Five ways to make your room look Danish

Danish design was developed during the 20th century and has been exported all around the world. You might have heard of designers like Arne Jacobsen, Poul Henningsen or Hans J. Wegner. Danish designers have understood the need to stay in a pleasant place. A place where they can ‘hygge’ or enjoy the good things in life with good people.

The University Post met up with a few Danish students at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) – Victoria, who studies law, and Iris who studies sociology. Apart from that we asked Sofie, Anne and Charlotte, who are working in Danish design shops like Normann, Stilleben and Bolia to help us define Danish design in a few words.

1. Functional

According to Sofie, before being beautiful furniture has to be functional and comfortable: “Danish furniture has to be used. Not just watched.” Therefore Scandinavian chairs are a best-seller in Design shops.

Dining chair. Photo: Sarah Andersen

Danes also consider new technologies as design. Bang & Olufsen and Georg Jensen are a good example of that.

Georg Jensen clocks. Photo: Sarah Andersen

2. Minimalistic

”Your room has to be simple, it has to be pure. No ornaments,” advises Anne. The colours have to be soft and the furniture has to be straight-lined.

Vases by Kähler. Photo: Sarah Andersen

3. Natural

A new trend is to combine two materials, for instance metal and wood. Wood is a must-have in Danish interiors. It is always pleasant to have a plant in your room – it doesn’t necessarily have to be big.

Iris’ room interior. Photo: Sarah Andersen

If you don’t have wooden furniture, you can always find other items and art objects made out of wood.

Wooden items by Kay Bojesen. Photo: Sarah Andersen

4. Bright

Danes are used to rain and bad weather. That is the reason why they really enjoy to have light in their rooms. “Some are attached to the traditional PH lamp designed by Poul Henningsen in 1926,” explains Sofie, “but a new trend is to hang light bulbs.”

Bulbs in Victoria’s room. Photo: Sarah Andersen

However, Charlotte states that “a must in your room would be candles. All Danes have candles to ‘hygge’.”

5. Traditional

Danes have their own traditions and want to maintain them, therefore you’ll see a lot of traditional items in Danish interiors, especially during Christmas: trolls, maps, posters, flags…

Danish posters. Photo: Sarah Andersen

Danish design is expensive and it is hard to afford it, but Charlotte reminds us that “flea markets [in Copenhagen, ed.] are also a good way to buy Danish design at a reasonable price”.

Check out more Danish design items in the gallery below. All photos taken by Sarah Andersen.

universitypost@adm.ku.dk

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