the joy of Scandi living

Why are we so fascinated by Scandinavian life? Our collective interest in all things Scandi is so high that there are countless books and articles dedicated to everything from home design to lifestyle tips. But what is it about Scandi living that we’re so drawn to?

It might come as no surprise that in the annual World Happiness Report, published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the Scandinavian countries – as well as Finland and Iceland – consistently rank in the top ten happiest countries in the world. The mystery of Nordic happiness is so sought after that there’s even a whole chapter dedicated to it in the 2020 report. So it’s no wonder that we’re all looking to adopt the habits and lifestyles of Scandinavians into our own lives – after all, why wouldn’t you want to be happier?

Here, we’ll be delving into how to embrace the Scandi way of living, especially in your home. As the place we spend the most time, whether we’re resting, playing or working, our homes benefit from some serious thought around how we want them to make us feel – and with its focus on being calm, cosy and welcoming, Scandi style is a great starting point for creating a scheme that makes you feel happy and relaxed. Of course, once we’re done designing our spaces, we need to start living in them – and we’ve got plenty of tips on how to embrace Scandi living in other areas of your life, from work to exercise. So, grab your notebook and we’ll dive right in…

curating calm

What do you picture when we say ‘Scandi home’? A quick image search online reveals all of the key characteristics we associate with Scandinavian interiors: cool, calm palettes, natural textures, plenty of light and lots and lots of rugs, cushions and throws. Scandinavian style is one of the most popular styles in the world thanks to its timelessness and achievability, and a well-done scheme is homely, considered and mindful.

Minimalism Scandi interiors have elements of minimalism in them: spaces are generally uncluttered and where there are collections of items, these are artfully arranged. However, there’s still room for manoeuvre in a Scandi scheme – it should feel streamlined, but still homely and livable. Think about the famous William Morris quote, ‘Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful’: this philosophy is key to the functional but beautiful design that Scandinavia is known for.

Colour palettes You won’t find bold, garish colours or patterned walls in Scandi homes: instead, they prefer a calmer palette made up largely of light, neutral colours such as white, beige and grey. That doesn’t mean to say Scandi homes aren’t impactful: the walls and floors are simply treated as the backdrop to show off designer furniture finds and upcycled treasures. The other side of Scandi style is a darker, moodier scheme, with subtle shades of green and blue. These colours are more likely to be used in places like the kitchen, where dark units might be contrasted with white walls, or as muted ‘feature walls’ in their own right.

Light Part of the allure of Scandi interiors is that they always feel fresh and bright. Natural light is ushered in through big, clean windows with minimal dressings; the bright colour palette helps to bounce light around the room, as does a careful use of mirrors. Of course, Scandinavia is known for its deep, dark winters, and Scandi style is in equal parts about using other light sources to brighten up these gloomier days. Bright-white bulbs and central ceiling lights are shunned in favour of low-level lamps and plenty of candles – the ultimate mood lighting.

Outdoors in Biophilic design – the use of nature in our homes – is important to any room scheme, but works especially well with Scandi rooms, as it helps to soften pared-back colour palettes and brings personality in through plants. Palms, ferns and the large-leafed Monstera deliciosa are popular, and are found all around the home, but particularly in living areas that benefit from big, statement foliage.

design for life

Sustainability is at the core of Scandinavian life, not least in design. One of the region’s biggest homeware and furniture exports, Ikea, has made it part of its ethos, focusing on phasing out single-use plastic, opting for renewable materials and even trialling a rental scheme for its furniture, starting with Switzerland. Of course, there are growing ways to be more sustainable in our homes, and Scandinavia is just one of many places embracing innovative new technologies, from solar power to smart systems. But as well as the bigger-picture things, here are some of the smaller, achievable principles at the heart of Scandi design:

Invest in quality Nordic design is timeless, and rather than picking up and dropping trends as they come and go out of style, most Scandinavians prefer to dress their homes in a slow, considered way, picking out quality items that will stand the test of time and never look dated. It’s not unusual for homes to be filled with furniture that’s been handed down through the years and that has developed its own character or patina over time. Rather than replacing items when they look a little scuffed or worn, pieces are cared for and repaired.

sustainable Scandi living

Planet-friendly living is a huge part of Scandi life. Here are some ways you can embrace living more sustainably at home

SHOP LOCAL Shopping locally limits transport emissions, as you’ll be driving a shorter distance or, even better, not driving at all – try walking or cycling to your nearest supermarket. EAT SEASONALLY (OR GROW YOUR OWN) Out-of-season foods are often shipped from across the world. Grow your own fruit or veg in your garden, or simply nurture a few pots of herbs in your kitchen. USE LESS PLASTIC Opt for goods without packaging where you can, and use old jars or canisters to stock up on dried goods if your local shop or market enables this. SAVE ENERGY Reducing waste is one of the most important ways to live more sustainably, and that includes energy waste. Switch off appliances when not in use and turn heating down. RECYCLE AND REUSE Find ways to reuse what you have: from old jam jars used as vases, to repainting an unloved chair – you’ll add character to your home, too.

Scandi socialising is all about creating atmosphere with hygge lighting, good food and great company

Natural materials Scandi schemes are created from the ground up with natural materials. Wood floors are favoured over carpets, and either painted white for a beachy feel or covered in rugs for added texture. Soft furnishings made from wool or cotton take precedence over man-made fibres like polyester, and are all the cosier for it.

Buying second hand The joy of scouring flea markets, car boot sales or online second-hand marketplaces until you find the perfect vintage treasure vastly outweighs the quick thrill you get from an impulsive fast-fashion or homeware buy, and Scandinavians know this well. Shopping for antiques is a hyggelit pastime (see page 62 for more on hygge), and pieces are valued for their rich history and the lives, and stories, they represent: finding a new home for a mid-century sideboard or beautifully crafted armchair is a special pleasure of its own.

seasonal living

When you experience fairly extreme winters with long, dark nights and freezing temperatures like Scandinavians do, you gain a greater awareness of the seasons. That’s why living seasonally is so important to many Scandinavians: it’s a way not only of tuning in with nature, but also of acclimatising oneself to the conditions and trying to find the beauty in every month of the year.

There are two key ways to live seasonally: eating and styling. The Nordic diet, encompassing Finland and Iceland as well as Scandinavia, focuses on locally sourced food, so eating seasonally comes naturally. Eating only what has been provided by the earth is also a more sustainable way of consuming, as it relies less on imports from other countries. In the summer months, Scandinavians enjoy a glut of fruits and berries, while in the winter, trusty favourites like leeks, beetroot and potatoes dominate; fresh fish, a big part of the Scandi diet, varies by the month too.

When it comes to the home, Scandi style embraces the seasons through accessories, too. Rather than buying new items every three or four months, styling is based on the natural materials available in that season: fresh blooms in the spring and summer, berries and twigs in the later months. The wreath isn’t just for Christmas, with variations for every season, from lush green versions in the warmer months and tones of red, orange and yellow through autumn and winter.

work-life balance

In Expert Market’s annual study of the most productive countries based on GDP and average hours worked, Norway, Denmark and Sweden consistently rank in the top 10. Even more impressive, though, is that they do this while having a better work-life balance than many other countries, including the US and the UK. The average Dane, for example, will clock off at around 4pm every day to pick up their children or start their evening activities, and all three countries have laws mandating a minimum of 25 days’ paid annual leave. It’s fair to say, then, that we could learn something from the Scandinavians when it comes to juggling work and everything else.

What they’re tapping in to is simply balance. Rather than aiming for total success, Scandinavians know that the key to happiness is found in non-work passions and time with family and friends, as much as it is pursuing a career that you love. Working extra hours is actively discouraged and most people will take

their full holiday quota, because the Scandi people value their time as much as any extra money. After all, if you’re working until 7 or 8pm every day, when will you find time to do what you love?

time for fika

In Sweden, people take time out every day to enjoy fika – a word that roughly translates as ‘a coffee and cake break’, but that encompasses a wider ethos of social connection. Twice a day, Swedes take 15 to 30 minutes out of their day to enjoy a hot drink and a baked good – cinnamon buns are a popular option, so much so that there’s even a day dedicated to the sweet treat – and step away from their work or household chores to meet with friends or colleagues. The social aspect of fika is what sets it apart from a quick coffee-to-go break. It strengthens relationships and encourages connection on a deeper level – and there are also suggestions that when done at work, it improves productivity, too.

embrace the outdoors

Scandinavians have long known the benefits of the outdoors for human happiness. Evidence from numerous psychological studies suggests that being exposed to natural environments improves mental wellbeing, with reduced stress and increased positive emotions. On a less direct level, green environments encourage us to get outside and exercise or socialise. Have you ever noticed strong feelings of grogginess and fatigue, only to realise you haven’t taken even one step outside that day? We all know that a quick walk in the local park or countryside does wonders to clear our heads and relax our bodies – it’s just that Scandinavians have made the outdoors much more a part of daily life than many other countries have.

When it comes to exercise, Scandinavians do most of theirs outdoors, so they get the combined benefits of moving their body and getting some fresh air at the same time. Hiking is almost a national pastime, particularly in Norway, where the stunning mountain views are second to none. Cycling is a popular way to get around, especially in Denmark, and many also achieve their daily steps in the form of jogging. There’s even an eco-friendly version of the latter, called ‘plogging’, where joggers combine their daily runs with picking up litter – a movement that began in Sweden in 2016 and has since picked up momentum in other countries, too. Give it a go – there might be a local group near you, or consider setting one up yourself!

Add edge to a pared-back scheme with an industrial element, like this concretestyle textured wall

stop comparing

One of the most interesting conclusions to come out of the World Happiness Report was the fact that people in Nordic countries have lower ‘status anxiety’ than other countries – that is, they care less about how ‘successful’ they are compared to societal expectations, probably partly thanks to the fact that these countries have strong welfare states that protect those with low incomes and reduce the societal gap between rich and poor. ‘It seems possible,’ the report says, ‘that keeping up with the Joneses doesn’t carry as much weight in Nordic countries as in the US and many other countries.’

reach out

According to the World Happiness Report, Nordic countries have higher levels of trust and social connections than many other places around the world. This connectedness is so powerful, it’s cited as a factor in those countries’ higher wellbeing. But how can we foster a similar sense of community – especially for those of us living alone, in big cities or isolated places? Volunteering is a great way to get involved in things on a local level, and helping others also makes us feel better about ourselves. Another is to join a group for people with similar interests to you, whether that’s a book or film club, a crafts class or a political movement. And finally, there’s nothing better than hanging out with a group of friends, so try organising regular meet-ups – a coffee shop is a great place for a casual catch-up, or try a picnic in your local park in the warmer months.

Feeling excited about creating a Scandi-inspired home of your own? Good! Use the rest of this Bible as your guide to embracing the Scandi lifestyle in every corner of your space, from your kitchen and living spaces to your garden.

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