6 Nordic Design Trends to Watch in 2020
See the new looks that debuted this month at the 3 Days of Design show in Copenhagen
“What is the big Nordic design trend of 2020?” This question was asked countless times during the 3 Days of Design show, which sees Nordic design aficionados flock to Copenhagen, Denmark, every year. Usually held in the spring, the event was postponed to Sept. 3-5 this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The answer to the question is multifaceted. This year’s event, which featured more than 160 companies and organizations from the Nordic design world, showcased hundreds of clever, interesting, fun and ambitious new ideas.
Many of them were focused on sustainability, but softness, small-space living solutions and vintage technology were also on the agenda. Here are our top six highlights from this year’s 3 Days of Design.
The answer to the question is multifaceted. This year’s event, which featured more than 160 companies and organizations from the Nordic design world, showcased hundreds of clever, interesting, fun and ambitious new ideas.
Many of them were focused on sustainability, but softness, small-space living solutions and vintage technology were also on the agenda. Here are our top six highlights from this year’s 3 Days of Design.
The Sideways sofa. Photo from Carl Hansen & Søn
“On many sofas you sit right next to each other, which can feel a bit intimidating, or you’re sitting straight in front of each other, which can feel a bit awkward for an informal, social interaction. I wanted to create a sofa where you sit at a slight angle, as this encourages more natural conversation,” Frost explained in her presentation of Sideways at the Carl Hansen & Søn flagship store in Copenhagen. “Communication is being challenged by tablets and other digital equipment, so I wanted to make a sofa where it feels more natural for people to talk to each other.”
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“On many sofas you sit right next to each other, which can feel a bit intimidating, or you’re sitting straight in front of each other, which can feel a bit awkward for an informal, social interaction. I wanted to create a sofa where you sit at a slight angle, as this encourages more natural conversation,” Frost explained in her presentation of Sideways at the Carl Hansen & Søn flagship store in Copenhagen. “Communication is being challenged by tablets and other digital equipment, so I wanted to make a sofa where it feels more natural for people to talk to each other.”
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ANZA collection by Rui Pereira and Ryosuke Fukusada. Photo from Please Wait to Be Seated
2. Soft, Round and Curvy
In difficult times, is there anything more comforting than leaning back into a soft piece of furniture with curvy corners or maybe no corners at all? And while we don’t know that this is really the reason for the trend, we did spot a disproportionate number of plush design pieces in comforting shapes.
2. Soft, Round and Curvy
In difficult times, is there anything more comforting than leaning back into a soft piece of furniture with curvy corners or maybe no corners at all? And while we don’t know that this is really the reason for the trend, we did spot a disproportionate number of plush design pieces in comforting shapes.
The Sequoia pouf by Space Copenhagen. Photo from Fredericia Furniture
The Sequoia pouf in fluffy sheepskin, designed by Space Copenhagen for Fredericia Furniture, is a great example of the cushy trend. The eye-catching benches and poufs of the ANZA collection from Please Wait to Be Seated are yet more corner-free proof that the world is becoming increasingly fond of soft spots.
If there hadn’t been thousands of other interesting designs to explore, we could easily have cuddled up with this soft trend for the entire 3 Days of Design.
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The Sequoia pouf in fluffy sheepskin, designed by Space Copenhagen for Fredericia Furniture, is a great example of the cushy trend. The eye-catching benches and poufs of the ANZA collection from Please Wait to Be Seated are yet more corner-free proof that the world is becoming increasingly fond of soft spots.
If there hadn’t been thousands of other interesting designs to explore, we could easily have cuddled up with this soft trend for the entire 3 Days of Design.
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The Angle stool. Photo from Form & Refine
3. Space-Saving and Multifunctional Solutions for Small Living
Recent years have seen a battle for space in many cities around the world, with home sizes dwindling. This tendency requires smart, multifunctional and space-saving design, which is appearing more and more on the Nordic design scene.
A great example is the Angle stool from Danish design brand Form & Refine. The foldable stool can be hung on a wall when not in use — a solid brass hook is included.
3. Space-Saving and Multifunctional Solutions for Small Living
Recent years have seen a battle for space in many cities around the world, with home sizes dwindling. This tendency requires smart, multifunctional and space-saving design, which is appearing more and more on the Nordic design scene.
A great example is the Angle stool from Danish design brand Form & Refine. The foldable stool can be hung on a wall when not in use — a solid brass hook is included.
Terra collection planters. Photo from Georg Jensen
Another new example of multifunctional design is the Terra collection, a series of plant accessories created by Norwegian architecture and design firm Snøhetta for the Danish silversmith and high-end design brand Georg Jensen.
Three of the collection’s stainless steel planters are reversible: As a small plant grows, the planter can be turned upside down for more volume and a new look.
Another new example of multifunctional design is the Terra collection, a series of plant accessories created by Norwegian architecture and design firm Snøhetta for the Danish silversmith and high-end design brand Georg Jensen.
Three of the collection’s stainless steel planters are reversible: As a small plant grows, the planter can be turned upside down for more volume and a new look.
Beogram 4000 series turntable. Photo from Bang & Olufsen
4. Repairing and Reselling Old Classics
Many companies are relaunching furniture designs from the 1950s and ’60s or delving into the archives of ideas from the big designers of the golden age of Nordic furniture. But why produce new (old) furniture when you can update the originals?
Danish high-end radio and TV manufacturer Bang & Olufsen has launched a project in which it buys back and restores some of its most iconic pieces from previous decades. Beogram 4000 series turntables, designed in 1972 by Jacob Jensen, are the first products to get the refurb treatment, to be followed by a number of not-yet-revealed classics. Buying one of these hand-restored products isn’t just a way of adding a unique piece of history and craftsmanship to your home, it’s also more sustainable than buying completely new electronics.
4. Repairing and Reselling Old Classics
Many companies are relaunching furniture designs from the 1950s and ’60s or delving into the archives of ideas from the big designers of the golden age of Nordic furniture. But why produce new (old) furniture when you can update the originals?
Danish high-end radio and TV manufacturer Bang & Olufsen has launched a project in which it buys back and restores some of its most iconic pieces from previous decades. Beogram 4000 series turntables, designed in 1972 by Jacob Jensen, are the first products to get the refurb treatment, to be followed by a number of not-yet-revealed classics. Buying one of these hand-restored products isn’t just a way of adding a unique piece of history and craftsmanship to your home, it’s also more sustainable than buying completely new electronics.
From the “Home of a Collector” exhibit. Photo from Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers
5. Old and New in a Trendy, Creative and Sustainable Mix
Home decor often involves a mix of old and new pieces. During this year’s event, design brand &Tradition and auction house Bruun Rasmussen raised the concept to a new level with their “Home of a Collector” exhibit.
The two companies took over and furnished the grandiose Lindencrone Mansion in the center of Copenhagen, showcasing a century of design from &Tradition alongside vintage art and furniture pieces being auctioned by Bruun Rasmussen later in the month. The latter included Russian brass-mounted mahogany chairs from 1850, a 1950s bar cabinet by Danish company Lysberg, Hansen & Therp and various modernist bronze sculptures of human forms.
5. Old and New in a Trendy, Creative and Sustainable Mix
Home decor often involves a mix of old and new pieces. During this year’s event, design brand &Tradition and auction house Bruun Rasmussen raised the concept to a new level with their “Home of a Collector” exhibit.
The two companies took over and furnished the grandiose Lindencrone Mansion in the center of Copenhagen, showcasing a century of design from &Tradition alongside vintage art and furniture pieces being auctioned by Bruun Rasmussen later in the month. The latter included Russian brass-mounted mahogany chairs from 1850, a 1950s bar cabinet by Danish company Lysberg, Hansen & Therp and various modernist bronze sculptures of human forms.
From the “Home of a Collector” exhibit. Photo from Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers
Mixing old and new — in budget-friendly interiors as well as on a more refined level — isn’t just about injecting personality into a space. It also points to the core of the sustainable-furnishings mantra: Don’t buy new if you can get good secondhand items or already have things that work. And if it is time for something new, go for good-quality, long-lasting pieces with a timeless look to match your existing interior.
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Mixing old and new — in budget-friendly interiors as well as on a more refined level — isn’t just about injecting personality into a space. It also points to the core of the sustainable-furnishings mantra: Don’t buy new if you can get good secondhand items or already have things that work. And if it is time for something new, go for good-quality, long-lasting pieces with a timeless look to match your existing interior.
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Designed in 1955 and still popular, Arne Jacobsen’s Series 7 chairs, produced by Fritz Hansen
6. Sharpen Your Greenwashing Detector
Sustainability is the biggest buzzword in the design industry right now, in Denmark and around the world. Companies no longer question the value of a sustainable approach, but rather seek the best ways to become environmentally friendly brands.
But when everyone fights to be — or at least appear to be — greener than their competitors, there’s a risk that some companies will deliver more promises than results in terms of how good their materials, production, shipping and products are for the planet. This is called greenwashing, and during the “Danish Design 2.0” panel discussion, various designers stressed the importance of consumer awareness of the phenomenon.
“Of course a lot of companies are talking about sustainability in all their product marketing,” Danish industrial designer Kasper Salto said. What’s unacceptable, he suggested, is when action doesn’t follow these promises.
6. Sharpen Your Greenwashing Detector
Sustainability is the biggest buzzword in the design industry right now, in Denmark and around the world. Companies no longer question the value of a sustainable approach, but rather seek the best ways to become environmentally friendly brands.
But when everyone fights to be — or at least appear to be — greener than their competitors, there’s a risk that some companies will deliver more promises than results in terms of how good their materials, production, shipping and products are for the planet. This is called greenwashing, and during the “Danish Design 2.0” panel discussion, various designers stressed the importance of consumer awareness of the phenomenon.
“Of course a lot of companies are talking about sustainability in all their product marketing,” Danish industrial designer Kasper Salto said. What’s unacceptable, he suggested, is when action doesn’t follow these promises.
The iconic three-shade PH lamps by Poul Henningsen, another example of design that has stood the test of time. Designed in 1925-26, they remain one of manufacturer Louis Poulsen’s bestsellers
Production that isn’t exactly carbon-neutral is often defended with the argument that high-quality products that will last for generations may be much more sustainable in the long run than a product that has a smaller ecological footprint upfront. But it’s too easy to claim that your products will stay relevant for generations when you don’t really know that, says Kristine Juul Pedersen, senior designer and sustainability manager at Ferm Living. “There is also a lot of greenwashing when you talk about aesthetic sustainability, because it is a phrase that you can easily say, ‘Yeah, it will last forever’ and ‘You will pass it on, so it’s sustainable in that way,’ but that is a discussion with more layers.”
Greenwashing is sure to remain topical in the years to come — along with the need to be aware and critical of arguments that seem too green to be true.
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Production that isn’t exactly carbon-neutral is often defended with the argument that high-quality products that will last for generations may be much more sustainable in the long run than a product that has a smaller ecological footprint upfront. But it’s too easy to claim that your products will stay relevant for generations when you don’t really know that, says Kristine Juul Pedersen, senior designer and sustainability manager at Ferm Living. “There is also a lot of greenwashing when you talk about aesthetic sustainability, because it is a phrase that you can easily say, ‘Yeah, it will last forever’ and ‘You will pass it on, so it’s sustainable in that way,’ but that is a discussion with more layers.”
Greenwashing is sure to remain topical in the years to come — along with the need to be aware and critical of arguments that seem too green to be true.
More on Houzz
Read more coverage of design events
Browse millions of photos for inspiration
1. Furniture That Encourages Social Interaction
In a world where we spend more and more time looking at our screens — especially during this period of lockdown and social distancing — human interaction is high on many people’s wish lists. Danish designer Rikke Frost’s Sideways sofa for Carl Hansen & Søn aims to encourage social interaction.