40+ Scandinavian Christmas Decorating Ideas & DIYs (Perfect for Minimalists!)

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If you have a minimalist, clean decor style with a splash of rustic, why not try incorporating Scandinavian Christmas decorating ideas into your home this year? You’ll love these Scandivanian Style Christmas decor inspirations – 40+ DIYs and ideas to get your creative juices flowing!

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A Minimalist “Less is More” is the Way to Go

After the past few years, it’s definitely feeling like less is more these days. Most of us have been pushed to our limits with all things COVID related and the aftermath, but how many of us are hoping to end the year on a high note by ringing in Christmas? (Hand raised!)

You might be like me and wanting to start your Christmas decorating early, just to have a few extra weeks of being merry and bright. So I’ve been giving some thought to how I want to decorate this year.

Last year, I used a lot of decor with a little bit of a European flair…navy and white striped ribbon, lots of faux and real evergreens and juniper branches, dried oranges… lots of wood tones and whites mixed in. (You can see what I did in my home for Christmas in 2019 here!)

I’m not sure I really want to stray from that too much, but I’ve been thinking of throwing in a little more Scandinavian decor. It leans clean and minimalist, so in a year when we’ve had too much, Scandinavian decor is a nice way to counter that.

What is Scandinavian Decor?

When you think of Scandinavian decor, which is something of is its own version of minimalistic decorating, a few things come to mind, more than just Ikea-type furnishings. 

Here a few consistent traits of Scandinavian decor:

Think “Hygge” (cozy, peaceful, content with the simple things)

Simple in design

Unobtrusively classy and classic

Minimalist: Clean lines, little clutter (you can see a full post on minimalist Christmas decorating ideas here!)

When it comes to winter and Christmas decor, you can see how it expands on those basic elements.

You want to remember that Scandinavia consists of Finland, Norway, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, an area where winter is the coldest and darkest; that definitely influences its decor style. Scandinavian style decor both incorporates that as well as combats it.

Scandinavian decor in the winter consists of lots of wintery accents like pine evergreens and snowy whites.  

But it’s also about staying warm and cozy, so there’s lots of soft textiles, candlelight and warm wood tones as well. You definitely can sense the comfy, rustic feeling to it.

Dominant Elements in Scandinavian Christmas Decorating

When thinking about how to incorporate those traditional Scandinavian decor elements with Christmas decorating, here are some of the basics:

Elements from nature: Branches (with ornaments or other things hung from them), logs, and natural greens (pine, juniper, eucalyptus)

Wood: Rustic and wooden pieces

Cozy textiles and fabrics: Soft blankets, knits, furry accents

Neutral Colors and Simple Color Palette: Lots of whites, greys/silvers, blacks, and wood tones. 

Light and bright: White decor, natural light

Contrasts: Black and White, Grey and White, Wood and White, Green and White

Stars: Made from dough, clay, wood, twigs, metal

Don’t Have to Be a Purist

When thinking about decorating your own home for Christmas, there’s no pressure to make it full-on Scandinavian or minimalist decor.

There’s no rulebook, and it’s your house. Lean more rustic, lean more minimalist. Throw in some color. Add in what you love, leave out what you don’t. 

It’s that easy.

40+ Scandinavian Decorating Ideas and DIYs

Below you’ll see 40+ different ideas to give you that Scandinavian warmth you’re looking for. They are on all ends of the spectrum – some a little more minimalist, others a little more rustic. But any combination of them will complement each other beautifully!

Most are pretty easy DIY projects, and a few are just pictures for inspiration.

OK, let’s go!

 

So inspiring, right? I’m just loving these ideas, and I know this is a post I’ll keep coming back to myself for inspiration!

If you try any of these ideas, I’d love to see them! Please tag me on Instagram @100affections or leave a comment on Pinterest!

And if you liked these ideas, this website has a bunch of more creative ways to create a Scandinavian Christmas – 24 days worth

More Christmas Decoration Inspiration

If you are looking for more Christmas decor ideas since we are starting so early, I have LOTS!

You can find decor, ornaments and even DIY gifts below!

First, if you are looking for more budget-friendly ways to decorate for Christmas along with DIYs, here are  my best tips for Christmas Decorating on the cheap!)

If you want some more Christmas DIY crafts to try, take a look at these 30 Fantastic Farmhouse Christmas DIY projects. I also have a post on 30 DIY Christmas Advent Calendars to get the kids in on the fun!

If you like to make ornaments, here are 40 Easy & Cheap Homemade Christmas Ornaments, in farmhouse style as well!

If you like to be inspired by Christmas décor, here are 30 Amazing Farmhouse Christmas Decorating Ideas, for mantels, entry ways, kitchen & dining areas as well as shelves and console tables.

And don’t forget about the porches-  here are 30 Stunning Christmas Porches along with decorating and styling tips as well!

And if you need a wreath to go on that front door (or even inside), here are 30 Easy & Classy Christmas Wreath DIYs.

If you need some creative ways to decorate using all the Christmas cards you get, here are 30 Stylish Ways to Display Christmas Cards (that’s also free decor!)

While getting our hands messy, let’s not forget about the gifts! Here are 50+ Homemade Gifts from Kids and 75+ Homemade Gifts  from Adults! Got the whole family covered!

Hope you found something you loved!

Thoughts? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below!

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4 Comments

  1. How early is too early to decorate for Christmas?! These ideas are so beautiful! I will totally be using this post as inspo. We are having our kitchen cabinets painted this month so I think we will have to wait for that project to be finished before we get our Christmas decorations out but this is making me so excited to get our tree up!

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