These Stunning Scandinavian Living Rooms All Share a Common Thread

Welcome to Scandi Week—Apartment Therapy’s seven-day focus on all-things Scandinavia (often defined as the countries of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway). Sometimes it seems like the whole world is obsessed with trying to copy this corner of the globe, from its timeless style aesthetic to its now-famous coziness rituals. For the next week, we’ll take a look at all of it—cleaning, pop culture, and of course tons of eye-popping design inspiration. Pull up a blanket and get hygge with us.

Living rooms are already an essential heart of any home, and—on top of that—Scandinavian living rooms have a lot of heart. No two are alike of course, and each finds their own special way to stand out, but all share one common thread that’s a hallmark of Scandi design: the ability to balance—whether it’s blending clean-lines and functionality with welcoming texture and warmth, or finding ways to bring outside nature indoors. Here are a handful of Scandi (and Scandi-style) living rooms that feel good just to look at.

The Harcharan living room exudes relaxation and ease, and if you could sum up Scandinavian style in one sofa, this would be it: It’s both modern and cozy. Plus, the soft light coming through the window, the light hues, and the various organic elements all come together to create a comfortable haven that begs you to come and rest after a long day’s work.

See more of this home: A Stunning & Peaceful “Romantic Scandinavian” Home

This Danish living room has a lot of markings of Scandinavian style. The historic building, and 100-year-old floors, are a beautiful contrast to the modern furnishings and contemporary artwork. Although it’s clearly sophisticated, the owner is clear that the house isn’t a museum meant for show; it’s supposed to be loved and lived in.

See more of this home: A Scandinavian Design Collector’s Playful, Classic & Contemporary Home in Copenhagen

Edith’s Oslo home is filled with mid-century furniture classics—many inherited after decades of love and use by other family members—that lend soul and authenticity to her modern space. The living room is beautiful, but not too precious to withstand day-to-day life with young children.

This Swedish home, owned by the founder of Bemz, faces south; sunlight streams into the house all day. Inside, each carefully-chosen and layered textile, pillow and rug add to the story of this historic space and create a warm and inviting place for her friends and family. The red and orange decor was chosen to mimic the color of fall leaves.

See more of this home: Textured, Sunny Scandinavian Style in Sweden

This spacious Stockholm home (also lead image) is so airy with the large windows and white walls, which make room for the pops of bold colors and pattern. It manages to look robust without feeling overwhelming. An interesting feature of the building: All the interior walls can be moved, which the owner/architect plays around with regularly when she wants to change up the space.

See more of this home: A Modern Stockholm Apartment Is Beautifully Scandinavian

The owner of this Norway home resists a traditional label, saying “I’m a little bit bohemian, a little bit Scandinavian, a little bit rock & roll, and a little bit classic.” Rather than strictly minimalist, her home is filled with music memorabilia—an homage to her musician father. But she does concede to some to classic Norwegian “nature freak” ways and brings the outdoors in whenever possible with wooden details, bamboo, flowers, and greens.

See more of this home: A “Little Bit Bohemian, Little Bit Scandinavian, Little Bit Rock & Roll” Home in Norway

Anne’s California home is all about minimal simplicity, with lots of natural colors and organic forms, all of which would feel right at home in Scandinavia. But the showstopper feature here is the huge wall of windows in the living room and the view of the trees behind it.

See more of this home: Scandinavian Simplicity in the California Woods