What is Scandi Interior Design?

Scandinavians are some of the happiest people on Earth. With concepts like hygge and friluftsliv, people across the world turn towards the Nordic region when trying to reconnect with the things that make life worthwhile.

That same energy has made Scandi interior design so dominant worldwide over the last few decades. And yet, despite its global commercialisation, it remains a wonderfully human style that can bring joy to any home.

Pictured: Charlbury Oak Dining Stool

Scandinavian Interior Design Explained 

Scandinavian design as we know it today is relatively new, but the style has its roots in Scandinavian culture.

The region of Scandinavia comprises Norway and Sweden, the two countries which make up the Scandinavian Peninsula, and also Denmark which mainly sits just south on the European mainland.

The region has a long-shared history and culture, particularly around coastal living, respect for the natural world and surviving bitterly cold winters, all of which contributed to the emergence of the Scandi style.

What we know today as Scandinavian design is a movement that emerged in the post-war mid-20th century. Taking inspiration from popular styles of the time, such as the German Bauhaus, a wave of designers from Scandinavia began creating simple, functional pieces that could be mass-produced using new technologies.

The idea was to create simple, functional and democratic pieces that suited Scandinavian tastes and could be afforded by the masses. This approach to interiors became so popular that the Scandi style soon gained international recognition, and many of the original pieces are still being produced today.

Pictured: Windsor Oak Breakfast Bar

The Key Characteristics of Scandi Interior Design

Scandinavian style is all about light, simple and functional designs, tapping into the technological advancements of the mid-20th century while also staying true to the culture of Scandinavian people.

Let There Be Light

Winters can feel long in Scandinavia, with temperatures regularly dipping below freezing and very short days during winter, especially further north. As a result, a lot of the Scandinavian style is about trying to maximise light inside the home.

To achieve the Scandi style, try to accentuate all the natural light your home gets. If you’re blessed with lots of sunshine, allow it to flow through your space and introduce interior pieces with colours that celebrate natural light. If you don’t get as much sunlight, take some tips from the Scandinavians: use pale colours to reflect as much of the light as possible and use different sources of artificial light to add extra warmth to your space.

Celebrate Wood

Much like the American rustic style, Scandinavian interior design has its roots in the natural environments that define the region. While Rustic styles celebrate heavy woods and stone, Scandi design leans towards lighter materials with a stronger wood focus.

Make sustainable wooden furniture the centrepiece of your interior design to capture the warmth of an authentic Scandinavian home. By spending on quality craftsmanship that showcases the natural beauty and strength of wooden furniture, you can bring that sense of humanity and community, key tenets of the Scandi way of life, into your home.

Textural Touches

Be bold with your textures to take your Scandinavian aesthetic to the next level.

Creating a cosy space is key to this interior design style. While celebrating the strength of wood, a traditional Scandinavian interior softens its edges with lots of naturally fluffy and soft textures.

Consider fluffy rugs or hand-knitted blankets as ways to add a pop of excitement to your interior while also keeping that natural warmth. An array of houseplants and similar furnishings can also add depth and texture to your space.

Scandi Interior Design Ideas

No matter whether you’re designing a modern home or a traditional family abode, there are elements of the Scandinavian interior style that can work in your space.

Soft Whites

There are many different shades of white, including creams and beiges. By bringing different shades together, you can create a modern space that feels sleek and clean yet also keeps the traditional warmth of a lived-in home.

White is great for the Scandinavian style because it captures plenty of light. It also provides an effective contrast to natural materials, allowing wooden furniture to embody warmth and welcomeness.

Pictured: Windsor Oak Breakfast Bar

Natural Soft Textures

Too much bare wood can sometimes become overpowering in a space, making the environment seem cold and rugged. This is where adding additional textures becomes so important to an authentic Scandi interior.

If you have wooden chairs and tables, celebrate their natural form and allow their edges to stand out. Then, pair them with soft furnishings to tone down some of the roughness. Plants, rugs, blankets and more can allow you to enjoy a truly natural space that feels warm and welcoming to family and friends.

Pictured: Scandinavian Atom Dining Chair

Pops of Playfulness

Just because the Scandi style is functional doesn’t mean it’s boring. Many modern interiors celebrate the humanity of functional Scandinavian furniture by embracing slightly whimsical twists that remind us of the subtle joys of life.

Experiment with pops of dashing colours on your Scandi furniture. Shades that were once confined to the child’s bedroom are now enjoyed across the home to add joy to everyday spaces. You can also explore unique home accessories as a way to add an interesting, personal angle to your interior.

Pictured: Cheshire Oak Round Table

The Scandi style has been around for many decades now and there’s little sign of it going out of fashion. If you want to capture the essence of Scandinavian warmth and community in your interior, explore our collection of handcrafted wooden furniture to find the perfect generational piece for your home.