The Best Examples of 3 Scandinavian-Inspired Wall Art Ideas for a Calm, Cozy Home

When people ask for examples of 3 Scandinavian-inspired wall art ideas, minimalist prints are usually the first thing that comes to mind. Think clean lines, soft neutral colors, and artwork that feels calm, not loud.

Instead of a cluttered gallery wall with dozens of pieces, Scandinavian homes often feature just a few larger prints with plenty of breathing room around them. That negative space is part of the art.

Real examples of minimalist Scandinavian wall art in 2024–2025

Here are some real-world ways people are using this style right now:

• A single oversized black-and-white line drawing above a light gray sofa. The drawing might be a simple abstract face or a loose sketch of a plant. The frame is thin, in black or natural oak.
• A pair of geometric prints in soft beige and warm gray over a bed. Each print has simple shapes—circles, arches, or blocks of color—arranged in a balanced way. The bedding is white or oatmeal, so the art becomes the quiet focal point.
• A trio of typography posters in a hallway with short, uplifting words like “Hygge,” “Lagom,” or “Takk” in a clean sans-serif font. The color palette stays neutral: charcoal text on off-white paper.

These are some of the best examples because they check all the Scandinavian boxes: simple, functional, and easy to live with.

How to choose minimalist prints that still feel warm

Minimal doesn’t have to mean cold. To keep your space from feeling sterile:

• Choose warm neutrals instead of stark white and harsh black. Look for cream, greige, sand, and soft clay tones.
• Pick organic shapes rather than perfect, sharp-edged geometry. Slightly irregular circles or hand-drawn lines add personality.
• Use wood frames instead of metal whenever possible. Light oak, ash, or birch frames instantly add Scandinavian warmth.

If you want to double-check color combinations, design schools like the Rhode Island School of Design have helpful color theory resources that explain why certain palettes feel calmer than others (for example, their color resources at risd.edu).

Where to hang minimalist Scandinavian prints

To create one of your best examples of 3 Scandinavian-inspired wall art ideas, placement matters just as much as the art itself.

• Living room: Hang one large piece about 6–8 inches above the sofa. If you’re using two or three prints, keep them in a straight line or tight grid, not scattered.
• Bedroom: Center a pair of prints above the headboard, aligning the bottom of the frames with each other. Keep the space between them consistent—about 2–4 inches.
• Dining area: One landscape-oriented print above a dining bench or console keeps things calm and avoids visual clutter while you’re eating.

A good rule of thumb from museum-style hanging guides (many art and design departments, such as those at major universities like Harvard University’s art museums, recommend this) is to keep the center of the artwork around eye level, roughly 57–60 inches from the floor.

2. Nature-Inspired Art: Scandinavian Calm Straight From the Outdoors

If minimalist prints are the first idea, nature-inspired pieces are the second pillar when looking for examples of 3 Scandinavian-inspired wall art ideas. Scandinavian design is deeply rooted in nature: forests, mountains, lakes, and long winter nights balanced by bright summer days.

Instead of loud, saturated landscapes, think quiet, atmospheric scenes that make your shoulders drop the moment you walk into the room.

Real examples of nature-based Scandinavian wall art

Here are several real examples you can borrow straight away:

• A soft, misty photograph of a pine forest in muted greens and grays, framed in light wood, hung above a reading chair with a cozy throw.
• A close-up black-and-white photograph of birch tree trunks, used as the main art piece in a narrow entryway. The vertical lines echo the hallway’s shape.
• A simple ink drawing of a single branch or leaf, centered on a large white mat. The matting creates lots of negative space, which feels very Scandinavian.
• A series of three small pressed fern or wildflower prints in matching frames, stacked vertically in a bathroom or beside a window.

These real examples include both photography and illustration, but what they share is a gentle, almost meditative mood.

Why nature art works so well in Scandinavian-inspired homes

Spending time in nature has been linked to lower stress and improved mood in multiple studies. While wall art isn’t the same as a forest walk, bringing natural imagery indoors supports that same calming vibe. Organizations like the U.S. National Park Service and environmental research groups have highlighted how even views of nature can support well-being (see resources via nps.gov and nature & health research summarized by universities such as Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health).

Scandinavian interiors are often built around this idea. Pale wood floors, wool textiles, and simple greenery are all about making your home feel like an extension of the outdoors. Nature-inspired wall art is the visual glue that ties it all together.

How to style nature art so it feels Scandinavian, not rustic

There’s a fine line between Scandinavian-inspired and full-on cabin rustic. To keep it clean and modern:

• Stick to a limited color palette. Muted greens, soft blues, charcoal, and warm browns work beautifully.
• Avoid heavy, ornate frames. Go for slim, modern profiles in light wood or white.
• Skip text overlays on photos. Scandinavian style leans toward quiet imagery rather than inspirational quotes on top of landscapes.

One of the best examples of 3 Scandinavian-inspired wall art ideas in a single room might be: a large forest photograph as the main focal point, a smaller ink drawing of a leaf on a side wall, and a subtle, abstract print in nature-inspired colors in the hallway leading to that room. They all whisper the same nature story without feeling matchy-matchy.

3. Textured Wall Decor: Tactile, Cozy, and Very Hygge

The third category rounds out our examples of 3 Scandinavian-inspired wall art ideas: textured wall decor. Scandinavian homes are famous for feeling cozy—think hygge evenings under a blanket with soft lighting. Texture on the walls adds to that feeling just as much as a chunky knit throw on the sofa.

Instead of only flat prints, consider pieces that add depth and shadow.

Real examples of textured Scandinavian wall decor

Some real examples include:

• A neutral woven wall hanging in cream and light gray above a bed, with simple geometric sections and long fringe at the bottom.
• A grid of small, handmade ceramic tiles in off-white and sand tones mounted on a wood backing, hung like a single piece of art.
• A sculptural plaster or clay wall relief in soft white, with gentle curves that catch the light throughout the day.
• A canvas with thick, tone-on-tone brush strokes (often called impasto), painted in one color like warm white or pale taupe, framed in a thin wood frame.

These examples include different materials—fiber, clay, plaster, and paint—but they all stay within the soft, neutral Scandinavian palette.

How to keep textured art feeling clean, not cluttered

Textured art can go wrong if it competes with everything else in the room. To keep it aligned with the best examples of Scandinavian-inspired design:

• Choose one statement piece per wall rather than several busy ones.
• Keep the color of the textured piece close to the wall color for a subtle, shadow-based effect.
• Pair textured wall art with smooth surroundings: a simple wood console, plain linen curtains, and a low-profile sofa.

Interior design programs and architecture schools often emphasize the importance of balancing texture and simplicity in modern design. If you’re curious about the theory behind it, many design departments at universities like MIT’s School of Architecture and Planning share resources and lectures on modern minimal aesthetics and materials.

Pulling It All Together: Real-World Combinations

So far, we’ve talked about three main categories: minimalist prints, nature-inspired art, and textured wall decor. The smartest way to use these examples of 3 Scandinavian-inspired wall art ideas is to combine them thoughtfully in the same home.

Imagine this apartment layout:

• Living room: Above the sofa, you hang a large minimalist abstract print in warm beige and charcoal. On the side wall, a small woven wall hanging in cream adds texture without stealing the show.
• Bedroom: Over the bed, you place a misty landscape photograph of a lake at sunrise, framed in light oak. On a narrow wall near the closet, you hang a single pressed botanical print in a white frame.
• Entryway: A slim console table sits under a line drawing of a figure or leaf. A small ceramic wall piece near the door adds soft shadow and interest.

In this one home, you’ve used multiple real examples of 3 Scandinavian-inspired wall art ideas without making the space feel busy. Everything is connected by color (neutrals), materials (wood, natural fibers, soft textures), and mood (calm and inviting).

2024–2025 Scandinavian Wall Art Trends to Watch

If you want your home to feel current without chasing every trend, here are a few directions that fit beautifully with Scandinavian style:

• Soft color accents: Instead of only black, white, and gray, more Scandinavian-inspired spaces now include muted mauve, dusty blue, and warm terracotta in their wall art. These show up in abstract prints and nature scenes.
• Sustainable materials: There’s growing interest in FSC-certified wood frames and recycled paper prints. Sustainability has always been a big theme in Nordic design, and it’s becoming even more visible in 2024–2025.
• Handmade details: People are mixing in small-batch ceramics, handwoven wall hangings, and one-of-a-kind prints from independent artists. This keeps spaces from feeling too generic.

You can see this shift reflected in design education and environmental design research, where sustainable materials and biophilic design (connecting interiors to nature) are getting more attention in academic and professional circles.

Simple Guidelines for Choosing Your Own Scandinavian Wall Art

To turn these examples of 3 Scandinavian-inspired wall art ideas into a home that actually feels good to live in, keep a few simple guidelines in mind:

• Start with a calm color palette: whites, creams, light grays, soft browns, and one or two muted accent colors.
• Mix at least two of the three categories in your home: minimalist prints, nature art, and textured pieces.
• Leave some walls intentionally blank. Empty space is part of Scandinavian design.
• Repeat materials and colors from room to room so everything feels connected.

If you’re ever unsure whether a piece works, stand back and ask yourself: does this make the room feel calmer or busier? Scandinavian-inspired wall art should help you exhale, not overwhelm you.

FAQ: Scandinavian-Inspired Wall Art Ideas

What are some simple examples of 3 Scandinavian-inspired wall art ideas for a small apartment?

A great starter combo is: one large minimalist print above the sofa, a small nature photograph above a bedside table, and a neutral woven wall hanging in a hallway or entry. These three examples of 3 Scandinavian-inspired wall art ideas will instantly make a small apartment feel more intentional and cozy without overcrowding the walls.

Can I use color and still keep a Scandinavian look?

Yes. The key is to choose soft, muted colors rather than bright, saturated ones. Think dusty blue, sage green, blush, or terracotta. Use these as accents within minimalist prints or nature scenes, and keep the rest of the room neutral.

Are gallery walls Scandinavian?

They can be, if they’re edited and calm. Use matching frames, a tight color palette, and plenty of white space between pieces. Limit yourself to a focused group of artwork—perhaps a mix of line drawings, small nature photographs, and one textured piece.

What is an affordable example of Scandinavian-inspired wall art I can DIY?

You can create your own abstract Scandinavian-style print using thick paper, a few neutral paint colors, and a wide brush. Paint simple overlapping shapes in beige, gray, and soft brown. Once it’s dry, pop it into a light wood frame. Pressed leaves or flowers from a local walk, mounted on plain white paper, are another inexpensive example of Scandinavian-inspired wall art.

How high should I hang Scandinavian wall art?

A good general rule is to keep the center of the artwork at about eye level—around 57–60 inches from the floor. Above furniture like sofas or beds, leave about 6–8 inches between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the frame so the grouping feels connected.