How to Decorate a Living Room in Scandinavian Style: 20 Affordable Ideas

Scandinavian interiors can adapt to current trends, grow with new solutions and decorative techniques, but rarely become outdated. In this post, we tell about modern living rooms in Scandinavian style and how to decorate your own living room without breaking the budget.

Which solutions will always be relevant? The philosophy of hygge and lagom

Throws, candles, and quiet joys in the spirit of hygge like unhurried coffee breaks and reading books are still evident in typical Scandinavian interiors.

Just like lagom, the trend that exploded worldwide last year. Lagom translates as "Swedish lifestyle", where rational and eco-friendly consumption is prioritized. While hygge is about coziness, lagom is moderation in all things.

We've curated a collection for Scandinavian living rooms on the Hoff furniture store website

This corner sofa folds into a full-size bed, and practical items that are two in one—this is very Scandinavian.

A throw for a living room in Scandinavian style should be warm and beautifully draped. The Zigzag throw is even better: made of 100% cotton with charming brushstrokes in the design.

The minimalist look and lamp color are complemented by gold accents to make it clear that Scandinavian style is not as simple as it seems.

When buying a bookcase, pay attention to restrained models with simple hardware so that its design does not distract from what matters most—what's inside.

Where to place a laundry basket? In the bathroom? Not necessarily! It can also be placed in the living room to put magazines and other small items, or even used as a planter for a large flower pot.

Scandinavians aren’t afraid of having lots of cushions on sofas—and they’re right to do so. When choosing matching cushions, find space for one with fur—a real cozy touch for the living room. In this model it is artificial—no animals were harmed.

A pouf in the living room is a versatile item. It can be used to seat guests or set down a cup of coffee.

We definitely like this newspaper rack made from water hyacinth—both in appearance and eco-friendliness.

A living room in Scandinavian style is unthinkable without plants. Therefore, stock up on ceramic pots, for example, neutral-shaped ones in a cappuccino color.

Scandinavian modern

End of the 1950s–mid-1960s—time of the peak of Scandinavian design: Arne Jacobsen creates the iconic egg chair, Alvar Aalto creates the tulip chair, Hans Wegner—Wishbone chair. Several pieces of furniture with recognizable design from that era will hint at the style of the living room and good taste of its owner or owner.

Arne Jacobsen, 1958

Hans Wegner's Wishbone chairs

The Tulip chair by Alvar Aalto in the interior

Elements of Gustavian style

King Gustav III ruled Sweden for a short time but left behind a light, bright Gustavian style or Northern Neoclassicism. Some of its elements are actively used in modern Scandinavian settings. Buying a tile stove and Swedish clocks by Morä is not for everyone, but high baseboards, plaster ceiling roses, and light classical chandeliers are quite affordable solutions.

Chandelier "Carolina", 55,999 rubles, Hoff

Chandelier V1253/5, 5,199 rubles, Hoff

Chandelier "Aurora", 4,499 rubles, Hoff

Light matte wood

Swedes are known for eco-friendliness: natural materials and shades can be found in every Scandinavian interior. If it's the floor, it is almost always light and matte, which is not only eco-friendly and beautiful but also practical: footprints and small stains are barely visible.

Plant motifs

Minimalism and monochrome have taken a back seat, giving way to expressive decoration and complex decorative techniques. A common solution among Swedish decorators is a plant theme on wallpapers, prints, curtains, and cushions on sofas. Inspiration can be drawn from works of Scandinavian artists, potters, and textile brands. Decor with Nordic patterns and motifs can make the living room truly Scandinavian.

Works of Swedish textile designer Emma von Bremen will appeal to fans of monochrome interiors. The designs of Swedish artist and illustrator Petra Börner clearly show Nordic motifs.

By the way, illustrations for the book on lagom The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life created by the founder of the popular interior design blog My Scandinavian Home, Nikki Brandmark, were also created by Petra. Petra draws for Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Louis Vuitton, Cacharel, Selvedge and IKEA.

Kauniste – a Finnish textile and home accessory brand. Young Scandinavian artists work on the design of its products.

Wallpapers with patterns from William Morris's archival collections are highly valued by Swedish designers. Although Morris is English, the plants in his drawings are very similar to northern ones.

The Finnish fashion house Marimekko has been around for more than half a century. The same amount of time has passed since the creation of the brand’s iconic red poppy print Unikko.

Decorative cushion, 299 rubles, Hoff

Decorative cushion, 299 rubles, Hoff

Decorative cushion, 179 rubles, Hoff

10 Easy Tips Borrowed from Scandinavian Living Rooms

Swedes pay attention to details, which helps them create cozy spaces from everyday items. We suggest learning this valuable quality through examples from our selection.

Multilayered textiles.

Woven furniture and decor.

Living greenery.

Paintings and canvases in frames on the floor.

A pouf or side table instead of a coffee table.

Mixing classic elements and ultra-modern ones.

Clean brick walls.

Handmade ceramics, clay decor.

Organizers and mood boards.

Complex shelving and storage solutions.

Careful: Anti-Trends!

When decorating a living room in Scandinavian style, avoid solutions that are becoming tired. For example, these.

OVERALL WHITE ROOM

In Sweden, they still paint walls in this color but much less frequently now, alternating with other colors or filling the space with furniture and decor in vibrant tones.

WHAT TO REPLACE: dark, saturated colors—graphite, blue, green or salmon. In addition, the cool Scandinavian palette has warmed up significantly, so it's safe to introduce terracotta, sand or mustard shades into the living room.

FRAMEWORK PARTITIONS

If the living room design includes loft motifs, such a partition will only enhance the industrial ambiance of the room. If there are no loft elements in the interior, it's better to find a more calm and uncluttered alternative for such a partition.

WHAT TO REPLACE: slatted or venetian blinds. They also let in light and help zone the space. Another option is a solid glass partition.

BLACK AND WHITE POSTERS WITH FAMOUS PEOPLE

Natalia Vodiyanova and Scarlett Johansson, of course, are great, but not in such quantities as designers tried to force on us by hanging their portraits in every second living room in Scandinavian style.

WHAT TO REPLACE: family photos, macro shots, illustrations from old textbooks, and even postcards. A fresh Scandinavian trend is large-format paintings or photos. They are hung on walls or simply placed on the floor.

To avoid mistakes in arranging a mixed gallery, take one color as the basis and ensure it repeats in every image. Also, don’t forget to frame all of them in a uniform style.