Spring refresh: 5 of the best interior design shops to visit in Oslo

Alongside its striking scenery and cutting-edge architecture, Oslo boasts excellent shopping opportunities, especially when it comes to interiors and homeware. Sprinkled across the city, you will find interior design stores that offer a range of styles from laidback Scandinavian minimalism to something more ornate and colourful. Whether you’re looking for secondhand, new, or design classics, the following shops will have you covered, all with an added little extra to elevate the shopping experience. Sip a specialty coffee while marvelling at Nordic craftsmanship, or even pop by for a nibble at the store’s bistro if you’re feeling particularly peckish…

Ahead, five of Oslo’s unique destinations for uncovering design treasures from the Nordics and beyond.

Located in the leafy neighbourhood of Bislett, northern Oslo, Eske has established itself as the destination for a highly curated selection of unusual decor pieces ranging from furniture and glassware, to lighting. Behind the store sits design duo Karina Holmen and Simon Bartley, who is responsible for designing the interiors of a number of the country’s restaurants and bars, including Oslo’s Himkok and Crow Bar.

Eske boasts both Scandinavian and international brands, with an appealing mix of contemporary and eccentric pieces. Browse everything from London-based House of Hackney’s maximalist, vibrant wallpapers to Massimo Copenhagen’s muted monochromatic rugs. Taking its shopping experience to the next level, Eske boasts an adjoining bistro Kolonialen, run by chef Pontus Dahlström, the founder of local three-star Michelin restaurant Maaemo. Take a break from shopping and savour the freshest ingredients and innovative flavours with their seasonal menu.

Pilestredet Park 31, 0176 Oslo, Norway

Focusing solely on the finest Norwegian design products, Pur Norsk sells various hand-picked homeware items, everything from furniture and lighting to accessories. It’s also the perfect place for exploring the work of renowned local icons, such as designers Andreas Engesvik and Hans Brattrud, or discovering new favourites. Find Pur Norsk in the lush borough of Frogner, in west Oslo, just a stone’s throw away from the tranquil Frogner Park. If you can’t make it there in person, the extensive selection available on their online store is definitely worth checking out.

Industrigata 36, 0357 Oslo, Norway

Bolia is all about Scandinavian design and puts sustainability front and centre in each of its three shops dotted across Oslo. Find a wide range of their own brand furniture and home accessories, crafted by some of the Nordics’ most talented designers. Taking cues from Scandinavian nature, all of Bolia’s designs feature an earthy colour palette, with focus on natural materials and detailing. The brand is also dedicated to using eco-conscious materials, including FSC-certified wood from legal and responsible forestry and Ecolabel-certified fabrics which have a smaller environmental footprint.

Upon visiting a Bolia store, relish a cup of freshly brewed coffee, courtesy of the brand’s collaboration with La Cabra coffee, a Danish speciality coffee label known for its delicious, exotic flavours.

Henrik Ibsens Gate 18, 0255 Oslo, Norway

This multilevel shop space and concept gallery in Oslo’s Majorstuen is a must-visit for those looking to add a unique piece (or two) to their home. With sustainability as its starting point, Sorgenfri curates Scandinavian art, design and culture, solely boasting pieces that are collectable, tailor-made or sourced via small-scale production in Norway. The shop’s current homeware selection – including furniture, glassware and ceramics – includes works from designers such as Maria Norrman, Vilde Hagelund and Helle Høeg, while new and vintage items are added regularly to the collection.

In addition to browsing, you can also shop second-hand clothes and even participate in a bit of wine tasting as the space also houses a café and a wine bar, with a decent selection of specialty coffees, sweet pastries and natural wines. Come summer, the bar’s terrace will be buzzing with art and design lovers.

Sorgenfrigata 16, 0365 Oslo, Norway

In the heart of Oslo is Norway Designs, a lifestyle shop founded over 60 years ago by renowned Norwegian interior designer Per Tannum. With a focus on environmentally conscious brands, the store carries everything from homeware to clothing, as well as beauty products – all highlighting Nordic craftsmanship. Although the majority of the shop’s current offering includes local labels and designers, such as Røros Tweed and Odd Standard, you can also find other classic Nordic brands like Marimekko, Iittala and Georg Jensen, too. Get your hands on a coveted, hand-blown Marimekko flower vase or spruce up your quarters with an ultra-soft statement blanket courtesy of Danish design company Silkeborg Uldspinderi.

Lille Grensen 7, 0159 Oslo, Norway