From Beijing to Boston and Birmingham to Bombay, the influence of Nordic design is undeniable. You walk into any stylish apartment worldwide and Scandinavian design’s clean, functional elegance will leave you floored. That is the beauty of Scandinavian design, it may be encompassing you, often without you even realizing it.
For the last 50 years, Nordic countries, despite their small combined population of just 25 million have had a disproportionate impact on the global design scene. Known for their minimalist approach, Nordic designers have carved out a niche emphasizing simplicity, functionality, and craftsmanship, with Denmark and Sweden leading the design wave. This approach has made Scandinavian design beloved for its understated elegance.
While Scandinavian countries have celebrated a design philosophy grounded in modernist principles the winds of change have started to blow. Once considered affordable, functional, sustainable, and above all, timeless; it is en route an evolution.
On the pretext of Stockholm Design Week 2025, we catch up with Scandinavian designers and Stockholm Furniture Fair exhibitors from across the globe to pick their minds on whether Nordic design will remain tied to its minimalist roots or will it evolve to embrace new influences and bolder expressions?
Gonzalo Bascuñan, a professor of product design, founder of Studio Gonzalo Bascuñan, and one of the exhibitors at Stockholm Furniture Fair 2025 points, “I do believe contemporary Nordic designers are beginning to move beyond strict minimalism. While the foundation of Scandinavian design remains rooted in simplicity, there is an emerging interest in exploring bolder aesthetics. This is especially true as the younger generation of designers and consumers push for more individuality and expression. I see an increase in the use of contrasting colors, striking patterns, and unconventional materials. In this shift, Nordic design may continue to emphasize functionality, but with more room for personal interpretation and emotional connection. It mirrors a global design trend where designers are moving away from stark only minimalism and functionality toward a more eclectic, meaningful, and expressive approach, something I, as a Chilean designer based out of Sweden would celebrate.”
While one may consider Gonzalo’s opinion to be that of an outsider, we asked a homeborn designer Alexander Lerviks on the status of Scandinavian design sticking to minimalism or evolving in style. Alexander seconds Gonzalo’s thought and confirms, “The young generation has already begun the transition from the Scandinavian style to a more global style. It will be exciting to see the outcome of the combination.” However, despite the change Alexander assures that these designers would return to their roots. “In the face of global turmoil, there’s a strong desire to create designs that offer security and durability. For the Scandinavian design industry, this means that designers are starting to look back to their roots and find inspiration in old shapes and patterns from indigenous peoples and the early Scandinavian styles.”
What Alexander thinks is indeed true given Nordic design has been rooted in simplicity, functionality, and natural materials. But in the coming years, design gurus foresee minimalism blending with influences from other parts of the world, including South America and Asia. CoCo Ree Lemery, another exhibitor at Stockholm Design Week had some critical things to say. “Scandinavian design is undeniably renowned for its minimalism, but that same simplicity has made it susceptible to mass replication at lower quality and price points. Take Hans Wegner’s Wishbone Chair, for example—a design icon that has been widely copied, with replicas available for as little as $90,” she points out.
While minimalism is the foundation of Scandinavian design, designers across the globe are hinting at an emerging shift. The shift is not just about embracing new aesthetics but also about responding to a global demand for personal expression. The rigid lines and neutral colors that characterized classic Scandinavian design are giving way to more daring combinations, as designers embrace individuality and diversity in their work. The result is a more dynamic and emotional connection between the object and its user, reflecting a broader global trend of moving beyond the sterile, functional pieces of the past toward something more personal and meaningful.
In 2025 the design community is likely to see a renewed emphasis on craftsmanship and artisanal production. In a world increasingly dominated by mass production and artificial intelligence, there’s a growing desire for human-made, authentic products. As Sean Barrett, Head of Innovation at Interesting Times Gang notes, “Nordic Design is a consequence of the refinement of industrial processes and materials that we have had access to here in Scandinavia over the last century, combined with influences from the local environment and cultural norms. As new, innovative manufacturing methods and materials emerge, and new societal values are established, this established aesthetic evolves to reflect these changes in the design landscape.”
Barrett further states, “In an increasingly digital society, there is a longing for tactile, organic materials that communicate authenticity and physicality which are increasingly virtual. This combined with a more polarised society, where we are bombarded with stories of global suffering and political conflict, leads to movement away from sterile monochrome pallets and a deeper desire for color and joy,” Barrett states.
Having listened to these opinions and strong Scandinavian design voices, it’s pretty evident that Scandinavian designers are at the forefront of this shift, blending tradition with modernity. As they experiment with new materials, sustainable practices, and personal customization, the result will lead to designs that balance the old with the new, the traditional with the contemporary.
Will these creations be more than just functional? Will they be imbued with meaning? Will they depict stories of heritage, craftsmanship, and local production? Only time will tell. For now, designers are no longer solely concerned with aesthetics; they are increasingly thinking about the ethical and environmental implications of their work. This shift could lead to the creation of objects that resonate more deeply with consumers, who are becoming more conscious of the stories behind the products they buy.
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