ADAMA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

INTERIOR DESIGN
Research on Scandinavian style

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE

Prepared by
Fikadu Feyissa
Belachew Dosegnaw
Kassahun Terecha
Fayera Abera
Egeta Derese
 EUROPE MAP
INTRODUCTION TO
SCANDINAVIAN
It’s a movement in the five Nordic countries of 
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

 Scandinavian design is a design movement that emerged in

the early 20th century.
 The atmosphere in the Nordic countries was mainly
responsible for the design that progressed.
 Because winter is long, indicating there was little daylight,
and people commonly had really small houses, creating the
need for bright as well as airy, yet cozy, houses.

SCANDINAVIAN MAP
Characteristics OF SCANDINAVIAN interior DESIGN
The major character of Scandinavian interior design are:
 functionality
 Simplicity
 minimalism 
Functionality
No heavy elements, Easily functional, durable
• Highly functional, the style is effective without needing heavy elements; only what is
needed is used. Survival in the north required products to be functional, and this was the
basis of all design from early on.
Simplicity
Simple in shape and colour
• The simple lines deriving from the inter-war art movements gave this style its elegance. The concept
of “beautiful things that make your life better” was highly regarded. Scandinavian design is often
referred to as democratic design, because of its aim to appeal to the masses through products that are
accessible and affordable.

Minimum of ornaments and components Minimalism

• Less ornaments and components are used. ” Less is extra,” composed the poet Robert Browning in the
19th century.
 Traditional
Scandinavian
interior design

 Traditional Scandinavian style is simple, clean, cheerful, and very

achievable for basically any budget. When you think about this style,
usually lots of white springs to mind, but the reality is that
Scandinavian design can also have lots of vibrant color and fun
patterns.

SOURCE Designed by mandi Johnson

Source- Abeautifulmess.com
 TRADITIONAL SCANDINAVIAN PATTERNs

 The patterns you'll find in traditional Scandinavian designs are typically simple, botanical
illustrations in a symmetrical style. Animals are also common themes.

Designed by Marimekko fabric

Source- Abeautifulmess.com
MODERN SCANDINAVIAN PATTERNs
 Modern Scandinavian patterns usually have bold colors and graphic, high contrast styles, like the
oversize prints and patterns.

MODERN PATTERN STYLE

Designed Josef frank Ric

Source- Abeautifulmess.com
 Styles of each country

Denmark

• Danish style revolves around pale floorboards, white walls, simple blinds or no window
dressings at all (curtains are for the Swedes) and clean modern lines on the furniture.

 Danish Design is highly influenced by the German Bauhaus school, many Danish designers used the
new industrial technologies, combined with ideas of simplicity and functionalism to design buildings,
furniture and household objects, many of which have become iconic and are still in use and production,
such as Arne Jacobsen's 1958 Egg chair and Paul Henningsen's 1926 PH-lamps. After the Second World
War, conditions in Denmark were ideally suited to success in design. The emphasis was concentrated
on furniture design rather than architecture. Denmark's late industrialization combined with a tradition
of high-quality craftsmanship formed the basis of gradual progress towards industrial production.
 Denmark

Interior design

ARMCHAIR, BY ERO SAARINEN

Dezeen.com by kajal Moller
Source- dezeen.com

Design Matilda Lindblom

Source- dezeen.com
 Strangely enough, this farm near Copenhagen is called “Stockholm”, and it is completely
different from ordinary rural homes. The space is very light and minimalist here. The
main feature of the house is spacious white rooms with huge windows with views of the
fields. Wooden beams, furniture and color accents surround a large space, but the main
thing here is the airiness and lightness that creates volume.

SOFT MODULAR SOFA, BY JASPER MARRISON DJURO TABLE, BY MATILDA LINDBLON

Source- pufikhomes.com Source- pufikhomes.com
 Styles of each country

Finland
• Finnish homes are colorful: bright homemade rag rugs cover the floors and curtains are changed seasonally.
• They are very close to nature, much of their design features plants and animals.
• Patterns tend to be created in black and white and filled in with bright primary colors.

Designed by Laura seppanen Source-Hallofhomes.com

Source- Nordicdesign.ca
 Styles of each country

Iceland

• Homes are built from wood, clad in corrugated iron and then painted in bright colors.
They aren’t afraid to splash some boldly colored paint on the wall.

designed by Rut Káradóttir Source Icelanddesign.is

Source-ICELANDMONITOR.ML.IS
 Styles of each country

Norway
• Norwegian homes tend to be full of clean lines, minimal colors and a utilitarian feel.
• Traditionally the rooms are small to conserve the heat and the windows as well.
• Brick houses are rare so there is lots of tongue and groove inside.

Designed by Elisabeth heier

source- Nordicdesign.ca Source-Newsleaks.com
 Styles of each country

Sweden

• Swedish homes are slightly more cozy and welcoming than their Danish neighbors. Wooden floorboards and
white walls abound.
• furniture's are more ornate than the Danish style there are more curves and carvings which may be highlighted
in gold.

source- washingtonpost.com
A One bedroom flat Designed by Emma Fischer
source- washingtonpost.com
 FEATURES OF
SCANDINAVIAN
INTERIOR DESIGN
1. No Wall To Wall Carpets

Carpet has never been a popular thing in Scandinavian

style. Instead, wood flooring is often used throughout
homes and is sometimes softened with rugs or
sheepskins.

• If the idea of no carpet places you on edge, attempt including

a large rug in a soft texture or all-natural product. You could
attempt paint interior brickwork or tongue and grooves for
an easy means to add that all-important appearance.

designed BY norm architects

Source- Normcph.com
2. Light, Muted Colors

Because the winters are so long and dark, Scandinavian interiors are
typically painted white to help keep spaces bright. When colors are
used they’re kept soft and understated to keep the entire space
feeling cohesive, uniform, and bright.

• White is typically used as the major color, however doesn’t

make the area look sporadic since all-natural materials, such
as wood, bring warmth and also texture.
• White is likewise a wonderful blank slate to present any kind
of color combination, from soft pastels to black accents.

designed BY Shia lice

Source- Shialice.com
3. Wood

Whether it’s on the floor, on the walls, used to make

cupboards or toys, Scandinavian design includes a lot of
wood. But not just any wood will do. In keeping with
their light theme, the woods used in Scandinavian design
are usually light woods, like beech, ash, and pine.
• Blending appearances and materials, such as unfinished
wood items, fur rugs, and also soft linens, brings nature into
the residence, including that restful vibe that the decor is so
well-known for.

• Wooden flooring is a staple in Nordic insides. The wood is

typically light in color as well as made use of in all rooms,
with exception to the bathroom.

Designed by Clare cousins architects

Source- Clarecousinsarchitects.com.au
4. Clean/tidy Lines

• There isn’t a lot of ornate or excessive detailing found in

Scandinavian
design. Modern, clean lined, solid pieces are much more common,
and are a
defining feature of the Scandinavian design style.
• Simplexes actually is the rule of modern-day Scandinavian
design.
• tidy lines that radiate advanced elegance however do not
endanger on comfort.

Designed by riikka kantinkosko

Source- riikkakantinkosko.com
5. Decluttered Spaces/room

The design style places a big emphasis on efficient use of space, making maximum use of any kind of
uncomfortable areas.
• Traditionally, many Scandinavian homes were very small and didn’t allow for excessive amounts of stuff. While
homes are being built larger now and there’s more room for things, the idea of keeping a space free of clutter and
mess has remained an important aspect of Scandinavian design.

Designed by coco lapine design Designed by coco lapine design

source- Cocolapinedesign.com source- Cocolapinedesign.com
6. Simple Accents

Related to keeping a
space clutter free is the
idea of owning less to
begin with. Decor is kept
to a minimum in
Scandinavian design.
Bare walls and empty
spaces are not shied
away from.

Designed by Pella Hedeby Designed by Nina Holst

Source- Pellahedeby.com Source- stylizimoblog.com
 7. Simple Toys

Again, Scandinavians like to keep things simple and practical.

Wooden toys and tents made from dowels and fabric often fill
Scandinavian style playrooms.

Kids play tent Designed by Sarah Jagger Designed by happy little folks
Source- Tidd.ly Source- Tidd.ly
8. Maximize Natural Light

Because it’s dark so much of the year in Scandinavian countries, natural light is
an important thing to try and maximize. If any window treatments are used at
all, sheer or translucent ones are favored to let in as much light as possible.

Minimal Window Treatments

Scandinavian rooms tend to leave their home windows bare of

coverings.

Designed by asa copparstad

Asacopparstad.com

Designed by holly Marder

avenuelifestyle.com
9. Greenery

To help brighten up spaces and to

bring in some life, plants are found
in plenty of Scandinavian homes.

• Potted plants are additionally generally

used in interior design to mimic nature
within the home.

Summer cabin by time of the Aquarius

Source- timeoftheaquarius.com
10. Cozy Textiles

• Scandinavian design may not use a ton of

blankets or pillows to decorate, but the ones that
do get included are sure to double as both a
functional and cozy provider of warmth, as well
as a stylish way to add texture when it’s not
being used.

Arm knitted blankets by Ohio

Source- Tidd.ly
SCANDINAVIAN FURNITURES
JACOBSE´S CHAIRS

 The Egg chair,

 The Oxford Chair,
 The Ant chair,
 The Swan Chair and sofa.
 JACOBSEN´S CHAIRS / The egg

Was inspired by the shape of an egg.

 The Egg Chair is made out of a strong foam inner shell under

the upholstery

 The unique shape is to give the feeling of a privacy.

 The egg chair first appeared in the reception areas of the Royal
Hotel, in Copenhagen.
 JACOBSEN´S CHAIRS/ Oxford

 The original Oxford Chair was designed for the

professors at St. Catherine's College in Oxford.

 Made of leather or fabric.

 Ideal for meeting rooms or small desk spaces or even

dining rooms.
 JACOBSEN´S CHAIRS/ The Ant

 New type of chair for the small kitchen dinning rooms ...

 Inexpensive chair.

 It can be stacked by inserting the chairs into one another

 The original model had three plastic legs.

 JACOBSEN´S CHAIRS/ The swan chair

 The Swan is a chair and a couch designed by

Arne Jacobsen in 1958 for the
Radisson SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. It is
manufactured by Danish furniture manufacturer
Republic of Fritz Hansen.
 Along with the Swan, Jacobsen also developed the Egg
chair and other furniture much of which did not get into
mass production, like the Drop. The Swan couch is still
in production.
 OTHER FORMS OF SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN

 Scandinavian design has been perhaps most

widely recognized in furniture.

 Other fields, such as graphic design,

followed these principles.

 Splashes of colour have been a big part of

Nordic interiors for a long time as well.
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN CLASSICS
• A lot of iconic modern designs came from
Scandinavian designers in the 1900s, and below we
will list some of the most popular pieces. 

1. Wishbone chair by Hans J. Wegner (knock-off linked

to down below)
2. PH5 hanging lamp by Paul Henningsen
3. Tulip side table by Eero Saarinen
 1. Wishbone chair

• One of the very first models Hans J. Wegner has

designed for Carl Hansen & Son, this CH24 Wishbone
chair provides style, comfort and support though a Y-
shaped steam-bent back. The seat features a unique
seat pan hand-woven by a skilled artisan from 120m
long paper cord to simultaneously achieve sturdiness
and lightness, making this piece easy to match and
move around.
 2. Panton Table Lamp

• This table mounted luminaire is great for incandescent

lighting. The Panton Table Lamp is composed of an
injection molded white opal shade with the base and
housing in white injection molded aluminum. The
stem of this fixture is constructed of white aluminum.

• The Panton Table Lamp creates soft and diffused

illumination. The lighting characteristics makes it
suitable for providing the space with general
illumination, as well as fulfilling the lighting
requirements needed for reading. This item is a high
quality reproduction of the original.
 3. Tulip side table.

 The round side table boasts a sleek and fashionable

design that complements urban and modish decor
schemes. The 24-inch table top provides ample room
for display items and its chip resistant fiberglass finish
and aluminum design are ensure durability.
SOURCES

 vitra museum
 Pinterest
 planfordesign.com
 wikipedia.Com
 www.pufikhomes.com
 Erudit.org
 Unoportinn.com
 Flickr.com/photos/hellocatfood
 Madaboutthehouse.com
 Giftandhome.org
THANK YOU