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Style & Inspiration
The art of designing a Scandi-style garden.
Timeless, Functional, Beautiful.
What is a Scandi-style garden?
A Scandi-style garden is about creating an experience. They are places with purpose and substance that create strong connections between people and nature. It's not about being grand or showing off. Instead, they focus on function, understated elegance and ease.
The beauty of Scandinavian design lies in its strong sense of place and story-telling. It can’t be copied by simply following trends or having the latest things. It can only truly be created through a thoughtful, considered approach. That’s what makes it so special, and also what enables anyone to achieve it. The key is to work with the individual qualities of the space, the light, the surroundings, alongside your own needs and wishes. This is what gives Scandinavian design its distinctly personal and timeless appeal.
At the heart of it all is an enduring practicality. Though there’s nothing initially glamorous about function, they value high-quality materials and craftsmanship, intending to create lasting impact and benefit. Ultimately, there is a strong sense of refinement and minimalism. Restricting design down to the core essentials and ensuring those are done to the high standard and style. When those key elements are really considered and celebrated, when anything excess is stripped away, what you are left with is something really special. Something where we are able to appreciate individual elements in their own right, whilst simultaneously enjoying them as a whole. When this balance is achieved through careful process of inclusion and exclusion, the garden will come together in a way that feels so effortless, like it was always meant to be.
My personal interest in Scandinavian design.
Being half Danish, I've always had a natural connection to Scandinavian culture. Even though I've never lived in Denmark myself, the values and ethos that shape their way of life have always resonated with me. As I grow as a designer, I'm increasingly aware of the influence this has had on me, both on a personal and professional level, and it's something I am keen to explore more, particularly in the context of landscape design.
Exploring the overlap between Scandinavian principles and my own approach to design.
Thoughtfulness and intention.
Scandinavian design begins with purpose. It's not a culture that values excess or 'stuff'. Instead, it focuses on quality and functionality, delivering practicality with ease and elegance. Simplicity, created through a balance of restraint and warmth, leads to the distinctive minimalist yet homely aesthetic that Scandinavian style is so often associated with, with its world renowned reputation and timeless appeal.
This focus on function-led design is also at the core of my own approach. Starting with a detailed assessment of the space and brief, I set out to establish the key challenges and needs. From there, I explore how to meet these in a way that is both practical and visually pleasing, without losing sight of the original intention. The aim is to create beauty through problem-solving, in a way that feels intuitive and effortlessly connects the user, nature and it's surroundings.
Use a Refined Palette
Choose natural materials, like wood and stone, in neutral colours that complement the surroundings and add texture and character to the space. Rather than using lots of materials, try limiting yourself to just one or two and explore how you could use them in different forms and finishes. For example, stone can be used for paving, boulders, and gravel, while wood can create benches, walkways, and screens. This approach will give you a space that has depth and interest while maintaining simplicity and cohesion.
Design for Function
Scandi design is about making function beautiful. When deciding where to place items, consider how, where, and when they’ll be used to ensure they’re as accessible as possible. For items you’d rather not see, like bins, consider ways to screen or hide them. Every element should serve a purpose and be effortless to use, making daily life easier and more enjoyable.
If space is limited, embrace multifunctional design. Consider benches with hidden storage or planters that incorporate seating. Clever design will help keep the garden practical without feeling cluttered.
Combine structural evergreens with more delicate textures, like ornamental grasses and ferns, and include plants that offer interest across the seasons to ensure the garden looks great all year round.
Prioritise Sustainability
Scandi design values resourcefulness and a light environmental footprint. Use sustainable and, where possible, local materials that will age well. Consider adding features like rainwater harvesting, composting, and raised vegetable beds. Growing your own produce, especially berries, is a classic Scandi touch!
Get creative with how you might be able to re-use or re-purpose existing items you might have, from materials to containers. The key is to focus on creating a space that works with nature, not against it.
Create Cosy Seating Areas
Designing a Scandi garden is about more than creating a pretty space, it’s about creating an experience, a place to unwind and reconnect. Include a variety of seating areas to enjoy the garden from at different times of day, like a bench that catches the morning sun for coffee and comfy lounge chairs by a fire pit to relax at in the evening. Add soft feature lighting, like string lights or solar lanterns, and furnish the space as you would in your home, with accessories like cushions and blankets, to create a seamless flow between indoors and out.
Showcase Craftsmanship
Quality and craftsmanship are at the heart of a Scandi garden. Select handcrafted feature pieces, such as a bespoke bench, large planter, or one-off sculpture, to add an artisanal touch and sense of individuality to the space. If you’re feeling creative, you could even try making something yourself.
Consider the materials these pieces are made from and how they will look over time. Many natural materials improve with age as they weather, adding to the charm and giving a relaxed, lived-in feel. Keep it intentional, ensuring each piece tells a story and enhances the garden, rather than cluttering it.
Play with Contrast
The Scandi style is known for its simplicity but contrast is also a key element for adding impact and interest. Traditional Scandinavian summerhouses, for example, often painted a deep red, can inspire bold features like a statement wall or a standout piece of furniture.
Balancing light with dark, soft with hard, and rough with smooth creates a dynamic and energising space, while still maintaining an overall sense of calm. Don’t be afraid embrace contrast and colour in your design to give your garden personality!
Discover Rosie’s tips, and more, in her contribution to for Homes & Gardens: How to Create a Scandi-Style Garden.
