How to Decorate a Country House in Scandinavian Style: 11 Simple Tips

Country houses are loved for the opportunity to rest from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy home comfort in harmony with nature. The design is usually practical and affordable. Scandinavian style is a suitable option for decorating a country house because it fully meets these requirements. If you like this concept, follow our tips.

1. Use Natural Materials

Caring for the environment lies at the heart of Scandinavian philosophy, so it is better to choose natural materials. Wood is a favorite in country house decoration, as it's hard to find a more accessible natural material. When painting wood, they try to preserve its texture, thus creating a unique interior.

Natural stone is less commonly used in apartments but is also suitable for a country house. Use it to tile walls, window frames, or fireplaces.

2. Add Colors

Scandinavian interiors are usually associated with white, but lately, Scandinavians often choose vibrant shades for wall painting. If you want to be in trend, choose warm tones of yellow and blue—they are particularly relevant now. If you're not ready for experiments, use neutral natural tones.

3. Take Care of the Fireplace

A fireplace is a key element of home comfort. In an apartment, one might compromise and do without a fireplace, but on a country house it is a must-have. The fireplace can be modern or traditional, but it must have live fire and logs that crackle pleasantly on cool evenings.

4. Plan the Lighting Scenario

Scandinavians pay great attention to lighting due to insufficient sunlight in northern latitudes. If the windows of your country house are small, add table lamps and energy-saving bulbs that provide soft diffused light. In the garden, hang solar-powered string lights.

5. Decorate the House with Your Own Hands

A cozy evening at the country house is hard to imagine without candles. For outdoor use, it's better to use special garden candles with thick wicks that are not afraid of the wind. With indoor candles, you can experiment more, especially handmade ones—this is very Scandinavian.

Unleash your creativity and make unique candle holders from everyday items. Suitable glasses or jars from jam can be used, and you can also remove the core of an apple or another fruit and place a candle inside.

6. Declutter the Interior Space

A Scandinavian interior is all about open space. If your country house doesn't have extra square meters, boldly get rid of unnecessary furniture. Excellent solutions for saving space include modular wardrobes and pull-out chairs. For the veranda, rustic wooden furniture will do—the solid and rough-cut kind—and comfortable soft sofas can add comfort.

7. Don't Forget About Textiles

Textiles are important in any interior, and Scandinavian interiors are no exception. Choose natural, soft fabrics—linen curtains for the kitchen and a cozy wool blanket in the living room.

8. Plan the Table Setting

Scandinavians value simplicity in everything, so choose ceramic tableware with simple and smooth forms. A piece with a subtle and unobtrusive pattern looks great. Glasses made of thick glass, linen napkins, and a bouquet of wildflowers will nicely complement the setting. In autumn, flowers can be replaced with compositions made from branches and dried flowers.

9. Arrange the Garden

The more greenery, the better. Place flowers in pots on the terrace, and for the garden choose low-maintenance but expressive plants: juniper, thuja, or boxwood. Ivy or hops can be used to decorate the walls of a gazebo or outbuildings.

10. Hang a Hammock

Scandinavians love friendly gatherings outdoors. A hammock is a perfect addition for relaxing in pleasant company. Place a couple of cushions and a blanket inside it, and it will immediately become a desired cozy corner—an essential element in a Scandinavian home.

11. Put Soul into the Interior

Scandinavian philosophy does not tolerate impersonal interiors; they should reflect your personal identity. Keep this in mind when creating the atmosphere at your country house. Surround yourself with items you truly love: it could be a blanket knitted by grandmother or a mug given as a gift by a friend. Any handmade item will add individuality to the interior.

Also read:

• Made in Russia: Furniture in Scandinavian Style from UNIKA MØBLÄR
  
• 10 Secrets of a Realistic Scandinavian Interior
  
• What Is Hygge, or How to Learn to Be Happy