If Scandi Minimalism and Vintage Color Had a Baby, It’d Look Like This Lesser-Known Style

There’s so much to love about mid-century modern design. After all, the style is characterized by natural materials, clean lines, and ergonomic features intended to make day-to-day life more comfortable and practical. But there’s one subsection of mid-century modern design that you might not know about, and it’s known more for its vibrant, multicolored designs and folk art elements.

I’m talking about Swedish mid-century modern, which you can think of as the maximalist alternative to the notoriously understated American mid-century aesthetic. In fact, playful color and warmth are at the center of this lesser-known style’s design principles, so you can rely on furniture and decor within the category to instantly make your home feel cozier. 

To find out more about what makes Swedish mid-century design so special, just keep reading! I’ve also highlighted the best places to shop it secondhand so you can curate a truly one-of-a-kind home aesthetic.

Mid-century design as you probably know it grew out of the Bauhaus and International movements in Europe, namely Germany, and later made its way to the U.S. post-World War II. Even before all of this, however, modernist European designers were already rejecting traditional architectural forms and advocating for experimentation and individual expression in the design process.

One prominent modernist was Josef Frank, a Viennese architect who founded an interior design firm in 1925. A short time later, he immigrated to Sweden and was appointed as an artistic collaborator at Svenskt Tenn, the Stockholm-based design studio specializing in fanciful, welcoming furniture and home decor. Over the years, Frank became an emblematic figure in Swedish design, and today he is arguably the most famous originator of what would eventually come to be known as the Swedish mid-century modern aesthetic.

The movement, of course, had other prominent designers producing textiles and decorative housewares characterized by folk art elements, vibrant colors, and bold motifs. Although their works are certainly museum-worthy, the great thing is that you can shop many of their pieces secondhand online — as well as items inspired by Swedish mid-century modernism — turning your home into a whimsical utopia in the process.

Although this rug isn’t vintage itself, it’s made to mimic traditional Swedish rugs from the mid-century era — specifically, the 1960s. Made of a soft wool blend, it’s available in countless sizes and has what looks like an abstract floral motif on its border. Tasseled short ends add another element of fun. You’ll be happy to learn that the rugs from this Etsy seller are all crafted by hand and made-to-order, so in a way, each one is unique.

In addition to Etsy, retailers like Chairish, 1stDibs, and eBay are gold mines of vintage Swedish furniture, including pieces designed by Frank himself or made to mimic his designs. This dresser is an example of the latter. It was built in the 1950s and papered in a motif by Frank called “Paradiset,” which he created in 1947. The print is downright groovy, and, despite being almost 80 years old, would fit right in among a contemporary bedroom collection. Ergonomic circular drawer knobs and tapered legs round out this quintessential Swedish MCM piece.

Stig Lindberg was a Swedish designer who produced ceramics and textiles with lively shapes and colors. You can still shop new iterations of his original works, though Etsy also has vintage finds, like this gorgeous, nature-inspired serving tray. You could put it to use for upcoming home gatherings, though you may prefer to display it like the elegant showpiece it is.

Many of the typical MCM sofas you see on the market today can be traced back to designer Folke Ohlsson’s original designs. This example is an authentic 1960s piece. Although it has a streamlined silhouette punctuated by a tall, upright back, out-turned arms, and tapered wood legs, its colorful zigzag upholstery makes it feel distinctively Swedish. You could pair such a sofa with neutral furniture to make it your living room’s focal point or style it with other fun prints for a carefree vibe. 

Clearly, rugs and tapestries were a major part of Swedish MCM. I found this pretty number on eBay, and at nearly 8 feet long and 5.5 feet wide, it’s sure to make a statement on your long bedroom or living room wall. The tapestry is 100% wool and brown and white in color. It features a hypnotic pinwheel and checkerboard motif that looks delightfully kitschy. If this exact pattern and colorway isn’t your vibe, eBay has lots of other great options.