How to Style Your Bed Like a Danish Home

A practical guide to styling your bed the Danish way! Keep reading to learn how to use color and texture to create a relaxed, welcoming look. 

Danish Design Values 

To style your bed the Danish way, it’s important to understand Danish design values. Danish Design Award, which highlights the best new designs, describes these values as “design that begins with a problem worth solving.” According to Danes, design should always solve problems rather than creating new ones, something that might seem obvious but, in these days of social media gimmicks, is often forgotten by many. 

Under this broad brief of problem-solving, Danish designers have many values they can call upon to get them there: 

Functionality 

Danish design is user-first design; effectiveness is prioritized over aesthetics. Depending on the item, this can take many forms: from the height and comfort of a chair to the legibility of street signs and the thermoregulating properties of soft linen bedding. 

Simplicity 

“Clean-lined” is a phrase often used to describe Danish design. The best way to understand this is to imagine the object in silhouette; you should still be able to easily identify a chair, a table, or a bed from its two-dimensional form. But that doesn’t mean it’s not fun; instead, fun is expressed through color and pattern (or in wacky accessories, such as candlesticks) rather than physical embellishments.

Materials 

Beautiful, durable, high-quality materials are the foundation upon which Danish design is built. Danish designers will go to great lengths to source the finest wood, glass, leather, and linen from reputable manufacturers. What’s more, these materials will likely have been certified by a third-party agency such as OEKO-TEX or Masters of FLAX FIBRE. “High quality” does not necessarily mean expensive; jute, for instance, is a high-quality yet inexpensive material. You are unlikely to find hybrid materials such as laminate, veneer, or polyester blends in Danish design. 

Craftsmanship 

Danish design is as much about the people as it is about the object itself. The supply chain is closely monitored to ensure that items are made ethically by people who are fairly valued for their work. Makers are not always Danish but they are often European. 

Sustainability 

Danes, and Scandinavians in general, value the natural world and want to preserve it. All Danish design values have sustainability at their core. By focusing on functionality, simplicity, quality materials, and craftsmanship, designers ensure that nothing is wasted and that designs have little impact on the environment. 

The Elements of a Danish-Style Bed 

The Frame 

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to find a high-quality bed frame that aligns with Danish design principles. In fact, avoiding extravagance is key. Unlike the high headboards popular in some countries, Danish beds tend to have a headboard just high enough for reading, or even no headboard at all. Some newer designs even have a built-in bookshelf! Materials-wise, Danish beds are almost always made from a natural wood such as oak or pine, with a matte varnish or no varnish at all. 

Built-in storage is a vital part of Danish homes, which are much smaller than the average American home. The ideal Danish bed frame, therefore, has clean-lined under-bed storage. If you’d rather keep your existing frame and use boxes, then buy roll-out boxes made from natural materials and try to tuck them out of sight. Resist the temptation to go cheap with under-bed storage, like plastic bins or drawers made from other cheap, unsustainable materials. Great options for Danish-style bed frames include those made by Article (US) or Futon Company (UK). 

The Mattress, Pillows, and Duvet(s) 

Though it might not be a part of styling, what goes under your bedding—your mattress—has an enormous impact on your sleep, and therefore your health and wellbeing. To find out more, check out our blog post on how your bed can affect your sleep. 

The Bedding 

Now onto the fun part: the bedding! Here’s where you can get creative with color and texture to express your personality and turn your bedroom into a space that feels truly yours. 

European linen is one of the most popular bedding materials in Denmark, as it aligns with every principle of Danish design. It’s a durable and breathable textile made from flax grown in the fields of northern Europe, without artificial pesticides or irrigation. What’s more, the fields act like a carbon sink, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 

The texture of European linen bedding is the feature; even plain white or ecru linen will complete a room. But if you want to make more of a statement, there are many colors and prints available. Lean into 2026 trends with solid-color earth tones or go all-out with one of our printed sets. From Danish birds to forests, our printed duvet covers represent the best in Scandinavian nature. 

Unlike in many other countries, Danes will often mix Scandinavian bedding styles rather than purchasing a set, as they feel it’s too “matchy.” The Modern Dane’s soft linen bedding can be purchased as separate top sheets, fitted sheets, and pillowcases, so you can mix and match as you please. Between solid-color and printed sets, our pillowcases alone come in 20 varieties! 

Everything Else 

Unlike many other cultures, Danes tend to express themselves entirely through their bedding, rather than layering on throws and extra pillows. However, if you do tend to fluctuate between temperature extremes, you can add a light throw made from a natural, breathable material. 

Placing a rug beneath the bed helps to tie the whole look together. High-quality artisanal wool rugs, however, can run to thousands of dollars. Cheaper (but still natural) alternatives include cowhide and jute, or you can place smaller rugs on either side of the bed instead of buying one large one. 

How do you decorate your bed? Which of the Danish design values resonated most with you? Let us know on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook or Twitter!