Design Styles
Architecture
By
Ashley Knierim
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Ashley Knierim
Ashley Knierim is a home decor expert and product reviewer of home products for The Spruce. Her design education began at a young age. She has over 10 years of writing and editing experience, formerly holding editorial positions at Time and AOL.
Learn more about The Spruce'sEditorial Process
Updated on 01/04/24
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Scandinavian houses and Scandinavian-inspired architecture are all about clean lines, neutral materials, and an overall sense of minimalism—and we cannot get enough. There are so many reasons we loveScandinavian design, but its pure simplicity and beauty are high on the list.
Scandinavia includes Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. The design styles of all three of these countries are similar and influenced by each other. Scandinavian houses are often designed to withstand the elements, whether that means keeping the cold out or the heat in.
Here are 16 gorgeous Scandinavian houses you're sure to love.
Key Elements of Scandinavian Houses
Various elements appear across Scandinavian house design.
- Natural materials: Scandinavian design loves to incorporate the natural world into its residential spaces of the world. The most popular material to build homes is wood.
- Simple color schemes: Simplicity is the cornerstone of Scandinavian design, and this includes its color schemes as well. Many Scandinavian homes use neutral or muted colors.
- Natural light: Natural lighting is an absolute must. This can be achieved with minimalist or airy window treatments as well as adding reflective accent materials.
- Minimalist design: Less is more is the driving principle of Scandinavian architecture and interior design.
- Clean lines: Clean lines and organic shapes complement the rest of the natural elements in the home.
- Pitched roofs: Pitched roofing is a trademark of Scandinavian house design. This includes A-frame builds.
- Clutter-free: The intentional design of Scandinavian homes translates to everything in the home. This means there is a place for everything and no excess.
- Greenery: Think floating plants and lush greenery throughout the space.
- Multifunctional: Scandinavian houses keep everything minimal in part due to building multifunctionality into their designs. This can be included in the furniture, design accents, or architectural components of the home.
- Hygge: And finally, the Danish concept of hygge finds its way into every home. Hygge focuses on fusing wellness and feelings of ease and contentment into the home.
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Simple Colors
Scandinavian architecture as we now know it took off in the 1950s inDenmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway,and Sweden. Stark contrasts, such as this black-and-white home as seen onodetothings' Instagram, are common in Nordic design.
This architectural style is all about minimalism, but that doesn't mean you can't have a little fun with neutral colors. We love this sleek black siding when paired with a bright beam that makes it pop.
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An All Wooden Build
Another key element ofScandinavian exteriors is the use of nature in the design. This unique wooden home seen onArchDailylooks like it's almost a part of the forest it sits in.
Many Nordic architectural styles work to merge the home with the outside world, making you feel like you're never separated from nature. This cozy cabin looks incredibly spacious inside thanks to its strategic windows and siding.
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Embrace Natural Light
The lack of daylight for much of the year means Scandinavianhomes embrace natural light when they have it. We love this wide-windowed home fromHQ Room—it's located inArgentina, but embraces everything we love about Nordic exteriors.
The huge paneled windows and the natural wood siding allow it to blend seamlessly into the surrounding trees.
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Wooden Exterior
We love this Swedish home seen onDwellfor its use of wood all around its exterior. Because wood is affordable and plentiful in Sweden, it's widely used in construction.
Though this exterior is understated, it's still inviting and warm. Each window is designed specifically for its corresponding room and helps give the home an open, airy feel. Who wouldn't want to while away the winter in this Swedish house?
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A Scandinavian Pool House
This stunning pool house by Lundberg Designis everything we dream of and more. The raw, natural materials and expansive windows help to highlight the pool as a focal point. Copying this simple wood slatted fence is an easy way to get a bit of Nordic-inspired design into your own home.
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Bold Contrasts
This eye-catchingReykjavik exterior seen onelliott_explores'Instagram is giving us serious color envy. If anyone can make corrugated steel look stylish, it's the Icelandic. This metal siding was originally thought to be a cheap, durable material to fight theharsh weather in Iceland, and it's become anarchetypal element of Nordic design. We'll happily add a splash of bold color to our homes if they look as chic as this.
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Quaint and Beautiful
Who says bigger is better? This tiny home by the sea in Stokkøya, Norway fromasantehas a small profile but big style. Like many Nordic homes, this cottage is built with wood and incorporates the surrounding natural setting. It's situated on rocks and overlooks the sea, making it feel more spacious and open.
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Scandinavian-Style Luxury
This stunning home on a cliff as seen onunitrenderspace constitutes a "dream home" for us. Though it's mostly square, this wood-frame home is anything but boring. Again, it's built to with its environment in mind, and fits into the mountain it sits upon seamlessly. We can almost taste the hot, hygge-status tea brewing inside.
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All Windows
By now you know that Scandinavianarchitecture is all about becoming one with nature, and what better way to feel like you livein nature than this window-filled cabin fromCabin p*rn? Built-in Gunnarskog, Sweden, even the gable roof has skylights to let the natural light in.
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Pops of Color
Even the most minimalistic decorator can appreciate this inviting home fromarnocornillon on Instagram. The stark black is veryScandinavian-inspired, while the bright yellow door adds a bit of sunshine, even in the depths of winter.
This upstate New York home is built from shipping containers, which gives it a metal siding look that feels authentically Nordic.
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Dark Facades
Black homes are very popular in Scandinavian countries because the dark color absorbs light and helps to insulate the home against the coldest weather.
We adore this stark black home as seen on@appareilarchitecture; it'sboth practical and beautiful. The vertical lines on the facade as well as the roof add texture and visual appeal.
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A Dreamy A-Frame
Who doesn't love an A-frame home? These adorablesleeping quarters seen on@retrovillaare the perfect guest bedroom. The black exterior is utterly Swedish—and though the space fits only a bed, it feels airy and open against the trees and greenery.
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A Low-Profile Home
Though this beautiful Norwegian wooden home from@loggarkitekteris only a single story, the wall of glass windows helps it feel open and spacious. We love the simple natural facade, which feels modern and fresh.
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Red Facades
If you set foot in a Scandinavian country, you're sure to come across these deep red facades—as seen in this adorable country house from My Scandinavian Home.
Red paint was once thought of as a status symbol in Nordic countries and continues to be a defining exteriordesign choice today. If you're searching for paint inspiration, go bold like the Swedesand try some red.
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Exuding Hygge
If this stunning cabin seen on@upknorthdoesn't make you want to pack your bags and move to a Scandinavian country, then we don't know what will. Even with the harsh winter outside, this all-wood home exudes warmth and looks oh-so-inviting.
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Concrete Made Beautiful
Another popular and durable material in Swedish homes is concrete, and this stunner seen on@est_living's Instagram is proof that it can be truly beautiful.
The stark black-and-white contrast, especially when paired with a water view, has an artfully modern edge. Add some oversized windows to let the outside in, and we're sold.
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FAQ
What makes a house Scandinavian?
A Scandinavian house is one that uses design elements from Scandinavia. This includes the countries Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.
What does a typical Swedish home look like?
Swedish style focuses on nature and simplicity, with clean lines and natural materials. Wood is the most popular material used to construct Swedish-style homes.
What are Scandinavian colors?
Scandinavian colors are usually neutral or muted shades. This includes grey, white, forest green, burnt orange, dusty pink, and pastel blue.
16 Scandinavian-Style Houses We Adore
Scandinavian houses and Scandinavian-inspired architecture are known for their clean lines, neutral materials, and overall sense of minimalism. The design styles of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, the three countries that make up Scandinavia, are similar and influenced by each other [[1]].
Key Elements of Scandinavian Houses:
- Natural materials: Scandinavian design incorporates the natural world into residential spaces, with wood being the most popular material used to build homes [[2]].
- Simple color schemes: Scandinavian homes often use neutral or muted colors, emphasizing simplicity [[2]].
- Natural light: Natural lighting is essential in Scandinavian houses, achieved through minimalist or airy window treatments and the use of reflective accent materials [[2]].
- Minimalist design: Less is more is the driving principle of Scandinavian architecture and interior design [[2]].
- Clean lines: Clean lines and organic shapes complement the natural elements in Scandinavian homes [[2]].
- Pitched roofs: Pitched roofing, including A-frame builds, is a trademark of Scandinavian house design [[2]].
- Clutter-free: Scandinavian homes are intentionally designed to have a place for everything and no excess [[2]].
- Greenery: Floating plants and lush greenery are often incorporated into Scandinavian homes [[2]].
- Multifunctional: Scandinavian houses prioritize multifunctionality, incorporating it into furniture, design accents, and architectural components [[2]].
- Hygge: The Danish concept of hygge, which focuses on wellness and feelings of ease and contentment, is often incorporated into Scandinavian homes [[2]].
These key elements contribute to the unique and appealing aesthetic of Scandinavian houses.
Examples of Scandinavian Houses:
- Simple Colors: Scandinavian architecture, as we know it today, gained popularity in the 1950s in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Stark contrasts, such as black-and-white exteriors, are common in Nordic design [[3]].
- An All Wooden Build: Scandinavian exteriors often incorporate nature into the design, with wooden homes that blend seamlessly with the surrounding forest [[4]].
- Embrace Natural Light: Due to the lack of daylight for much of the year, Scandinavian homes prioritize natural light. Large paneled windows and natural wood siding help homes blend into the surrounding environment [[5]].
- Wooden Exterior: Wood is widely used in Scandinavian homes, as it is affordable and plentiful in countries like Sweden. Swedish homes often have understated exteriors with open, airy feels [[6]].
- A Scandinavian Pool House: Scandinavian-inspired pool houses often feature raw, natural materials and expansive windows that highlight the pool as a focal point [[7]].
- Bold Contrasts: Icelandic homes, like the one seen on Instagram, often use corrugated steel and bold colors to withstand harsh weather while maintaining a stylish appearance [[8]].
- Quaint and Beautiful: Nordic homes don't have to be large to be stylish. Small cottages built with wood and situated in natural settings can create a spacious and open feel [[9]].
- Scandinavian-Style Luxury: Scandinavian homes can be luxurious while still incorporating natural elements and blending with the surrounding landscape [[10]].
- All Windows: Window-filled cabins in Sweden, like the one featured on Cabin p*rn, allow residents to feel connected to nature [[11]].
- Pops of Color: Even in minimalistic Scandinavian design, pops of color can be incorporated to add vibrancy and warmth to the home [[12]].
- Dark Facades: Black homes are popular in Scandinavian countries due to their ability to absorb light and insulate against cold weather. Vertical lines and textured facades add visual appeal [[13]].
- A Dreamy A-Frame: A-frame homes, like the one featured on Instagram, are adored for their simplicity and airy feel against the natural surroundings [[14]].
- A Low-Profile Home: Single-story homes with glass windows can create an open and spacious feel, even with a smaller footprint [[15]].
- Red Facades: Deep red facades are a defining exterior design choice in Scandinavian countries, adding a bold and vibrant touch to homes [[16]].
- Exuding Hygge: Scandinavian cabins, like the one featured on Instagram, create a warm and inviting atmosphere even during harsh winters [[17]].
- Concrete Made Beautiful: Concrete is a popular and durable material used in Swedish homes. When paired with stark black-and-white contrasts and oversized windows, it can create a modern and artistic look [[18]].
These examples showcase the diversity and beauty of Scandinavian house design, while still adhering to the key elements mentioned earlier.
I hope this information helps you understand the concepts and elements used in Scandinavian house design! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
