Clean and uncomplicated, the Scandinavian look for a living room is a popular choice.
A design of this kind if characterised by using light, neutral colours alongside natural materials. Think wood, not MDF. Think metal, not plastic. Fabrics are natural too – the warmth of wool and the smooth touch of cotton.
It is a look you can have in your living room, and here’s how;
Neutral Walls
Don’t opt for dark colours, but keep the shades light and carefree. White is favourable but if you find it too stark and clinical, used soft, soft greys and barely-there beige and cream.
Flooring
Natural wood flooring is ideal. Seal and varnish but love its impurities, dents and scuffs as you love an old cardigan that answers so many needs. Add texture and notes of warmth with rugs, but remember natural materials are essential.
This grey rug would add tone to a room, perfect for complementing white walls. For between-your-toes luxury, this white sheepskin rug is the epitome of luxury.
Living Room Furniture
Sofas and Armchairs
Scandinavian design doesn’t mean a trip to a well-known Swedish store. There are other options.
For a Scandinavian sofa, this Harris tweed sofa is ideal, especially with the wooden legs to complement the wooden floor and white sheepskin rug.
Add a pop of the modern with this black and white leather hide club chair. Imagine sinking into its welcoming, comforting depth at the end of a busy day, fire roaring, drink in hand.
Now that you have the sofa and chairs in places, you need to add furniture for storage and style. But don’t overfill the space. Not every inch of the living room’s floor space and perimeter needs to be filled.
- Sideboard – a painted sideboard is an ideal storage unit and they come with various designs and detailed features that work well in a Scandinavian interior. This oak sideboard is ideal or for when you want height, storage and display space, this oak display cabinet has the right look, without the clutter or the busyness.
- Ladder shelving – again, adding just the right amount of detail, these oak shelves is ideal for a Scandinavian interior.
- Coffee tables – Scandinavian design is about dimension too. Coffee tables should frame your sofa, not overpower it. Thus, choose a – preferably white - coffee table that is simple in design, affords storage and other practical elements but is smaller than your sofa.
- Nest of tables – no longer assigned to the past, there is a simplicity with a nest of tables that means they fit perfectly within a Scandinavian design. An armchair should be part of three items – a small table and a rug – means it is framed within the larger setting of the living room. To ring the changes, a white round coffee table is an ideal element in this design scheme.
Finish the Space
To accessorise the space, add key elements such as plants – one large floor plant or sets of three, smaller pot plants on your oak shelves work well.
Throws are great for the sofa but don’t opt for heavily coloured items. Instead, stick to light colours and patterns such as plaid or tartan.
Now all you need to do is enjoy and relax.
With the summer months comes warmer temperatures and hours of glorious sunshine – or so we hope! – and that means getting out in the garden, enjoying the space it has to offer.
