These Dreamy Scandinavian Interiors Are The Most Beautiful Thing You'll See Today

With everyone craving the Scandinavian lifestyle right now, the launch of Gestalten’s new book Scandinavian Dreaming couldn’t be more timely – packed with stunning contemporary Nordic design, it illustrates the magic you’ll only find in northern European homes. We showcase our favourite interiors from the book – trust us, it was hard to choose…

Forward-thinking meets fairy-tale in Nordic countries, where folk tales, nature, sustainability and comfort are key when it comes to designing a home. The Norwegians, for example, have words that simply don’t translate exactly into English, but are crucial to the make-up of what a ‘home’ means to them; ‘peiskos’ essentially translates as “fireplace coziness, enjoying the warmth of sitting in front of a crackling fire”, while words such as ‘hrytte’ and ‘hryttenlin’ refer to the cabin culture that empties Nordic cities on Friday afternoons as people head to their country cottages. From bright and playful designs to wood-clad cabins with forest views, here are our favourites.

This project by Kolman Boye Architects enjoys panoramic views of the Norwegian Sea on Vega Island, photography by Åke E:son Lindman

Copenhagen home of fashion designer Heidi Hofmann, styling by Marie Manrad Graunbøl, photography by Mikel Tjellesen

This house in Denmark was originally designed by one of the most influential Danish architects and pioneer of Danish Functionalism, Mogens Lassen, photography by Nicoline Olsen / Vkstockimages

The interior design of this house in southern Sweden was done by Sofie Geneva – the bedroom has a ladder leading to a mini hideout, photography by Joacim Johansson

Designer Hálfdan Lárus Pedersen rebuilt and renovated this abandoned house using almost entirely salvaged materials – the house in the remote fishing village of Flateyri in Iceland took almost 10 years to complete, photography by Mikael Axelsson

This pastel-coloured kitchen in Denmark was designed by Katrine Kaul, photography by Katrine Rohrberg

This Danish townhouse features beautiful handcrafted furniture by Københavns Møbelsnedkeri, photography by Gyrate Lemche

This futuristic cabin in Norway’s Kroskogen Forest was designed by Atelier Oslo, photography by Lars Petter Pettersen

This Stockholm apartment by stylist Emma Wallmen mixes a warm pink with natural materials for a cosy feel, photography by Anna Malmberg

Founder of OYOY and homeowner Lotte Fynboe likes a simple, playful interior with graphic shapes, photographed by Emil Monty Freddie

Scandinavia Dreaming is out now, and is available to buy here.

About the author

Charlotte Luxford

Architecture & Design Editor

As Culture Trip's architecture and design expert, Charlotte has more than 12 years' industry experience, working for an array of national publications. Prior to joining Culture Trip, Charlotte was the editor of Grand Designs Magazine, steering the magazine in a new direction and overseeing a new look for the title. She has also worked for mass media organisation TI Media, providing content for Livingetc, Ideal Home, Country Homes & Interiors and Homes & Gardens. Charlotte has always had a passion for design and is also a qualified interior designer, having completed a diploma in her spare time. At Culture Trip, Charlotte has worked closely with institutions including the Design Museum and London Design Festival, as well as interviewing design heroes such as Thomas Heatherwick and Sir Terence Conran.