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Scandinavian living room ideas
Pale oak boards, white walls and a light grey sofa piled with wool and sheepskin give the Scandinavian living room its bright, uncluttered base. The style grew up in countries with short winter days, so everything is arranged to catch daylight and then feel cosy by lamplight. Furniture stands on slim legs, which keeps the floor visible and the room feeling larger. People choose it for family living rooms because it is calm, easy to keep tidy and works with almost any floor plan.
Try Scandinavian on a photo of your living room
Palette
- Warm white (#f1f0ec)
- Pale oak (#d9c29d)
- Dusty blue (#8ea6b8)
- Sage green (#a7b39d)
Key pieces
- Light grey sofa with wool and sheepskin throws
- Birch or pale oak coffee table on slim legs
- Spindle-back armchair by the window
- Paper lantern pendant over the seating area
- Low white media unit with closed doors
- Pale wool rug in a simple stripe or grid
Materials and finishes
- Pale oak or ash floorboards with a matt finish
- Birch plywood and solid light ash
- Undyed wool, sheepskin and chunky knits
- White linen curtains, loosely gathered
- Matt white and pale grey wall paint
Tips
- Hang curtains wide of the window frame and close to the ceiling so the glass stays fully clear by day. Nordic rooms rely on every bit of daylight they can get.
- Plan at least three light sources at different heights, such as a pendant, a floor lamp and a small table lamp, all on warm 2700K bulbs. Overhead light alone makes white walls look flat and cold at night.
- Put closed storage low along one wall for chargers, games and remotes. Keep open shelves to a few books and ceramics, because the pale backdrop shows every bit of clutter.
What to avoid
- Dark, heavy wood furniture
- Gilt frames and ornate mirrors
- Surfaces covered in small ornaments
Questions
How do I stop a white Scandinavian living room feeling cold?
Add texture rather than colour. A wool rug, a sheepskin over a chair, linen curtains and a basket of knitted throws soften white walls quickly. Choose a warm white paint with a hint of yellow, not a blue-white, and keep lamps on warm bulbs in the evening.
Does Scandinavian style work with a dark wood floor I can't replace?
Yes. Lay a large pale wool or jute rug under most of the seating area, keep the sofa light grey and choose birch or white-painted tables so they contrast with the boards. Dusty blue and sage cushions help bridge the dark floor and the white walls.
More living room styles
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- Coastal living room ideas
Scandinavian in other rooms
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