1. GO FOR REAL FOLIAGE
A Scandinavian Christmas is first and foremost all about embracing nature in your home. Think natural materials such as wood, and take to the great outdoors to hunt around for pine cones, interesting twigs and pieces of bark and colored berries. Get creative and arrange the garden foliage artfully by decorating your dining room table, in vases or on a mantelpiece for a unique Christmas living room decor idea.
2. DECORATE WITH PIECES THAT SHOW CRAFTMANSHIP
Scandinavian Christmas is all about tradition and craftsmanship, which in turn is about how to make your home more Hygge. 'Most people will have old decorations sometimes handed down through generations which will come out in December bringing a sense of history and tradition,' says Nina Hertig of Sigmar London.
3. GO FOR A CALM AND MUTED COLOR SCHEME
Your color scheme is also important when planning a Scandi-inspired, minimalist Christmas decor. This should appear early on in your Christmas checklist. 'Like the rest of the year, it is good to keep it calm and muted in order to bring out the Scandi feel,' says Kashi from YAM. When it comes to decor, think white, layers of neutrals, greys and some black, keeping things simple. Where you might have a glimmer of color is in the handcrafted toys that are passed down the generations in traditional Scandinavian Christmas culture.
4. CURATE A FEAST FOR ALL THE SENSES
Part of the decor is creating an immersive festive experience, so subtly introduce the Christmas theme by exploring the senses. Try spice-scented candles and burn incense to make the experience special. 'Orange and cinnamon give off a beautiful scent,' says Cat. Using candles and incense around the Christmas fireplace will add a cozy and inviting ambiance, bringing this feeling of hygge into the home.
5. DECORATE YOUR WINDOWSILL
A huge part of a Scandinavian Christmas is all about beckoning visitors inside from the cold with beautiful Christmas window decor ideas. 'This is the darkest time of the year and it is all about the intimate spaces and comfortable light,' says Nina of Sigmar. 'It is about bringing in parts of nature as it is nicer to be inside than outside at this time of year,'
6. LIGHT THE ROOM WITH CANDLELIGHT
Lighting also plays a huge role in Scandinavian design, and it's hugely important to get the right atmosphere for Christmas time. Turn off the overhead lights or dim the light to a low level, layer your lighting and stick to softer light from lamps, lanterns and fairy lights. Candlelight is hugely important in a Scandi Christmas too, so dig out the candelabras and mix and match your candle display, from tea lights to long spindly candlesticks.
7. HANG A PAPER MOBILES
Christmas is a time to get crafty, so master the art of oragami and use blank white paper to create tasteful decorations. Hanging mobiles are another popular way of decorating the home in Scandi culture, using natural materials to handcraft your own paper snowflake or wall hangings. 'I have an angel paper hanging mobile that I absolutely adore, the way it dances in the wind, the gold flickers in the light, it's so simple but atmospheric and magical,' says Cat.
8. DON'T FORGET THE ADVENT CALENDAR
An advent calendar is a particularly Scandinavian tradition and a nice addition to your festive home. Advent calendars are a huge part of Scandinavian culture because the day of Advent is when the festivities begin.