Scandinavian Living Room Design Ideas
Nordic notes + comforting textures.
A Scandinavian living room design inspires relaxation, creates a sense of order, and includes functional pieces to enjoy for the long-term. Scandinavian design is inspired by the ways of life in Nordic countries like Sweden or Norway where long, cold winters and minimal sunlight is the norm. Therefore, Scandinavian design seeks to comfort and declutter all at once for a space that's both warm and inviting and pared-back enough to let the light in. Review these Scandinavian living room ideas to discover all the ways you can adopt a Scandi living aesthetic in your home.
Check out What Is Scandinavian Design? for a more in-depth explanation of Scandinavian interiors, the influences of Scandi design, and how to achieve the look.
1. Embrace the "City Scandi" Living Room Look
Mimic Scandi living rooms found in Nordic city apartments with this Scandinavian living room design. Bring comfort to hardwood floors with a large area rug with a white weave pattern. Embrace Scandi design principles like hand-crafted wood and natural materials with wood furnishings like the coffee table and accent cabinet above, or a streamlined leather chair. Keep the space light and airy with a low-set sofa in a modular shape. Create a fun and functional decor statement when you hang your bike up on the wall.
Capture the look and feel of a Scandi woodland cabin with a modern twist when you go dark in your living room. Pair charcoal gray or black walls with light gray furnishings, blond woods, gold metallics, and pops of white. Position a light gray sofa across from a contemporary accent chair made with bright white, boucle upholstery. Shed light on a stone gray coffee table with a white pendant light. Toss a faux fur throw over the sofa for cold nights by the fireplace.
Craft a Scandinavian living room design that's sure to simplify your daily routines. Scandinavian interior design closely relates to minimalism, borrowing its principles of clutter-free, clean-lined, and functional living spaces. Achieve this look with a sofa in a simplistic form and a streamlined wood coffee table with enough detail to spark interest. Toss a textured pillow and throw on the sofa to relax the look.
Pro Tip:
Maximize clutter-free, functional living with a storage ottoman or coffee table to house extra blankets, chargers, and miscellaneous items.
Prioritize a white-and-cream color palette paired with caramel woods for a refreshing, clean living space that's all Scandi. Pair pure white walls with an ivory sofa and a pair of accent chairs with light woven leather upholstery. Choose living room furniture with streamlined wood detailing with hints of craftship (think wood-framed chairs with slim silhouettes and upholstered sofas with tapered wood legs). This aspect of Scandinavian furniture designs allows ample natural light to shine through and brighten your room. Define the space and bring comfort to an open-concept living room with an ivory area rug.
Pro Tip:
Check out 14 Ideas for Decorating With White and 7 White Living Room Ideas for more inspiration when creating a light, bright interior.
5. Incorporate Fun Patterns + Subtle Colors
Revive neutral color schemes with these Scandinavian living room ideas. Add interest to a laid-back, earthy aesthetic by incorporating subtle colors and patterns frequently used in Scandinavian interior design, such as black-and-white stripes. Tuck a striped throw pillow into the corner of the sofa and pair it with a striped planter perched on an end table to bring new life to your Monstera Deliciosa. Center the space with an area rug in an intricate woven pattern. Add subtle pops of color with a sage green throw pillow, an amber table vase, and an abstract print with deep red hues.
Achieve a striking Scandinavian living room design by focusing on greenery. Since Scandinavian interior design is heavily influenced by elements of the natural world, you can easily use plantlife to create a Scandi vibe in your space. Allow pothos or shade-loving ferns to spill out of a hanging planter in the corner. Place a monstera or snake plant on an accent cabinet, or a large potted plant like a dracaena on the floor. Use wall planters for the ultimate living gallery wall.
Complete your Scandinavian living room with decor in muted colors and minimalist designs. Display sprigs of greenery or dried floral arrangements in an abstract-shaped vase with a moody stain. Look for minimalistic artwork with lots of white space and slim black outlines for a strikingly simple look. Contrast neutral creams, grays, and whites with gleaming metallic candle holders, metallic wall frames, and light-reflecting mirrors. The key is to keep decor minimal but impactful.
Ready for a Scandinavian-style living room?
