The Scandinavian style is extremely popular, not only for outdoor use but also for the terrace and garden. And once you start decorating your interior in a Nordic style, you won't want to stop. If you would like to redesign or redesign your terrace, you can opt for the cozy and stylish Scandinavian style. In this article we would like to explain to you what you should consider in order to do justice to the style. Find out what type of furniture and decorations and what colors are best if you want to design a Scandinavian terrace. In addition to helpful tips, you will also find an inspiring picture gallery at the end that illustrates everything again.
Neutral colors are the key if you want to design the terrace in a Scandinavian style. The colors white, black and color mixtures of these two tones, i.e. any shade of gray, are ideal and represent the Nordic furnishing style. Other neutral colors such as beige are also suitable and can be chosen for textiles and carpets. A few bolder colors may appear here and there, but don't overdo it so as not to disrupt the main style. If you want to use more bright colors, stick to pastel tones and nuances that appear washed out.
You can be a little more courageous with the strong colors if you are going for a typically Scandinavian furniture design. Such pieces of furniture include the Eames, Acapulco or Wishbone chair. So if the design itself screams Scandinavia, you can also deviate from the rules in terms of color. You can also use a little more color on the carpet if the furniture around or on it is more neutral.
Which patterns are suitable?
When it comes to patterns, it's best to stick to geometric shapes: circles and other round shapes, squares, rectangles, lines, zigzags and diamonds, for example, are good choices and can be found on most Scandinavian textiles and carpets. In general, the carpet should not be missing, not even outdoors. If you design the terrace in a Scandinavian style, you can not only use the carpet for a more comfortable lounge, but you can also use it to decorate the dining area with a dining table and chairs.
Wood is the most important material in Scandinavian style. This applies to both indoor and outdoor areas. Create a cozy seating area with wooden furniture that includes matching upholstery and throw pillows. Whether it's a sofa, armchair or chairs, it doesn't matter. The main thing is that it is kept simple. Birch and pine are typically Nordic types of wood, but in principle the type of wood doesn't matter, as long as it is natural and not colorfully painted. Even the trendy furniture made from Euro pallets is suitable for a Nordic terrace design. Nevertheless, it is of course advisable to choose a type of wood for outdoor use that can withstand the weather conditions for as long as possible.
If you are looking for particularly weather-resistant wood, teak is exactly the right choice. With the right care, this type of wood even retains its pleasant brownish color. But the weathered gray version also looks very pretty and is perfect if you want to give your terrace a Scandinavian look. The gray discoloration does not change the long durability of the wood.
The floor of the terrace should ideally also be made of wood. A wooden deck gives the outdoor area the necessary charm. If the house facade is also made of wood or at least a high wooden privacy screen serves as a background, the necessary atmosphere is ensured.
Metal as a secondary material
In addition to wood, metal can also be used for Scandinavian style design and decoration. Very often both materials are used for the furniture. For example, you can give a dining area on the terrace a Scandinavian look by choosing a dining table with a wooden table top and a metal frame and table legs. Both of course with a straight and simple design. The same applies to the chairs or benches. The perfect metal here is aluminum because it is very light and allows you to easily move the patio furniture if necessary.
Don't underestimate concrete!
The gray color of the concrete makes it perfect for the Scandi style. So it's no wonder that concrete plays an equally important role alongside wood. Aside from the fact that there are numerous decorations and accessories made of concrete to buy, you can also make a wide variety of things yourself with this material. Lanterns, fountains, flower pots, bird baths or plates for the garden path are just a small selection!
Woven designs
Weaving systems are very typical of Scandinavian furniture and can be found in a wide variety of variations. This means that different weaving patterns can be found. This type of design is particularly popular for chairs and benches as it makes the furniture and especially the seating areas on them more robust than usual fabric. Materials such as ropes are used, but plastics can also be used for outdoor use as they are more weather-resistant.
While we're talking about woven designs, we'd also like to mention faux rattan, which is ideal in a variety of neutral colors. Although artificial materials are actually taboo if you want to design a terrace in a Scandinavian style, you can make a small exception with artificial rattan. The designs are so good these days that they hardly differ from real rattan and therefore do not necessarily give the impression of being artificial.
What pieces of furniture to decorate with?
What is also installed on all other terraces can of course also be chosen if you design the terrace in a Scandinavian style. This means that the lounge can consist of a sofa, armchairs or chairs as desired, but in addition a separate dining area can also be designed (or not). Just make sure that the designs of the furniture match the Scandinavian look. As I said, wood is number one - preferably in black, white, gray or natural wood, depending on what you like better and best suits your terrace.
Many furniture stores offer numerous models for the terrace and various seating areas in this trendy style, so you are guaranteed to find what you are looking for quickly. Ikea comes from Sweden, so it's only logical that the selection there is large. But other manufacturers can also be shown and offer a variety of designs. If you want a typically Scandinavian piece of furniture, opt for an Eames chair or armchair, provided you can find a model that is suitable for outdoor use.
Sun loungers and chaise longues are perfect for relaxing in the sun or shade by the pool and garden. If you still have space on the terrace, you can of course stand there too. There are plenty of models with simple Nordic designs and matching chic, simple upholstery that makes the piece of furniture even more comfortable. You can also relax on a day bed or on a comfortable swing. Since a complete redesign or redesign of the outdoor area involves major expenses, you should be clear in advance about what types of furniture you want to buy and whether there is enough space for everything. So plan carefully to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Plants should not be missing on any terrace. While for most terraces it hardly matters what kind of plants you choose, for a Nordic-style terrace, flowering specimens are particularly recommended, giving you a beautiful splash of color as a contrast to the neutral terrace furniture. Of course, you can also combine simpler, green plants with them. This also gives you the opportunity to take your houseplants outside over the summer and use them to design your terrace in a Scandinavian style, whereby the plants can really recover from the winter and thrive in the fresh air.
Herbs, spices and other edible plants are also suitable for decoration. You can easily grow fruit and vegetables on the terrace and not only produce fresh and healthy organic products, but also design and decorate the terrace in a Scandinavian style. Grasses are great and look elegant. Climbing plants, in turn, create texture and can form a green background for the seating or dining area on walls or even serve as a privacy screen on a trellis. The trellis should of course ideally have the patterns already mentioned and be simple instead of ornate.
What are the best planters? Well, you should avoid plastic here. Of course it should be instead. Wood, clay, porcelain, concrete or glass are very suitable vessels that best adapt to the neutral furnishings of the outdoor area. You get color thanks to the colorful flowers of the plants. If you only distributed green plants instead, you can also use the pots to add a little color.
Other decoration ideas
Of course, the finishing touches to each area are the decorations. This is no different with a Nordic style or with the terrace. Here again, rely on natural and simple materials and designs. Light plays an important role, after all, especially in summer when it is nice and warm, you will spend a lot of time outside and into the night. Lanterns and candles are a nice idea to create a cozy and romantic atmosphere with a Scandinavian character. Lanterns and candlesticks can also be used, while fairy lights are a great idea for the upper areas above and around the lounge. Have you planned a garden fireplace? Super! Because nothing looks cozier and fits the Scandinavian style as well as a beautiful fireplace. And with it you can even enjoy your terrace on cooler days and evenings.
