If you currently live in a small space or are undergoing a small space renovation, such as a garage conversion, loft space, or home extension, look no further than Scandinavian-style interiors for inspiration and small-space styling tips.
Scandinavian-style homes were traditionally small, so the focus was on a less is more approach to design, and as of 2020, the average living space per person in Sweden is only 42 square metres (sqm).
Through the prioritisation of natural light, warm functionality, beautiful craftsmanship, and effective storage solutions, the Scandinavians mastered the art of small-space styling, and their clutter-free and practical approach has persevered today.
Discover our top 10 Scandi-style small space styling tips below:
Table of Contents
Scandinavian Style Tip #1:
A Neutral Colour Palette
White, soft neutrals and earthy hues give the illusion of more space by reflecting sunlight and allowing the walls to visually recede for a bright and airy feel.
The main colour palette consists of pure and off-white, soft greys, charcoal, black, and pale woods of beech, birch, pine, and light or whitewashed rattan.
One Scandinavian-style tip is to extend this lighter palette from the walls to the floors, by painting floorboards in a glossy or matte white finish.
Alternatively, opt for lighter wooden floorboards, which will soften the horizontal lines, visually expanding the scale of the room.
Carrying a consistent and minimalistic colour palette throughout the home is a fundamental way to make your small home feel more spacious.
Photo Source: Leanne Ford
Scandinavian Style Tip #2:
Storage Furniture
When selecting your furniture, experiment with scale and proportion and avoid cramming too many pieces into a small space.
For example, when styling a studio or loft bedroom, the bed will most likely be the largest piece. Use the bed to anchor the colour scheme, with beautiful plush bedding in soft neutrals or an eye-catching bedhead. You could also utilise the wall behind the bed to create an artistic focal point.
To save on space, you could create a sleep zone with a built-in bed box or floor-to-ceiling dividing curtains. If you live in a rental and cannot install wall-mounted storage, consider a platform bed or bed risers with under-bed storage.
However, closed cabinets and drawers aren't the only way to achieve a clutter-free and ordered space.
Smaller spaces also offer creative solutions to maximise vertical and horizontal storage.
Photo Source: Jenni Kayne
Other ideas include:
- Wall-mounted shelving can be placed high above head height, drawing the eye up and allowing you to move easily below.
- Tall and narrow bookshelves or floor-to-ceiling built-ins.
- Baskets and trays can double as decorative pieces, whilst hiding additional blankets, books, and other items you don't want to see day-to-day.
- Installing hooks, rods, racks, ladders, and floating shelves along the perimeter of your kitchen, living room, or bedroom walls.
- Leather or rattan trunks.
- Permanent sliding or bi-fold doors.
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Chandler Rack *NA
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Scandinavian Style Tip #3:
Create Conversational Areas
Creating conversational areas with low-profile frames gives the illusion of higher ceilings. We recommend seating crafted from lighter woods of beech, birch, and pine, and featuring slender arms and exposed legs to make the furniture appear visually lighter.
Round ottomans, floor cushions, and storage benches are multi-purpose, serving as extra seating for guests and can function as side tables as needed. When not in use, they can be easily hidden underneath taller consoles, desks, and coffee tables.
If you have an L-shaped, open plan, or long and narrow space, consider creating two distinct areas, such as a dining space and home office, or a reading nook or at-home bar.
Photo Source: Lisa Staton
Scandinavian Style Tip #4:
Round & Curved Designs
Round or curved dining, side, and coffee tables have smaller footprints, as they have no corners and can fit more chairs around them as needed.
Alternatively, select an adjustable round trestle table that you can fold and expand for your different needs.
Lastly, replace your large coffee table with Scandi-style nesting side tables. Since one is higher than the other, the smaller one can easily tuck underneath to save on floor space. This allows the eye to travel between the two tables, creating movement and variety. Without variety, a design can become monotonous and uninspiring, which can be solved by incorporating furniture of different shapes, materials, scales, and visual weights.
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"Movement refers to the way the eye travels over a design. This is done through positioning (the eye naturally falls on certain areas of a design first), and emphasis". - Toptal
Photo Source: Lisa Staton
Photo Source: Jenni Kayne
Scandinavian Style Tip #5:
Custom Solutions
Custom Furniture
Window seats, banquettes, inset bars, and wall-mounted desks can turn a small nook into a beautiful space-saving architectural feature.
For example, a custom-made window seat that caters to a curved bay window will lead the eye around the space, making it appear longer.
Most importantly, make your pieces work for you, and seek out multi-functional pieces.
A console with an ottoman underneath and be a work zone, while your built-in banquette seat can function as a lounge, or with a table and chairs pulled up instantly transforms into a breakfast nook.
Architectural Elements
As mentioned in our video "10 Impactful Ways to Update Your Home for 2023", the addition of architectural accents will add elegance and character. Some ideas include batten & board, shiplap, bead-board, mouldings, reclaimed wood cladding, chair railings, or decorative ceiling medallions to give plain walls and ceilings an interesting and dimensional look.
Photo Source: Jenni Kayne
Scandinavian Style Tip #6:
Layering Lighting & Windows
To make the most of your small space, install articulated wall, ceiling, and hanging lights or tall-reaching slender table and floor lamps.
Bedside lighting can also be suspended to free up space on your bedside tables while wall-mounted lights on arms can be easily moved from zone to zone.
Well-lit rooms always feel more spacious, particularly those with natural light so expose as many of the windows as possible. You may even wish to install a skylight if the space allows.
Ceiling-mounted sheer curtains, roman blinds, and frosted half windows will allow the natural light to infiltrate the space while maintaining privacy and insulation.
Photo Source: Lisa Staton
Scandinavian Style Tip #7:
Zoning & Focal Points
"A focal point is the point in a room or design that the eye is drawn to. It is the decorative centre of a room from which all other design elements take their cue."
Even if you are working with a studio, an awkward room layout, or a compact home extension, you can still create the feel of separate rooms by using area or nook rugs and the intentional placement of furniture, lighting, artwork, and plants.
For example, large neutral area rugs and layered accent mats will add textural interest and create subtle boundaries.
Wallpaper, vertical gardens, and mounted artwork add character and colour to even the smallest spaces and are a creative way to zone a particular area.
Photo Source: W Design Collection
Paint is a fantastic solution to update any space. However, you may find working with a smaller space or rental means that there are fewer opportunities to express your unique style. Orientating your attention to the smaller details such as painting over door and window trims, baseboards, power outlets, light switches, and plate covers mean you can still infuse your unique style.
The ceiling is also recognised as the fifth wall and can be enhanced with a solid colour, architectural accents, or decorative motifs.
The use of mirrors will seemingly double the space and circulate light. They can also double as wall art if selected with beautiful and ornate frames.
Other ideas:
- An accent wall mural.
- Mirrored wall panels.
- Vinyl splash-backs or flooring.
- A sculpture, statue, or plinth.
- Fabric coverings of grasscloth, linen, or silk.
- A rattan screen, curtain, bi-fold doors, or another form of a room divider.
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
Scandinavian Style Tip #8:
Curated Decor
Lagom, a Swedish term that roughly translates to "not too much, not too little" or "just right" can be the foundation of accessorising small spaces.
"Lagom is a Swedish philosophy that roughly translates to “not too much, not too little.”
Lagom is about reducing the amount of clutter taking up your time and attention, after all, a cluttered home creates a cluttered mind, and in a day-in-age where much of our time and attention is filled throughout the day, creating moments of stillness to retreat to both internally and within our environment is priceless.
To achieve a well-curated, intentional, and uncluttered space, we recommend creating intentional vignettes using a few loved and functional pieces of varying heights, shapes, scales, textures, and sizes.
For example, simple brass candleholders and ceramic vases can be elevated with colourful pillar and dinner candles, or seasonal floral arrangements.
Trays can be used to corral your items and group smaller decor into eye-catching vignettes, while stacked books in muted colourways can add height.
Photo Source: Jenni Kayne
Room sprays, oil burners, and scented candles are other ways to create an ambience in small spaces.
Lastly, review your decor throughout the year and constantly edit your items down to just the essentials.
You should ask yourself "Do I love it?" and "How does this item serve me?". If you do not love it or it no longer serves you, let it go.
For me, a harmonious space always consists of our 5 L of styling: including something loved, something living, something with lustre, lighting, and layering.
If you are drawn to minimalism but prefer a warmer, cosy space, we recommend you watch our video below.
Scandinavian Style Tip #9:
Layering Textures
Make the most of your space by layering quality, textural, and tactile throws, cushions, and materials, for a feeling of quality and organic beauty.
Natural textural throws and soft furnishings in hopsack, heavy linens, soft faux fur, and wool are used to transition from season to season to provide warmth, functionality, and style.
Use soft furnishings as an opportunity to introduce smaller touches of colour, such as forest greens, celadon, pale pink, pastels, and duck egg blues.
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
Photo Source: W Design Collective
Scandinavian Style Tip #10:
Living Energy
As always, fresh foliage, potted plants, and seasonal floral arrangements infuse life and energy into any space, and are a serious mood booster!
The love of nature is emphasised in Scandinavian interiors, with the inclusion of potted figs, monstera plants, and trailing vines which add botanical colour and texture to the clean, streamlined backdrop.
The slightly wild, weathered aesthetic of natural branches, grasses, and barks means they are great for layering against other organic materials of linen, recycled wood, iron, and rattan, which are prevalent in Scandinavian-style homes.
You can watch our video on how to decorate with living energy here.
