How to master danish interior design at home

(according to an interior designer)

With an emphasis on simplicity, minimalism, and functionality, danish interior design has the power to create a sense of warmth and cosiness in any space. Luckily, you don't need to be an expert to get the look at home. All you need are these five rules from interior designer nathalie.

A woman standing in a light-filled living room, rearranging things at the Calgary storage system.

Less is more. Minimalism is the name of the game here. “The general rule is that less is always more,” says Nathalie. Styling a statement piece like Salamanca? It’s all about letting the sofa design speak for itself. Decorating your fireplace mantel? Ditch the cluttered look and be picky with your accessories.

Be bold. Make no mistake, Danish style goes beyond neutral colour palettes and minimalist decor. And you shouldn’t be afraid to have fun with it. How? “It's about playing with different colours, shapes, forms, and materials,” explains Nathalie.

Make your space more functional.  “Creating spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional is what Danish interior design is all about.” The secret is investing in pieces that do double duty. Like Calgary, a modular open storage system that can function as a sleek home office or a cocktail cabinet. Or Kingston, a family dining table that can be easily extended for entertaining.

Invite hygge in. You can’t bring Danish style into your home without a little hygge. “The easiest way to create hygge at home is to focus on that cosy feeling,” says Nathalie. “Think soft blankets. Think warm lighting. Think snuggling up on the sofa with a hot coffee and your friends by your side.” The cosier, the better.

Embrace the danish wink. “Believe it or not, we Danes do, from time to time, like to bend the rules and shake things up.” It's our way of showing off our personality. “Subtlety is key. A perfectly imperfect sculpture. A hand-painted feature wall." That's the Danish wink.