3 Things Nordic Homes Do for the Holidays That Canadians Rarely Think Of
A quieter approach to seasonal decorating.
Not every holiday home is loud.
Not every table is long.
Not every season needs tinsel from the rafters to feel complete.
In fact, some of the quietest homes hold the most magic this time of year.
While much of North American holiday decorating leans toward more—more sparkle, more ornaments, more everything—Nordic households take an entirely different approach. Their spaces are softer, calmer, and rooted in instinct rather than accumulation. European farmhouse in spirit. Grounded in restraint. Designed to support how winter truly feels: slow, introspective, luminous.
Here are three things Nordic homes do for the holidays that we as Canadians rarely think of.
1. They subtract before they decorate.
Before anything is added, something is removed. Rooms are edited first—surfaces cleared, colours simplified, visual noise dialed down. This creates breathing room for whatever comes next: a single wreath, a clipped branch, a candle with real presence.
It’s the quiet poetry of restraint.
Fewer objects, carrying more meaning.
2. They decorate with nature, not novelty.
In Nordic spaces, holiday décor isn’t something bought in bulk or packed away in plastic bins. It’s gathered. Foraged. Made by hand.
Think: evergreen boughs, beeswax tapers, wool, stoneware, linen, ceramic vessels with history, branches that still smell of the cold. Nothing performative. Nothing disposable. Just honest materials that belong in a home year-round and only feel more beautiful in winter.
This approach doesn’t just look good—it feels grounding.
3. They prioritize mood over merchandise.
Instead of filling surfaces, Nordic homes shape atmosphere. They design for feeling, not fullness.
Warm lamps in quiet corners. Candlelit windowsills. Softened shadows that invite you to sit, pause, breathe. The magic comes from the light you create, not the things you stack.
It’s holiday decorating as a sensory experience, not a shopping event.
A season designed for presence
This year, decorate like you’re hosting moments, not merchandise.
Less presents.
More presence.
And if you want to add a touch of Nordic softness to your space, a simple linen piece—like Sömn’s naturally textured throws or bedding—can shift the whole room without shouting for attention.