Scandinavian Chairs

Scandinavian armchairs – why are they so popular?

The fundamental elements of typical Scandinavian design furniture are functionality, simplicity and understated elegance. Combined with wooden accents, they all harmonise perfectly, echoing the natural world, which is why so many people relate to this unassuming style. The Scandi look that we have become so familiar with began around the middle of the 20th century, a period we now refer to as mid-century modern. The Scandinavians valued utility over decoration and whilst in todays modern homes, accessorising is very important, the central basics of the furniture we choose, for the majority, must be practical and functional. The great advantage of Scandinavian style is that it can be blended with many other looks to create a contemporary interior.

From experience and from our customers' testimonials we can see how the Scandinavian armchair looks fabulous in both modern and classic interiors. An upholstered armchair, designed to reflect the Scandinavian style can have modern angular lines or a more traditional shape, ensuring everyone can find the perfect piece of furniture for their interior. There are high back designs such as the Ducon and low back examples like the Vicenza. Both are comfortable and look great in the living room, as well as in the study or bedroom. A traditional Scandinavian interior uses a neutral colour palette, again very much influenced by the natural world, and these calming colours work beautifully in a chic armchair. That’s not to say, you can’t break the rules and add a bright coloured chair in your interior for a pop of colour to create a design focal point. A Scandinavian style armchair will add cosiness and warmth to any room, guaranteeing your home is welcoming to you as well as your guests.

On trend Scandinavian armchairs

Whilst the elements of today’s design began in the last century, a Scandinavian style armchair is still bang on trend in today’s modern interiors. It is the ‘go to’ chair for many interior designers. The brief most customers give nowadays is to create a beautiful and cosy interior. It is the goal we aim for when arranging a home space. We know that well-chosen furniture makes it much easier to create a pleasant living room, so our store offers a rich selection of Scandinavian armchairs. Whilst the priority for most is the choice of sofa in a living room, it is certainly worth considering an armchair which will provide comfort at the highest level. It is in a cosy armchair that you will sit down after work with your favourite book. It is the living room where you relax, spend time with your family, and host friends and relatives. A Scandi style armchair, gives you a comfortable seat and at the same time looks great. Despite the fact that every season there are new trends in interiors, a Scandinavian style armchair is timeless. This is due to many elements, such as its ergonomic form, and choice of upholstery fabric, carefully selected for your needs. Its simple style is one that will not get boring or look old fashioned after a period of time. You can be sure that investing in this style of design will be one decision that will bring you joy and happiness for many years. 

An armchair with natural wood and neutral tones

A stylish Scandinavian armchair can bring so much to your interior. A chair with natural wooden legs will create a warm, homely atmosphere. They give lightness and subtlety to the whole piece of furniture. This simplicity is guaranteed to make you feel like you've created something classic but also unique, because many of our models come with a choice of leg colours. A contemporary grey or a natural cream fabric successfully co-ordinates with wooden accents and works well in any setting. Pairing this with similar shades and tones ensures you will create a restful and tasteful interior. If you prefer a bolder look, then you will find a wide range of colours so you can personalise your room even more. A mustard yellow adds sophisticated colour to neutral interiors, a dark green will bring timeless chic in your living room, a bold red offers glamour and a blush pink gives a subtle hint of shades, so characteristic of Scandi style.

Which room works best for Scandi design?

An upholstered Scandinavian style armchair works just as well in the living room as it does in other rooms too. A bedroom with a carefully chosen armchair in a redundant corner gives interest and character to your interior. What better use of space to relax in the room that is designed for peace and restfulness. A spacious hallway or mezzanine landing can benefit from a beautiful armchair. Not only does it offer a design feature but is also a practical solution for an additional chill zone. One of the most beautiful uses for this style of armchair is in a nursery or child’s room. What wonderful memories could be created in a comfortable chair whilst breastfeeding or reading a story to a small child who is cuddled up on your lap. We have even thought of the smaller people in your household too, as we designed the Ducon in a mini of our adult chair. We wanted to offer a chair that was specially made for little ones so they can feel as important as their grown-ups. It can be placed in their own bedroom or playroom, or even in the living room, next to yours, strengthening the bond with your child. Imagine sitting in matching little and large chairs playing board games and watching the television together.

Minimalist interiors need armchairs with soul

A Scandi style armchair can be very atmospheric and can bring a warm and homely atmosphere to even the most austere interior. Their unique shape, wooden legs and minimalist bases as well as the tactile upholstery fabric, all contribute to that. A minimalist space often tends to be vast and open plan and a feature chair works beautifully. The added benefit of their comfort is a welcome addition to any such interior. This classic Nordic style was developed for simple homes where the harsh winter climates of Northern Europe drove those who lived in this area to look for cosy and functional furniture. This regard for functionality was also an important principle of the Bauhaus movement, which has been so influential in the development of Scandinavian architecture.

A Hygge Interior

Scandinavian design continues to be a leading source of inspiration for interior design. It offers a mixture of textures and subtle contrasts to create a sleek, modern feel. A name now synonymous in more recent years with this look is hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah"). This Danish word is often used to describe cosy interiors, with a roaring fire, mugs of cocoa and scented candles. But it can also be used to portray a feeling of mindfulness. It depicts a relaxed mindset, without constraints, and living a more soothing lifestyle. Hygge promotes the idea of enjoying and indulging in life positivity – whether that’s long walks on the beach, sitting round a table with friends and family or binging on a box set under a cosy blanket.

How to achieve the Scandi look

Scandinavian homes were traditionally small in the 1950’s and didn’t allow for extravagant decorative accessories, so therefore the Scandinavian decor became known for the “less is more” design mantra. They had to rely on simple but clever storage to keep their homes tidy. To counteract the long dark winters in Northern Europe, the Scandinavians developed a light, neutral colour palette for their homes. The use of whites, greys and natural colours make an interior feel brighter and more uniformed, and our large selection of neutral upholstery fabric colours is ideal. Accents of colour can be used, but often it is blue and pink hues harmonising with more natural shades. Large windows to allow natural light to flood in and minimal window treatments further enhance the brightness. Other furniture is primarily made of natural wood, and accessories, although kept to a minimum, tend to be natural foliage, ceramics, and woven baskets. To eliminate any feeling of starkness, adding rugs and throws will add warmth and cosiness. A successful Scandi interior combines modern design with natural elements to achieve a cohesive look.