Scandinavian interior design in small spaces: artwork that gives maximum sense of space
Small homes benefit from Scandinavian interior design: light, air and function. But it’s not just the furniture that determines how big a room feels – the right wall art can optically enlarge the space. In years of styling for clients who want to make a room feel bigger, we’ve noticed that canvas prints with calm colors, clear horizons and generous voids create the most space. Here, we share our most trusted principles, practical measurements and a concrete motif suggestion that works in everything from hallways to living rooms.
Three principles of optical space
- Light and cool tones : Cool, light shades feel more distant and pull the wall back visually. Neutral colors (beige, gray, white) reduce clutter and provide a cohesive palette. A subtle metallic accent in silver or gold can add depth without dominating.
- Lines and horizons : Horizontal motifs, especially those with a clear horizon line, create width and perspective. A soft horizon acts as a visual escape route – the eye travels beyond the wall and the room feels larger.
- Negative space and scale : Choose paintings with air in the composition and let the surrounding wall space breathe. Aim for a proportion that feels generous but not overwhelming: around 60–75% of the width of the furniture underneath (sofa, sideboard) is a good rule of thumb. In narrow passages, narrow, horizontal formats work great.
Our choice for small rooms: a horizon that opens up
A motif that consistently delivers a sense of space in Scandinavian environments is Horizon's Serenity – a peaceful abstract horizon in shades of beige and grey. It doesn't draw attention to itself but gently directs the gaze into the distance, making the room feel deeper.
Here's how we use it in practice: over a narrow sofa in a small living room, we like to choose a panoramic format and hang it 10–20 cm above the backrest. In bedrooms, where you often want to calm down the impression, we place the painting as a visual horizon behind the headboard - the result is a calm background that extends the wall. In a narrow hallway, a narrower format can provide movement forward and create a welcoming feeling.
Placement, height and light in small spaces
- Hanging height : The center of the painting about 145–150 cm from the floor usually provides a natural line of sight. Adjust downwards if the painting is hanging over a piece of furniture.
- Distance and grouping : If you want to make a small wall of paintings, keep 5–7 cm between the works to preserve air. A well-composed mini-gallery group can replace a single large painting without becoming cluttered.
- Lighting : Aim a soft LED strip or a discreet wall spotlight at the painting. Light that washes the wall from top to bottom creates a slight gradient that enhances the feeling of height and depth.
Color matching and materials that magnify
Scandinavian interior design is based on harmony between materials: whitewashed oak, linen, wool and light walls. Choose frames in white, natural or light oak to blend in, or black for a thin, graphic outline. If you want to keep the palette extremely calm, black and white is a safe bet in small rooms. In our guide How Black and White Paintings Complement Modern Interiors, we explain why monochrome motifs often feel airier: fewer shades compete, which reduces visual noise. This can be especially effective in kitchens and work areas where you want to maintain focus.
Room-by-room advice for small spaces
- Hall : A horizontal canvas painting draws the eye inward and creates flow. Combine with a wall mirror that reflects the work – art and mirror magnify together.
- Kitchen : Keep the color scheme subdued and choose a motif with a clear negative surface. A smaller, oblong painting above a counter provides direction without stealing your peace of mind.
- Bedroom : Go for soft, muted tones and organic shapes. A horizon behind the bed calms down and lengthens the wall.
Common mistakes to avoid
- For small paintings : Tiny motifs on large walls make the room look plotty. Choose fewer but slightly larger works for a calmer expression.
- Hanging too high : When the painting is too high, you lose touch with the furniture and the room feels fragmented.
- Too many colors : Keep the palette cohesive; 2–3 main tones are enough in small areas.
Why this works in Scandinavian style
Scandinavian design prioritizes clear lines, natural light and breathable materials. Abstract paintings with horizontal lines and low contrast continue that story on the walls. In our projects, we see time and again that when the motif offers a visual outlet – a horizon, a soft gradient, a subtle perspective – the room is perceived as larger, calmer and more cohesive. It’s not about building everything around a painting, but letting the art co-create space with furniture, textiles and light.