Scandinavian design + color: break away without losing style
Scandinavian interior design is often associated with light walls, natural materials and a calm palette. But minimalism does not mean colorlessness. On the contrary, a well-chosen color accent can deepen the character of the room and lift the overall look – without compromising on the pure aesthetics. The key is to dose it correctly, understand the undertones and choose wall art that dialogues with the room’s materials and light.
Why color works in Scandinavian design
In Nordic homes, nature plays the main role: dull light, lots of wood, texture in linen and wool. Color then becomes a means of creating direction and rhythm. When we help customers find paintings, we see how a controlled color – a deep green, sea blue or rust red – enhances harmony. The color should not take over, it should keep pace with the whole.
Three principles that keep the style
- The 70–20–10 rule: Let 70% be base (walls, large furniture), 20% be secondary tone (woods, rugs), and 10% accent (art, pillows, pottery). The last ten is where color makes the biggest difference.
- Work with undertones: Beige can be cool or warm, as can gray. Match the temperature of the accent color to the room's undertones for a seamless look.
- Choose textured surfaces: Color is perceived softer in materials with texture – canvas, bouclé, coarse linen – than in shiny surfaces.
Paintings as carriers of color – subtle but effective
Wall art is one of the most flexible ways to bring in color. A canvas print in a muted hue can act as a visual bridge between neutral walls and natural materials. One example is Coastal Drift , where sea green meets beige and white—just the kind of nuanced color that Scandinavian rooms thrive on.
In a home in Nacka we recently styled, the client had a lot of ash wood and cream-white walls. A large abstract painting in sea green created depth without making the room dark. The trick was to let green return discreetly in a vase and a book cover, but no more – the rest was left to air.
Placement, format and frame – how to avoid visual noise
Proportions determine how color is experienced. A larger, calm painting in a soft color can feel more peaceful than several small ones in bright colors. Aim for the center of the painting to be about 145 cm from the floor and leave generous negative space around it. Above a sofa: 15–20 cm above the backrest and preferably 2/3 of the width of the sofa in the total width of the painting.
If framing: choose a black, white or oak frame to ground the color. Floating frames in light oak often work best with green and blue accents in Scandinavian homes.
Room-by-room: concrete color strategies
- Living room: A large, abstract canvas in a muted color (like sea green or slate blue) provides direction. Let pillows pick up 1–2 shades from the motif, but keep the rug neutral.
- Bedroom: Soft palette with a single accent. A painting with cool blue-gray tones calms, while muted green creates a connection with nature.
- Kitchen/dining area: Metal and stone require balance. A warm green or ochre accent in wall art softens and adds appetizing warmth.
- Hallway: Narrow wall? Choose a vertical format that draws the eye in. A pop of color here acts as a “hello” without dominating the home.
Lighting that lets the color breathe
Light changes color more than anything else. Use a spot with high color rendering (CRI 90+) and warm white 2700–3000 K for evenings. Direct the light diagonally across the surface of the painting to highlight the canvas's structure and avoid glare. Dimmers give you the opportunity to turn up the drama whenever you want.
Build a secure base – and dare to rotate
One of our favorite methods is seasonal rotation. Keep the base neutral with walls and larger furniture; change the color accent via wall art according to the season. Spring/summer: airy blues and greenish tones. Autumn/winter: more muted greens, ochres and reddish-browns. This keeps the home alive without losing the Scandinavian rigor.
If you want to delve deeper into how minimalism and wall art interact, please read our guide Scandinavian Style: Create a Minimalist Oasis with Canvas Prints .
Quick checklist before you drive the nail
- Define the undertones of the base palette (warm/cold).
- Choose a maximum of two accent colors – let the painting be primary.
- Test the scale: cardboard template on the wall before buying.
- Ensure light with CRI 90+ and 2700–3000 K.
- Frame with oak, black or white for a Nordic look.
Color in a Scandinavian home isn't about being loud, it's about nuanced silence. With well-chosen wall art, the right proportions, and thoughtful lighting, that pop of color becomes just the detail that ties the whole together—without taking over.