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Scandinavian deco style – keeping things simple

A style that’s known and loved for its calming, simple aesthetic of white and light woods, Scandinavian deco style is more about co-ordination than minimalism. By tying everything together with patterns inspired by nature, and keeping everything within a tight colour palette, it all feels orderly and stylish.

Scandinavian deco style room with low white sofa, white coffee table, woven pouffes, open shelving with storage boxes and leafy green plants and neon accents.
Scandinavian deco style room with low white sofa, white coffee table, woven pouffes, open shelving with storage boxes and leafy green plants and neon accents.

Scandinavian deco style furniture – everything in its place

Storage is a big feature of Scandinavian deco style furniture. Inspired by the need for a whole different outdoor wardrobe in winter, Scandinavian storage is minimal yet very smart thinking. It includes built-in cupboards, slimline shoe storage such as racks and wood benches, and mirrors and feature lighting that make clever use of hallways and tricky corners.

Wood-floored hallway with Scandinavian deco style pouffe with storage, white wardrobes and white shoe cabinet with mirror above.
Close-up of compact Scandinavian deco style white wall-mounted shoe storage with globe table lamp on top.

Scandinavian deco style accessories – stacked and sorted

Collections of uniquely combined accessories are a feature of Scandinavian deco style. Think fluted glassware and graphic candlesticks softened with natural plants and feathery reeds and grasses. Open shelving and display cabinets make a feature of it all, as well as white ceramic jugs, mismatched plates and stacks of serving platters. United by a co-ordinated pale colour palette, nothing feels too orderly – and yet nothing feels out of place.

White display cabinet with glass doors in a dining room, holding stacked plates, black candlesticks, ceramic jugs and other Scandinavian deco style accessories.
Close-up of rippled glass Scandinavian deco style vase with arrangement of reeds and grasses.

Scandinavian deco style living room – a brighter shade of grey

In Scandinavian deco style living rooms, white and pale grey are the biggest players – with walls, painted wood flooring and soft textiles such as curtains, rugs and sofas all expressed in this simple, neutral palette. To warm things up, jute accessories, pale bentwood furniture and natural grain wood storage in beech, birch and ash all feature. Curated collections of trinkets, small sculptures and graphic natural plants add personality and interest to this soothing, stylish backdrop.

Two cream retro-style recliner chairs in white Scandinavian deco style living room with black storage coffee table and grey low pile rug below.
Open Scandinavian deco style shelving unit displaying leafy potted plants, small sculpture and storage boxes with lids.

Scandinavian deco style bedroom – softly does it

The sanctuary feel of the Scandinavian deco style bedroom comes from its clean-lined bedframes, and smooth, minimal bed linens. Grey and white dominate, with freshness from potted plants and hints of warmth in cream and wood. Sheepskin mats or solid-colour rugs often lie by the bed, softening the area underfoot first thing in the morning. Because Scandinavian bedrooms aren’t just about soothing and comforting the path to sleep – they’re also about being restful places to start the day.

Minimalist Scandinavian deco style upholstered bedframe with plain white and grey pillow and duvet set.
Scandinavian deco style chest of drawers with table lamp, potted plant, grey and white framed abstract print and small mirror on top.

Scandinavian deco style bathroom – making freshness a feature

True to Scandinavian deco style, the bathroom hosts a co-ordinated colour palette. Usually set against white-tiled walls, and with one or two accent colours, texture is also a feature – think slatted wooden bathmats, waffle towels and dressing gowns. Also true to this style is open storage, putting grooming products on display and in easy reach. Just add a large mirror, simple feature wall lighting and trailing plants.

Simple Scandinavian deco style bathroom of white sink unit with black tap mounted on olive green wall, with black-framed glass shower screen and white freestanding bathtub.
Close-up of white Scandinavian deco style bathtub in white tiled bathroom with wood slatted bathmat, green waffle towel and black storage trolley.

Scandinavian deco style kitchen – all squared away

Plywood, cork, storage baskets and shades of white and grey make up the Scandinavian deco style kitchen, with open shelving for ceramics, cookbooks and cookware, and a wheeled kitchen trolley to bring everything to the workspace. Graphical, simplified patterns are also a feature – adding touches of uniformity to square kitchen wall tiles and hanging kitchen utensil racks.

Simple white Scandinavian kitchen with grey dining chairs and blonde wood storage including butcher’s kitchen trolley with drawers.
Scandinavian deco style wood kitchen trolley with drawers and wood storage crates, with open shelving above displaying rustic kitchen utensils, metal cooking bowls, ceramic storage jars and glass water jugs.