Hygge Design

Friluftsliv isn’t just a word, it’s a way of life. Embracing nature and all its wonders, disconnecting from the chaos of everyday life.

In Scandinavia it is a real way of life. It is pronounced “free-loves-liv” in English and translates the desire to be in touch with nature (preferably the wilderness) in interiors filled with plants, simple materials, and large windows to the landscape.

It is Northern Europe again that is defining the trend of the moment in home decorating. After the sociability and “feel-good” promoted by the hygge spirit and the meeting of cultures between the Rising Sun and the Scandinavian peninsula that gave birth to japandi, comes friluftsliv. The correct pronunciation is “free-loves-liv,” English-style. The hashtag #friluftsliv on Instagram already has over a million posts about the passion for spending time outdoors without fear of cold or rain.

For Northerners, it is a way to feel free, to breathe clean air away from the cities, and to take a break from work and commitments. It is an atavistic passion, first defined in 1850 by Norwegian playwright and poet Henrik Ibsen, who in his writings emphasized the spiritual and physical benefits of spending time in remote places.

For designers, friluftsliv has become synonymous with “nature in the home,” with biophilic design, with interiors slipping into exteriors and vice versa. Architecture surrounded by greenery, but also organic materials, plants, large windows open to the landscape and flowery wallpapers are possible interpretations of this new trend.

Whether it’s interiors with a Mediterranean flavor, with rustic terracotta floors as in the country, or exotic villas just steps from the Ocean, there is the right declination of friluftsliv for every latitude. Organic raw materials-such as wood, cork, cotton, and linen-bring the outdoors into the home for example…

Escape the chaos of modern life and embrace the simplicity of Friluftsliv interiors. Surround yourself with natural materials, earthy tones, and cozy textures to find true peace and tranquility in your own home. It’s time to bring nature indoors!

If you liked my blog post “Discovering Friluftsliv” have also a look at Discovering Japandi Design