How to Achieve a Cosy Scandi Aesthetic

Synonymous with elegance, simplicity and beauty, Scandinavian design has become popular all over the world thanks to its relaxed yet considered appeal. An interior style that focuses on warmth, practicality and clean lines, Scandi style is multi-faceted and can take on many forms.

Fire place surrounded with larvikite counter top

Creating a cosy home is something we all aspire to, especially in the winter months and nothing feels more welcoming that a well-executed Nordic scheme. To help you achieve your ideal cosy Scandi aesthetic, we’ve put together some thoughts and inspiration so that you can create your dream home this winter.

Simple & Modern

Characterised by clean lines and minimal clutter, a simple pared-back scheme can offer a welcoming feel. Considered accessorising provides comfort whilst the use and incorporation of daylight, candlelight and firelight adds an appealing glow. With this approach, it’s important to choose the right pale shades and tones in order for your space to not feel stark and cold. Make sure your whites and greys have a warm undertone, this will make all the difference in keeping to that Scandi look but ensuring a cosy appeal.

The incorporation of wood is encouraged but try to stick to warmer tones so that it isn’t too yellow, as this will shift the balance of your overall colour scheme. Here, you can see that Abi Dare of These Four Walls has styled her fireplace with a muted palette with hints of warmth, all on a warm base of greys and whites. The simple hint of colour from the foliage adds that final cosy touch.

Rustic Scandi Style

Textures play a key role in Scandi interiors. Wood grains, jute details, foliage and faux fur can all combine to create homes that exude the feeling of comfort and happiness (or that word we all know of... hygge). Here at Lundhs Real Stone, we always favour surfaces with a bit of depth and character. Our Lundhs Antique natural stone for example will pair with different woods, linens and greenery, bringing warmth and interest into all areas of the home.

Rustic style is often found in Scandinavian homes – it offers a connection to the outdoors and adds a nature-inspired touch. To achieve a cosy rustic interior, you can still work with a muted base palette but the key ingredients are wood and natural materials. For a lesson on how to get this aesthetic just right, take a look at Hygge For Home and Malmo & Moss’ Instagram pages (they’ve even written a book together called ‘Scandi Rustic: Creating a Cozy and Happy Home’).

Photo by: @hygge_for_home

Minimal & Greenery

When it comes to Scandinavian style less is most definitely more. Just because your interior is minimal, it doesn’t mean you can’t make it feel cosy! Stick with a minimalist approach but bring in hints of greenery – nothing too complicated or fussy, just simple and green. This hint of the outdoors will instantly add warmth but will allow you to still enjoy the comforts of a pared-back space. Team with one or two dark accents to break up the white and you’ll quickly transform a neutral home into one that feels inviting and comforting.

Layers & Textures

From roaring fires to layers of cushions and blankets, nothing says Nordic retreat like these pictures! Whilst these interiors might seem ‘busier’, they are still unapologetically Scandi. The balance of natural tones and earthy shades come through and complement each other to create spaces that are undoubtedly cosy. Hints of wood textures and nature-inspired touches combine with neutral walls, delivering comforting schemes that anybody would be happy to curl up in and watch the winter pass by.

Photo by: Morten Rakke

Scandinavian Christmas Style

A Scandinavian Christmas can incorporate some or all of the above! From minimal foliage and plenty of candlelight to refined and elegant table settings, the festive season is the perfect time to bring a Scandi-inspired interior to life.

Malmo & Moss shows us how to bring subtle nods to Christmas into her hallway by adding a simple pared-back asymmetric green wreath to her mirror and accessorising with a white rustic star. These hints add a feeling of festive cheer whilst complementing the existing neutral tones and pale wood grains.

These Four Walls demonstrates how to achieve a minimal Scandi tablescape with a balance of grey linens and black accents and of course, simple touches of greenery....

.... whilst My Best Laid Plans shows how a simple touch of the outdoors and some natural-coloured accessories and candlelight can turn a fireplace into a cosy Scandi dream.

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We hope we’ve inspired you and helped you understand how you can add a touch of Scandinavian cosiness into your home. We’re certainly feeling more festive, you’ll find us by the fireside! God jul!

Photo by: Morten Rakke

Written by Janne Magnussen

Last edited 6 Jan 2022