28 Scandinavian-Inspired, Low-Budget Items for A Cozier Home
Based on Nordic design principles.
You’re wrapped in a soft blanket, sipping a hot cup of chocolate or tea, while the sunlight shines through the windows and snow glitters in the garden.
Aromas of pine needles fill the room from the candle burning on the small table beside the couch.
The feeling of warmth and coziness is present as you become consumed in your favourite book or music.
If you wish for moments like these, this article is for you. Luckily, you don’t have to travel to Denmark and Co., or get a completely new apartment.
Buying a few specific items might be just what you need to bring Scandinavian style and hygge to you own home.
Here are 28 Nordic-inspired items, based on Scandinavian design principles, for you to choose from.
Loosely knitted blankets
As it can be quite cold in Scandinavia, it makes perfect sense that we need a blanket for chilling on the sofa.
Actually, might need more than one. We need one in dark grey, green and beige.
Why? Because layering these blankets on the sofa gives it exactly the cozy appearance we know from pictures.
The layering look is quite common in Scandinavia.
Fake fur slippers
They’re essential to keeping your feet warm.
If you‘re working from home just like me, your feet will be in these slippers for at least eight hours a day. You want them to feel soft and look trendy.
Popular slipper styles include Birkenstock or fake fur slippers, but whatever makes you walk and sit comfortably will do.
Candles in all sizes
Passive light is something magical. Candles are one of the most essential helpers for passive, moody atmospheres, and therefore, belong to the basic toolbox for Scandi interior design.
Another important thing to know is that there can never be enough candles. Literally, you cannot overdo candlelight.
Put them into at least five different corners or on different surfaces and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
Hemp basket for additional blankets
Baskets are also very common in Nordic-style homes. You can put excessive blankets, pillows, or any other item in them.
If you think of getting one, root for natural materials like hemp or choose dark steel baskets.
They also help to make your home look tidy, which is a prerequisite for any interior design to look good.
Logs, as decoration
Another way to bring nature into your home is through logs.
There are really nice log holders that can accompany any real or fake fireplace. You can also make them part of your table or shelf decoration.
If you buy thicker ones, they can be used as flower pillars for your pot plants.
A few scents
Scents can be a powerful tool when used correctly.
It’s important to find the right balance between creating a homely atmosphere and overdosing the perfume. Less is usually more.
It’s best to use natural scents, like pine, honey, water, snow. They not only give your home a welcoming atmosphere but also bring the forest, sea, or mountains to you.
(Fake) fireplace
I always wanted to have a proper fireplace to heat me in the winter. It just made me feel comfy, restful, and always gives me a sense of security. But I cannot have one in my flat, unfortunately.
So, I bought myself a fake fireplace frame which I pinned to a wall. I filled it with logs and placed candles on the logs within the frame.
Voila, a perfect Scandinavian fireplace.
Cotton carpet
You‘ll never find a wall-to-wall carpet floor in Denmark or any other Nordic country.
We prefer wood flooring. It roots us. But that doesn’t mean we don’t like carpets at all. We just rather use them as decoration elements.
How can you make them look good in your living room? Why not put a round rug at the foot end of the bed? Or place a knitted, rectangular one below the round dining table.
Think spots, not overlay.
Modern, round vase
At some point, you’ll have flowers. And you’ll want to put them into an extremely eye-catching vase for everybody to see.
Alternatively, you too fell for dried flowers— as I did — and a vase is standing on the dining table every single day. In both scenarios, the vase should look stunning and compliment the minimalistic style.
I chose a round vase to contrast the predominantly cubic-shaped furniture in my flat.
You can remember the rule of thumb: Contrasts in all forms, styles, or shapes are welcomed — but be careful with color.
Mosaik candle jars
I have five different sets of candle jars in my apartment. Each set, which consists of at least two glasses, is placed in another room or on opposite ends of the same room.
One set looks like it is made out of plasterwork, with tiny, colorful glasses incorporated in a mosaic style on the outside. Another is set is made of copper and golden glass splinters.
I’ve also tried to follow the concept of contrast here, creating a different vibe with the candle holders in comparison to the big furniture and colors.
Always make sure that the colors fit the overall tone of the room and that you have at least two identical jars to create a sense of unity.
Metal lanterns
I‘ve put mine in front of the fireplace. As I don’t have a proper one, I cannot light a real fire but still want to have the illusion of flames.
Putting the metal-styled lanterns (one small, one big) in front of a pile of logs creates just the cozy, winter vibe we know from pictures of Scandinavian homes in the snow.
They are also great for outdoors or for staircases.
The right kind of mirror
Every apartment needs at least one mirror. Sometimes there’s one in each room.
The type of mirror makes a huge difference in how the room will look.
A round mirror without a frame can look superb in a bathroom or above storage in the entrance area, adding modernity.
A rectangular mirror with thick, ornated elements will definitely look potent in a bedroom or in the entrance.
Be bold yet decisive with this decoration element — it is a powerful tool.
A vintage armchair
An armchair is another piece that can enhance the style composition.
If you’ve got a more linear and minimalistic style, like me, I could go for an armchair in your highlight color or in a different material.
I, for example, have a dark green velvet armchair in my otherwise white, wooden office.
But you could also go the other way and choose a minimalistic rocker for your living room area if your furniture is already quite lively, with different materials and stronger colors.
Light chains
Light chains are another tool for the starter set of Scandinavian interior design.
In comparison to candles or lamps, you can hang them from the ceiling or attach them to shelves or cupboards and draw passive light from there.
I would always go for warm white light here, not cold white — as it resembles candles more, which makes to room look cozy.
Tray for the bed or sofa
I often work from the couch and like to drink a glass of wine while watching TV.
Just recently, I bought myself a tray, so I can put my morning coffee cup on it while sitting on the sofa. It prevents it from spilling when I move and looks good.
I also use it when reading with a cup of tea in bed.
If you want to have a Nordic tray, make sure it’s made from natural materials such as wood. Scandinavians always bring a lot of wood into their homes, to have a strong connection to nature.
Industrial-styled lamp
Linear, rectangular shape, black color, warm light – by now you might know this is the perfect prerequisite for Scandinavian style.
All the lamps in my flat have an industrial touch.
One is in the above-mentioned shape, the other is a copper pendant hanging over the couch. They are both made out of metal.
They bring a rater modern vibe into the cozy yet clean atmosphere.
Plants
Second to candles, there can never be enough plants in a home. They improve the air quality and make the room come to life.
Orchids are very popular because they are easy to care for. For the extra Nordic feeling, you can add Monsteras, Calathes, ferns, and Norfolk Island pines.
Mixing up sizes and evergreen plants throughout the rooms creates that layering, homogenous look.
Mixed picture frames
Pictures and paintings give character to a room. While white walls can quickly appear cold and distant, pictures fill them with life.
Arranging different sized-frames with black and white paintings has become quite popular in the last years. Nearly all trending room pictures show a few line pictures.
People either hang them on the wall or layer them onto a cupboard or shelf. If you choose to switch the colors or materials of the frames as well, it will become even more lively.
Keep in mind, that the more extravagant the frames, the simpler the pictures should be.
One type of waste paper bin
This might not be the first item you think of if you want to buy a style piece, but the waste paper bin can make a huge difference in your kitchen or office.
Don’t buy the classic plastic bin if you're trying to create a Nordic interior design. It’s like buying a Ferrari with one 80 PS.
Go for a bin in country house style or a wooden chest. Looks more elegant.
Fake huntsman antler
This might not be for everybody, but a fake huntsman antler can make a room look like a Nordic winter cabin.
Usually, they’re positioned above the fireplace, above the dining table, or at the head end of the bed.
Some even use them as coats or scarf hooks.
A wooden bowl
Bowls are not only great for serving snacks, but they also help keep your home tidy.
Positioning candles in a tray-styled bowl, for example, make the candles look more arranged and organized, instead of simply dropped on different surfaces. Moreover, you can add additional decoration material to the composition.
Bowls with beauty products can also give a caring, welcoming, and stylish feeling to the bathroom or toilet.
Don’t forget to fit the color and material of the bowls to the color palette of the other interior.
A black wall panel
When we scroll through pictures of Scandinavian interior design, we sometimes see panels with cute messages written on them.
“Love you, honey!” or “Have a great day” messages make our days better and the rooms look friendlier.
I liked the idea too and bought myself one, which is now positioned between the kitchen and the dining area on a radiator.
The color and rustical style match the legs of my dining table and the black metal lamp beside it.
It didn’t go unnoticed for long, and guests are always leaving messages, adding more hygge to my home.
Bookends
A bookshelf is another piece of furniture that is quite common in homes, and not only in Nordic ones.
However, the people who read a lot and therefore also have many books, then to overcrowd them. They simply drop the titles onto the shelf, without any organization or space.
But the empty space is what makes bookshelves look great. Bookshelves need a balance between titles and space for decoration.
As a rule of thumb, you can leave one-third to half of the bookshelf empty.
Bookends can help to keep the titles in place, so they don’t fall down and make the shelf look crowded. They can also serve as decoration, so you’re welcome to bold in your style choice.
Why not buy a knot-style bookend or one that simultaneously is a candle holder? Think function plus beauty.
Functional sofa side table
One of the most common style errors I see people make is not having matching tables in one single room. You should ensure that the sofa table is identical to your dining table, or at least matches its style.
Why? Too many different colors of wood or steel, too many styles, makes a room look chaotic. Always aim to have only one type of wood, so the pieces of furniture look like they were bought together.
Instead, you can become creative with the function of the table. Why not buy one that is also a blanket holder or one that can shine passive light?
Polaroid picture chains
Homes become our safe places when they are filled with memories.
People have always captured memories in pictures. But if they’re only digital, we rarely look at them.
That’s why I bought myself a Polaroid camera one year ago, which I always carry around so I’m able to take snapshots of the precious moments I’m lucky to experience.
Moreover, I tie these polaroids to a chain on a wall in my living room.
Whenever I sit on the sofa, I’m able to look at those memories and immediately get a heartwarming sensation. Plus, the area looks cozier too.
Grey marble salt and pepper grinders
My Austrian friends usually put the salt and pepper grinders away into cupboards after each use. Scandinavians, on the other side, tend to leave them on the table all the time.
But for this to work and look good, they must be seen as style elements. And as Scandinavians are known for great product design, this doesn’t come as a surprise.
The grinders we buy in the supermarket for a few bucks usually don’t look amazing. They look rather cheap.
Luckily, there are many brands and online shops that sell beautiful — even Scandinavian-styled — grinder sets.
Having reusable grinders is also more sustainable, which is an important factor in Nordic interior design.
Mixed coat hooks
When you step into your house, you should quickly feel welcomed and relaxed.
When we furnish our apartment to house, we should therefore not forget to also fuel the antechamber with positive vibes. You can create that feeling with plants, carpets, lights, and also mixed coat hooks.
It looks quite artsy actually when you mix traditional wooden coat hooks with black wall hooks, which are positioned on different heights on the wall.
White space
The most important element in Scandinavian interior design, however, are not candles or plants, it’s white space.
White space on the walls. White space in the furniture. White space in images and pictures.
In our attempt to create a beautiful and modern house, we tend to overdo it. We’re motivated by so many pictures and there are so many elements we would like to possess ourselves that we go overboard.
Too many pieces, too many materials, too much color.
The more white space you leave in your rooms, the cleaner and brighter your home will look. And that’s what all Nordic design homes have in common.
Liked this article? Sign up for Nina’s free newsletter on personal development, entrepreneurship, marketing, and books. Enjoy reading on Medium? Buy a membership for full access.
You might also enjoy reading:
