Did you know that despite having long, dark winters, Scandinavians consistently remain on the top 10 list of the happiest countries in the world? Without a doubt, they are the masters of Hygge* and this holiday season, I am ALL ABOUT comfort, cozy and the less is more mentality. When it comes to decorating, embracing Scandinavian style during the holidays can easily be achieved by taking a minimalist approach. Decorate using ordinary objects you may already own and simply layering them with a few key pieces in muted tones to achieve a fresh, scaled back approach to the season.

I love the simplicity of these mini trees wrapped in craft paper and twine. Ever thought of scouring through your pantry for holiday décor ideas?

One of my all-time favourite DIY’s is this nut garland by Emma from The Marion House Book. She fused an assortment of nuts together and created this beautiful texture through the various tones and shape of each shell. I don’t doubt drilling into each nut came easy but the end result is a beautiful handmade piece that can be enjoyed for many years to come.

Hosting a dinner party? This place setting from Bo-Bedre displays the perfect palette for a Scandi inspired spread. Layering whites, nudes and natural wood pieces creates a balanced nature inspired scheme, something the Danes are known for. The less is more approach really allows for minimal holiday décor to really stand out. This can be as simple as layering a delicate sprig of spruce over each place setting and combining knitted textures secured with either scraps of leather or any left over ribbon hanging around to really to tie this look together.

I love the idea of hanging a few little bells with greenery on your door. This simple little touch adds a bit of festive to your entryway or any door in your house for that matter! If you’re not into the bells, you could easily use some extra tree ornaments and it would look just as lovely.

Scandinavian design is simple, minimal and often placed on a white backdrop allowing the natural textures and colours to take centre stage. If you’re looking to take a simple approach to holiday decorating this year, or maybe you’re a little behind (like me!) try drawing inspiration from natural elements of the environment to create an understated yet elegant look. I’ll be pulling out all the greenery an twine this weekend!
*Hygge: pronounced “hoo-gah”, means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life.
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