27 Scandinavian Living Room Ideas to Elevate Your Style

By Interior Designer Tracy Svendsen | Published on June 05, 2024 | 

Scandinavian Living Room Ideas: Discover the best-kept secrets of Scandinavian style that will transform your space into an oasis of simplicity and sophistication. With clean lines, natural materials, and a minimalistic approach, Scandinavian design has become a global trend that always impresses.

Here, you’ll find living rooms designed by the top interior designers from Sweden, including Emma Hos, Studio Lawahl, Refine Design Studio, and Studio A3. Learn how to embrace the beauty of light and airy interiors by incorporating neutral tones, such as whites, grays, and light pastels. Add warmth and texture to your living room with cozy knitted throws, faux fur rugs, and organic materials like wood and leather.

Introduce soft lighting, plush cushions, and candles to create a sense of hygge, the Danish concept of coziness and well-being. Optimize storage space with sleek, functional furniture and maximize natural light with sheer curtains or blinds. Whether you’re looking for a complete makeover or simple updates, these Scandinavian-inspired ideas will elevate your living room to a new level of style.  Feature image courtesy of Emma Hos Design.

Modern Scandinavian Living Room
Image courtesy of EMD Design

What is Scandinavian Design?

Scandinavian design refers to the minimalist and functional style that emerged in the Nordic countries, including Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. Its characteristics include simplicity, clean lines, and a focus on natural materials. 

Scandinavian design embraces the concept of hygge, which is all about creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. This design philosophy has gained popularity worldwide due to its timeless appeal and ability to develop a sense of serenity in any space.

Scandinavian design is rooted in the region’s long, dark winters, where maximizing natural light and creating a warm and comfortable environment are essential. The style emphasizes functionality and practicality, focusing on decluttering and organizing spaces. 

Scandinavian design celebrates the beauty of natural materials such as wood, leather, and wool and often incorporates light, neutral color palettes to create a sense of calm and tranquility. It is about simplicity, elegance, and a connection to nature. 

Here are a few key elements of Scandinavian interiors to get you started: 

Scandinavian Living Room Ideas
Image courtesy of Studio A3

1. Neutral Color Palette

Emma Hos infuses warmth into Scandinavian design with this inviting living space. While a neutral palette reigns supreme, earthy brown tones add a touch of cozy richness. The dark hues of the coffee table create a striking contrast against the light wooden floors, exemplifying the interplay of light and dark that elevates Scandinavian style.

Light, neutral color palettes are a hallmark of Scandinavian design. Whites, grays, and light pastels are commonly used to create bright and airy spaces, allowing the natural materials and textures to shine.

Neutral Living Scandinavian Living Room
Image courtesy of Emma Hos Design

2. Clean Lines

This Scandinavian living room embodies this design’s core principles. Clean lines dominate the space, creating a sense of order and tranquility. The warm charcoal paint color on the walls contrasts with the crisp white ceiling, further emphasizing the clean lines. Boucle accent chairs add a touch of textural softness without compromising the minimalist aesthetic.

Scandinavian Living Room Ideas
Image courtesy of Alvhem

3. Whites & Grays

Refine Design Studio crafts a serene and elegant aesthetic in this contemporary Scandi living room. Shades of white take the forefront, reflecting light and fostering a bright, airy atmosphere. Light wood flooring adds warmth while introducing gray tones, creating depth and a touch of sophisticated elegance. Clean lines dominate the simple furniture, emphasizing the minimalist aesthetic and Scandinavian design principles.

Sophisticated Contemporary Scandinavian Living Room
Image courtesy of Refine Design Studio

4. Cozy Textiles

Hygge, the Danish concept of cozy contentment, thrives on inviting textures. Transform your living room into a hygge haven by incorporating plush throws, soft furnishings, and faux fur rugs. Play with texture to soften the clean lines of your furniture and add visual intrigue. Consider the inviting blush tones of the sofa and area rug in the image below for inspiration. These warm hues and soft textures create a space that begs to be curled up in.

Scandinavian Living Room With Blush Tones
Image courtesy of The Nordroom (@Kronfoto Photography)

5. Soft Pastel Hues

Emma Hos infuses this Scandinavian-style living room with a touch of playful charm. Pastel pops of color in pillows, lighting fixtures, and pottery contrast against the clean backdrop of white walls, furniture, and window treatments. This approach keeps the space light and airy while adding a touch of personality.

Light pastel shades, such as pale pink, mint green, and baby blue, can infuse your living room with a subtle touch of color while maintaining the overall soft and calming aesthetic. These hues can be incorporated through accent pieces, such as cushions, artwork, or decorative accessories.

Cozy Small Scandinavian Living Room
Image courtesy of Emma Hos Design

6. Clean-Lined Furniture

Liljen Crantz masters Scandinavian design in this contemporary living and dining room. A neutral color scheme of white, black, and warm wood tones adds elegance, while a combination of curved and straight lines defining the furniture and architecture keeps the design fresh and modern.

Modern Scandinavian Apartment
Image courtesy of Liljen Crantz Interiors

7. Natural Fibers

Emma Hos weaves a combination of textures in this beautiful Scandinavian living room. Creamy walls provide a serene backdrop, while a sculptural wire pendant light adds a touch of modern whimsy.

Natural textures take center stage, with layers of throw pillows, blankets, and plush area rugs. This commitment to organic elements aligns perfectly with the Scandinavian design philosophy, creating a stylish and environmentally conscious space.

Scandinavian Living Room Ideas
Image courtesy of Emma Hos Design

8. Plants & Greenery

Incorporate plants and greenery into your living room to bring the outdoors in. Select low-maintenance houseplants that thrive indoors, such as snake plants, pothos, or ZZ plants. Place them on floating shelves, window sills, or decorative plant stands to add life and freshness to your space.

Nordic Style Living Room
Image courtesy of Scandinavian Homes

9. Textured Textiles

Use textured textiles, such as knitted throws, faux fur rugs, or chunky woolen cushions, to add warmth and coziness to your living room. Mix and match different textures to create a visually appealing and inviting space.

White Scandinavian Living Room
Image courtesy of Alvhem

10. Natural Textures

In a warm and inviting living room designed by Emma Hos, natural textures create a well-layered and cozy space. In Scandinavian design, embracing natural elements, such as exposed brick walls, raw wood finishes, or woven baskets, is essential to bring depth and visual interest to your living room. These textures add warmth and a connection to nature, crucial elements of Scandinavian design.

Nordic Decorating Ideas
Image courtesy of Emma Hos Design

11. Embrace Natural Light

Embrace the Scandinavian love for light by keeping your windows free of clutter and opting for sheer curtains or blinds that let the sunshine flow in. Arranging your furniture to maximize natural light brightens the space and contributes to your well-being.

Scandinavian design champions functionality and that extends to lighting. Layer your living room with various fixtures, such as floor lamps and pendant lights, to create the perfect ambiance for any activity or mood. Overhead lighting can illuminate the entire space, while task lighting focuses on specific areas like reading nooks. This layered approach allows you to adjust the lighting based on your needs, fostering functionality and comfort.

Scandinavian Details
Image courtesy of Emma Hos Design

12. Color Wash the Space In a Shade You Love

Studio Lawahl bathes this living room in a serene sophistication. A gentle wash of robin’s egg blue graces the walls, creating a calming backdrop. Warm wood flooring provides a striking contrast, grounding the space. Lush greenery, from large trees to potted plants, further enhances this lovely space.

Green in Scandinavian Design
Image courtesy of Studio Lawahl

13. Timeless Appeal

Creamy white walls and furniture create a light and airy foundation in a living room designed by Emma Hos, perfectly balanced with the soft embrace of brown hues. A circular pendant lamp, textured pillows, and leafy branches in a rustic pot—all bathed in warm brown tones—add a touch of cozy sophistication. Clean lines, a neutral palette accented with natural textures, and a focus on creating a calming atmosphere ensure this space will remain stylish and relevant for years to come.

Keep it Cozy
Image courtesy of Emma Hos Design

14. Wood Accents

This inviting living room exudes warmth and elegance. Rough-hewn wood doors leading to the kitchen hint at a natural connection that extends throughout the space. A cozy textured area rug complements the warmth of the wood flooring, while a comfortable sofa layered with pillows invites relaxation.

Warm Tones in Scandinavian Design
Image courtesy of Stadshem

15. Minimalistic Decor

Keep your decor minimal and purposeful. Choose a few statement pieces, such as a large abstract artwork or a sculptural floor lamp, to add visual interest. Incorporate natural elements, such as potted plants or a vase of fresh flowers, to bring life and freshness to the space.

Scandinavian Accents
Image courtesy of Scandinavian Homes

16. Natural Materials

Incorporate natural materials like wood, leather, and wool into your furniture choices. Choose wooden coffee tables, leather armchairs, and wool rugs to add warmth and texture to the space. These materials not only enhance the Scandinavian aesthetic but also bring a sense of comfort and coziness to your living room.

Scandinavian Living Room Ideas
Image courtesy of Scandinavian Homes

17. Take a Rustic Approach

KES Studio celebrates organic elegance in this refined living room. Natural beauty takes center stage, with light woods and curved furniture echoing the soft lines found in nature. Cream walls provide a serene backdrop, while the fluted fireplace surround adds a touch of textural intrigue. The result is a sophisticated and inviting space, a testament to KES Studio’s masterful blend of rustic charm and modern refinement.

Rustic Scandinavian Living Room
Image courtesy of KES Studio

18. Create a Sense of Calm

Scandinavian design champions serenity through simplicity. Uncluttered spaces are a hallmark of this aesthetic, achieved by focusing on essential pieces and letting go of excess. This minimalist approach fosters a sense of calm and tranquility, transforming your living room into a sanctuary of peace, harmony, and relaxation.

Contemporary Scandinavian Design
Image courtesy of EST Living (Perks Design)

19. Open-Concept Design

This open-plan Scandinavian haven seamlessly blends living, dining, and kitchen areas. Sage green accent walls introduce a touch of calming color, while the warmth of exposed red brick anchors the kitchen space.

Natural elements reign supreme, with wood flooring grounding the room and cozy textures adding an inviting touch. Brown furniture complements the organic aesthetic, and rustic pots housing lush plants and floral arrangements bring the beauty of nature indoors.

Scandinavian Open-Concept Interior with Sage Walls
Image courtesy of Alvhem

20. Warm Earthy Hues in the Living Space

Emma Hos paints a warm and inviting portrait of Scandinavian living in this apartment. Earthy tones are layered beautifully against crisp white walls, creating a sense of depth and richness. A plush white sofa invites relaxation, while contrasting leather accent chairs add a touch of sophisticated texture.

The sisal area rug, woven in a natural hue, complements the warmth of the wood flooring. Rustic ceramics scattered throughout the space, likely in shades of honey, warm browns, and cream, echo the earthy palette and add a touch of organic charm.

Scandinavian Apartment
Image courtesy of Emma Hos Design

21. Sculptural Lighting in Scandinavian Spaces

Soft white walls provide a calming backdrop, while floor-to-ceiling gray draperies add a touch of drama and elegance to a living room by Refine Design Studio. The richness of the parquet wood flooring grounds the space, creating a warm foundation. The sculptural pendant light and a sleek silver floor lamp add a touch of modern luxury, their gleaming surfaces reflecting the soft light and enhancing the inviting atmosphere.

Elegant & Refined Living Room
Image courtesy of Refine Design Studio

22. White Walls

White walls help create a sense of openness and airiness, essential in Scandinavian design. By reflecting natural light, white walls make the space feel brighter and more spacious, especially during the long, dark winters in Nordic countries. White walls also act as a backdrop that emphasizes using natural materials such as wood, leather, and wool.

Scandi Interior Design
Image courtesy of Alvhem

23. Scandinavian-Inspired Artwork

Emma Hos elevates this textural Scandinavian living room with a stunning minimalist gallery wall. The artwork, echoing the room’s color palette of white, black, and brown, creates a cohesive and visually intriguing display. This play on texture and color adds another layer of interest to the space, further showcasing the beauty of Scandinavian design.

Scandinavian Living Room Ideas
Image courtesy of Emma Hos Design

24. Keep It Cozy for a Scandinavian Look

Light tan walls provide a warm base, while a plush linen sofa invites relaxation in a cozy living room by Refine Design Studio. Ample throw pillows in black and tan tones add visual interest and textural comfort.

The color palette is further echoed in the sculptural black floor lamp and sleek circular coffee table, creating a sense of cohesion. A minimalist gallery wall rounds out the space, offering a touch of personality without overwhelming the clean lines.

Casual Scandinavian Living Room 
Image courtesy of Refine Design Studio

25. Black Accents

Refine Design Studio masters minimalism in this living room. Sleek lines reign supreme, accentuated by a sophisticated black, white, tan, and gray palette. A large black-and-white print takes center stage, captivating the eye and establishing a focal point.

The drama continues with a striking black-and-white chandelier, its sculptural form adding a touch of modern elegance. The interplay of these elements creates a bold and sophisticated space.

Black & White in Scandinavian Design
Image courtesy of Refine Design Studio

26. Sculptural Decor

Incorporating sculptural minimalistic Scandinavian home decor elements such as geometric vases, abstract artwork, or sleek light fixtures can elevate the overall aesthetic of your living room. This adds a modern and artistic touch while maintaining the essence of simplicity and functionality. Minimalistic decor adds visual interest without overpowering the clean-lined furniture, showcasing the perfect balance of form and function.

Design in the Details
Image courtesy of Refine Design Studio

27. Warm Terracotta Hues

Warm terracotta hues can add a touch of earthy richness and depth to a Scandinavian living and dining area. These hues can be incorporated through elements such as accent pillows, throws, ceramics, or wall paint.

When used sparingly, terracotta tones can provide warmth and a sense of coziness while still maintaining the overall simplicity and clean aesthetic of Scandinavian design. Consider pairing terracotta with light neutrals and natural materials to create a harmonious and balanced living space that exudes warmth and minimalist elegance.

Warm Terracotta Hues 
Image courtesy of Studio Lawahl