Those floors are really pretty, by the way. I wouldn't do anything to them. The rooms have a very pleasant look, too. I think you're lucky!

Nunosapunso, start an ideabook for each room. Scandinavian is a perfect style for this house. I'd probably keep the walls white, a warm white rather than cool, then go sleek and modern on the furnishings.

Some Scandinavian style living rooms:

Park Slope Apartment Makeover · More Info

Scandinavian Living Room · More Info

Bed-Stuy Minimal · More Info

You can find 32,380 more of them here: https://www.houzz.com/photos/scandinavian-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_22848

here are a few more "rustic" inspiration pictures to help you figure out your style. one thing about both the rustic and Scandinavian styles is a soft white wall color. Do you like bright color or want to stay more nuetral?

Rustic Eclectic Farmhouse · More Info

Whitefish Mountain Slopeside Vacation Rental · More Info

Sellwood Library House · More Info

forgot to say... your space is beautiful and the floors are amazing!

I love the floors as well, and think I nice warm white would look great in the space. Benjamin Moore White Dove is a popular choice.

I think you could use a warmer white on your walls but not much color in the paint (not sure what brands are available to you there?), and then do simple, clean lined furnishings with a few touches of more rustic finishes. Here are some ideas.

Blanco House · More Info

Scandinavian style on a budget in a small city apartment · More Info

Cypress Point · More Info

You can use color in furnishing and a couple rugs to warm up the space but still keep it clean and simple. If you are handy, you could make small tables or bench just depends on your skill level. After living in Belgium for 3 years, I know that getting furnishings and materials is a lot harder there then in the U.S., so perhaps you will have some additional challenges. But of course, Ikea is a good source where you are? I think? And you could also add some interesting antiques you can pick up at flea markets to add storage and interest to your spaces. See if any of these ideas appeal to you.

Here are some off whites for you as benchmarks.

Those are all Benjamin Moore colors.

Since you said 'buying' and that you haven't moved in -- I assume the dressy ceiling light isn't yours... ? I ask about your general style...

Yes, definitely change out that light. Lol

You have some excellent advisers posting, Flo, Groveraxle, Patricia, Decoenthusiast, but most of us are used to the United States, where we have been drowning in a sea of neutral for the past 20 years.

You need bright white walls and big pops of bright color, not our version of grayed down layers of neutral color.

The reason is the weather.

For the ladies:

Sunshine & Daylight Hours in Amsterdam, Netherlands

• On balance hours of sunlight in Amsterdam range between 1:19 for each day in December and 7:24 for each day in June
• The longest day of the year is 16:30 long and the shortest day is 7:29 long.
• The longest day is 9:01 longer than the shortest day.
• There is an average of 1568 hours of sunlight per year (of a possible 4383) with an average of 4:17 of sunlight per day.
• It is sunny 35.8% of daylight hours. The remaining 64.2% of daylight hours are likely cloudy or with shade, haze or low sun intensity.
• At midday the sun is on average 38.3° above the horizon at Amsterdam.

http://www.reginadijkstra.nl/interiordesignstudio/

I’ d go for Deep Cream (Jotun), it will be perfect as I have deep brown trim in marble floor and brown trim on the ceiling and they go very well together.

I really like the floors! Have a flooring finishers come see if they can refinish them to a different color. If they are good quality floors that shouldn't be a problem.

I agree with Jennifer Hogan that you really need to pull in some saturated color to offset the lack of sunlight.

Any color will work with your floors. The question is what is your absolute favorite color? Not what you think should go on the walls but the color you automatically are attracted to first?

And yet when I look at the living room inspiration pictures on Ikea's site, I see a lot of cosy dark-walled rooms too. https://www.ikea.com/nl/nl/ideas/tags/woonkamer-pubd14c90bd

partim

IKEA is based in the Netherlands, but they are in 52 countries and most of their sales are from Germany and the United States.

following

Jennifer Hogan I referenced the Ikea Netherlands site because the OP lives in the Netherlands.

Now that the subject of Ikea has come up, I recommend spending a day there soaking it all in. I’m betting there’s one in the Netherlands? Ikea has many showrooms, great ideas for small spaces, and clusters of items that go together. They also have some rooms that aren’t exactly light and airy Scandinavian style: they put them together with more “rustic” colors (i.e. not rustic style, but browns and heavier furniture). I’m thinking you might find the sort of look you’re after.

Don't worry about picking a style label and sticking to it, pick colors and things you like. Unify the whole house with a warm white to go with those dark warm wood floors for a bright versatile backdrop for things you love. It sounds like you prefer furniture with simple lean lines which could be from Ikea or flea market finds. Find art that speaks to you and it can give you a color scheme for picking furnishings and textiles.

Following

Scandinavian Modern is merely the NEW version of Scandinavian Rustic (yes... it is a thing). The Scandinavians (Ikea is from Sweden...ahem) like the light wood floors. For this reason I think the floors should go back to their natural colour.

Holland is FULL of master wood refinishers. The country is FULL of these old floors (Brown Cafes have this colour of flooring).

Groveraxel has shown some great photos of Scandi Rustic. In essence the rustic comes from the older bones of the house (wood that is 100 years old) that have been restored and then new furniture being added in.

The Dutch are GREAT at doing this. Old meets new every day in Dam Square or at Dam Centraal. All you have to do is look out the window. New meets old all the time in Amsterdam (one of my favourite cities BTW).

Where in the Netherlands are you?

Thanks for all your suggestions!

The photos shared by groveraxle looks really nice!

I think I’m leaning towards Scandinavian style now.

I would love that beams in the ceilings to make it rustic but the house is quite old and I do not want to add some weight on it.

Jennifer Hogan describes the Weather in the Netherlands accurately!

Flo Mangan, i will look for that paint colors.

I am still in the process of reviewing/signing purchase agreements (with my agent), some paperworks etc.

I’m hoping to start the renovation by March and
will defnitely share the pictures as I progress with the renovations. 👌🏻

The lights (chandeliers?) are not mine.
I will definitely replace it. 😅
But I like the round details in the ceiling where the lights hang on. What sort of light would you recommend with Scandinavian style?

SJ McCarthy, thanks! I live in Hilversum.
About 20+ miles (36km) from Amsterdam.

The house was built in 1898. 😅

I have friends in Huizen and Bussum. Such a pretty area. The Kröller-Müller Museum is well worth the trip. They have sooooo many van Gogh's they are literally leaning against the walls in the hallways (at least they were when I visited).

A new light fixture will depend on styling you select. But I could see some like these.

Following

Hi babophz, thanks for offering your help.

Fireplace - I will ask my agent and contractor to find out what type it is. I hope it's stove. They say it's more effective heating than the traditional fireplace.

Floor - I'm not sure what type of wood. But I will also ask my contractor.

Location - I think the house is facing South (based on google map). The window in front is quite small and is blocked by a small plant (for privacy i guess). Below are photos during winter and summer.

I am an Expat.

I just signed the purchase agreement! yay. :D

There is big window at the back. I'm planning to replace that window and convert it a door to add more natural light. The backyard is facing North. I might do that renovation before end of the year. :)

Please see photos below.

By the way, the images / photos I shared are all available in public. e.g. google map, house listing websites etc., I do not own and do not claim any copyright of these images.

The house is not yet mine.

I'm not sure if I'm violating any privacy, copyright laws etc? Please let me know and I will remove them immediately. :) Thank you.

very light warm color

What a nice house!

Following

gray walls would look good

Do they sell these there? www.solatubes.com

-- adds sunlight, probably not making the room colder [as larger amount of glass might].

Is that a heater under the DR window?

Any good to have a bench under current window, and add table and chairs? it might save a tiny bit of floor space too.
48 w x 30 D x 40 H polyester

Accentrics Home Banquette in Leisure Gray · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/pri-fabric-living-room-bench-in-beige-prvw-vr~48629382

Bowery Hill Dining Settee in Cafe · More Info

Breakfast Area · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/bowery-hill-dining-settee-in-cafe-prvw-vr~94427505

Casual / different than floor if that's a good thing....?

W 60" / D 36" / H 30" •Finger jointed for a smooth top. Hand-applied multi-step durable satin polyurethane finish. •For a bench that nests between the table legs order a bench that is 12" shorter. •Because our furniture is crafted from solid real wood there will be variation in color, and grain pattern.

Driftwood Grey Shaker Table, 60" · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/driftwood-grey-shaker-table-60-prvw-vr~32969364

Idk about bright colors that are cool, but bright warm colors might look garish in your conditions.

Modern 2 Tone Small Space Linen Fabric Loveseat, Green · More Info

•Overall - 57"W x 27"D x 33"H inches •Seat - 47"W x 19"D inches •Back Rest - 47"W x 19"H inches

https://www.houzz.com/products/modern-2-tone-small-space-linen-fabric-loveseat-green-prvw-vr~91084859

•Dimensions: 76"L x 32"H x 30"W •Seat Width: 68" inches •Seat Depth: 19" inches •Seat Height: 18" inches

Mid Century Modern Linen Fabric Living Room Sofa, Dark Blue · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/mid-century-modern-linen-fabric-living-room-sofa-dark-blue-prvw-vr~82294507

This is a pretty blue, and deeper color. modern-style wooden legs. 78" W x 31" D x 34" H. Available in 4 colors.

Modern Contemporary Linen 3-Seat Sofa, Bolster Pillows, Dark Blue · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/modern-contemporary-linen-3-seat-sofa-bolster-pillows-dark-blue-prvw-vr~118236217

Putnam Project · More Info

In different types and sizes:

Modholic Tulip Fiberglass Top Dining Table, White, 42" Top · More Info

Roller Shades · More Info

Doesn't have to be a custom dining bench -

Saarinen Dining Table · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/saarinen-dining-table-prvw-vr~326450

Prospect Park West · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/photos/prospect-park-west-modern-dining-room-phvw-vp~402098

Following

You bought the house, yay! Congratulations!

I like your idea of putting in doors in the back. That means more light for sure, and more northern light, so clear light. My go-to white is RAL 9010, which is not a brand but a colour that is one of the standardised colours that are used a lot in Europe. In your case, however, because you also like a light grey and because you have an older house, I'm thinking of British company Farrow&Ball, that produces (heritage) colours that are perfect for period houses. Their paints have a lovely, soft quality that work with both traditional and modern interiors. I would recommend you order two or three sample pots and try it out on the spot. Try "Strong White" (which is actually a very light grey) and "Ammonite" (a subtle, neutral light grey). If you want to go even lighter, I like "Wevet" (white with a hint of grey). You can order test pots from several places, of course, but I have used this before: https://www.keslerzeist.nl/nl/webwinkel/farrow-and-ball-verf/wevet?1&q=&sortby=&order=oplopend&ipp=48&category=10836&returnID=10836&p=1.

If you like the Scandinavian style, have the floor refinished in a light to mid tone, nothing dark. That will have the bonus of making your house feel a little bit bigger too :)

Renovation has started two weeks ago.
The House is still a mess.
Interior Painting and floor sanding will be completed in 1.5 weeks. 😅
Will post some photos soon.

In progress. Thanks for suggesting white paint!
The house looks brighter. 👌🏻

The white paint looks great! Which color did you go with?