Copy of Nordic calm
- The International
- 8 hours ago
- 5 min read
With sustainability and simplicity woven into everyday life, Maja de Silva examines how Danish homes are shaped by culture rather than trends.
Photographs: Maja de Silva
Text: Maja de Silva
I remember the time just before my big move to Denmark.
My hopes were high, almost luminous, especially when I thought about continuing my career as an interior architect. This was the country of design. With international experience from the USA, Switzerland, and Poland, Denmark would be the perfect place to bring my profession and passion together.
Every showroom I visited confirmed my expectations. Beautiful spaces filled with stunning, high-quality furniture. Exquisite materials, tactile fabrics, and delicious, earthy tones that sparked instant inspiration. Shelves curated with elegant home accessories, lighting designs that made my head spin with possibilities—everything felt exciting, almost intoxicating. I couldn’t wait to start creating: selecting the right pieces, choosing wall colours, planning floor layouts, and developing custom solutions to craft deeply personal, meaningful spaces for my future Danish clients.
The learning experience
Arriving here, I became a learner again—curious and open. I wanted to understand this new country: its culture, preferences, subtle differences in taste, and the needs and dreams that shape Danish homes. I spent countless hours researching: visiting websites, browsing catalogues, connecting with people and vendors, engaging in conversations, and discovering design profiles across social media.
Over the next few months, I slowly began to understand how things truly work here. And the lesson came with a surprising twist—almost a slight cultural shock. Interior design, at least the version of it that I had imagined, wasn’t as prominent here as I expected. The “idea” of Danish design I carried with me was different from the reality I encountered.
Understanding Danish interiors
Open a magazine and take a slow look at the photographed Danish homes—what do you see, and how does it make you feel? For me, it’s an immediate sense of peace. Soft, settled tones. Simple textures. Natural light fills the room without effort - a design piece with history, an icon that quietly tells a story. Perhaps one painted wall in a gentle pastel shade, a few posters placed thoughtfully on the walls. Everything is simple and beautiful.
There is a cosy lightness to it all. Nothing feels forced or overly curated. Nothing pretends to be perfect. Second-hand furniture is not just accepted; it’s celebrated. Kitchens are often old and white, bathrooms too—tiled with classic 10×10 squares. Floors are wooden panels, natural and practical, bringing warmth into everyday life.
It’s all rooted in sustainability. Things, furniture, and entire interiors are made to last. They don’t change simply because fashion trends say so. Danish homes are far from the “fast life.” When you move into an older apartment, there is no rush to tear things down just because they’re out of date. Handcrafted pieces are valued for their longevity. There is genuine appreciation for quality—for items built years ago that still serve beautifully today. Good design is thoughtful, conscious, and treasured.
Of course, there is room to make a home your own: a touch of wall colour, a piece of art, something meaningful. Danes enjoy decorating their own spaces in simple ways, always with a feeling of hygge. Add a cosy blanket and a couple of throw pillows, and light a candle. Sometimes a larger, colourful wool rug becomes the perfect anchor of warmth and personality.
Windows invite in every possible ray of natural light. They’re rarely covered—curtains, if present at all, are often natural, white, or softly tinted, made from translucent fabrics. Even the layout of rooms tends to stay the same. Why change what already works? And truth be told, altering walls can be pretty expensive, or sometimes not allowed by the municipality.
“The idea of Danish design I carried with me was different from the reality I encountered - and that difference became my greatest lesson.”
This is how I’ve come to understand and feel Danish interiors. I’ve learned so much from this approach. It’s not about showing off. It’s not about chasing the newest trends. It’s about living in the moment—cosy, beautiful, grateful. It’s about embracing simplicity, authenticity, and the gentle charm of imperfections.
The new
Newly built homes on the market today feel like an actual blank canvas. White walls, often white kitchens, bathrooms tiled in soft grey or beige, and—of course—wooden floors. Everything is clean, fresh, and ready to be shaped. You can style these spaces however you wish, and the modern Scandinavian look is undeniably a strong trend. But it’s important to remember where this aesthetic comes from: functional simplicity, minimalism, understated elegance, and timeless quality designs.
These homes invite you to create your own atmosphere while still echoing the essence of Scandinavian living.
“It’s not about trends or perfection, but about living simply, consciously, and beautifully.”
Embracing the culture
As I mentioned earlier, it was surprising—and in many ways humbling—to discover how differently the role of an interior architect is perceived in Denmark. Despite the worldwide fame of Danish Design, finding my professional place here was not as straightforward as I once imagined. As an expat, adapting to this landscape required time, determination, and patience. I had to study the market, learn its rhythm, and understand the deeper cultural values that shape Danish interiors.
Today, I embrace those lessons and this journey.
Now, I help internationals who are settling in Denmark create homes that feel both familiar and new. Homes that are cozy, practical, personal—spaces where their individual design tastes blend naturally with Scandinavian aesthetics. It’s always an intriguing mix, and every project becomes a unique reflection of the people who live in it.
Each space tells its own story. And that, to me, is the beauty of design.
“It’s not about trends or perfection, but about living simply, consciously, and beautifully.”
Embracing the culture
As I mentioned earlier, it was surprising—and in many ways humbling—to discover how differently the role of an interior architect is perceived in Denmark. Despite the worldwide fame of Danish Design, finding my professional place here was not as straightforward as I once imagined. As an expat, adapting to this landscape required time, determination, and patience. I had to study the market, learn its rhythm, and understand the deeper cultural values that shape Danish interiors.
Today, I embrace those lessons and this journey.
Now, I help internationals who are settling in Denmark create homes that feel both familiar and new. Homes that are cozy, practical, personal—spaces where their individual design tastes blend naturally with Scandinavian aesthetics. It’s always an intriguing mix, and every project becomes a unique reflection of the people who live in it.
Each space tells its own story. And that, to me, is the beauty of design.
