Scandinavian Living Room - 4 Outstanding Nordic Decor Ideas
A few years ago, Scandinavian interiors became vastly popular. Its fame doesn't seem to fade anytime soon. For this reason, many homeowners decide to use it in their houses and apartments. A minimalist and natural color palette, simplicity, comfort, practicality - are you wondering what are other features of a Scandinavian living room? You can design such an interior in many ways - to fit your own expectations. Check the most interesting ideas. Get inspired and create a unique space.
What is the most distinct element of a Scandinavian living room?
A Scandinavian living room is a simple and clear interior. Minimalist practicality is often mentioned when talking about such designs. Indeed - a Scandinavian living room doesn’t use pointless decor pieces and trinkets, as it happens in ethnic, boho and glamour styles. It doesn’t mean, though, that you have to completely give up any accessories - but make sure to use them in a reasonable way.
Harmony is the most characteristic feature of a Scandinavian living room. It is achieved by using the right color palette, furniture and decorations. Materials are also very important - they are typically natural. Pale wood is the most common element in such a design.
What color palette is typically used in a Scandinavian living room?
The color palette, as well as the whole Scandinavian style strongly refers to the climate of the region it originates in. That’s why Scandi living rooms are so distinct for using mostly natural colors. For a long time, any experiments in this regard were avoided, therefore, white and beige were the primary background colors.
Recently, the color palette used in Scandinavian interiors have been extended. Grey became popular, as well as pastel colors. Also, black accessories are used in some cases to create a unique interior design.
Furniture for Scandinavian style living room
Furniture used in a Scandinavian living room should reflect the whole style. It has to be:
- functional,
- simple,
- timeless.
As for closets, dressers and cabinets, make sure to organize the space for storage of all the necessary items. At the same time, sofas and armchairs should look pleasing and be comfortable.
Just like with other elements, make sure to pay attention to the colors of the furniture, as well as materials used for its production. With regards to closets and drawers, you can pick natural wood or white. Are you afraid that white sofas might be a pain to keep clean and doon’t want to risk it? It’s quite reasonable - grey, beige and brown are much better colors, in this case. They are equally neutral, but any stains are less visible on them.
A Scandinavian style living room with wood as the main material
Wood is absolutely the most universal material. It works in many forms for various designs. It’s used, for instance, in Boho style and appears in industrial style interiors. Natural wood can also work as a base for Scandinavian style living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens.
Not every Scandinavian style living room with wood as the primary material looks the same. This material can be used in various ways
- Wooden flooring is a typical base for such an interior. You can use natural wood, vinyl plank flooring or wood-like tiles.
- Wood can appear as the furniture material. Wooden elements in a natural color combined with elements painted e.g. white and glass panels are quite a popular choice.
- Wooden elements perfectly complement a Scandinavian living room - lamps, picture frames and other decorations make an interesting accent.
- Wood as the wall finish is quite a bold step. Nonetheless, such form of Nordic decor is becoming quite popular. It’s particularly common in Scandinavian living rooms combined with kitchens.
Scandinavian living room full of wall decorations
Although a Scandinavian style living room keeps off unnecessary accessories, some decor elements are popular and commonly used in it. They are mostly wall decorations - posters and pictures or photographs. Such decorations don’t interfere with functionality of the interior, and they add a character to it. No wonder many homeowners use them.
Is there any golden mean when using pictures and posters in a Scandinavian living room? There no rule you should follow. In fact, each decoration can have different dimensions. Irregular placement on the walls is also very characteristic.
Scandinavian living room with pastel colors
As already mentioned, Scandinavian inspired living rooms were based on two main colors - white and beige for some time. After a while, grey was added to the palette. Despite this, one can still speak about a certain restraint in this case.
Currently, a typical Scandinavian living room uses a much broader color palette. What’s important, they should be pastel colors - light, delicate and used in moderation. Find the most popular options below:
- dusty pink,
- blue,
- olive,
- taupe,
- delicate lilac,
- peach.
Interestingly enough, such light colors are often complemented with geometric figures in darker shades. Combining delicate pastels with black elements is another intriguing idea.
A living room and kitchen combo - Scandinavian style in an interesting form
Modern buildings, as well as apartment buildings and tenements often combine living rooms and kitchens. It has certain advantages - especially in small apartments. Scandinavian style seems to be a perfect solution in this case, as it can make the interior as functional as possible.
Apart from the already mentioned basics (color palette and materials), other issues are equally important. Lighting is one of them. A Scandinavian living room combined with a kitchen has to be well-illuminated. It especially concerns parts where the table and worktop are located. Thanks to this, meal preparation and then eating is much more pleasant.
Consider using an accent to separate one space from the other. It can be a decorative element - wood on the wall or black accessories.
📍 How to design a Scandinavian living room?
A Scandinavian living room is not difficult to design - but you have to pay attention to several important issues. The color palette and natural materials such as wood are the basics. Make sure that most of the items are practical and don't use unnecessary decorations, as they only clutter the space.
📍 How to design a small Scandinavian living room?
Designing a small living room in Scandinavian style might be a challenge - you often have to cramp a lot of furniture in a limited space. Make sure to pick spacious closets for good space organization. If you choose a small sofa, you can gain some space. Bright wooden flooring and strong lighting to brighten the interior is also a good option.
📍 What colors to pick for a Scandinavian living room?
A Scandinavian living room uses light colors - white and beige and the basic shades. You can also pick grey and pastel colors in such interiors. Pastel beige and very bright olive are becoming quite popular options.
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