Scandinavian Farmhouse Style Guide for Every Room
Do you want a home that feels both clean and cozy at the same time? Scandinavian farmhouse style might be the answer you’re looking for.
This mix of simple Nordic design and rustic farm touches creates spaces that feel fresh, bright, and warm.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the key parts that make up this style, from the calm color choices to the natural materials that give it life.
You’ll learn how each room can use this style and get tips on picking the right furniture and decor.
Whether you’re fixing up your whole house or just one room, these ideas will help you create a Scandinavian farmhouse look that’s both pretty and practical.
Key Elements of Scandinavian Farmhouse Style
Scandinavian farmhouse style combines neutral colors, natural materials, wooden furniture, minimal decor, and greenery to create spaces that are both clean and warm.
1. Neutral Color Palette
Scandinavian farmhouse style uses simple colors like white, light brown, and black. These basic colors make rooms feel open and calm.
Big windows let in lots of sun, which is a key part of this look. Many homes pair white walls with black window frames or white sinks with dark counters.
This mix creates spaces that feel clean and bright during the day but still cozy at night.
2. Natural Materials and Textiles
This style brings the outdoors inside with materials like wood, clay, wool, and soft faux fur. These items add both warmth and texture to rooms without making them feel too busy.
Look for wooden tables with simple lines, plain clay pots, wool throws in soft colors, and fluffy pillows on chairs and couches.
These natural items make homes feel lived-in and cozy while keeping the clean look that makes this style special.
3. Wood Furniture
Wood pieces form the heart of Scandinavian farmhouse homes. Raw and worn wood with knots and marks tells a story in each room.
You might see oak tables with simple legs, pine bed frames without fancy details, or basic benches in living rooms.
The wood tones warm up white walls and add a sense of age to newer homes. This mix of rustic and clean creates spaces that feel both old and new.
4. Minimalistic Approach to Decor
This style keeps things simple with few items on shelves and tables. It focuses on basic shapes that don’t draw too much notice.
Rather than filling rooms with small things, choose one or two items that mean something to you. Empty space is good – it lets eyes rest and rooms breathe.
This simple way of setting up homes makes them feel calm and open, not packed and busy.
5. Greenery and Plants
Adding plants brings life to the clean, white spaces of Scandinavian farmhouse homes. Leafy ferns, small succulents, and tall indoor trees all work well with this style.
Put them in plain pots made of clay, wood, or clear glass that won’t pull focus from the plants.
Even just two or three green plants can change how a room feels, making it seem more alive and tied to the world outside.
Room-by-Room Scandinavian Farmhouse Style
Each room in Scandinavian farmhouse style uses natural materials, simple designs, and minimal decor to create bright, cozy, and peaceful spaces.
1. Living Room
The Scandinavian farmhouse living room uses simple sofas and armchairs with cozy blankets and pillows.
Wooden coffee tables and end tables add natural warmth. Personal touches like books and family photos make the space feel lived-in while keeping the clean, uncluttered look this style is known for.
2. Dining Room
The Scandinavian farmhouse dining room features raw, unfinished wooden tables and chairs. Simple but eye-catching chandeliers hang above.
Keep decorations minimal with just a few items like terracotta vases or plain artwork. This creates a warm, inviting space that stays true to the clean design style.
3. Kitchen
Scandinavian farmhouse kitchens mostly use white elements like shiplap walls and white cabinets. Dark countertops or butcher block add warmth and contrast.
Keep decorations simple with just a few items like small potted herbs or a fruit bowl. This creates a clean, bright kitchen that feels both modern and cozy.
4. Bedroom
Scandinavian farmhouse bedrooms use cozy, neutral-colored sheets, blankets, and pillows.
Soft-textured rugs make the room feel extra comfortable. Wooden bed frames and nightstands add a rustic touch. This simple design creates a peaceful space perfect for rest and relaxation.
5. Bathroom
Scandinavian farmhouse bathrooms are bright and airy with plenty of natural light. Shiplap walls and wooden ceilings add warmth and texture.
Simple metal fixtures in black or brass look clean and elegant. Small plants bring life to the space. This style creates a fresh, relaxing bathroom that feels like a spa.
6. Exterior
Scandinavian farmhouse exteriors typically feature whitewashed walls with black window and door frames for contrast.
Metal roofs add a traditional touch while keeping the clean Scandinavian look. This style perfectly balances rustic charm with simple, minimalist design elements for a classic, welcoming home.
How to Achieve the Scandinavian Farmhouse Look
Create a Scandinavian farmhouse home with simple furniture, meaningful decor, and practical storage. Regular decluttering keeps spaces both clean and cozy.
Choosing the Right Furniture
To get the Scandinavian farmhouse look, pick furniture with straight, clean shapes and light wood colors. Oak and pine work best because they look simple and natural.
You don’t need to spend a lot – stores like IKEA, Target, and Wayfair have good options that won’t break the bank. Thrift stores can also have hidden gems if you look often.
Focus on basic pieces like wooden dining tables, plain chairs with slight curves, and sofas with thin legs and light-colored fabric.
Decorating with Purpose
The best Scandinavian farmhouse homes have fewer things, but each item matters more.
Instead of many small objects, choose one or two special pieces for each room – maybe a lamp with an odd shape or a picture that means something to you.
Keep most tables and shelves mostly empty. Before buying anything new, ask if it’s both helpful and nice to look at. This way of setting up a home makes it feel calm but not boring, planned but not stiff.
Practical Tips for Maintaining the Look
To keep your home looking good while being useful, try simple woven baskets to hide small items. Put soft throws and pillows on chairs and sofas for both looks and comfort.
Switch small things like green plants and plain candles when the weather changes to keep rooms fresh. Take time each month to put away things that don’t need to be out.
This helps keep the clean feel that makes this style work while still making your house feel like a real home.
Conclusion
Scandinavian farmhouse style brings together the best of clean design and cozy comfort.
By using light colors, natural woods, and just a few well-chosen items, you can make rooms that feel both open and warm.
Start small with one area of your home, like your living room or bedroom. Try adding a wooden coffee table, some soft pillows, or a few green plants. Take photos of your space before you start, so you can see the change.
Remember that this style is about living simply with things that matter to you. The best Scandinavian farmhouse homes aren’t just nice to look at – they’re easy to live in, too.