All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
It’s easy to see the timeless appeal of a design movement like Scandinavian style. With an emphasis on minimalism, functionality, and natural materials, interiors that embody these sensibilities—simply put—feel good to spend time in. Brands like IKEA and the great hygge craze of 2016 have undoubtedly kept Scandinavian style in the spotlight, but it’s still worth diving into the nuances of this influential aesthetic to better understand the context from which it was born and the benefits of incorporating Scandi design hallmarks into your personal space.
What Is Scandinavian Design?
Scandinavian design can best be encapsulated by “its appreciation for natural materials (especially beautiful woods) and the simplicity of its forms,” 1stDibs editorial director Anthony Barzilay-Freund tells Vogue. Minimal yet intentional, simple yet cozy, clean yet warm—Scandinavian design is a masterclass in balance.
Barzilay-Freund also points to living spaces as a clear demonstration of Scandinavian design principles at play. “There’s a strong reverence for the home in Scandinavian culture,” he says, adding that everyday objects expertly crafted from high-quality materials—but that are nonetheless affordable—are key. “Simple, pared-down designs that [are] highly functional [have become] a regional point of pride,” he says.
Scandinavian Geography
Norway, Sweden, and Denmark comprise Scandinavia; though Finland and Iceland are often included in the conversation when discussing Scandinavian design principles as they are Nordic countries and share similar overarching climate characteristics, and therefore, similar attitudes toward culture and design. It is nonetheless worth mentioning that Finland and Iceland are not technically part of Scandinavia.
A Brief History of Scandinavian Design
When referring to Scandinavian design as it’s known today, look to mid-century Scandinavian modernism as the framework. “It emerged as a design style at the conclusion of World War II, a period of optimism, progress, and urbanization,” Barzilay-Freund says. As individuals were moving into the cities, “rural furniture makers brought woodworking skills passed down through the generations and applied them to designs informed by the progressive ideals of the modern era,” he adds. In tandem with the modernist movement of the 20th century was the Danish concept of functionalism; a design philosophy of form follows function, which was introduced by pioneer Danish architects like Poul Henningsen and Vilhelm Lauritzen. “Minimalistic design was the result, but initially, functionality led the way,” Monique Faber, the chief design officer of Louis Poulsen tells Vogue.
The climate played (and continues to play) an especially important role in the Scandinavian design ethos. The Nordic region’s cold, short winter days created a desire for interiors to be both cozy and bright. The result? Open-plan spaces that favored simple forms, lighter colors, and natural light. “This approach aimed to create cozy and comfortable environments in our homes and public spaces during the long, dark, and cold Nordic winters,” Faber says. “Quality lighting meant everything, and it still does, mainly because it gets completely dark outside as early as 4 p.m.”
Hallmarks of Scandinavian Design
While some design details vary depending on geographic region, there remain several unifying principles throughout Scandinavian design that help paint a picture of what the movement was all about.
Cold, short winter days means that maximizing the amount of light in the home is paramount. Large windows (sans curtains) are common and allow natural sun rays to flood in during the few precious hours of winter sunlight. “In Scandinavia, our approach to lighting differs from that of many other cultures,” Faber explains. “Rather than relying on a single central light combined with spotlights, we prefer to create harmonious and functional arrangements using a variety of lamps.” This typically results in “small islands” of light peppered throughout the space, which she describes as creating a more inviting atmosphere.
Among the primary characteristics of Scandinavian design is the use of natural textures. Scandinavians are known for their love of the great outdoors, and this use of natural materials drives home that sentiment. Woodworking, particularly, is a category that truly exemplifies Scandi design. Offering an example, GACHOT Co-founder Christine Gachot points to a pair of shearling armchairs by Danish design legend Ole Wanscher. “Wanscher’s exquisitely crafted, sculptural arms epitomize Scandinavian design at its finest,” she says, pointing out the pairing of solid rosewood with shearling upholstery. “These chairs beautifully embody Swedish design principles—celebrating natural materials and tactile richness."
Clean lines and simple forms are synonymous with Scandinavian design, meaning you won’t find pieces with unnecessary ornamentation. Furthermore, open-plan spaces void of clutter are commonplace and only items that have a purpose are incorporated into the home.
The push for simplicity and affordability came after World War II, ultimately leading to Scandinavian design’s emphasis on functionality. (Functionality here meaning only decorating with items that have a utilitarian purpose.) And, once again, the region’s harsh climate and sparse daylight requires design elements that can improve the quality of day-to-day life.
Folding into a collective desire for clean, minimal environments, Scandinavian design is commonly associated with light, neutral palettes that create a calm setting. These light tones also provide a cohesive backdrop for other Scandinavian design hallmarks, such as wood textures, cozy textiles, and indoor plants.
Scandinavian Rolodex
No design movement is without its pioneers and watershed moments—here our experts share their list of noteworthy names, dates, and furniture pieces to know about.
Alvar Aalto - A Finnish architect who moved to America and “helped spread a love for the Scandinavian Modernism in the New World,” says Barzilay-Freund. Designed the Finnish Pavilion at the New York World’s Fair.
Arne Jacobsen - A grandfather of modern Danish furniture and creator of the Egg chair.
Børge Mogensen - An influential designer in shaping Danish modern design, known commonly as ‘the people’s designer.’
Design in Scandinavia Exhibition - In the 1950s, this exhibition (Design in Scandinavia: An Exhibition of Objects for the Home) toured the United States and Canada for three years, “attracting the attention of design lovers across North America,” says Barzilay-Freund.
Fritz Hansen - An early-20th-century maker who employed “such stellar talents as Hans Wegner (of the iconic Wishbone chair and, later, Papa Bear Chair), Arne Jacobsen (his Egg lounge chair never seems to go out of style) and Verner Panton, whose designs from the 1960s and ’70s define the “Pop” era of Scandinavian modernism,” says Barzilay-Freund.
Georg Jensen - An influential Danish silversmith who founded his eponymous company in 1904 in Copenhagen.
Hans Wegner - A prolific Danish furniture designer often referred to as the master of the chair (he created nearly 500 in his lifetime). Part of the generation that created the ‘Golden Age’ of modern Danish design, from the 1940s to 1960s.
Kaare Klint - Commonly regarded as the ‘father of modern Danish furniture design’ who is responsible for the Safari Chair.
Lunning Prize - Established in 1951 by Swedish entrepreneur, Carl Lunning, this award was given to Scandinavian designers, artists, and craftspeople and helped raise the profile of the design movement internationally. It was discontinued in 1977.
Poul Henningsen - “In the 1950s, he created the PH Artichoke light fixture for Louis Poulsen, which is still in production to this day,” says Barzilay-Freund.
Stockholm Exhibition - Often considered the official launch of Scandinavian modernism. In 1930, this exhibition “brought international attention to the design talents of the region,” says Barzilay-Freund.
