Scandinavian Christmas Decor Ideas to Try at Home
Does anything say Hygge more than Christmas? It’s that time of year again and the decorating can begin! If you’re in the mood for a cozy, snuggly home this Christmas, then you will love these Scandinavian Christmas decor ideas we have for you. More and more people are choosing to decorate their homes in a modern, minimalist style, and we can absolutely understand why when we see what a little Scandi-inspired Christmas decorating can do to your home.
If you’re not too familiar with Scandinavian or Nordic design, be sure to check out our intro guide on the design principles. It’s known for its clean lines, muted colours and natural materials. But don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s boring and all stark and bare. Scandinavian decor can actually be quite festive and cozy – especially Christmas decor.
Don’t know where to start? Looking for some inspiration for your own holiday decorating this year? Try out some of these simple but effective Scandinavian Christmas decor ideas to transform your home into the place to be this Christmas.
Scandinavian Christmas Decor Ideas
When it comes to Scandinavian decor, less is definitely more. It’s no surprise that their Christmas decorations are also minimalistic. So there’s no need to go overboard with your decorating—a few well-chosen pieces can make a real impact and will give your home that desirable Scandi look without looking cluttered or overdone. And don’t forget about Fika—the Swedish tradition of taking a break for coffee and pastries. Why not opt for a plate of small cookies rather than a giant gingerbread house and enjoy a steaming mug of coffee in minimalist style.
Embracing hygge, your Scandi decor can start before you’ve even entered the house. A Scandinavian-style wreath with the perfect combination of wintery elements is a great way to make visitors feel warm and welcome as they enter your home. If you want a pop of colour, try a wreath with red berries hung by red string. Choose one with some natural pine cones to add some earthy tones.
Choose natural materials like wood and wool to create a warm atmosphere
One of the hallmarks of Scandinavian design is its focus on natural materials. Why not bring in some woodsy touches this holiday season? This could be as simple as swapping out your sofa throw pillows for ones made with wool or adding a wooden crate filled with greenery. Stone is another popular choice in Nordic interior design. Look for ways to bring the outdoors inside by decorating with greenery, pinecones, branches, and berries. Not only will this add a touch of nature to your decor, but it will also make your home smell like Christmas!
Natural elements can be a great part of your Christmas decor that will give your home a rustic and inviting feel. You could use a wooden Advent calendar to add something a bit more functional or display some miniature christmas trees on your coffee table to tie the look together.
Add candles for a soft and cozy glow
Christmas is a great time to get creative with lighting. When it comes to fighting harsh, dark winters, Scandinavians know a thing or two about surviving the long winter months. They know how important it is to create a cozy home environment. You can recreate this feeling in your own home by adding warm blankets, candles, and festive scents throughout your space. This will make your home feel extra cozy this holiday season! The right lighting is key to beating away those winter blues.
String up some fairy lights or use oil lamps as part of your holiday decorations. They’ll add a magical touch to your home while also providing some much-needed light during these dark winter months. Got an unused fireplace? Fill it with candles for a warm and inviting focal point in any room.
Candles are an essential part of any Scandinavian Christmas decor . Not only do they provide light in the dark months but they are the perfect way to achieve that cozy hygge atmosphere. Use holders with a pattern to let the light through to create a inviting ambience to your sung. Or try some long open flame options to add a touch of romance to the scene.
No matter what style you prefer, Christmas is the perfect time to go all out with your decorating. With Scandinavian Christmas decor, it’s common to see homes decorated with white lights and reindeer skins! The Scandinavian look tends to keep things clean with a simple colour palette of white silver. Keep this as your base but then get creative with some reds and greens in your Christmas decorations. Have fun mixing and matching different elements until you find a look that you love. For inspiration on what accessories to buy – check out our updated favourite Scandinavian Christmas Decor ideas and products list.
Adding some brown paper boxes underneath your christmas tree offers a wonderfully rustic look, use some good old fashioned string as a ribbon to add to the natural elements (use some empty boxes to fill out the space, we won’t tell) or have some fun with it by adding a splash of colour with either some holly or decorative pine branches. Alternatively using some red ribbon against a clean, white wrapping paper is also a chic look underneath a green tree.
If you really want to embrace the Scandinavian aesthetic, don’t feel like you have to go for a big dominating traditional Christmas tree. Of course the focal point of any Christmas decor is the tree.
When it comes to choosing a tree for your Scandinavian-inspired home, definitely opt for something that is simple and chic. A real tree can be a good choice, however if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of a real tree or you’re short on space, a small artificial tree is a great option that really stays true to a minimalist aesthetic. Once you’ve got your tree, keep the decorations simple with white lights and neutral-colored ornaments. You could also try using wooden ornaments for an extra touch of Scandinavian decor.
Alternative Christmas trees can be a real statement piece, if you’ve the space and money why not splash out of one made entirely of logs! Wooden, clean and chic – its the perfect accompaniment to a proper Scandinavian Christmas decor. For more standard trees try clustering your ornaments a bit for a more festive look.
Decorate your mantelpiece and use evergreens throughout your home for a touch of winter magic
If you have a fireplace in your home, chances are you’ll be spending quite a bit of time gathered around it during the colder months. Make sure your mantel is dressed for the occasion by hanging stockings from simple metal hangers and adorning them with neutral-colored accessories. Fresh greenery is always a good idea when it comes to Christmas decorating and incorporating some into your mantel display is a great way to add a pop of color without going overboard.
Whether you have a real fireplace or not, every home can benefit from a mantelpiece display during the holidays. Try a more understated, more modern look with a simple piece of foliage on a white backdrop. Alternatively a rustic, bolder look can also feel very cozy with decorated foliage combined with a natural wood tone. Any space can benefit from some Christmas greenery, even the back of the couch – just be careful where you rest your head!
Make your own Christmas decorations with easy tutorials online
If you really want to go all out with your Scandinavian Christmas decor, why not try making your own handmade decorations? Christmas isn’t complete without at least one handmade decoration . Have a go at making some simple paper snowflakes or weave yourself a basket out of twigs and branches. There’s also painted pinecones, paper stars, or fabric Advent calendars. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also end up with unique decorations that are sure to impress your guests. There are plenty of easy DIY projects that even the most novice crafter can handle.
Scandinavian design is all about creating a warm and inviting space. By incorporating some simple Scandinavian-inspired elements into your holiday decorating, you can give your home a fresh and modern look that will impress your guests this Christmas season. So don’t be afraid to experiment – mix and match different colors, textures, and materials until you find a look that you love. Merry Christmas! Glade Høytider!
