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The Newbie Guide to Sweden

The Newbie Guide to Sweden

We explain Sweden

Housing

Scandinavian Furniture and Design Aesthetic – Mysteries Unraveled

5 December 2023 By Ellen Boyer Pokorny Leave a Comment

Decorating your space can truly make it feel lived in and like a home. But when you’re new to a country it can be challenging to know where to buy new items such as furniture and decor. If you are looking for ways to make your home feel more Swedish, we have the details on the Scandinavian design aesthetic, plus lots of tips on furniture stores.

Disclaimer: To keep The Newbie Guide free, we use affiliate links (marked with *) and may get a commission if you click and buy using these links. This does not affect our opinions and our writers always recommend their best for your Swedish experience.

Scandinavian/Swedish Design Aesthetic

When you think of the Scandinavian design aesthetic, often images of neutral colors such as light brown/wood/taupe and lots of white come to mind. There are often elements of nature as a clear spotlight in this aesthetic, such as items made of real wood, highlighted leaves or plants, geometric shapes, and you will definitely see an animal or two, or at least their fur. This aesthetic is largely minimalistic, with a focus on a few centerpiece items rather than many. It is also aimed at functionality. Often furniture is used as more than one item – such as an ottoman and a storage space. Yes, your mind may jump to, of course, Ikea, a classic Swedish take on function and affordability, especially for smaller spaces. But there are many other designers/stores to choose from for a classic Scandinavian design.

Scandinavian Design and furnitureIf you seek even more detail from an interior designer’s perspective, read our fellow blogger’s piece on how to really bring the Swedish design into your home. He also has great tips for several price ranges, e.g. for lower price ranges, check out Clas Ohlson and Lagerhaus, and for middle to high ranges – check out Design Torget*, Design House, and Svenskt Tenn.

Scandinavian Furniture for your home

Furniture in the Scandinavian design aesthetic usually marries function with minimalism. These pieces are made from wood, or other natural textiles. The design is clean, with a focus on simplistic lines or shapes and contrasting colors such as white and wood. Often, furniture of this style can be your centerpiece item in the room, or start as a base for decorative items that complement it. Scandinavian design is all about warm, mysig (cozy in English), feels – such as candles, furs, and soft lighting, paired with simple furniture pieces.

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect new piece of furniture (or new to you: check out these secondhand shops as well). Mjuk* is also a great furniture option if you are eager to keep it sustainable, as their furniture is entirely second hand.

Check out stores like, BoboHome*, Granit*, Furniw, Balkongshoppen, Mio, Jysk, Royal Design and Illums Bolighus for prime Scandinavian furniture shopping. They all guarantee that your home will be designed the Scandinavian way and bring form and function to their furniture. But, don’t be surprised if your furniture looks a lot like your neighbor’s. Many people shop at these stores, therefore homes tend to look similar once designed/furnished. You will definitely find natural textures like classic wooden stools and simple shapes and designs like geometric or plant-inspired on textiles. Furniture tends to be more minimally designe but decorative items can liven up the simplicity.

Tips before buying

Take a look at these sites before buying, as they range in price and shipping options. If you are picking up furniture yourself, you can often get a discount on shipping, but delivery (and putting together) the items can be expensive.

If you’re looking for outdoor furniture to liven up your space, take a look at Folkhemmet or Rusta for your best options. They have a wide range of prices and options, and often have discounted days or campaigns.

Still not sold? Check out this post for more detail on what many of these incredible sites/stores offer, especially if you are searching for affordable furniture and home decor stores. There are a ton of options to choose from in just this article alone. If you’re still unsure and live near Stockholm, check out this list as well for more detail on the best furniture stores in Stockholm.

Decorate the Scandinavian way

Decorative items are where the Scandinavian design aesthetic really comes into play. If you buy a simple piece of furniture that is functioning well but you want something to cozy it up – this is when you check out the Scandinavian decor stores. Decorative items range from textiles such as pillow cases with geometric or nature-inspired designs, sheep’s wool/fur, candle holders in the shape of food and animals, metal fixtures or figurines, to warm, enticing lamps.

If you’re looking for that one (or two or three) specialty piece to show off the Scandinavian aesthetic, you have a wide range of options to choose from for decor in Sweden. Some are based in Denmark, but you shouldn’t have any issues shipping to Sweden.

Sheep’s Wool and Furs

Who wouldn’t want a Danish sheep’s wool item to decorate their home? Look no farther than at these får-tastic (that’s Swedish for sheep) furs. Danish Fårskinn* and Natures Collection* both offer a wide range of wooly items, as does Nordic Sheep*. They often offer other decorative items as well, so take a look at their sites to get the full picture. 

Decorative Items

If you seek an accent item to brighten up your home, you can find a range of options. Swedes are known for their love of candles, especially during the dark months. These can be found at places such as Ennelle*, H&M Home, Åhlens*, and many others depending on your price points. If you’re looking for Scandinavian brands to bring interesting items to your home, check out the metal figures at Älska plåt*, geometric wallpaper at Retro tapeter*, or candles, lights, and decorative pillows from Trendy4you*. 

scandinavian decor

Lighting

Another way to bring in the Scandinavian design aesthetic into your home is to introduce warm lighting. In Sweden, not only will you find candles and plants in every window, but inside the home are various light fixtures that give off that warm, cozy glow. Often the designs of lights can be nature inspired (think artichokes and pine cones or animals). Or they can just be a simple design that brightens the room. If you are looking for the perfect lamp, check out stores like Markslöjd*, Ikea, Nordic Nest*, Lights of Scandinavia, and Stockholm Lighting.

All in one

Many of the stores in this article have more than just lighting or furniture. Remember the functionality concept of Scandinavian design? That extends to the stores themselves. Many of them carry furniture, lighting, decorative art, candles, glassware, textiles, etc. all in one. Be sure to check out these stores for your one stop shop to all things Scandinavian design: Svenssons*, H&M Home, Åhlens*, Clas Ohlson, Hemtext*, Designtorget*, Confident Living*, and Nordiska galleriet*.

Kitchenware and Sustainable Choices

There are many uniquely Scandinavian options to create comfort. Sustainable choices are also available for furniture, kitchenware, and cleaning products. 

For the Kitchen

The kitchen can be a great place to bring some Scandinavian design into your home. Many of the stores have functional and well designed kitchen items that make sense. For example, a biodegradable cloth that can be used to wipe up all manner of spills. Often you will find these with Scandinavian designs. Check out stores like Designtorget*, Cervera*, Kitch’n*, and Kitchen Time* for some great options. Nordic Nest* offers many textiles including tableware and other needed kitchen items as does Hemtext*.

Sustainable Options

Scandinavian design also comes in more sustainable options. Mjuk* has furniture and decor that are thoroughly cleaned and inspected but secondhand and cheaper than buying something new. They extend furniture’s life span and take care of the entire process for you. Live Home* is another great option for sustainable items. They offer cleaning and decorative items that are environmentally friendly and cheap. If you are trying to get away from using plastic, BeeLife* offers sustainable food covers that can be used many times, as well as gift cards and other presents made from beeswax. 

Scandinavian design and furniture

Decorating and furnishing your home in a foreign place can be a challenge for many people. Especially if you are trying to find a specific design style – such as Scandinavian. This list is not exhaustive. You can easily find even more Scandinavian options online or just walking through a centrum or gallerian. These are located in both small cities/towns but on a smaller scale and in larger cities/areas with many more options. Start with gallerians as they often house many different stores in one place (think a mall or shopping area).

You have lots of options for choosing Scandinavian design, whether it be furniture or decorative items for your home. Also ask the locals as they can give you great tips on the best place to buy items. 

What item are you purchasing next for your Scandinavian inspired home?

Filed Under: Blog, Culture, Housing, Info, Just Arrived, Social, Sweden Tagged With: culture, Design, Furniture, furniture stores, furnitures stores in sweden, home decor, life in sweden, Scandinavian design, sustainable, sustainable shopping in Sweden, Swedish design

How Does Laundry Work in Sweden?

24 February 2022 By The Newbie Team 7 Comments

Written by Ezinne Edet

I know what you’re thinking…why the fuss about laundry? Well, doing laundry in Sweden is a big deal. Apartment living: No washer/dryer? Options: buy or use a communal laundry room.

In sunny countries, garment care isn’t a big plan; abundant sunshine simplifies year-round clothes upkeep. Pack, wash, rinse, line-dry; hours later, clothes crisp and clean—simple routine in sunny weather. Moving to Sweden with my garment care mindset, I wasn’t prepared for the culture shock ahead.

A day after my family and I moved into our apartment in Sweden, I dashed into the laundry room with our dirty clothes and threw them into the washer. I set the timer and rushed upstairs to get myself busy with other chores.

Forty minutes later, I dashed back into the laundry room to get the clothes out of the machine but noticed that something was off. The machines were dead silent, the controls were unresponsive, and strangely, nothing was working. What could have happened?

I later discovered it was beyond laundry hours, so I had to shut down the machines. The bad news is, my clothes were stuck in the washer until the next morning, and the first slot had already been pre-booked by one of my neighbours. Talk about learning how to do laundry the hard way!

How Laundry Works in Sweden

If you do not have a washer and dryer installed in your apartment, you could either buy one and install yourself or, every week, spend at least one day in the laundry room.

The Laundry Room

Most apartments in Sweden have a communal laundry room—tvättstuga—with washers, tumble dryers, drying rooms/cabinets, and instructions on how to use them. This room is usually located at the basement or ground floor of the building and using the laundry room is totally free.

laundry in Sweden

Never ignore the instructions on the wall of the laundry room. Although they are usually written in Swedish, this is one place Google Translate will come in very handy. Different rules apply to different rooms, so it is important you understand the instructions to get a hang of how the machines and the laundry room work.

The Booking System

The laundry room operates on a booking system. There are two types of laundry booking system in Sweden: the manual and digital booking system. With the manual system, you use a laundry lock to book a slot on a board inside the laundry room, while you use an electronic tag to make a booking with the digital system.

The Manual Booking System

The laundry booking system, whether manual or digital, allows you to book a preferred day and time (usually 2 to 6 hours) for your laundry. In Sweden, laundry time is serious business.

Laundry Time

After you have booked a slot, you must do your laundry (washing and drying) at your booked time. As a rule of thumb, if you are about thirty minutes to an hour behind schedule, a neighbour can “steal” your slot without prior notice.

Therefore, you may need to sort and pack dirty laundry beforehand, as well as the detergent and softener. Also, make sure to pack up and leave the laundry room as soon as your time is up. You don’t want to be caught encroaching into your neighbour’s laundry time.

Tidy Up!

Before leaving the laundry room, make sure it is in good shape. Clean the dryer lint trap, sweep the floor, mop up wet surfaces, take out the trash (if necessary). Just make sure the room is tidy enough for the next person to use.

Rinse and Repeat

Once you are done, don’t forget to book your next laundry time, then repeat the process all over again.

So much information just to understand how laundry works. I know, right? But, trust me, it gets easier with time.

It is amazing how something as little as doing laundry can cause a huge culture shock for newcomers. Apart from figuring out how to do laundry, you can read about other basic everyday info that newbies to Sweden need to have at their fingertips.

Did you have any problems doing laundry when you moved to Sweden? Is the method of doing laundry in your home country different from that of Sweden? Leave a comment to let us know.

 

About the Author 

Hej! I am a Nigerian studying a Master of Science in Management at the University of Gothenburg. I have travelled around different countries in Africa, but this is my first time living and studying in another continent. I see living in a new country as an opportunity to learn a new culture, language, and create new networks and experiences. I will be posting about my experiences in Sweden, as a newbie, and sharing information to help you settle in fast. Enjoy!

Filed Under: Blog, Housing, Just Arrived Tagged With: culture in sweden, housing in Sweden, laundry culture, laundry in Sweden, life in sweden, living in sweden, new in sweden, Newbie Guide, Newbie in Sweden, tvättstuga

Student accommodation with the Smart Hotel

21 October 2020 By The Newbie Team Leave a Comment

Are you a new student in Stockholm looking for student accommodation? Then you may already have noticed that it can be difficult to quickly find a place to stay for a reasonable and affordable price. This is when a temporary housing solution like Ett Smart Hotel can bridge you over until you find a more permanent solution. And if you are a newbie reader – then you will get a 30-50% discount!

Smart Hotel offers a deal for students. If you are looking for an affordable student accommodation to rent for your firsts months in the city, this might be a good match for you.

Your Newbie Guide discount

With The Newbie Guide to Sweden discount code #newbiesmart, you get 30-50% discount for bookings that are 30 nights or more.

Get your discount like this

  • Get in touch with Ett Smart Hotell using this form. 
  • In the 3rd step you write when you want to check-in and the number of days you wish to stay,  and write the code #newbiesmart to get your 30-50% discount for bookings that are 30 nights or more.
  • You can also send them an email to info@ettsmart.se with your name, phone number, email address, and company plus the date for when you want to check-in and the number of days you wish to stay.

What exactly is the Smart Hotel?

To put it simply, Smart Hotel is a clever combination of a hotel concept with long term renting. In other words, Smart Hotel offers a starting point for students that have been accepted to study in Stockholm but that haven’t yet found an accommodation.

Smart Hotel offers accommodation in seven brand new rooms. They are designed for 1-2 students and each room has a shared kitchen and its own bathroom. The rooms are equipped with TV and WIFI connection and are situated in Sollentuna centrum with excellent connections to Stockholm City.

From Sollentuna, you can travel by bus to Danderyd and Solna or take a train to Stockholm Central Station. The journey takes about 12 minutes.

How does this student accomodation work?

In order to rent one of the rooms from the Smart Hotel, you have to be a student in Sweden. The deal is without a notice period; however, the minimum stay is 30 nights with the possibility to stay longer.

If you enjoy the comfort of staying in a hotel room, Smart Hotel offers you new sheets and towels every week, and you fix your own cleaning of your room during your stay.

For more information and photos, please visit the Smart Hotel website.

For prices, booking and all questions about your stay, please call
+ 468546 308 10 or send email to info@ettsmart.se

You find more tips on how to solve your housing situation here.

Filed Under: Blog, Housing Tagged With: accomodation in Sweden, housing in Sweden, smart hotel, Students, Students in Sweden

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