17 Scandinavian Spring DIY Decor Ideas to Brighten Your Home
After the long winter months, I always find myself craving light, simplicity, and a touch of nature in my home. There’s something magical about Scandinavian design that perfectly captures the essence of spring—clean lines, natural materials, and that wonderful brightness that makes even the smallest spaces feel airy and welcoming.
I’ve been incorporating Scandinavian-inspired elements into my spring decor for years now, and I’m excited to share some of my favorite DIY ideas with you. These projects are all about simplicity, functionality, and that special Nordic charm that makes a house feel like a home. Let’s dive in!
1. Minimalist Branch Arrangements
One of my absolute favorite ways to welcome spring is with simple branch arrangements. I love wandering through my neighborhood (with permission, of course!) to collect a few flowering branches—cherry blossoms, forsythia, or pussy willows work beautifully.
All you need is:
- A few slender branches
- A simple white or clear glass vase
- Optional: white or light gray paint for the branches
If you want to go full Scandi, try painting some of your branches white or a pale gray. Place them in a minimalist vase, and you’ve got an instant centerpiece that brings height and texture to any space. I like to keep mine on my dining table where the morning light catches them perfectly.
2. Hand-Dyed Linen Napkins
Scandinavian design loves natural fabrics, especially linen. This spring, I decided to hand-dye some simple linen napkins in soft, nature-inspired hues. The uneven, watercolor effect gives them that handmade quality that’s so central to Nordic design.
For this project, you’ll need:
- Plain linen napkins (pre-washed)
- Natural fabric dye in spring colors (pale blue, soft green, blush pink)
- Large pot for stovetop dyeing
- Salt
- Rubber gloves
I went with a pale blue that reminds me of spring skies, but a soft green or blush pink would be lovely too. The beauty of hand-dyeing is the slight variations in color, which give the napkins that artisanal quality. They’re perfect for spring brunches or just brightening up your everyday meals.
3. Scandi-Inspired Paper Mobiles
There’s something wonderfully playful about hanging mobiles, and they’re a staple in Scandinavian design. For spring, I created a simple geometric mobile using cardstock in white and soft pastels.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- White and pastel cardstock
- String or thin fishing line
- A small wooden dowel or branch
- Scissors
- Hole punch
I cut mine into simple geometric shapes—circles, half-moons, and triangles. The key is asymmetry with balance. I hung my mobile in front of a window where it catches the light and moves gently with any breeze. It’s amazing how something so simple can add such movement and light to a room.
4. Wooden Bead Garlands
Wooden bead garlands are everywhere in Scandinavian decor, and they’re incredibly easy to make. I created a few different lengths to drape across my mantel and wrap around a few potted plants.
You’ll need:
- Unfinished wooden beads in various sizes
- String or thin rope
- Optional: paint in white or pastel colors
I left most of my beads natural but painted a few in white and the palest pink to add some subtle spring color. These garlands add wonderful texture and that raw, natural element that’s so essential to Nordic design. They’re also wonderfully tactile—I often find my guests absentmindedly running their fingers over the beads when they visit.
5. Natural Linen Pillow Covers
Nothing refreshes a space like new pillow covers, and for spring, I always swap out my heavier winter textiles for light linen in natural tones. This year, I made simple envelope-style covers using natural linen fabric.
For each cover, you’ll need:
- Natural linen fabric
- Sewing machine (or needle and thread if you’re patient)
- Iron for pressing seams
- Scissors
I kept mine in the fabric’s natural oatmeal color, but you could also use the dyeing technique from the napkin project to create soft colored versions. The slightly rumpled texture of linen brings that lived-in comfort that makes Scandinavian interiors so inviting.
6. Pressed Flower Frames
Scandinavian design celebrates nature in all forms, including preserved flowers and plants. Last year, I pressed some early spring blooms between book pages, and this year they’ve become beautiful framed art pieces.
You’ll need:
- Pressed flowers and foliage
- Simple white or light wood frames
- White cardstock or paper
- Clear craft glue or double-sided tape
I arranged my pressed flowers on white paper and placed them in simple white frames. The result is delicate, botanical art that captures spring’s ephemeral beauty. They’re currently hanging in a grid pattern on my bedroom wall, bringing a touch of nature into a space where I start and end each day.
7. Painted Wooden Candleholders
Candles are essential in Scandinavian design—they add warmth and that famous “hygge” feeling to any space. For spring, I created simple wooden candleholders with dipped color effects.
For this project, you’ll need:
- Wooden candleholder bases (you can find these at craft stores)
- Acrylic paint in white and a spring color
- Paintbrush
- Tea lights or taper candles
I painted the bottom third of each holder in a soft sage green, leaving the top natural wood. The color-dipped effect is modern yet warm. I’ve placed them down the center of my dining table, ready to be lit during evening meals. Even unlit, they add wonderful sculptural elements to the space.
8. Woven Paper Basket
Storage is always beautifully integrated into Scandinavian interiors. This spring, I made a simple woven paper basket using old magazines—a perfect blend of sustainability and style.
You’ll need:
- Old magazines or catalogs
- Scissors
- Glue
- Clear varnish (optional)
I selected pages with mostly white or text, rolled them into tight tubes, and wove them together to create a small basket. After it was complete, I sealed it with clear varnish for durability. It now holds my mail on my entry console, combining function and handmade charm in that quintessentially Nordic way.
9. Painterly Plant Pots
Plants are essential for bringing spring indoors, and Scandinavian design loves to showcase them in simple, beautiful ways. This year, I gave some plain terracotta pots a Nordic makeover with abstract, brushstroke designs.
You’ll need:
- Plain terracotta pots
- White primer
- Acrylic paint in white and pale colors
- Paintbrushes in different sizes
After priming the pots white, I added loose, gestural brushstrokes in the palest blue, pink, and green. The effect is artistic but not overwhelming—letting the plants remain the stars of the show. They’re now scattered throughout my home, holding everything from small ferns to flowering bulbs.
10. Simple Linen Table Runner
A table runner instantly refreshes a dining space for the new season. In keeping with the Scandinavian love for natural linens, I created a simple runner with frayed edges for a relaxed, organic feel.
You’ll need:
- Natural linen fabric
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Iron
I cut my fabric to size, carefully pulled a few threads from each edge to create a frayed border, then pressed it flat. The result is effortlessly elegant and adds beautiful texture to my table. For spring meals, I’ve been laying mine diagonally across the table and topping it with a few small bud vases of spring blooms.
11. Botanical Prints on Wood
Transferring botanical images onto wood slices creates beautiful, nature-inspired decor with Scandinavian simplicity. I created a few using early spring botanicals like ferns and snowdrops.
You’ll need:
- Wood slices (available at craft stores)
- Botanical images printed on regular paper
- Mod Podge or similar decoupage medium
- Foam brush
- Clear sealer
After transferring the images, I finished the edges with white paint for a clean look. These now sit on my bookshelves, bringing that connection to nature that’s so important in Nordic design. The contrast between the natural wood and the botanical images creates interest without being busy.
12. Hygge-Inspired Candle Jars
Nothing says Scandinavian coziness like candlelight. This spring, I’ve been making simple jar candles with pressed flowers embedded in the wax—combining hygge comfort with spring’s botanical beauty.
You’ll need:
- Small clear jars
- Candle wax
- Wicks
- Pressed spring flowers or herbs
- Essential oils (optional)
I attached the pressed flowers to the inside of the jars before carefully pouring in the melted wax. Some have lavender for a soothing scent, while others showcase tiny forget-me-nots for their perfect spring blue color. They’re currently scattered around my living room, ready to be lit on cooler spring evenings.
13. Simplistic Wall Hanging
Textural wall hangings are a staple in Scandinavian interiors. I created a spring-inspired version using natural cotton yarn in a simple geometric pattern.
You’ll need:
- Natural cotton yarn in white or off-white
- Wooden dowel
- Large-eye needle
I kept my design intentionally minimal—just a series of loops and straight lines creating an abstract pattern. It now hangs in my entryway, adding softness and texture to the wall without overwhelming the space. The subtle shadows it casts change throughout the day, adding visual interest in that quiet Nordic way.
14. Hand-Stamped Tea Towels
Functional items like tea towels can become beautiful decor when given a handmade touch. I created a set with simple geometric stamps in spring colors.
You’ll need:
- Plain white cotton or linen tea towels
- Fabric paint in spring colors
- Homemade stamps (carved potatoes work well!)
- Foam brush
I carved simple triangle, circle, and line stamps and created random patterns across the towels. They’re now hanging from hooks in my kitchen, adding color and pattern in a useful way—perfectly aligned with the Scandinavian principle that beautiful things should also be functional.
15. Painted Wooden Spoons
Wooden utensils get a spring refresh with dipped handles in pretty pastel colors. This project took me less than an hour but made a noticeable difference in my kitchen’s feel.
You’ll need:
- Wooden spoons and utensils
- Non-toxic acrylic paint
- Painter’s tape
- Clear food-safe sealer
I taped off the handles and painted them in soft blue, mint, and blush pink. After sealing them properly, they became both useful tools and a colorful display in my utensil crock. Every time I reach for one while cooking, it brings a little spark of spring color to the task.
16. Minimalist Herb Labels
Scandinavian design loves to combine beautiful organization with natural elements. For my windowsill herb garden, I created minimal wooden herb markers that add structure and style.
You’ll need:
- Thin wooden craft sticks or popsicle sticks
- White or light gray paint
- Fine-tip permanent marker
- Clear sealer
After painting the sticks, I labeled each with the herb name in simple lowercase letters. They’ve transformed my herb collection into an organized, visually pleasing display that’s both practical and pretty—exactly what Scandinavian design aims for.
17. Natural Twig Picture Frames
My final spring project combines the Scandinavian love for natural materials with simple geometric forms. I created picture frames using collected twigs arranged in clean, modern shapes.
You’ll need:
- Straight twigs of similar thickness
- Strong craft glue
- String or thin wire
- Photos or art prints
I arranged the twigs in simple rectangular frames, securing the corners with wrapped string for both function and visual interest. They now display black and white nature photographs, the rustic frames creating a beautiful contrast with the minimalist images.
Bringing It All Together
What I love most about these Scandinavian-inspired spring projects is how easily they work together. The consistent palette of natural materials, whites, and soft colors means you can combine several pieces without creating visual clutter. That’s the true magic of Scandinavian design—each element is simple, but together they create a harmonious, welcoming space.
As spring unfolds, I find myself appreciating these handmade touches more and more. There’s something deeply satisfying about creating elements for your home that reflect the season while embracing the timeless principles of Scandinavian design—simplicity, functionality, and connection to nature.
I hope these ideas inspire you to bring some Nordic spring freshness into your own home. Remember, Scandinavian design isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating a space that feels both beautiful and truly livable. Happy crafting!
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