Establishing styles determined by geographical areas is a complicated task, given the globalization of interior design projects It knows no borders. However, there are common traits across regions or countries, and the “Nordic style” It is, without a doubt, one of the most prominent decorative trends of this century. 

We have reviewed dozens of offices located in Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki and Stockholm to find seven common denominators in their aesthetic proposal, and this is what we have discovered:

Wood: the quintessential raw material in Nordic offices

It is certainly the wood the main material of Nordic homes, and which defines one of the best known and most obvious characteristics of the Nordic style.

And that's because the Nordic countries, especially Sweden, Norway and Finland, They have extensive, sustainably managed forests. Wood is, therefore, a local, accessible and economical resource throughout the area.

The most produced and used variety is the conifers (softwood), especially the fir treewhich is lightweight, very straight, with good strength and stability. birch It is also used for plywood furniture, as it offers a very hard surface with a fine finish and a clear aesthetic. It is also used in Scots pine for carpentry, exteriors and decking, because it is moisture resistant and easy to work with.

Wood also allows construction systems Prefabricated or modular, which speeds up construction, even in adverse weather conditions. In fact, wood is a natural insulator And in cold climates, where energy efficiency is crucial, this material helps to retain heat, reducing energy consumption.

Another quality that wood provides is its ability to create minimalist spaces but warm and welcoming. Nordic principles, both aesthetic and lifestyle-related, tend towards simplicity and "non-complicated" forms.

El Nordic lifestyle It is characterized by a combination of simplicity, connection with nature, social well-being, and work-life balance. It is deeply influenced by its culture, its cold climate, and its community values. values These are clearly reflected in their offices, where structural ornamentation is scarce and there are hardly any decorations.

In search of the light

The relentless pursuit of light is another characteristic of Nordic offices and homes. During the winter, they can have only 5 or 6 hours of light, while in Spain we can have up to 9 hours of daylight in that same period (the closer to the Arctic Circle(the greater the difference between light in summer and winter).

The need to capture as much sunlight as possible has sharpened Nordic ingenuity to develop architectural strategies and “inventions” both in homes and offices. One of them are the skylights and rooflights, That is, openings in the roof that provide natural light from above. In fact, the Danish firm Velux It is used as a metonym for skylights.

Furthermore, vernacular architecture favors glazed surfaces Large windows, especially those facing south, often occupy almost the entire facade. Frames are typically thin to allow more light in, and high-efficiency glass (triple glazing) is used to compensate for the cold and the elements. cornices and overhangs They are minimized so that they do not cast a shadow.

Passion for curtains

In this need to let in the scarce sunlight, the widespread use of... curtains, especially of the net curtainsWhile in Spain we are more fond of blinds and screemsLightweight curtains are a key stylistic resource in Nordic offices. They are used not only to filter light from the windows, but also to separate spaces, divide jobs and give privacy to offices.

And it makes sense, because in cities where there are barely 5 or 6 hours of daylight, the curtains They allow you to filter the light without blocking it.gently blurring the interior. This avoids a feeling of darkness or confinement and offers privacy, especially since, as mentioned above, the houses and buildings have large windows.

The curtains contribute lightness and visual purity, very much in keeping with Nordic interior design, where light wood and soft colors predominate.

While the Nordic style is primarily characterized by the use of raw colors (white, soft gray, beiges, sands…), the color is almost always nuanced by powdery tones or finish cake.

It is no coincidence that it was during the resurgence of Nordic style at the beginning of the 21st century that they were rediscovered pastel colors, in response to the visual stress and digital excess of the 80s and 90s and pop culture.

Los pastel colors They are associated with calm, well-being, and gentleness, and are integrated with the Nordic designwhich seeks light, tranquility and naturalness. They give a feeling of relaxation and emotional balance and they combine well with natural materials (wood, linen, ceramics).

Sustainability and well-being

A recurring point, and one that all Nordic office interior design projects agree on, is to create sustainable spaces that generate well-being, both internally and externally.

To explain it briefly, we need to use the term The setting is appealing, comfortable and welcoming and has earned its own name among the Danes: hygge.which is a philosophy and lifestyle originating in Denmark that focuses on creating moments of well-being through simplicity, The calm and enjoyment of the everyday. It doesn't have an exact translation, but it's associated with comfort, warmth, intimacy, and... enjoy the vinewith simple things that make you feel good.

This also applies to the field of neuroarchitecture and the sustainabilityThis involves a series of constructive decisions related to the choice of materials, distribution of spaces, energy efficiency, and other socio-labor attitudes to make offices comfortable and healthy spaces for workers.

Some of the strategies that they architects and interior designers They apply to their projects: facilitating the daylight and eye contact with the outside world; apply the beginning biophilic through plants and green areas; create flexible spaces that promote freedom, movement, and collaboration; and the use of circular materials and low environmental impact.

And, of course, Nordic design furniture

We cannot close this article without mentioning one of the most valuable hallmarks of Nordic style: its iconic design pieces, which since the mid-twentieth century have been defining two key concepts: style and functionality.

In virtually all Nordic offices we can find renowned design pieces, from Arne Jacobsen, Alvar Aalto and Hans J. Wegner, Verner Panton, Poul Henningsen and Borge Mogensen. But we also detected the presence of furniture from cutting-edge brands that define the new Nordic design, such as Muuto, Hay, Normann Copenhagen, Kvadrat or Innovation Living.

El Nordic furniture design It has been fundamental in the history of furniture because it introduced a new way of understanding design. functionality It is the cornerstone of this new concept that marks a break with classicism, since it prioritizes that objects be useful, comfortable and practical. Form is subordinate to function: “Less, but better”.

Functionality results in aesthetic simplicity, With clean lines, soft shapes, and an absence of ornamentation, using wood as the primary raw material, Nordic design undoubtedly sets the standards and philosophy for a style that has been embraced worldwide.

Photos of offices in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo, via OfficeSnapShot