Style
Scandinavian Calm
Pale, warm and functional, built around making the most of scarce light.
See the living room
About the style
Scandinavian is a set of answers to a light problem rather than a taste for white walls. Pale surfaces redistribute scarce daylight, undressed windows waste none of it, and light wood stays warm at low light levels. Knowing which problem each element solves tells you which parts you actually need.
The common failure is flatness. Rooms that copy the pale palette without the wool, sheepskin, linen and wood end up bare rather than serene, and that gap is what people mean when they call the style cold.
Palette
- Whites
- Light woods
- Soft grays
- Subtle blues
Materials
- Natural wood
- Wool
- Linen
- Ceramic
Key elements
- Abundant natural light
- Simple furnishings
- Cozy textiles
- Indoor plants
Where to start
- Stop using the ceiling light and put three warm lamps at different heights in the room instead.
- Add texture before subtracting objects: a wool rug, a chunky throw, linen cushions.
- Clear the window completely, including the sill.
Want the full guide?
What defines scandinavian, where it goes wrong, and how it lands in every room of a house.
Read the full Scandinavian guide