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Scandinavian style: Nordic cosiness meets aesthetic simplicity

Calm, natural beauty and serenity - do these things evoke a sense of home for you? Clean lines, light pastel colours and functional furniture form the essence of Scandinavian style. Immerse yourself in the minimalist world of Nordic interior design and craft your own personal hygge haven.​

Scandinavian-style room with low white sofa, white coffee table, woven stools, open shelves with storage boxes and green plants as well as neon-coloured accents.
Scandinavian-style room with low white sofa, white coffee table, woven stools, open shelves with storage boxes and green plants as well as neon-coloured accents.

With roots in Norway, Denmark, Finland and, of course, Sweden, the Scandinavian furnishing style holds a special place in our hearts. Since its popularisation in the 1950s, minimalism and functionality have satisfyingly merged to create an atmosphere of lightness and clarity. In Scandinavian style, aesthetics embodies both style and practicality, which you can experience for yourself in new and exciting combinations at IKEA.​

Inspired by nature: Nordic-Scandinavian design for all of your rooms

​Following the example of unspoilt nature, open spaces and ample free areas, Nordic interior design comes together to create a tidy, simple aesthetic. We'll gladly assist you with realising this natural, minimalist interior design in your home. Combine it with natural or natural-looking light to truly enhance the sense of spatial wonder. Visit us at your local IKEA store or reach out to our Interior Design Service for personalised guidance.​

Your Scandi style guide for Nordic interior design

From interior design to fabric patterns and decorative details: with our Scandi style guide covering colours, shapes, materials and more, you can effortlessly usher the Nordic furnishing style into your home.​

A blue SKÄRIG wall clock in the kitchen
Two cushions on a windowsill, a coffee table, and a plant in a bright nook.
A bright bedroom with a double bed and a solid wood cabinet lining a wall.
A wall cabinet made from pine, combined with a metal cabinet to create a modern scandinavian style.
A spacious Scandi Style living room with a variety of seating solutions.

Your Scandi furniture in Nordic design

Scandi design furniture often surpasses modern design in simplicity and minimalism. The shapes of cabinets, chairs and the like are always restrained yet simultaneously timeless. Characteristic pieces in Scandinavian design include simple, light-coloured wooden tables with ornate legs and practical storage furniture such as modular metal wall shelves. Seating with soft upholstery ensures cosiness.​

A light beech/veneer SKANSNÄS extendable table
An IVAR door in the home office

Natural materials: the key to Scandi style

The Scandinavian interior style is understated and purist. This focus extends to the materials used, emphasising naturalness and brightness. Light-coloured woods such as pine, oak or birch are popular choices. When combined with textiles made from other natural materials like linen, wool and cotton, they lend your home a natural warmth and timeless lightness.​

A bright scandinavian living room with a comfortable sofa.
A light pink colour living room with a mirror on the wall and lamps are hanging from the ceiling. One light green sofa with pillows, throw and a white coffee table with storage in front of the sofa.

The colour palette of the north: soft and restrained

White, beige, grey and soft natural tones form the foundation for a light and airy interior design in true Scandi style. However, the Nordic, minimalist interior also allows for accents: with muted colours and pastel shades, you can embellish any room with your personal touch without ever overwhelming the clean furnishing style.​

Scandinavian-style home decor: functional and cosy

Scandinavian decoration is discrete and carefully curated. This approach ensures a clear mind and sharp focus on the essentials, transforming your Nordic home into an oasis of calm and cosiness. Home decor inspired by nature - such as pampas grass or storage options made from natural fibres - will further infuse your rooms with additional natural, Nordic charm. Scandi decor in bright colours and colourful accessories can also add a modern splash of colour to your Scandi interior. Plants, favourite pieces with a vintage look, and stylish accessories with a natural appearance help complete the relaxed atmosphere.​

A white DYTÅG curtains, 1 pair in the living room
Close up of a TOLKNING jute basket hanging from one of the six knobs of a wooden HÖVOLM rack.
An yellow/white/stripe LAGERMISPEL cushion cover
A mother-of-pearl colour RÄFFELBJÖRK vase
A black KRUBBET holder for mobile phone

Furnish your bedroom in a Scandinavian style

Bring the Scandinavian style into your bedroom with bright and playful colors or create a more mature cozy atmosphere, with muted, natural tones. Use clever storage solutions under the bed or behind the headboard, to make sure everything has its place. Mix the light sources to secure a good level of lighting, set a cozy mood, or support activities like reading. Natural materials stand for comfort and help create a cocooning atmosphere in your bedroom.

Scandi bedroom with double bed and blue bed linen.
Chest of drawers in Scandinavian decorative style with table lamp, potted plant, grey and white framed abstract print and small mirror on the 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.

A grey RINNIG soap dispenser
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.

Scandinavian style hallway

Create a functional and accessible hallway for your family and your guests with smart storage solutions. Conveniently placed shelves, hooks, hangers, and cabinets for easy flow in the narrow space. Add a sense of quality to your hallway with long-lasting and natural materials such as solid wood, metal, and natural fibers. Accessories such as mirrors will make this space seem bigger, whereas picture frames will allow you to personalize your hallway, making your guests feel at home straight away as they step in.

You can see a hallway with three LOHALS rugs on the floor, a HÖVLIG play tent and two FLISAT stools.
Long hallway with two shoe cabinets, hangers and a flatwoven jute rug.

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Sustainable and natural: your rule of thumb for Scandinavian style

​In addition to restraint and light colours, durability and sustainability play a major role in Scandinavian style. There's a strong emphasis on quality over quantity - promoting conscious use of resources. Simply take inspiration from nature to discover your own unique Nordic-Scandinavian design for you and your home.​​

Scandi style in action: this is what Nordic design looks like in your home

​Let's take a look at three rooms furnished in Scandinavian style. In the hallway, you are greeted by a wardrobe crafted from light-coloured wood, a minimalist mirror with a wooden frame, and decorative baskets woven from natural fibres for stylish storage. Pastel-coloured candle holders or vases create subtle, airy accents. In the living room, light-coloured storage furniture made of natural wood complements a spacious, cosy sofa and a comfortable reading chair. Soft woollen blankets and cushions in gentle pastel hues, adorned with simple striped or dotted patterns, invite relaxation. A fireplace or tiled stove serves as a cosy focal point and source of warmth. If you don't have one, you can still create an inviting atmosphere with strategically placed warm lighting. In the dining room, a solid wooden table takes centre stage, accompanied by a practical bench and an elegant Scandi pendant lamp. Sideboards and crockery in natural, muted colours complete the harmonious style. Do you fancy embracing Scandinavian interior design? Yearning for more natural elements, brightness, clarity and sustainability in your home? Explore our carefully curated selection of Nordic furniture, innovative storage solutions and elegant accessories to find the perfect elements for your Scandinavian-inspired sanctuary.​​

Create your perfect mix with the Scandi style

​With its clarity and practicality, the Nordic style shares much crossover with modern interior design. There are also noticeable parallels with Boho and Japandi styles. As a result, these three interior styles blend perfectly with Scandi design. Do you have any questions or need tips, help or inspiration? Our Interior Design Service is ready to assist you.