniture in each room that look good but also work hard, paired with a few carefully chosen accessories, fittings or soft furnishings to tie the room together.

For a living room, for example, a comfortable sofa and chair, simple floor lamp, a mirror or artwork, a few large carefully placed houseplants, a woven rug, and accent cushions works well. Remember to only make space for items and furnishings that you truly love.

3. Curate a neutral living room color scheme

(Image credit: Anna Stathaki / Future)

A good starting point is a neutral backdrop and the easiest way to achieve this is with stark white living room walls. The clean, blank canvas is a timeless and easy-on-the-eye choice – plus, you can decide to change the look of the room by switching up the accessories, soft furnishings and artwork.

If you like color and pattern, add a few accent color ideas, rather than going overboard or creating color-coordinated room. For example, pair a patterned cushion or rug with a grey sofa or footstool, or decorate just one feature wall with intricate, hand-painted wallpaper or art.

4. Put the focus on flooring

(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)

Unlike many homes in the Northern Hemisphere, fitted carpets are rarely seen in Scandinavian homes, where wooden floors are often favored.

Pale-colored woods such as pine or birch help to reflect light. You can also paint floorboards white, as this will make the space look bigger than it is. Wooden floors also help draw attention to the interior quality of a room's architecture and furnishings.

Rugs are a big feature in Scandinavian design; especially in combination with wooden flooring and usually in specific areas such as under a table, in the main living space or in a corridor. A living room rug will also add a splash of color and texture to a room; wool and cotton are the go-to materials, although the design and colors are up to you.

5. Let the light in

(Image credit: Anna Stathaki / Future)

Getting your living room lighting ideas right of the utmost importance to making a Scandinavian-style living room feel welcoming, relaxing and atmospheric from day into night.

Lighting is one of the most versatile design tools that can be used to enhance your living room, so aim to flood your home with as much as possible.

'Keep window decoration to a minimum to allow light in,' says lifestyle expert at Contura, Catharina Björkman. 'Window treatments should consist of either shutters, linen or sheer fabric curtains.'

Similarly, it's common to see well-thought-out pendant lights and lamps, rather than overhead lighting or a single central light source. A beautiful combination of floor and table lamps will provide a a softer alternative to harsh spotlights.'

6. Use raw materials found in nature

(Image credit: Adam Carter / Future)

Nature's own materials, such as wood, leather, wicker and cotton, all play a huge role in an authentic Scandinavian living room. There is a strong relationship between design elements and nature, driven by the many Nordic forests and abundance of outdoor space. Bringing natural materials into the home helps you to continue to feel connected with nature – even once indoors.

Scandinavian design seamlessly blends in various natural materials including stone, wood and linen. All materials should be kept within a similar tone and color range, for example, whites, creams and grey living room ideas. Otherwise, the use of varied materials will clutter the space and make it feel fussy, which is the opposite of what this design scheme is trying to achieve.

7. Show off a display of plants

(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)

Displaying houseplants is one of the easiest ways to introduce nature into a Scandinavian living room. Plants also give a home an inexpensive yet instant uplift.

'Now is the perfect time to think about how you can add greenery and plants to your home in creative and interesting ways,' says Catharina Björkman. 'Time spent indoors needn't be wasted; instead plan your own indoor oasis and consider how plants can enhance the space and improve the overall layout.'

Group house plants together in height order or add hanging plants and ivy to door frames or curtain rails for a unique look. Plus, if you have a small living room, studio or an apartment living room, you can add cacti and more compact plants to shelves for an on-trend look.

8. Bring outdoor colors inside

(Image credit: Polly Eltes / Future)

Forgo the stark and clinical all-white look in favor of a scheme inspired by the great outdoors. Embrace a natural color scheme for an understated, calming look. This can apply to the wall and floor colors, curtains and living room seating.

Use green to evoke the earth, grass and plants, blue for the sky and ocean, and yellow for the sun and flowers. Neutral tones such as brown, cream and beige living rooms will all make your interiors feel more natural, clean and fresh.

Finally, avoid cold, man-made materials and embrace wood, cork and bamboo for flooring. These feel warmer underfoot and are a more natural, organic choice.

9. Add natural elements through furnishings

(Image credit: Paul Raeside / Future)

Bringing nature indoors doesn't only apply to plants. Use materials normally found outdoors and make them a part of your home's interior décor. Wood, wicker, rattan and stone all work well to bring an outdoor theme inside.

Introduce natural elements throughout the décor; seashells, jars of sand and bunches of branches can all make interesting focal points. Imitate nature by adding outdoor cues such as woody incense and fresh flowers for a floral smell. The same feeling of being relaxed and free in nature can be brought into your home by stimulating the senses.

(Image credit: Richard Powers/Future PLC)

Scandinavian interior design is about functionality, so do consider bespoke, built-in furniture, clever storage solutions and slimline seating to maximize every inch of space.

An ideal solution could also be hidden shelving or 'pull out' cabinet, which does not encroach on living space – and can be opened and closed away as required. Not only will this ensure an orderly, calm area, but less fuss also means you'll be more able to relax and unwind.

How do you style a Scandinavian living room?

Scandinavian living rooms are easy to style because their palette of neutrals and monotones is so easy to build around. The best way to style a Scandinavian living room is to add in texture and layering to create a feeling of luxury. You can do this by adding natural materials, such as sisal rugs, wicker basketwork and richly grained wood, and by adding in chunky throws, faux fur and linen, all in suitably muted shades.

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space.

Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.

Design Scandinavian Living Room

Source: https://www.homesandgardens.com/ideas/scandinavian-living-rooms

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