How do you decorate with Scandinavian-inspired design?
Learn how to decorate with Scandinavian-inspired design using timeless decor ideas, and Nordic-style products. Create a cozy, minimal home rooted in simplicity and meaning.
In a world full of distractions and clutter, more people are turning toward the simplicity, calm, and beauty of Scandinavian-inspired design. Known for its clean lines, cozy touches, and deep connection to nature, this timeless style has become one of the most sought-after home aesthetics around the world.
But how do you actually decorate with Scandinavian-inspired design?
Where do you begin? And how can you make it feel personal—rather than just trendy?
Whether you're redesigning your whole home or adding small, thoughtful updates, this guide will walk you through how to decorate in true Nordic style—using foundational principles and curated products from Scandinavian Hearts that reflect both heritage and heart.
What Is Scandinavian-Inspired Design?
Before we jump into the how, let’s answer the what.
Scandinavian design—which originated in countries like Sweden, Norway, and Denmark—is a design movement that emerged in the early 20th century. It quickly gained global recognition in the 1950s for its emphasis on functionality, simplicity, and craftsmanship.
What sets it apart today is its ability to balance:
Clean, modern lines
Natural textures and materials
Cozy, welcoming elements
An emotional connection to nature and tradition
At its heart, it’s about living beautifully and meaningfully—something we value deeply at Scandinavian Hearts.
Trending Questions (That We’re Answering)
Let’s look at the most popular questions people are searching when it comes to Scandinavian home design.
What colors are used in Scandinavian design?
Scandinavian interiors rely on a neutral color palette—whites, soft grays, beige, and light wood tones. Accents may include muted greens, dusty blues, and touches of black for contrast.
How do I make my house look Scandinavian?
Use minimal, functional furniture with clean lines, reduce clutter, incorporate natural textures, and add cozy, handmade or meaningful decor like Dala Horses, hearts, or candles.
Is Scandinavian style minimalist?
Yes, but it’s a warm minimalism—focused not on empty spaces but on intentional living. Scandinavian homes are uncluttered but inviting, calming but full of life.
How to Decorate with Scandinavian-Inspired Design (Step by Step)
Let’s walk through how to bring this timeless Nordic aesthetic into your own home, one element at a time.
1. Start with a Light, Neutral Palette
Why it matters:
Scandinavian countries experience long, dark winters, so interiors are often designed to reflect light and create brightness. White walls and pale tones act as a clean, calming canvas.
How to do it:
Use white or off-white paint for walls
Choose light wood furniture (like birch or pine)
Layer with soft beige, warm grays, and pale pastels
🌿 Scandinavian Hearts Tip: Add small color accents with our Dala Horse inspired designs for cultural warmth that still fits a minimalist palette.
2. Incorporate Natural Materials
Why it matters:
Nature is at the heart of Nordic life. From hiking forests to foraging flowers, the outdoors are deeply tied to emotional well-being—and home design reflects that.
How to do it:
Use raw or light-stained wood furniture
Add jute rugs, linen curtains, or woven baskets
Display foraged branches, dried flowers, or live greenery
🍃 Scandinavian Hearts Tip: Our Wooden Heart Decor offer a beautiful blend of rustic charm and cultural heritage.
3. Layer Cozy Textures
Why it matters:
This is where hygge (the Danish word for cozy contentment) comes in. Textures add comfort and make minimalist spaces feel warm and lived-in.
How to do it:
Add chunky knit throws or wool blankets
Use sheepskin rugs on wooden benches or chairs
Mix pillows in natural fabrics like linen and cotton
🧺 Scandinavian Hearts Tip: Layer a Woven Heart Stuffy on your child’s bed or reading nook for a cozy, meaningful accent rooted in Nordic tradition.
4. Embrace Simplicity and Functionality
Why it matters:
Every item in a Scandinavian home has purpose—either functionally or emotionally. Less is more, but only if what remains truly matters.
How to do it:
Use open shelves to display select items (not clutter)
Choose multi-use furniture, like benches with storage
Avoid excess decor—choose fewer, more meaningful pieces
🧡 Scandinavian Hearts Tip: Our decor items, like Woven Hearts or Dala Horses, are not just pretty—they represent kindness, courage, and culture.
5. Add Soft Lighting & Candles
Why it matters:
Lighting sets the mood. In Scandinavian design, the goal is warmth—not harsh brightness. Think: soft glows that make you want to stay awhile.
How to do it:
Use table and floor lamps with warm-toned bulbs
Hang fairy lights or string lights around mirrors or windows
Cluster candles on trays, tables, or in the windowsill
🕯️ Scandinavian Hearts Tip: Pair candles with a Heart Ornaments or display them in a woven heart basket for added charm.
6. Decorate with Meaningful Touches
Why it matters:
The most memorable spaces tell a story. Scandinavian homes often include pieces that reflect tradition, heritage, and family memories.
How to do it:
Include items from your travels or ancestry
Add framed photos in wood or black frames
Use seasonal or holiday items that reflect your values
📚 Scandinavian Hearts Tip: Add our bestselling children’s books—like Anna and the Scandinavian Hearts or Anna and the Woven Hearts—to your shelves for a meaningful, family-friendly design feature.
7. Decorate Seasonally (But Simply)
Why it matters:
Scandinavian design shifts with the seasons—adding warmth in winter, freshness in spring, celebration in summer, and depth in autumn.
How to do it:
Use candles and hearts in winter
Add greenery, florals, or wooden eggs in spring
Decorate with simple crowns and garlands for Midsummer
Introduce deeper tones and textures in fall
🧡 Scandinavian Hearts Tip: Explore our Seasonal Holiday Gifts to spread and joy and love to others.
Scandinavian Hearts: Home Decor with Story and Soul
At Scandinavian Hearts, we design more than just pretty products.
We create items that tell a story, honor tradition, and bring heart into your home.
Whether you’re just starting your Scandinavian journey or you’re adding meaningful touches to your current decor, our products are made to help you:
Connect with your Nordic roots
Celebrate cozy, intentional living
Pass down beautiful traditions to your family
Bestselling Items for Scandinavian Decorating:
Woven Heart Stuffy – soft, symbolic, and story-filled
Wood Ornaments – designed with heritage
Children’s Book Series – teach through beautiful storytelling
Final Thoughts: A Home Decorated with Heart
Decorating with Scandinavian-inspired design isn’t about copying a trend—it’s about creating a home that feels calm, connected, and deeply yours.
It’s a reflection of:
Who you are
What you value
And how you want to feel every day
When you decorate with simplicity, natural beauty, and cultural tradition, you’re not just styling a home—you’re nurturing a way of life.
So take the first step.
Light a candle.
Add a woven heart.
Choose one small space to simplify and soften.
Let your home become your sanctuary.
With love and warmth,
Wendy
Founder, Scandinavian Hearts