Scandinavian bedroom ideas

Looking for Scandinavian bedroom ideas? Have a peruse through our gallery

Bring Scandi elegance into your home with a palette of pale neutrals, natural materials and simple but beautifully made furniture.

In Scandinavian interiors, the emphasis is on magnifying natural light to combat the long, dark winters, so a repetitive colour palette of whites, beige, cool blues and soft grey is a good choice to use throughout your bedroom. If you're looking for bedroom paint ideas; darker, earthy shades of charcoal, brown, navy and black can be used sparingly as accents colours for furniture and accessories, providing light and shade and creating visual interest. Remember, a huge emphasis is placed on white bedroom ideas and colour schemes, so it may be best to start with white or off-white walls as the base.

Scandinavians have a real appreciation of natural, raw materials, from ceramic, clay, wood and stone to tactile linen, wool, felt and fur. Floors and walls are neutral in colour, whether it's a dark ceramic floor to contrast against pale walls, or wooden floorboards that have been whitewashed or polished to bounce light around a room. Window treatments are simple and pared back to let in as much light as possible.

After more bedroom ideas? Take a look at some dazzling bedroom colour schemes and our beach themed bedrooms for inspiration.

1/18 Scandinavian bedroom with colourful soft furnishings

bedroom with bed and cushion

(Image credit: Future PLC/Max Attenborough)

Give a Scandinavian bedroom a contemporary update by introducing bright colour in small doses. A classic bed and painted furniture combine with contemporary accessories to create a successful eclectic aesthetic that balances traditional and modern design.

Paint
Dulux

2/18 Scandinavian bedroom with wooden shelving

bedroom with wooden shelving and books

(Image credit: TBC)

Work with wood and natural materials to create a striking focal point in the bedroom. Versatile and beautiful, wood is one of the most widely used materials in a Scandinavian scheme. Home to a collection of objects and curios, this clevery designed shelf unit is a feature in its own right. Keep the walls pale and interesting in true Scandi fashion.

Similar shelf
Swoon Editions
Similar bedding
Not on the HIgh Street

3/18 Scandinavian bedroom with tonal colour palette

bedroom with lamp and cushion

(Image credit: TBC)

Use rustic details and earthy colours to make an urban bedroom welcoming and inviting. The mysticism of northern folklore meets pale timbers, sleek lines and beautifully simple shapes. Don't be discouraged when sourcing salvaged wood - even when damaged, wood can often be restored to its former glory. Here, an old barrel has been lovingly restored and used as a bedside table to wonderful effect. Use soft and delicate shades that can easily be combined. A black bed frame makes for an interesting change from the traditional white.

Bed and rug
John Lewis
Bed linen
Muji

4/18 Scandinavian bedroom with architectural features

attic bedroom with white wall and cushion

(Image credit: Future PLC/James Merrell)

The simplicity of the decor lets the architectural features shine. Low bed frames are commonplace in Scandivian design and work well to maximise space. The backdrop of soft white walls gives the room a restful and tranquil feel. Lastly, ditch the clutter - Scandi design0 is crisp and clean with a penchant for style and an emphasis on good design.

Similar bedside table

1stdibs
Table lamps
The Conran Shop

5/18 Scandinavian bedroom with mid-century furniture

bedroom with mirrored wardrobe and table

(Image credit: Future PLC/James Merrell)

Mix mid-century and Scandi buys for a cool and classic scheme. Form and function are key to this look, with room and furniture layouts kept uncluttered and functional, so it's easy to move around. Furniture has been chosen for its practicality, with simple shapes and fluid lines, while materials are picked for beauty and longevity.

Table top and trestles
Ikea
Desk lamp
Habitat

6/18 Scandinavian bedroom with twin beds

bedroom with twin beds and white wall

(Image credit: Future PLC/Paul Raeside)

Create a guest bedroom that is restful and elegant, in soothing shades of white and grey. Warm up a white scheme with cosy knits, natural weaves and salvaged wood. Hand-painted folksy motifs, knitted accessories and reclaimed wooden beds create the perfect cosy guest bedroom. It is important to find the right accessories as these can really set the tone in your room - go for ones that share an accent colour and stick to a single theme. Don't mix styles, or your finished scheme will look messy rather than effortlessly chic.

Beds
Scumble Goosie
Duvet
The Duvet Store

7/18 Scandinavian bedroom with geometric throw and wall sticker

bedroom with yellow cushion and white wall

(Image credit: Future PLC/Douglas Gibb)

You can?t get cooler than true Scandi style and, as a nod to the summer, the high street is alive with folk-style prints and bold yellow accessories that are perfect for brightening up your kitchen. Team these with sophisticated grey and you?ve got yourself a modern scheme to be proud of. Choose sharp geometric designs for bed linen and throws and blend a few glass and pale-wood pieces into the mix.

Blanket
Hus & Hem
Cushion
Donna Wilson

8/18 Scandinavian bedroom with colourful throw and mid-century bedside table

bedroom with lamp and cushion

(Image credit: Future PLC/Ben Anders)

Jazz up a relaxed Scandi scheme with a big hit of colour, plenty of patterned textiles and ultra-cool accessories. Here, a plethora of pieces, from natural linens and geometrics to iconic mid-century pieces and design classics, make up this Scandinavian bedroom. A stylish hanging light frees up space for books and other paraphernalia on the bedside table.

Similar bed and pillowcases
The White Company
Throw
Niki Jones

9/18 Scandinavian bedroom with cool tones and wall art

bedroom with white wall and cushion

(Image credit: TBC)

This minimal bedroom keeps things very simple, but remains interesting thanks to a few carefully placed accessories. An old tea chest acts as a clever low-level bedside table. In a simple white bedroom a gallery-like wall is the perfect foil for pretty artwork and wall stickers. Stick to a palette of earthy shades of charcoal, brown and off-white for an authentic look.

Bed linen
John Lewis
Peg rack
Scumble Goosie
Lighting
Davey Lighting

10/18 Scandinavian bedroom with wooden peg rails and wood-effect wallpaper

bedroom with bed and pillow

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Bevan)

Wood-panelled walls can transform a room so why not do it the easy way with a trompe l'oeil wood-effect wallpaper? Nothing beats a wintry woodland theme for a laid-back, Scandi-style scheme. It's all about celebrating natural materials and textures in an elegant way. Choose an off-white shade for walls and textured linen or a painted wood bed. Layer your scheme with white and off-white accessories such for a clean, fresh look. Finally, a peg rail (or three) above the bed is ideal if you're always losing your keys, hats and any smaller items that tend to get mislaid.

Wallpaper
Andrew Martin
Peg rails
Scumble Goosie
Flooring
The Colour Flooring Company

11/18 Scandinavian bedroom with wooden doors

bedroom with wooden flooring and white wall

(Image credit: Future PLC/Rachael Smith)

The simple combination of untreated wood and white walls is a sure-fire way to get the Scandi-look. A wardrobe that looks like a cupboard and a fireplace and mantel are reminiscent of a living space, adding to the informal feel of the room.

Similar fireplace
Victorian Fireplaces

12/18 Scandinavian bedroom with chevron quilt

bedroom with white wall and hanging light

(Image credit: Future PLC/James French)

In a small bedroom, paint one wall a contrasting shade and be consistent with any patterns you introduce. Chevrons have particular impact in black and white - here a bed throw and cushions add interest. The hi-gloss finish of a plain white wardrobe turns what could have been a box into something more interesting.

Similar bed throw
The Blueberry Home
Similar wardrobe

Ikea

13/18 Scandinavian bedroom with wooden headboard

bedroom with wooden headboard and lamp

(Image credit: Future PLC/James Merrell)

Strong lines in monochrome and wood give this loft space a masculine edge. Storage built in the eaves makes the most of unusable space.

Bed
Lombok

14/18 Scandinavian bedroom with white brick wall

bedroom with round mirror and white wall

(Image credit: Future PLC/Matthew Williams)

A mix of textures - the sleek black sideboard, rough painted bricks and soft fur throw - add interest and warmth to this Scandi-cool setting. Wooden floorboards, pale wood and woven accessories complete the look.

Similar chair
Westport East
Similar mirror
The French Hous

15/18 Scandinavian bedroom with fur textures

bedroom with white wall and table

(Image credit: Future PLC/Jake Curtis)

Soft greys and whites create a peaceful and serene environment, ideal for a relaxing bedtime. The layering of textures generates a cosy feel.

Throw
Nicole Farhi Home

16/18 Scandinavian bedroom with touches of pink

bedroom with dark wooden bench and white wall

(Image credit: Future PLC/Paul Massey)

Use old-style furniture, such as a dark wooden bench, to bring a country feel to a Scandinavian interior. Unexpected touches of pink will offset the white and grey tones, adding a decorative touch to the usually pared-back look.

Similar cushions
John Lewis

Bench
Lombok

17/18 Scandinavian bedroom with alcove

bedroom with double bed and hanging light

(Image credit: Future PLC/Paul Massey)

The Scandinavian's are known for making the most out of even the smallest spaces, creating areas that are cosy but functional too. An alcove, used to create a structural canopy for a double bed, achieves exactly this. Just add a pendant and neutral-coloured linen.

Similar bed linen
John Lewis

18/18 Scandinavian bedroom with checked quilt

bedroom with low level bed and wall light

(Image credit: Future PLC/Paul Massey)

Scandinavian winters are long and dark, so wrap up with checked throws and an abundance of soft, inviting textures. Cool, white walls - a staple of the look - keep the space restful.

Similar grey check throw
Marquis & Dawe
Similar reading light
Birgit Ostergaard

Feeling inspired by this effortlessly chic look? Then it's time to embrace Scandi style and give your home the cool factor.

Contributor

Tamara was Ideal Home's Digital Editor before joining the Woman & Home team in 2022. She has spent the last 15 years working with the style teams at Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, both now at Future PLC. It’s with these award wining interiors teams that she's honed her skills and passion for shopping, styling and writing. Tamara is always ahead of the curve when it comes to interiors trends – and is great at seeking out designer dupes on the high street.