How to Give Your Bedroom a Scandinavian Edge
Learn how to embrace the beautiful simplicity of Scandi design in your boudoir
The classic Nordic look works brilliantly in bedrooms, where a pared-back, pale scheme makes for a relaxing space free of distractions that might keep you from a good night’s sleep. The aesthetic – and please, Scandinavians, do excuse me while I homogenise wildly and mix up Danish, Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian styles – is incredibly easy to achieve, especially on a budget.
That’s because it’s a style that’s all about simplicity – that and acres of white paint. Ok, so there’s a little more to it than that (you could add some timber, a mid-century accessory or two and a bit of black or grey), but if you had a mattress on a pallet with white sheets in a white room, you’d be nine tenths of the way there. Check out some of these variations on the theme for inspiration.
That’s because it’s a style that’s all about simplicity – that and acres of white paint. Ok, so there’s a little more to it than that (you could add some timber, a mid-century accessory or two and a bit of black or grey), but if you had a mattress on a pallet with white sheets in a white room, you’d be nine tenths of the way there. Check out some of these variations on the theme for inspiration.
Tune into the key ingredients
Timber, white and black, the classic Scandi style triumvirate, are used here to great effect, and this bedroom pretty much has everything you could put on a dream modern Scandi decorating list: white painted floor; a flash of monochrome; some geometric textiles (but not too many); light plank timber panelling; and, of course, nature, in the form of all those lovely trees outside. You might not have access to the views, but the rest is easy to ape. Just remember that rule number one for creating the Scandi look in your bedroom is to keep things simple.
If you like the panelled walls but don’t want to go that far, you can seek out some trompe l’oeil timber-effect wallpapers.
Timber, white and black, the classic Scandi style triumvirate, are used here to great effect, and this bedroom pretty much has everything you could put on a dream modern Scandi decorating list: white painted floor; a flash of monochrome; some geometric textiles (but not too many); light plank timber panelling; and, of course, nature, in the form of all those lovely trees outside. You might not have access to the views, but the rest is easy to ape. Just remember that rule number one for creating the Scandi look in your bedroom is to keep things simple.
If you like the panelled walls but don’t want to go that far, you can seek out some trompe l’oeil timber-effect wallpapers.
Be brilliant
The all-white effect can give even the most unlikely of rooms a sprinkle of Stockholm style, as you can see in this Scottish Victorian attic room.
The trick is to be bold enough to go for pure, brilliant white (this room is painted in Dulux’s version), rather than a softer, off-white. This does work best in rooms where natural light is plentiful, otherwise walls can look a little grey and grubby rather than glacial.
See more of this stunning Scottish home
The all-white effect can give even the most unlikely of rooms a sprinkle of Stockholm style, as you can see in this Scottish Victorian attic room.
The trick is to be bold enough to go for pure, brilliant white (this room is painted in Dulux’s version), rather than a softer, off-white. This does work best in rooms where natural light is plentiful, otherwise walls can look a little grey and grubby rather than glacial.
See more of this stunning Scottish home
Go grey
Though creating an all-white bedroom is the fast-track to a Scandi makeover, don’t overlook grey, especially in the aforementioned darker rooms. The Nordic look relies heavily on neutrals, too, and these soft grey walls, when combined with a natural sisal carpet, 1950s-inspired light and a flash of black, still conjure up the look marvellously.
50 shades of grey to decorate your home with
Though creating an all-white bedroom is the fast-track to a Scandi makeover, don’t overlook grey, especially in the aforementioned darker rooms. The Nordic look relies heavily on neutrals, too, and these soft grey walls, when combined with a natural sisal carpet, 1950s-inspired light and a flash of black, still conjure up the look marvellously.
50 shades of grey to decorate your home with
Add Mid-century pieces
Nordic and Scandinavian designers were a big influence on Mid-century interiors and furniture worldwide. The clean lines, simplicity and minimal fuss of the era’s classic pieces – from designers both in and outside the region – has given them enduring popularity in contemporary Scandi homes.
So whether you pick up an American Bertoia wire chair, a 1950s British-designed rosewood desk that doubles as a dressing table, or a Finnish, Tapiovaara-style dining chair, you’ll achieve the same, stripped-back yet characterful style. Use them to accessorise in moderation, though, or your look will veer more towards 1950s period piece than modern Scandi.
Nordic and Scandinavian designers were a big influence on Mid-century interiors and furniture worldwide. The clean lines, simplicity and minimal fuss of the era’s classic pieces – from designers both in and outside the region – has given them enduring popularity in contemporary Scandi homes.
So whether you pick up an American Bertoia wire chair, a 1950s British-designed rosewood desk that doubles as a dressing table, or a Finnish, Tapiovaara-style dining chair, you’ll achieve the same, stripped-back yet characterful style. Use them to accessorise in moderation, though, or your look will veer more towards 1950s period piece than modern Scandi.
Be tidy
As already mentioned, simplicity is the cornerstone of Scandi style. And this black hanging rail – utilitarian without going down the chunky, loft-living industrial route (that’s a whole other look) – does it perfectly. A collection of monotone clothes keeps the rail from looking cluttered, but you could also arrange yours in colour order to create an equally tidy look. (If you are messy or have heaps of clothes that will bulge and fight for space, however, do not attempt this or any other kind of open storage style – just stash it inside unfussy cupboards and drawers.)
If you don’t have the floor space for a hanging rail, you could suspend a wooden broomstick or ladder – either painted white or black, or left bare if it’s nice wood – from chains and S-hooks from the ceiling. You’ll need to fix it securely, into beams rather than hollow plasterboard, so it’s worth getting a professional in to make sure it will withstand the weight of your wardrobe.
As already mentioned, simplicity is the cornerstone of Scandi style. And this black hanging rail – utilitarian without going down the chunky, loft-living industrial route (that’s a whole other look) – does it perfectly. A collection of monotone clothes keeps the rail from looking cluttered, but you could also arrange yours in colour order to create an equally tidy look. (If you are messy or have heaps of clothes that will bulge and fight for space, however, do not attempt this or any other kind of open storage style – just stash it inside unfussy cupboards and drawers.)
If you don’t have the floor space for a hanging rail, you could suspend a wooden broomstick or ladder – either painted white or black, or left bare if it’s nice wood – from chains and S-hooks from the ceiling. You’ll need to fix it securely, into beams rather than hollow plasterboard, so it’s worth getting a professional in to make sure it will withstand the weight of your wardrobe.
Make it monochrome
You don’t even need to redecorate to get some classic Scandi monochrome into your bedroom scheme. Simply accessorise with artfully positioned clothes. Pick up some secondhand coat hooks and whitewash them using chalk paint (no sanding required – yippee), or – easier still – screw a hook into the wall for a lone, trophy coat hanger.
If you’re chalk painting, you’ll need a few coats, thinned down, to move the finished effect away from shabby chic, which is a very different style. And if you don’t have a radiator as beautiful as this to paint black, how about a chair? I’ve had great success painting furniture black using floor paint; it has a pleasing, almost matt finish, dries quickly and sticks well (so also good if your sanding is, like mine, a little slapdash).
You don’t even need to redecorate to get some classic Scandi monochrome into your bedroom scheme. Simply accessorise with artfully positioned clothes. Pick up some secondhand coat hooks and whitewash them using chalk paint (no sanding required – yippee), or – easier still – screw a hook into the wall for a lone, trophy coat hanger.
If you’re chalk painting, you’ll need a few coats, thinned down, to move the finished effect away from shabby chic, which is a very different style. And if you don’t have a radiator as beautiful as this to paint black, how about a chair? I’ve had great success painting furniture black using floor paint; it has a pleasing, almost matt finish, dries quickly and sticks well (so also good if your sanding is, like mine, a little slapdash).
Lead with lighting
Just one designer touch in an otherwise simple space will make a real impact, and there are two neat tricks to steal here. You could channel iconic Mid-century lighting designs by the likes of Poulsen and Bergbom. If wall-mounted is too much of a job, contemporary black metal table lamps will do – steer clear of industrial styles and fussy lipped details, and go for something that combines a simple curve and a straight edge or two.
Trick number two goes one step further: change your light switches from white to black. It’s a simple job for an electrician (or safe and competent DIY-er) and makes for a striking detail. I know from experience of searching for a match for my black kitchen wall that the pearlised effect ones are easier to come by, but also that it’s worth the extra research to find solid, matt black – they’ll really ramp up the simple Scandi style another notch.
Just one designer touch in an otherwise simple space will make a real impact, and there are two neat tricks to steal here. You could channel iconic Mid-century lighting designs by the likes of Poulsen and Bergbom. If wall-mounted is too much of a job, contemporary black metal table lamps will do – steer clear of industrial styles and fussy lipped details, and go for something that combines a simple curve and a straight edge or two.
Trick number two goes one step further: change your light switches from white to black. It’s a simple job for an electrician (or safe and competent DIY-er) and makes for a striking detail. I know from experience of searching for a match for my black kitchen wall that the pearlised effect ones are easier to come by, but also that it’s worth the extra research to find solid, matt black – they’ll really ramp up the simple Scandi style another notch.
Pick the right patterns
Bold geometrics hark back to the design presence Scandinavia carved out in the middle of the last century, with instantly recognisable prints by the likes of Stig Lindberg, Almedahls and Marimekko. The designs are still going strong, along with a whole host of new ones inspired by them. With a plain, pale backdrop, you can afford some splashes of colour, but for classic contemporary Scandi, dress beds with cushions and throws in patterns of black, white and grey.
Bold geometrics hark back to the design presence Scandinavia carved out in the middle of the last century, with instantly recognisable prints by the likes of Stig Lindberg, Almedahls and Marimekko. The designs are still going strong, along with a whole host of new ones inspired by them. With a plain, pale backdrop, you can afford some splashes of colour, but for classic contemporary Scandi, dress beds with cushions and throws in patterns of black, white and grey.
Clad a wall in timber
Nature, and especially wood, is key in the Scandi aesthetic. This Swedish-inspired country-style bedroom shows a softer side of the region’s look, with gingham and painted timber furniture in gentle neutrals, bare floorboards and timber cladding on one wall. (For a more colourful version, check out the 19th-century Swedish artist Carl Larsson, who painted his stunning home prolifically.)
Whatever else you have in your room, the cladding is a shortcut to Scandi. For something pretty and rustic, as in this room, try lime-washed timber for a similar pale and interesting effect. For mid-century Scandi, narrow teak boards are perfect – but you could experiment with various stains applied to pine (look up Finnish designer Alvar Aalto’s house for inspiration). For a rugged look, seek out sun-bleached reclaimed timber – the knottier the better – or try sanding back old scaffolding boards.
Nature, and especially wood, is key in the Scandi aesthetic. This Swedish-inspired country-style bedroom shows a softer side of the region’s look, with gingham and painted timber furniture in gentle neutrals, bare floorboards and timber cladding on one wall. (For a more colourful version, check out the 19th-century Swedish artist Carl Larsson, who painted his stunning home prolifically.)
Whatever else you have in your room, the cladding is a shortcut to Scandi. For something pretty and rustic, as in this room, try lime-washed timber for a similar pale and interesting effect. For mid-century Scandi, narrow teak boards are perfect – but you could experiment with various stains applied to pine (look up Finnish designer Alvar Aalto’s house for inspiration). For a rugged look, seek out sun-bleached reclaimed timber – the knottier the better – or try sanding back old scaffolding boards.
Fire things up
A Victorian fireplace is a bedroom luxury that many of us dream of – but if your home is modern, or chimney-less, the Scandi alternative could give you the character and cosiness you crave. Team something ultra contemporary with animal skins and huge windows. Or, for older properties, seek out white-painted antique Swedish wood-burners, or choose a modern electric version for a simpler fix.
A Victorian fireplace is a bedroom luxury that many of us dream of – but if your home is modern, or chimney-less, the Scandi alternative could give you the character and cosiness you crave. Team something ultra contemporary with animal skins and huge windows. Or, for older properties, seek out white-painted antique Swedish wood-burners, or choose a modern electric version for a simpler fix.
Don’t forget the kids
A Scandi nursery is a good look for nurseries, since the pared-back aesthetic is so soothing. Soften the edges with pale greys or limited pastels and add an animal motif in the form of a traditional Swedish Dala-style carved wooden horse, either an original vintage one – which is typically brightly coloured with patterned detail – or a pared-back modern imitation in black or white.
A Scandi nursery is a good look for nurseries, since the pared-back aesthetic is so soothing. Soften the edges with pale greys or limited pastels and add an animal motif in the form of a traditional Swedish Dala-style carved wooden horse, either an original vintage one – which is typically brightly coloured with patterned detail – or a pared-back modern imitation in black or white.
Vary the theme
Dusty pink isn’t classically Scandi, but here, paired with white painted floorboards and a well-designed contemporary wooden stool, it totally works. It’s proof that a couple of key details and a lot of simplicity can go a long way.
TELL US
What is your top tip for adding some Scandi chic to a home? Share your thoughts, ideas and photos in the Comments section.
MORE
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Dusty pink isn’t classically Scandi, but here, paired with white painted floorboards and a well-designed contemporary wooden stool, it totally works. It’s proof that a couple of key details and a lot of simplicity can go a long way.
TELL US
What is your top tip for adding some Scandi chic to a home? Share your thoughts, ideas and photos in the Comments section.
MORE
What’s Your Bedroom Decorating Style?
So Your Style Is: Scandinavian
Defining Scandinavian Architecture
Dutch Houzz: Minimalist Palette Creates Soothing Home
Simplicity is the key to Scandi style, and nowhere more than in the bedroom, where a pale and minimal palette will create a relaxed haven to help soothe you to sleep each night.
I recently painted my guest room all-white, put in a matching roller blind, a 1950s dressing table, a pale wooden bedhead and a black and white zigzag rug on the bare floorboards, keeping the rest of the scheme minimal, like this. A friend has just been to stay and reported that she’d had her best night’s sleep in months. “I think it’s all that white,” she said. So there you go…
The trick to making an all-white room welcoming rather than stark is to break it up with warming timber and a flash of black or grey. Other key details boosting the look here include the low-level furniture, sheer, pale curtains (light is big in Scandi decor) and the classic AJ table lamp by Danish designer Arne Jacobsen – though any non-Scandi understated mid-century piece would do the same job.