How to Design an Amazing Scandinavian Hygge Living Room – 11 Tips and Tricks

Want to create your own Scandinavian room? The key elements are clean lines, simple style, and natural materials. Here’s How to Design a Scandinavian…

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Architect and online interior designer

Updated 7 min read

In this post
  1. A Few Nods to Nordic Countries
  2. 1Emphasis on Organics
  3. 2Less is More Minimalist Design
  4. 3Encouraging Coziness
  5. 4Tidy Up
  6. 5Go Bohemian
  7. 6Focus on a Hygge Color Palette
  8. 7Form Follows (Multi-) Function
  9. 8Light Is Crucial
  10. 9Plants Everywhere!
  11. 10Limit Window Treatments
  12. 11Opt for Wooden Floors
  13. Design a Scandinavian Hygge Living Room – FAQ
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The Scandinavian hygge aesthetic style focuses on minimalism, simplicity, and practicality. This aesthetic began around the 1950s, but it’s still very much on trend in the world of interior design. One key aspect of this movement is that it emphasizes practicality and minimalism.

Additionally, the use of organic materials like leather, wood, and hemp is also part of this style. There is also a strong connection to nature, typically reflected in Scandinavian hygge homes, which often mixes organic forms, abstraction, and the use of natural materials.

All these elements come together to create a warm, inviting, and stylish aesthetic that I love.

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A Few Nods to Nordic Countries

This style is about creating a warm, inviting space that feels like home. It strongly emphasizes practicality and minimalism, which is reflected in the use of organic materials like leather, wood, and hemp.

In addition, Scandinavian hygge living rooms often mix organic forms, abstraction, and the use of natural materials to create a space that is both stylish and comfortable. The goal of this style is to create an environment that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

For example, a Scandinavian living room might feature a comfortable sofa with plenty of pillows for lounging, a coffee table with magazines for reading, and a cozy rug for added warmth. This style is about more than just appearances; it’s also about creating a space that encourages you to relax and enjoy the moment.

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1.- Emphasis on Organics

You’ll find an emphasis on organic forms, natural materials, and comfortable and efficient layouts. Scandi-style has its roots in a culture that evolved as a result of people’s need to make do with what nature provided them in remote, rural towns.

Therefore, this design style is often inspired by the landscape and culture of the Scandinavian countries, as well as by the climate and the need to create functional and stylish interiors that can withstand the harsh winters.

Consequently, scandi-style interior designers are known for their use of light, clean colors, and natural materials, as well as their focus on functionality and comfort. 

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2.- Less is More Minimalist Design

This design aesthetic is all about simplicity, cleanliness, and openness. That means using neutral colors, having lots of natural light, and incorporating minimalist furnishings.

These Scandinavian hygge living room ideas are perfect for small spaces because it doesn’t require a lot of furniture or decorative items to make a room look complete. 

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3.- Encouraging Coziness

A cozy design can be accomplished by a simple, clean, and functional layout, with a focus on natural materials and a neutral palette. This is why this style is often associated with Hygge, a Danish and Norwegian home decor concept that emphasizes a sense of well-being and satisfaction.

Although it may be impossible to create the ideal setting for hygge, comforthing and soothing feelings are key to the concept. 

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4.- Tidy Up

Scandinavian hygge living room design is all about creating an inviting, warm and comfortable space through simplicity and functionality. One of the simplest ways to Scandinavianize your home is to tidy up and get rid of anything unnecessary clutter.

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5.- Go Bohemian

What if you want to add a little more personality to your space? Try incorporating some bold patterns. A perfect balance of form and function can be achieved by blending Scandinavian hygee interior design’s clean lines with the bohemian aesthetic’s freewheeling energy.

Bohemian style is all about mixing and matching different patterns, textures, and colors. So don’t be afraid to go wild with your accessories. Throw a colorful rug on the floor, hang some tapestries on the walls, and display your favorite art pieces prominently. The goal is to create a space that reflects your unique personality and style. 

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6.- Focus on a Hygge Color Palette

The focus should be on using neutral colors to produce a calming and relaxing atmosphere. However, this doesn’t mean that your room has to be boring! Adding bright accent colors can help to add some visual interest and personality to the space.

When it comes to walls, white is often the go-to color in a Scandinavian hygge house, so furniture and other decorative objects can take center stage. 

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7.- Form Follows (Multi-) Function

Scandinavian Hygge interior design is all about minimalism and functionality. Every element in these homes has a purpose and no superfluous decoration. This often results in clean, uncluttered spaces with a calming effect.

As the average size of homes in Scandinavian countries is smaller than in other parts of the world, designers in this part of the world have become experts in creating storage solutions that make the most of limited space.

Built-in shelves, for example, are a common feature of these homes as well as multipurpose furniture. You can also find coffee tables that double as storage boxes as they help make the most of limited space.

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8.- Light Is Crucial

One of the most important elements of Scandinavian Hygge-style living room design is light. Access to natural light is crucial in a region where the winters are long and dark. That’s why these homes are often designed with large windows to let in as much light as possible.

Additionally, Scandinavian hygee living rooms make use of artificial lighting to supplement the natural light. Pendant lights, task lighting, table, and floor lamps are all common in these houses. The overall effect is a bright, airy space that feels welcoming and comfortable. They are never without their warm and illuminating pendant lights, task lighting, and table and floor lamps.

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9.- Plants Everywhere!

Do you ever feel like your home is missing something? Like, it’s just not quite complete? One way to add that little je ne sais quoi is by filling it with plants! That’s right; plants are the answer to all your design woes.

Not only do they help to purify the air, but they also add a touch of nature to any space. What better way to do that than by bringing the outdoors inside? Plants are the perfect way to do just that. So if you’re looking for a way to add some life to your home, look no further than your local nursery. 

Trust me; your home will thank you for it. However, if you have pets, it’s worth knowing which houseplants are pet-friendly and which houseplants are poisonous to pets.

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10.- Limit Window Treatments 

One of the best ways to achieve this look is to limit window treatments. Curtains or blinds are optional, but choose light materials like sheers if you decide to use them. This will allow lots of natural light into the room, which is an essential element of Scandinavian hygge design.

Plus, at night, when light shines through the curtains, it may make your room even more intimate and swoon-worthy. So if you’re looking to achieve a Scandinavian-hygge inspired interior, remember to keep your window treatments to a minimum. 

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11.- Opt for Wooden Floors

One of the key features of the hygge style is hardwood floors. Hardwood floors are also much easier to keep clean, which is essential in a culture that values simplicity and functionality.

In recent years, hygge design has become increasingly popular, and more and more people are opting for wooden floors in their homes.

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Design a Scandinavian Hygge Living Room – FAQ

Where can I find an interior designer to help me with my Scandinavian home decor?

They work with hundreds of professional interior designers that will help you design Scandinavian rooms and create your dream home.

What are some decorative accents I can include in my Scandinavian Hygge home?

Any interior designer will tell you that some decorative accents are elegant ceramic vases, furniture with ornate architectural details, wall art such as black and white photography, fresh flowers, white walls, light fabrics, brass pendants, a few splashes of color, and perhaps a focal point.

Can I add modern furniture to my simple Scandinavian Hygge style room?

Hygge is about simplicity, functionality, and minimalism, so you can certainly add this furniture style to your room.

Can I add fresh flowers to my simple Scandinavian Hygge style room?

Yes, you can add fresh flowers to your Hygge-style room. Just be sure to choose a simple vase and arrangement so as not to overwhelm the space.

Where can I find more information about Scandi-inspired design? 

RedfinHow to Design a Scandinavian Style Room

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You can visit our friends at  to find out more!

Meet the author

Written by an architect.

Julio Arco is a passionate architect with years of experience in architecture, interior design, urban design, and housing. He studied at prestigious universities across North America and Europe.

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