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interiors can adapt to current trends, grow with new solutions and decorative techniques, but rarely become outdated.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.

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

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

Just like lagom, which became popular worldwide last year. Lagom translates as 'Swedish lifestyle', where rational and ecological consumption is prioritized. While hygge is about comfort, lagom is moderation in everything.

We have selected a base for a Scandinavian living room on the Hoff furniture store website

This corner sofa folds into a full-size bed, and practical items that do two things at once — this is very Scandinavian.

A throw for a living room in Scandinavian style should be warm and beautifully draped. The Zigzag throw has even more merits: it is made of 100% cotton and features cute brushstrokes in its design.

The clean look and lamp color are complemented by gold accents, making it clear that Scandinavian style is not as simple as it seems.

When buying a bookcase, pay attention to subdued models with simple hardware so that the design does not distract from what matters most — the content inside.

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

Scandinavians aren't afraid of placing many cushions on sofas — and they're right to do so. When choosing matching cushions, find a place for one made of faux fur — it instantly adds warmth to the living room. In this model, it is artificial — no animal was harmed.

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

We definitely like this newspaper stand made from water hyacinth — for both its appearance and eco-friendliness.

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

Scandinavian modern

End of the 1950s – mid-1960s — the peak of Scandinavian design: Arne Jacobsen creates the iconic egg chair, Eero Saarinen — the tulip chair, Hans Wegner — the Wishbone chair. Several pieces of furniture with recognizable design from that era will hint at the style of the living room and the good taste of its owner or host. If it's not possible to splurge on original furniture, that’s fine: choose quality replicas or items styled after the 50s–60s.

Arne Jacobsen, 1958

Hans Wegner's Wishbone chairs

The tulip chair by Eero Saarinen in an interior

Elements of Gustavian style

King Gustav III ruled Sweden for a short time, but he left behind a light, bright Gustavian style or Northern Neoclassicism. Some of its elements are actively used in modern Scandinavian settings. Not everyone can afford to buy a tile stove and Swedish clocks by Moras, but high baseboards, gypsum 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 backseat, giving way to expressive decor and complex decorative techniques. A common solution among Swedish decorators is plant themes on wallpapers, prints, curtains, and cushions on sofas. Inspiration can be drawn from the works of Scandinavian artists, potters, and textile brands. Decor with Nordic patterns and motifs will help make the living room truly Scandinavian.

Works of Swedish textile designer Emma von Bremen will appeal to fans of monochromatic interiors. The graphics of the Swedish artist and illustrator Petra Börner clearly show Nordic motifs. By the way, illustrations for the book about lagom The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life, created by the founder of the popular interior design blog My Scandinavian Home, were also designed 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 esteemed by Swedish designers. Although Morris was English, the plants in his drawings resemble northern ones.

The Finnish fashion house Marimekko is already more than half a century old. The same goes for its signature print with red poppies Unikko.

Decorative cushion, 299 rubles, Hoff

Decorative cushion, 299 rubles, Hoff

Decorative cushion, 179 rubles, Hoff

10 simple tricks learned from Scandinavian living rooms

Swedes pay attention to details, which helps them create comfort from readily available materials. We suggest learning this valuable quality through examples from our selection.

Layered textiles.

Weaved furniture and decor.

Fresh greenery.

Paintings and canvases in frames on the floor.

A footstool or sideboard instead of a coffee table.

Mix of classical details and ultra-modern.

Exposed brick wall.

Handmade ceramics, clay decor.

Organizers and whiteboards.

Complex shelving and bookcases.

Careful: Anti-trends!

When decorating a living room in Scandinavian style, avoid solutions that have become tedious. For example, these.

OVERALL WHITE ROOM

In Sweden, walls are still painted in this color, but much less frequently now, alternating with other colors or filling the space with furniture and décor in vibrant shades.

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

FRAMEWORK PARTITIONS

If the living room design includes loft motifs, such a partition will only enhance the industrial vibe of the room. If there are no loft elements in the interior, it's better to choose a partition with a calmer and less cluttered alternative.

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 CELEBRITIES

Natalia Vodianova and Scarlett Johansson, of course, are good, but not in such numbers as designers tried to force upon us by hanging their portraits in every other 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 assembling a mixed gallery, take one color as a base and ensure it repeats in each image. Also, don’t forget to frame all of them in a consistent style with uniform matting.