Scandi Dining Room Ideas
Words by Emma Hughes
October 15, 2025
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6m
Over the past few decades, Scandinavian interior design has become one of the most popular styles globally. With its modern minimalism, natural touches, and warm and inviting feel, it’s a versatile look that suits most homes. Embracing Scandi design is easy, but how do you apply it to a dining space?
We’ve compiled ten of our favourite Scandi dining room ideas to help you enjoy your meals in style. Whether you’re looking to impress your dinner party guests or spruce up your space for nights in with the family, you can enjoy a beautiful Scandi dining room regardless of your tastes. Here are our top style tips for a Scandinavian dining space:
1. Embrace natural materials
Wooden furniture is a staple of Scandi design, and its versatility makes it easy to work into your design. Try choosing pieces with smooth, clean edges and simple designs, putting an emphasis on craftsmanship. Lighter shades are a perfect fit for a Scandi dining room, thanks to their warm, inviting feel. However, don’t be afraid to vary your palette and contrast with darker wood for added texture.
Stone can also be used in Scandinavian designs to add a touch of natural texture. Whether you’re adding ceramic planters to your room’s layout or opting for a stone-top dining table, the neutral shade of stone is easy to pair with a variety of furniture.
2. Make the most of your space
Scandi dining room designs are often focused on organised, clean living. If you’re looking for small dining room ideas to save on space, taking inspiration from Scandinavian design can help you style a cosy space for meals out of a crowded room.
An extending dining table is a handy solution for any small Scandi-style dining room, as it can be collapsed to seat small groups and allow for more effortless movement, or folded out to suit more guests. You may also want to consider integrated storage solutions or minimalist pieces, such as a small sideboard, for displaying your décor and keeping loose items organised without intruding on your guests’ space
3. Strip back your lighting
Minimalism is an essential part of Scandinavian design, and your lighting should be no exception. During the day, natural light should be doing the heavy lifting, so make sure to let as much sunshine in through your windows as possible. When selecting light fixtures to illuminate your dining room at night, opt for subtle designs that won’t occupy too much visual space.
A hanging pendant light is a reliable central addition to your room, while stripped-back lighting features, such as standing lamps and candles, can give your design a textured feel. Experiment with your options to find your ideal fit.
4. Create a dining table centrepiece
If you’re looking to give your Scandi dining room an eye-catching focal point, why not let your dining table decoration ideas run wild? Although Scandinavian interior design is often associated with minimalism and simplicity, an attention-grabbing centrepiece for your dining table can draw your guests’ eyes to the middle of your dining space, encouraging a more natural flow of conversation.
Whether you’re using candle holders to illuminate your space or creating an arrangement of vases, there are numerous ways to give your dining table a unique touch of décor without impeding on the rest of your room’s design.
5. Try a blend of styles with a Japandi design
Because a Scandi-style dining room is so versatile, it’s easy to blend your design with other looks for a unique fusion. One of the most popular stylistic blends we’ve seen in recent years is the Japandi interior design style, which combines Scandinavian and Japanese influences for a clean, minimalist look. Since both styles draw heavily on similar themes, they’re a natural fit for one another.
By combining the modern, sleek look of Scandinavian furniture with the elegant Japanese design, where functionality is a primary focus, you can create a dining room where everything falls into its right place. Try mixing and matching textures and patterns throughout your room, and use a minimal palette of warm neutrals, such as taupe, beige, or cream.
6. Add a touch of ‘hygge’ design
Hygge’ (pronounced ‘hoo-guh’) is a Danish word that describes the cosy, warm happiness that comes with enjoying life’s simple pleasures. It can describe things like spending time with family, enjoying great food, and snuggling up under a warm blanket in front of the fire. If you’re looking to embrace hygge at home, consider adding some touches of warmth and comfort to your dining room, allowing you to relax in your space even outside of mealtimes.
Use soft furnishings to give your space a comfy feel, or style an unused corner into a reading nook for a relaxing break from your day. You can also put pieces with a personal touch on display, such as cookbooks with your favourite recipes or photos of your family.
7. Declutter your room
A central aspect of many Scandinavian dining room ideas is to keep your space organised and clean. Visual clutter can distract from the details of your design, so make sure to add some smart storage to your Scandi dining room to keep unwanted items out of view.
Simple cupboards or baskets can be used to keep your room tidy and neatly organised, while open shelving can put your favourite décor on display without taking up space. For a perfect balance, consider incorporating both open and closed storage into your design, or opt for integrated storage to ensure every inch of your Scandi dining room is utilised effectively.
8. Use neutral shades in your palette
The airy, homely feel of Scandinavian designs is one of their most appealing features, often achieved through the use of subtle, neutral shades. While a Scandi dining room can use a range of colours and shades, they’re usually best employed against a neutral backdrop, as this versatile pairing allows other tones to seem much more impactful.
Whites, off-whites, and greys can be styled into a variety of designs, while other neutral shades, such as beige and terracotta, can add a warmer touch to your room. Ensure you vary your shades, as a monochrome palette can make it difficult to draw attention to the more inviting aspects of your Scandi décor.
9. Keep it minimal
Minimalism is one of the key concepts in Scandi design, as it prioritises functional living and bespoke detail over the cluttered and chaotic look of more maximalist styles. Rather than choosing more ornate and complex silhouettes for your furniture, stick to simple shapes with sleek edges and lines.
In some Scandinavian designs, empty space can be just as effective at creating an inviting look as the furniture itself, so be sure to leave some room for your décor to stand out. Try decorating your walls with subtle patterns or the occasional piece of wall art to add visual intrigue without overwhelming your design.
10. Accessorise with soft textures
A Scandi dining room should be designed to evoke an inviting warmth that draws guests in. By incorporating soft textures into your space, you can engage more senses and add a tactile element to your design, while also evoking memories of home and comfort for your visitors.
Choose upholstered chairs if you’re looking for cosy dinnertimes, or try adding a faux-fur rug to your dining room for a soft underfoot feel. You could even try some unique wall décor by hanging a throw or rug, which will help bring some texture to the edges of your room, breaking up the monotony of your neutral backdrop without distracting too heavily from it.
Conclusion
You should now have all the Scandi dining room ideas you need to start dining in modern minimalist style. Remember that when it comes to interior design, one size doesn’t fit all, so it’s essential to add a dash of your own creativity to your dining room for a design that will truly stand out.
Still looking for more dining room inspiration? Read our blog for more style guides and design tips to make the most of your home, including our advice on creating the perfect dining space.