Style We Love: 13 Ways With Scandi Style Around the World
Scandinavian decorating with a local twist gives this simple style a fresh look, no matter what country you live in
Suzanne Barker
17 November 2016
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. Interior designer. I share my property development and home design lessons learned, to help you make better design decisions as a DIY decorator. Access to my free library of resources, or sign up for my free course http://www.inhowzer.com
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. Interior designer. I share my property development... More
Long before Ikea became a household name, Sweden, Denmark and Norway were celebrated for their home decor prowess. Pared-back simplicity, understated elegance, and light, bright interiors define Scandinavian style, and it continues to capture our hearts all around the world. Here are 13 local twists on the classic Scandi style, interpreted by homeowners from all points of the globe.
1. Sweden
Scandi style is characterised by the use of pale washes of colour or white on walls and floors, a reaction to long, dark winters with few hours of daylight. Minimal ornamentation is key, while wood and other natural materials enliven the space and bring rich textures into the mix. In this Swedish home, the designer has achieved a clean, minimalist look that’s also warm and homey.
Scandi style is characterised by the use of pale washes of colour or white on walls and floors, a reaction to long, dark winters with few hours of daylight. Minimal ornamentation is key, while wood and other natural materials enliven the space and bring rich textures into the mix. In this Swedish home, the designer has achieved a clean, minimalist look that’s also warm and homey.
2. Denmark
This Danish home is dramatically different, establishing contrast with dark charcoal furnishings and cabinets against the traditional pale-toned palette. Paired with rustic wooden walls, a sleek white ceiling, and a staircase that’s harder edged and uniquely textural, this is an oh-so-interesting twist on typical Scandi style.
This Danish home is dramatically different, establishing contrast with dark charcoal furnishings and cabinets against the traditional pale-toned palette. Paired with rustic wooden walls, a sleek white ceiling, and a staircase that’s harder edged and uniquely textural, this is an oh-so-interesting twist on typical Scandi style.
3. Spain
In the heat of Spain, this interior embraces Scandinavian cool wholeheartedly by keeping the colour palette pared right back. The cowhide rug and timber feature wall are the star attractions in this room. Both add rich texture and create layers of interest. While Scandinavian colour palettes are almost always natural, the layering of texture is at the heart of successful Scandi style.
In the heat of Spain, this interior embraces Scandinavian cool wholeheartedly by keeping the colour palette pared right back. The cowhide rug and timber feature wall are the star attractions in this room. Both add rich texture and create layers of interest. While Scandinavian colour palettes are almost always natural, the layering of texture is at the heart of successful Scandi style.
4. Australia
This modern Australian interpretation of Scandinavian style enthusiastically embraces light wood and white floor and wall surfaces. The practical floor tiles, well suited to Australia’s climate, are a cool interpretation of the warm and cosy typical Scandinavian painted wood or natural timber floors. The popular Wishbone dining chair by Danish architect Hans J. Wegner has been in continuous production since 1950.
Designer dining chairs you need to know about
This modern Australian interpretation of Scandinavian style enthusiastically embraces light wood and white floor and wall surfaces. The practical floor tiles, well suited to Australia’s climate, are a cool interpretation of the warm and cosy typical Scandinavian painted wood or natural timber floors. The popular Wishbone dining chair by Danish architect Hans J. Wegner has been in continuous production since 1950.
Designer dining chairs you need to know about
5. Germany
The furnishings here are soft and comfortable and the dusky rose accent is right on point with Scandinavian style. Danish designer Hee Welling designed the About a Lounge Chair seen here for furniture company Hay, and with its help this room cleverly balances restrained but thoughtful furniture and accessories. While this can be difficult to achieve, it is one of the elements that makes Scandinavian style so restful, liveable and appealing.
The furnishings here are soft and comfortable and the dusky rose accent is right on point with Scandinavian style. Danish designer Hee Welling designed the About a Lounge Chair seen here for furniture company Hay, and with its help this room cleverly balances restrained but thoughtful furniture and accessories. While this can be difficult to achieve, it is one of the elements that makes Scandinavian style so restful, liveable and appealing.
6. Italy
The vibrant colours captured in these Eames chairs are not normally present in Scandinavian style, but the light wooden floors and white walls channel the Nordic look beautifully. The use of more vibrant colour is increasingly a feature of New Nordic style, emanating from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
The vibrant colours captured in these Eames chairs are not normally present in Scandinavian style, but the light wooden floors and white walls channel the Nordic look beautifully. The use of more vibrant colour is increasingly a feature of New Nordic style, emanating from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
7. UK
Classic soft greens and greys define the Scandi palette. In this all-white London kitchen the colours have a little more oomph than expected, but the dining table and chairs all feature the angled tapered-leg style that is classic Scandinavian. The stripped-back timber floorboards add an important textural element to the room, which brings it to life.
Browse more eat-in kitchens
Classic soft greens and greys define the Scandi palette. In this all-white London kitchen the colours have a little more oomph than expected, but the dining table and chairs all feature the angled tapered-leg style that is classic Scandinavian. The stripped-back timber floorboards add an important textural element to the room, which brings it to life.
Browse more eat-in kitchens
8. USA
White timber floors and furniture with bare windows create a fresh but neutral background for the other elements of this room to shine. Restrained decor creates a calming and cohesive look, with sharp colour accents from nature, an important element of successful Scandinavian design.
White timber floors and furniture with bare windows create a fresh but neutral background for the other elements of this room to shine. Restrained decor creates a calming and cohesive look, with sharp colour accents from nature, an important element of successful Scandinavian design.
9. France
Painting the ceiling beams white in this historical Parisian apartment lifts and brightens the room, while also creating a uniform look that’s calming and restful. Paired with the soft greys loved by Scandinavians, this interior is the perfect balance of minimalism and cosiness. The inviting linen lounge and shaggy textured rug (use smaller sheepskins for a quick take on this look) are signature.
Painting the ceiling beams white in this historical Parisian apartment lifts and brightens the room, while also creating a uniform look that’s calming and restful. Paired with the soft greys loved by Scandinavians, this interior is the perfect balance of minimalism and cosiness. The inviting linen lounge and shaggy textured rug (use smaller sheepskins for a quick take on this look) are signature.
10. The Netherlands
The owner of this Dutch apartment mixed sheepskins and fresh, printed cushions with pale wooden floors, and revamped a table and bench seat with found timber to add texture and rusticity to an otherwise minimal scheme.
The owner of this Dutch apartment mixed sheepskins and fresh, printed cushions with pale wooden floors, and revamped a table and bench seat with found timber to add texture and rusticity to an otherwise minimal scheme.
11. Canada
The famous Panton Chair by Verner Panton is another Danish design masterpiece that sets the tone for Scandinavian style in this Toronto kitchen. The sheepskin draped over this S-shaped plastic chair is a classic inviting touch, while taupe kitchen cupboards mimic the light, white-washed wood seen in typical Scandinavian interiors.
The famous Panton Chair by Verner Panton is another Danish design masterpiece that sets the tone for Scandinavian style in this Toronto kitchen. The sheepskin draped over this S-shaped plastic chair is a classic inviting touch, while taupe kitchen cupboards mimic the light, white-washed wood seen in typical Scandinavian interiors.
12. New Zealand
David Trubridge’s recognisable light fixtures, featured in this home on the Karikari Peninsula, capture Scandinavian style in all its essence. This is a coastal twist on Scandi style, enhanced by the natural sunlight pouring in.
David Trubridge’s recognisable light fixtures, featured in this home on the Karikari Peninsula, capture Scandinavian style in all its essence. This is a coastal twist on Scandi style, enhanced by the natural sunlight pouring in.
13. Singapore
What better way to warm up this all-white apartment than with gentled-hued timber highlights? There’s nothing matchy-matchy about this space – the chairs follow the Scandi theme without being part of a set, and even the cabinetry is asymmetrical. Adding a surprise element in the form of bare-bulb pendants hung at varying heights and in bold orange and black gives this Scandi-style home some personality all its own.
TELL US
What do you like best about this style? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more Scandinavian-style homes
What better way to warm up this all-white apartment than with gentled-hued timber highlights? There’s nothing matchy-matchy about this space – the chairs follow the Scandi theme without being part of a set, and even the cabinetry is asymmetrical. Adding a surprise element in the form of bare-bulb pendants hung at varying heights and in bold orange and black gives this Scandi-style home some personality all its own.
TELL US
What do you like best about this style? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more Scandinavian-style homes
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Country Living
Best of the Week: Modern Country Homes From Around the World
It's a little bit country, a little bit rock 'n' roll – enjoy our pick of the best modern country spaces on Houzz
Full Story
Most Popular
Decorating for Contentment: How to Live a 'Lagom' Life
Can you achieve contentment and balance in your home by practising self-restraint and moderation?
Full Story
Most Popular
28 Examples of the Beauty of Dark Walls
Our coffee-break escape offers you five minutes' worth of images to inspire and delight. Jump right in...
Full Story
Most Popular
9 Ways to 'Winterise' a Summery Room
When the temperature drops, those bare, open spaces no longer feel quite right – here are nine ways to add some cosiness
Full Story
Picture Perfect
17 Rooms Where Rattan and Cane Star in Inspiring Ways
Our coffee-break escape offers you five minutes' worth of images to inspire and delight. Jump right in...
Full Story
Interior Design
A Designer's Step-by-Step Masterclass on Mixing Colour & Pattern
See how a designer combined bold colour and pattern in this family home – and pick up insider tricks in the process
Full Story
Most Popular
There's a New Trend in Town: Japandi
Embrace the fusion of Japanese simplicity and Scandinavian style
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Where Islamic-Inspired Design and Hamptons Meet
See how an interior designer blended two very different styles in this home for a family of six
Full Story
Most Popular
Best of the Week: 26 Hamptons-Style Homes in Australia
By Joanna Tovia
Australians can't get enough of the timeless and sophisticated style of the Hamptons
Full Story
Picture Perfect
19 Modern Beach Houses to Fuel Your Design Dreams
Our coffee-break escape offers you five minutes' worth of images to inspire and delight. Jump right in...
Full Story
I'm surprised that people must comment that they don't like it. I think Scandinavian style has wonderful elements-light streaming in, lots of greenery, clean white linens, colorful cookware, light floors. Very peaceful when you can control the clutter. I enjoyed seeing the examples although I agree the cowhide was jarring and I'm from Texas !
You can tell the writer really doesn’t have a handle on what is Scandinavian design. Probably should have started off with saying, here are images from the Scandinavian countries. Excluding Finland and Norway, and only representing two Scandinvian countries, was very odd. Also no Gustavian elements at all. Then if you want to show this style in other countries - well, it should look pretty much the same. If it does not, it is not Scandinavian style. Just one element like white walls or a light wood floor does not make a room Scandinavian. The closest countries that would have something similar would likely be Iceland and Germany.
Scandi style is inspiring interior designs across the globe. Here's a great example of an American take on Scandi style. For kitchens, you'll see light natural woods and white paint finishes on slab door styles (like this Dash door style) or shaker/flat panel doors styles (like this Dempsey door style).