It’s impossible to make a mistake with Scandi Mid-Century Modern. This style merges the cosiness and modernity of uncluttered, straightforward designs and neutral colour tones. Fusing these two aesthetics results in a classic and distinctive appearance, and understanding how to achieve it is the first step.

After this article, you will be a pro when it comes to the Scandi Mid-century Modern look, and your home will completely transform.

What is Scandi Mid-Century Modern?

The Scandinavian design emphasizes the use of natural materials, light colors, sustainability, and clean lines. At the same time, the midcentury style favors geometric designs, bold colors, a clean style, and lots of man-made materials.

The two styles offer a harmonious balance and work together to maximize your entire space. To create the look, you need to work with dark and light and fuse them together to create a look that is streamlined and sleek.

The two styles both include natural wood finishes, organic forms, similar design touches, and a focus on form and function.

How to Get the Scandi Mid-Century Modern Look

Simple and clean lines

The goal is to create a space that looks clean, clutter-free, and bright. You want your space to look and feel calm, and the use of simple and clean lines can do this for you.

Create a space that uses light colors, has wooden floors, tons of natural light, and uses modern or Scandinavian influences when it comes to the furniture you go for. You could go for chairs or tables with curved or tapered legs.

It is crucial to understand that less is more with this style.

Neutral but bold carpets or rugs

Statement lighting and minimal furniture are not complete without a patterned and bold carpet or rug. It warms the space up. When choosing a color, stick with the neutral palette you decided on, but choose a rug that contrasts the rest of the room.

Bold rugs are a significant part of the Scandi Mid Century style, and you could opt for one with big geometric prints on it or something a bit more textured or with a hint of color.

Textures and colors

It is best to use colors that are similar. Pre-make a neutral palette to get a good idea of the color combinations you would like to use; it will make all of your other design choices look curated and much more curated.

Various textures and colors can unite your entire space. It ties it all together and completes the look. You should also add some fabrics, metals, and wood. For example, you could pair a minimalistic duvet cover with some beautiful olive-green or neutral-toned curtains.

Or match your drawer pulls with a gorgeous brass table lamp to tie things together. Duvets in solid colors can also be very striking. Minimal is always better.

A gorgeous faux fur carpet or blanket can also add some texture, and you can’t go wrong with a colored ornament or light piece.

Remember the 80/20 rule

The 80/20 rule means that you should make 80% of your pieces one design style and the remaining 20% the other style. You can use these pieces to make a statement and to be your focus.

Use the same colors and materials in all rooms in your house. The same style should reflect in your bathroom, door handles, or kitchen hardware.

You can also use artwork, ornaments, or cushions to bring in your other style; you could have a minimalistic sofa with some striking throw pillows. You could either do 80% Scandinavian and 20% Mid-century modern, or vice versa.

It all comes down to personal preference, but either way will be just as unique and stunning.

Include natural elements

The whole look does focus on the use of neutral tones, a decent splash of color is needed, but it must also be intentional. It is best to use colors that work with and fit into a neutral palette.

It could be earthy greens, watery blues, sunny yellows, or any colors that pair well with white, black, and white walls or furnishings. You can also add various plants; this creates more color and warmth.

You can also create warmth through the use of candles, throws, rugs, and blankets. The space should feel cozy and warm, so a lot of natural light is also needed. Avoid going overboard with the natural elements as well. Minimalism and simplicity are key!

A splash of flared wooden legs

Flared wood legs on upholstered furniture on tables are a classic part of Scandinavian design. It can give the room or house a sophisticated and timeless feel to it. It is much better to use real wood.

You can easily tie natural wood finishes into your home by including a lovely coffee table or some armchairs. And then complement the table with a simple ornament, or opt for a solid color armchair with a striking throw on it.

Focus on the Similarities Between Mid-Century Modern and Scandi Styles

Look at the elements that Scandinavian design and Mid-century modern have in common, and use them to create a space that is cohesive. When you go shopping for decor and furniture, look for items that share a common ground and that work together.

It is best to use pieces that are simple, clean, and minimalistic. You could use mirrors to open the space up, and faux fur is a huge part of the Scandinavian style.

Scandinavian elements

• Furniture that is simple, clean, and not very detailed
• Natural elements, like leather, faux fur, rattan, cotton, wool
• Focus on light and use loads of natural light
• Plants for color

Mid-century modern elements

• Geometric patterns could be on a rug, pillows, wallpaper, or a piece of art
• The use of sculptural and iconic furniture pieces
• Use color
• Always remember, less is more. Do not go crazy with ornaments. Use decor that is functional, and uses simple lines
• You can add touches of some man-made materials and avoid heavy drapery

The differences

The main difference between the two styles is their surroundings. Scandinavian-style interior design favors pale tones, pillows, and rugs of various textures and then a few pops of color with a much more rustic feel.

While Mid Century Modern furniture and interiors love bold prints, patterns, and colors, it also favors the use of teak, and lots of open space, glass, and natural light.

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You do not need to have a background in interior design in order to create a beautiful and stylish home. There are tons of online sources you can use, and understanding the basic elements of the design styles you want to make use of are a great start.

In order to get the Scandi Mid-Century Modern look, you will need to do some pre-planning and decide on colors and certain pieces first – this will make adding other elements much easier.

Mixing Scandinavian and Mid-century-modern will give your house a brand new look, feel, and much more personality! Getting the look is relatively simple once you know what you are supposed to be doing and looking for.

Always remember simplicity, light, form, function, and color when creating this look.

Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm and other top-tier camera and lens makers offer refurbished products directly to end users via special pages on their website. You can save some dough, but do you want to own a renewed product? Put us down for YES!

The Debate
Some buyers are resistant to refurbs because they fear they are “buying someone else’s problem.” That’s possible in rare cases, but unlikely by and large. In fact, in many ways, buying a camera that has been refurbished is a better choice than a buying a new one. Here’s why.

1. Cameras are generally reconditioned and recalibrated to “repair service standards” which are typically higher than “manufacturing standards.” The slightly-used product undergoes individual hands-on inspection and service. And the individual technician is often held accountable if it comes back as a redo.

2. Refurbished cameras and lenses are usually updated to the latest components. Virtually all cameras and some lenses undergo “parts revisions” whereby the manufacturer replaces parts here and there for improved performance and/or longevity. New cameras are not updated after purchase unless, of course, you return it to its maker for repair.

3. Manufacturers do not want to sell you a dud. It’s not in their best interest if the refurbished product you receive is DOA. Consequently, they are very conscientious about what they release into the marketplace.

On the positive side, refurbished products are less expensive (sometimes a lot, sometimes just a little). They perform just like their new counterparts. They are covered by warrantees, often 6-months (check carefully before you buy). And there is a certain level of peace of mind that comes only with buying from the manufacturer.

Game for the Swift
The inventory of refurbished products ebbs and flows. Generally, manufactures wait until they amass a large quantity of a particular item before refurbishing the entire batch—it’s more efficient this way.

The message here is that when you see a deal on a legitimately refurbed product, buy it without hesitation. You are competing with hundreds, perhaps thousands, of motivated buyers.

“Refurbished by Seller”
“Legitimately refurbed” you say? Yes. I’m categorically excluding those items that were mysteriously “refurbished by seller” that we always see listed at online auction sites. Not to bash ebay, but precisely how is “refurbished by seller” defined? That could mean anything from a wipe down with Windex to an unwise repair attempted by a YouTube-trained civilian. When I see this term I imagine a zealous online seller wielding a tube of 5-minute epoxy and a spray can of WD-40. And that’s the good image.

The Sources

Canon
One of the most robust websites that offers refurbished cameras, lenses and other items is Canon’s. There you may find a refurbished Canon EOS R50 RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM lens kit (as I did today) for just $559 with free shipping.

Nikon
Nikon’s refurbished outlet includes a wide selection of cameras and lenses. There are ten models in the Mirrorless section, for instance, including this Nikon Z fc for $879.95 seen there today. In the lens section, today we saw a AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G (Refurbished) for $223.95, a savings of nearly 20% off the $276 street price.

Olympus
Olympus frequently offers refurbs via their Certified Reconditioned outlet, but there are none today. Check their website occasionally if you’re looking for a renewed Oly product. To learn about their periodic sales on refurbs and other items, create a free account and opt in for promotional mailings.

Fujifilm
Not everyone knows that Fujifilm sells refurbished cameras and lenses directly to consumers. Just now I spotted a XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR lens—factory refurbished—for $740. That’s $149 lower than street price. I also saw a X100V, silver, for $979.95.

Pentax
Seen today at the Ricoh Imaging website, a Pentax KF black body with 18-55WR kit, Open Box, for $679.95. That’s about $100 off the normal street price. The term “Open Box” suggests that the product is essentially new but the packaging has been disturbed for one reason or another. Although “open Box” sounds better, consider it refurbished, nonetheless. Ricoh is the parent of the Pentax brand. Also found a Ricoh Certified Refurbished GR III for $829.95.

Sigma
You’ll find refurbished cameras, lenses, flash units and accessories at Sigma’s direct-to-consumer Outlet. A lens that caught my eye today was the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM | Art in Nikon F mount for $599, a crisp $200 (25%) lower than street price. I was also drawn toward a refurbished Sigma fp, the world’s smallest and lightest full-frame camera, for $1429, body only. Street price is typically $1899.

OWC
It’s harder to find refurbished computer gear, so we’re including OWC in this roundup. At OWC’s sales site we browsed Apple Macs, Apple tablets, Apple Watches, displays and iPhones that have been refurbished by OWC’s stable of trained technicians.

Stay Informed
The very best way to remain aware of refurbish sales is by subscribing to the manufacturer’s newsletter and/or opting in for promotional announcements. For example, during the weeks before the holidays in 2023, I received an email from Nikon that included the offer of a refurbished Nikon Z fc with 16-50mm zoom lens for less than $700. In addition to representing a savings of nearly 37%, it was sold by and backed by Nikon. I’m still not sure how I found the power to resist, but I won’t next time. If there is a next time.

Other Great Places to Buy Used
Certain unaffiliated websites frequently offer used products that were refurbished by the manufacturer or by their trained technicians (like OWC above). These deals a catch-as-catch-can and require a bit of diligence to find. The other solid option is to buy a used product from a reputable used seller. These are products that never required refurbishing, a clear plus. One name repeatedly mentioned here at Shutterbug is MPB.

I have personally made purchases from MPB three times. My most recent was an Olympus OM-D E-M1 and HLD-7 Power Battery Grip for a price you would not believe. It arrived in Like New condition (as it had been described) and continues to work flawlessly. My order was shipped fast in a sturdy reusable carton. Overall, I couldn’t be happier. It gave new life to my meager collection of Micro 4/3 lenses and scratched the itch I’d had for that camera ever since it was introduced.

Conclusion
You can save money buying photo products that are refurbished. If you buy from the manufacturer there’s nearly zero risk. Avoid “seller refurbished” products offered on auction website because that opaque label could mean anything. Finding the right deal takes patience and some effort, but sometimes the hunt is half the fun.

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This hands-on review covers everything you need to know about the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM, an ultra-wide prime lens for Sony’s full-frame mirrorless E Mount. I tested this lens on both the Sony a7R V and the Nikon Z8 (using Megadap’s adapter) with a focus on Milky Way photography.