Interiors

How to incorporate colour in your home, the Danish way

By Eleanor Kittle

Photo: Hammel Furniture

Hammel Furniture, one of Denmark’s interior design greats, declares the era of monochrome over. As the label unveils its newest collection, it declares that now is the time, not only for colour, but colour done the Danish way. Below, find the brand's top tips on colouring your living space, Scandinavian style

Mercy be, the reign of strict minimalism has finally loosened its grip. No longer are bare white walls, stark cream SMEG appliances, or predictable monochrome furnishings synonymous with Scandinavia. Instead, we’ve entered an age not of excess, but of individuality. In 2025, colour is welcomed back into the home with open arms – and at the forefront of this shift is Danish label Hammel Furniture.

Since 1961, Hammel Furniture has been a proud pioneer of Denmark’s high-calibre design DNA. "Danish craftsmanship is rooted in a strong design heritage where aesthetics and functionality go hand in hand," says Louise Frogner Krusell, Hammel Furniture's head of marketing. "At Hammel Furniture, all furniture is produced in Denmark, which ensures both high quality and attention to detail." Such focus on local production allows the label to carefully control every step. From sourcing and building to colour and finishing, the brand ensures that all pieces reflect Scandinavian values of longevity, simplicity, and beauty.

Photo: Hammel Furniture

Photo: Hammel Furniture

While this beauty is expressed through the fluid and sculptural shapes of Hammel Furniture's pieces, it is further enhanced by their dedication to colour. According to Krusell, colour is a critical element within the home, not merely an aesthetic factor, but something functional. "It helps define spaces, create contrast and support the purpose of each room," she explains. "A darker shade can ground a living area, while lighter tones make a space feel larger and brighter." To this extent, colour is the ideal tool with which individuals can personalise and adapt their homes, making it uniquely their own.

"Colour has the power to influence mood and atmosphere," explains Krusell. "In Scandinavian interiors, we often work with calm tones that bring balance and harmony to everyday life. A subtle play of colours can make a room feel warm and inviting without overwhelming the senses."

Colours should support how you want to feel in the room - whether calm, energised, or cosy

Louise Frogner Krusell, Head of Marketing at Hammel Furniture

This is evident in the newest tones introduced in Hammel Furniture's most recent collection. Here, the brand unveils four carefully selected shades – olive green, mint, light rose, and dusty rose. Curated by Danish designer Charlotte Høncke, these hues are designed to blend with the existing palette across the label's MISTRAL series – a refined module of gently rounded pieces.

However, for those unaccustomed to it, the addition of colour can seem daunting. According to Krusell, easing into a more tonal home begins with considering the room’s light and surroundings. "Natural daylight, wall colour, and flooring all influence how furniture tones appear," she explains. "Colours should support how you want to feel in the room -–whether calm, energised, or cosy. A Scandinavian approach favours timeless hues that blend well across rooms and with natural materials like wood."

Photo: Hammel Furniture

Photo: Hammel Furniture

This is where Hammel Furniture comes to the rescue, as they provide the ideal building blocks to incorporate colour into the home, the Danish way. "Start with a neutral base and add colour gradually – for example, with one furniture piece in a muted tone," advises Krusell. "Begin softly. Even the smallest touch of colour – a drawer front, a shelf, an open bookcase – can transform a space. The key is to see colour as a complement to natural elements like wood, textiles and light, not as something separate." For those wishing to push the boat out all the more, she advises mixing a few carefully chosen hues across to the home to make the interior feel "cohesive and effortless."

It is this complementary effect that Hammel Furniture excels at. When colour is applied to its pieces, it is done in a way that enhances the natural details rather than obscuring them. "Smooth finished, clean edges, and joinery remain a central part of the design," explains Krusell. "But Danish production ensures consistency, so that both craftsmanship and colour can coexist beautifully."