Which Nordic Design Trends are Coming Our Way in 2021?
From sociable curves to small-space solutions, check out these 6 highlights from 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen
Kasper Iversen
11 September 2020
“What’s the big Nordic design trend of 2020?” This question was asked countless times during the 3 Days of Design festival, which sees Nordic design aficionados flock to Copenhagen, Denmark, every year. Usually held in the spring, the event was postponed to 3-5 September this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Although it’s a simple question, it’s incredibly difficult to answer. This year’s event – where more than 160 design companies and organisations all over Copenhagen opened their doors to the public and offered a sneak peek behind the scenes of the Danish design world – showcased hundreds of clever, interesting, fun and ambitious new ideas from the Nordic design scene.
Not surprisingly, many of these were focused on sustainability, but softness, solutions for small-space living and vintage technology also made it onto this year’s agenda. Here are our top 6 highlights from this year’s 3 Days of Design.
Although it’s a simple question, it’s incredibly difficult to answer. This year’s event – where more than 160 design companies and organisations all over Copenhagen opened their doors to the public and offered a sneak peek behind the scenes of the Danish design world – showcased hundreds of clever, interesting, fun and ambitious new ideas from the Nordic design scene.
Not surprisingly, many of these were focused on sustainability, but softness, solutions for small-space living and vintage technology also made it onto this year’s agenda. Here are our top 6 highlights from this year’s 3 Days of Design.
Designer Rikke Frost poses with her Sideways sofa. Photo from Carl Hansen & Son.
1. Furniture that encourages social interaction
In a world where we spend more and more time looking at our screens – especially during these times of lockdown and social distancing – human interaction is high up on many people’s wish lists. Danish designer Rikke Frost’s Sideways sofa for Carl Hansen & Son aims to encourage social interaction.
1. Furniture that encourages social interaction
In a world where we spend more and more time looking at our screens – especially during these times of lockdown and social distancing – human interaction is high up on many people’s wish lists. Danish designer Rikke Frost’s Sideways sofa for Carl Hansen & Son aims to encourage social interaction.
The Sideways sofa. Photo from Carl Hansen & Son.
“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 & Son flagship store in the centre of Copenhagen.
“Communication is being challenged by tablets and other digital equipment,” she said, “so I wanted to make a sofa where it feels more natural for people to talk to each other.”
“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 & Son flagship store in the centre of Copenhagen.
“Communication is being challenged by tablets and other digital equipment,” she said, “so I wanted to make a sofa where it feels more natural for people to talk to each other.”
ANZA collection by Rui Pereira and Ryosuke Fukusada. Photo from Please Wait to be Seated.
2. Soft, round and curvy pieces
In a difficult world, 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 pieces
In a difficult world, 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 this cosy trend. And the eye-catching benches and poufs of the ANZA collection from Please Wait to be Seated is 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.
The Sequoia pouf in fluffy sheepskin, designed by Space Copenhagen for Fredericia Furniture, is a great example of this cosy trend. And the eye-catching benches and poufs of the ANZA collection from Please Wait to be Seated is 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.
The Angle stool. Photo from Form & Refine.
3. Space-saving and multi-functional solutions for small-space living
Recent years have seen a battle for space in many cities around the world, with home sizes contracting. This tendency requires smart, multi-functional and space-saving pieces, which are appearing more and more often on the Nordic design scene.
A great example is the Angle stool from Danish design brand Form & Refine. The foldable design allows the stool to be hung on the wall when not in use; a solid brass hook is included.
3. Space-saving and multi-functional solutions for small-space living
Recent years have seen a battle for space in many cities around the world, with home sizes contracting. This tendency requires smart, multi-functional and space-saving pieces, which are appearing more and more often on the Nordic design scene.
A great example is the Angle stool from Danish design brand Form & Refine. The foldable design allows the stool to be hung on the wall when not in use; a solid brass hook is included.
Terra collection planters. Photo from Georg Jensen.
Another new example of multi-functional design is the Terra collection, a series of plant accessories designed by the Norwegian architecture and design practice 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 in one design piece. In this way, it offers two display options in one.
Another new example of multi-functional design is the Terra collection, a series of plant accessories designed by the Norwegian architecture and design practice 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 in one design piece. In this way, it offers two display options in one.
Beogram 4000 series turntable. Photo from Bang & Olufsen.
4. Repairing and reselling old classics
Relaunching old furniture designs from the 1950s and 1960s, or delving into the archives to find ‘new’ pieces by the big designers of the golden age of Nordic furniture, is a popular way for many companies to shape their new offerings. But why produce new (old) furniture, when you can update the originals?
The Danish high-end radio and TV manufacturer, Bang & Olufsen, is now launching a project where it buys back and restores some of the most iconic design pieces from previous decades. Beogram 4000 series turntables, designed in 1972 by Jacob Jensen, are the first products to get the refurb treatment, followed by a number of not-yet-revealed classics from the company.
Buying one of these old products that’s been restored by hand is not 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
Relaunching old furniture designs from the 1950s and 1960s, or delving into the archives to find ‘new’ pieces by the big designers of the golden age of Nordic furniture, is a popular way for many companies to shape their new offerings. But why produce new (old) furniture, when you can update the originals?
The Danish high-end radio and TV manufacturer, Bang & Olufsen, is now launching a project where it buys back and restores some of the most iconic design pieces from previous decades. Beogram 4000 series turntables, designed in 1972 by Jacob Jensen, are the first products to get the refurb treatment, followed by a number of not-yet-revealed classics from the company.
Buying one of these old products that’s been restored by hand is not 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’ exhibition. Photo from Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers.
5. Old and new in a trendy, creative and sustainable mix
Home décor often involves a mix of old and new pieces. During this year’s event, design brand &Tradition and auction house Bruun Rasmussen raised this concept to a whole new level in their ‘Home of a Collector’ exhibition.
The two companies took over and furnished the old grandiose Lindencrone Mansion in the centre of Copenhagen, showcasing a century of design from &Tradition alongside vintage art and furniture pieces being auctioned by Bruun-Rasmussen later in September.
The latter included Russian, brass-mounted mahogany chairs from 1850, a bar cabinet by Lysberg, Hansen & Therp from the 1950s, and various modernist bronze sculptures of human forms with an estimated value of between £1,151 and £4,604.
5. Old and new in a trendy, creative and sustainable mix
Home décor often involves a mix of old and new pieces. During this year’s event, design brand &Tradition and auction house Bruun Rasmussen raised this concept to a whole new level in their ‘Home of a Collector’ exhibition.
The two companies took over and furnished the old grandiose Lindencrone Mansion in the centre of Copenhagen, showcasing a century of design from &Tradition alongside vintage art and furniture pieces being auctioned by Bruun-Rasmussen later in September.
The latter included Russian, brass-mounted mahogany chairs from 1850, a bar cabinet by Lysberg, Hansen & Therp from the 1950s, and various modernist bronze sculptures of human forms with an estimated value of between £1,151 and £4,604.
From the ‘Home of a Collector’ exhibition. Photo from Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers.
Mixing old and new, in budget-friendly interiors as well as more high-end projects, doesn’t just inject personality into an interior, it also points to the core of a sustainable furnishing mantra: Don’t buy new if you can get good second-hand items or already have things that work.
If it is time for something new, it makes sense to go for good-quality, long-lasting pieces with a timeless look to match your existing interior.
Mixing old and new, in budget-friendly interiors as well as more high-end projects, doesn’t just inject personality into an interior, it also points to the core of a sustainable furnishing mantra: Don’t buy new if you can get good second-hand items or already have things that work.
If it is time for something new, it makes sense to go for good-quality, long-lasting pieces with a timeless look to match your existing interior.
Designed in 1955 and still extremely popular, Arne Jacobsen’s Series 7 chairs produced by Fritz Hansen have proven to be aesthetically sustainable.
6. Giving greenwashing the thumbs-down
Sustainability is the biggest buzzword in the design industry right now. These days, companies no longer question the value of a sustainable approach, but rather seek the best ways to become green and environmentally friendly brands.
But when everyone fights to be – or at least to appear to be – greener than their competitors, there’s a risk that some companies deliver more promises about how good their materials, production, shipping and products are for the planet, than actual green results. 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. Giving greenwashing the thumbs-down
Sustainability is the biggest buzzword in the design industry right now. These days, companies no longer question the value of a sustainable approach, but rather seek the best ways to become green and environmentally friendly brands.
But when everyone fights to be – or at least to appear to be – greener than their competitors, there’s a risk that some companies deliver more promises about how good their materials, production, shipping and products are for the planet, than actual green results. 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 3-shade PH lamps by Poul Henningsen are another great example of design that’s stood the test of time. They were designed in 1925-26 and remain one of manufacturer Louis Poulsen’s bestsellers.
Production that’s not 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 upfront footprint. But it’s too easy to claim your products will stay relevant for generations when you don’t really know that, said Kristine Juul Pedersen, senior designer and sustainability manager at Ferm Living. “There’s also a lot of greenwashing when you talk about aesthetic sustainability, because it’s a phrase [to which] you can easily say, ‘Yeah, it will last forever,’ or ‘You’ll pass it on, so it’s sustainable in that way,’ but that’s a discussion with more layers,” she said.
We are sure to see more greenwashing in the years to come, so it’s important that we, as consumers, are aware and critical of arguments that seem too green to be true.
Make the challenge of finding the right people for your project easier by searching the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Tell us…
Which of these trends appeal to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Production that’s not 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 upfront footprint. But it’s too easy to claim your products will stay relevant for generations when you don’t really know that, said Kristine Juul Pedersen, senior designer and sustainability manager at Ferm Living. “There’s also a lot of greenwashing when you talk about aesthetic sustainability, because it’s a phrase [to which] you can easily say, ‘Yeah, it will last forever,’ or ‘You’ll pass it on, so it’s sustainable in that way,’ but that’s a discussion with more layers,” she said.
We are sure to see more greenwashing in the years to come, so it’s important that we, as consumers, are aware and critical of arguments that seem too green to be true.
Make the challenge of finding the right people for your project easier by searching the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Tell us…
Which of these trends appeal to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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What a spectacular article
1. Love Nordic Design
2. Love sitting at an angle to others
3. Georg Jensen's aesthetics are a favourite of mine
4. Greenwashing is so extremely relevant right now and longevity is the last resort when it comes to sustainable tactics
We have the beautiful Danish designed le feu Fire - we just live it! And so are our clients https://www.morley-stoves.co.uk/stoves/Le-Feu-(bioethanol-fires)-c58678230
Love the mixture of Nordic furniture with ethnic Moroccan rugs. Two different cultures that seem to blend well in one space. Check out our store and the vast collection of beautiful handmade Moroccan rugs we carry:
https://bohoconvention.com