Natural lighting, convenience, wooden furniture with simple shapes and fabrics with emphatic patterns: these are some of the features of Nordic style furnishing. But, in detail, what characteristics are needed to create Nordic and Scandinavian moods in a home?

“HYGGE” LIFESTYLE

Our home environment must enable us to escape from the stressful rhythms of urban life and embrace us in a general climate where every feature strikes the right balance between function, understated elegance and comfort. The home is also a comfortable refuge in the winter months, when we tend to spend many hours there. This is the philosophy expressed by the word “Hygge”, a feeling of comfort and quiet based on the simplicity of small everyday actions that bestow wellbeing.

TIMELESS DESIGN: THE RIGHT FEATURES TO CHOOSE

Furnishing in Nordic style means aiming to support the pleasant sensations of Hygge by enabling warm light to flood through the home. Nordic style interior design starts with the careful selection of furniture and fittings, which must first and foremost be functional.

A Scandinavian style home consists of just a few features:

multifunctional furniture
A bookcase composition with adjustable shelves, incorporating writing-desks and enclosed wall units for mixing with the open shelving, a large dining table which can double as a kitchen or office worktop, and in the kids’ room, convertible beds suitable for various age-ranges.

the fireplace
The crackle of wood burning in a hearth immediately generates a feeling of warmth and comfort. Whether placed in a large lounge or a small study, a fireplace adds a special touch to the home environment.

the kitchen as vibrant heart of the home
A place for cooking with family and friends and spending quality time, the kitchen can be integrated in and visible from the large lounge or in a separate room with lunch counter or table. The kitchen’s design must be guided by simple lines and a colour scheme of cool shades contrasting with natural wood.

natural materials
In the Nordic style home, furniture is often in solid wood with natural or bleached finish. Only a few features have a glossy finish, and the shine must be that of the material itself, as with glass or ceramics. When furnishings are coloured, cool shades or a black-white contrast are the preferred choices.

natural daylight and windows
Because of the long winters and shortage of daylight, when designing a home in Nordic style the tendency is to include floor-to-ceiling windows without curtains or blinds, to allow as much natural light as possible to pass. Here again, white and varnished wood are the recommended finishes for window frames.