A cottage-style living room inspired by Nordic forests

Ever dreamt of living in your own cottage deep in the forest? Get inspired by this cottage-style traditional living room inspired by Nordic nature. Featuring cozy nooks and charming details wrapped in a fresh color palette of white, green, and blue, this room also shows a traditional Scandinavian technique for painting walls.

BILLY bookcases and a HYLTARP 2-seat sofa are in a traditional-style living room inspired by Nordic cottages.

Store and display in a delightful way

Our iconic BILLY bookcase fits right at home in this cottage-style living room with its glass doors and paneled detailing. Create a dreamy display with rustic woven baskets, books, and vases above, and easily store whatever you need below.

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White BILLY bookcases stand against the wall of a traditional-style living room, with books and baskets on its shelves.

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Cabinet lighting with cottage-style charm

Integrated lighting elevates your bookcases and creates a warm mood. The traditional style of these lamps adds to the cottage-style look of the room too. The lamp head can be tilted, so you can spotlight books or artwork in your bookcase if you wish.

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Three black TVÄRDRAG cabinet lighting hang above white BILLY bookcases with woven baskets placed on top.

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The colors of Nordic nature

The coordination of colors in the walls, furniture, and textiles evokes the feeling of being in a Nordic forest: the light blue of sparkling lakes, the soft green of moss, and plenty of wooden tones.

A pale blue HYLTARP 2-seat sofa with a beige AINA cushion is in the middle of a living room inspired by Nordic cottages.

Add speckles of color to your walls with branches

We added dots of color to this wall by using a simple, traditional Scandinavian technique of painting walls: grab a bunch of dried branches, dip it in paint, and make splashes on the wall – easy! You can also make matching paintings and frame them for an artistic look.

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Decorative specks of paint in maroon, green and blue are on a white wall and on a piece of paper framed in an EDSBRUK frame.

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A dreamy daybed for napping or hosting guests

The traditional design of this daybed strengthens the overall look with its beadboard wood paneling and small ridges. It can be used as a single or double bed, and with its handy drawers underneath, they’re wonderful for storing extra pillows and bedding.

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A grey HEMNES day-bed with 3 drawers with one drawer open and plenty of cushions above is in a cottage-style living room.

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Daybed essentials for a cozy sleeping spot

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DYTÅG Cushion cover, gray-green, 50x50 cm

Create a hobby spot that fits the look

We optimized this tiny space by the door to create a compact hobby and crafts corner with a traditional-style desk and a chair made of handwoven rattan and bamboo. Hang forest-themed artwork to strengthen the Nordic look. To complete the experience, light an ADLAD-scented candle – it smells of Scandinavian forests with spicy citrus notes.

A white HAUGA desk and a NILSOVE rattan chair are placed by a wall by a blue door, forming a small work-from-home spot.

Add a lush mini-forest

Of course, don’t forget to decorate with plants and greenery. These steel plant pots add to the cottage-style look. Using benches is also something very Scandinavian. They’re multi-purpose and are great as extra seating when needed, for displaying plants, and for storing things.

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Three ÅKEBÄR plant pots with fern plants in them are placed on a PERJOHAN bench by a window with green-painted panes.

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Let your Scandinavian cottage dreams come true

Bring the feeling of being in a cottage deep in the woods to your own living room with traditional-style furniture, a color palette inspired by the forest, crafted details, and rustic wooden tones. Very ‘hygge’!

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