We're taking design notes from this rural hytte retreat in the Norwegian mountains

If you have a Norwegian in your life, or are familiar with Scandinavian summerhouse culture, you’ve probably heard of the ‘hytte’ (or maybe you’re lucky enough to own one). These humble, often primitive countryside cabins (‘hytter’) play an integral part in many Norwegians’ existence, offering relaxing, rural escapes from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind – frequently without running water or indoor toilets.

Hytter often dot mountainsides or waterfronts, and it was the breathtaking Norwegian nature, along with this long-standing, cherished tradition, that inspired renowned Swedish kitchen maker Nordiska Kök’s latest design, the ‘Hytte Kitchen’.

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“The ‘Hytte Kitchen’ embodies the timeless philosophy of the Norwegian cabin: simplicity, connection to nature, and calm,” says Johan Lundkvist, creative director and co-founder of Nordiska Kök. “Minimal yet warm, it is designed to blend seamlessly with its surroundings rather than compete with them.”

The company’s latest creation comes to life in a striking, structural wooden hytte cradled by majestic spruce trees in the rugged, mountainous surroundings of Sjusjøen, western Norway. “We were approached by a wonderful Norwegian couple with an architectural cabin in Sjusjøen, who envisioned a kitchen that would harmonise with the cabin’s architecture,” explains Lundkvist. “Our Scandinavian design philosophy, paired with the serene beauty of Sjusjøen’s nature, created a natural dialogue.”

Created by Oslo-based architecture studio Vardehaugen, the cabin features a slightly more modern design than a traditional hytte, while preserving its peaceful, rustic charm through understated, wood-clad interiors. Sprawling windows reveal panoramic views of the neighbouring forests and mountains. Elsewhere, the cabin’s open-plan, sculptural architecture allows natural light to pour into every corner of the space. Pared-back, earthy-hued furnishings – complete with Nordic design classics, like Hans J. Wegner’s ‘Wishbone Chairs’ gathered around the dining table, crowned by Poul Henningsen’s ‘PH 3/3’ pendants – let the wood take centre stage and the serene scenery flow in.

The sleek and streamlined ‘Hytte Kitchen’ emerges as the soul of the cabin, which, as noted by Lundkvist, “feels both part of the landscape and an intimate, calm haven within the home.” Working together with Vardehaugen, the companies envisioned a nook that not only reflects the building’s design identity, but also fits “the functional needs of contemporary life.”

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“Vardehaugen Architecture brought a clear and deliberate vision of structure and balance,” Lundkvist continues. “Aligning our design with their architectural concept, we shared a sensitivity to materiality and proportion that guided every detail.” Light oak crafted into clean lines meets elegant, grey limestone countertops, with the bespoke kitchen anchored by an expansive island. Generous storage and essential appliances are concealed behind minimalist cabinetry, all handcrafted in Nordiska Kök's carpentry workshop in Gräfsnäs, Sweden. “Conceived as two built-in niches, unified by a consistent wood tone, the countertop provides a subtle counterpoint – a quiet interplay between form, function, and nature,” adds Lundkvist.

Luckily, we don’t have to admire the ‘Hytte Kitchen’ from afar, for the design is now available for anyone to integrate into their home, whether you reside in a city apartment, a countryside retreat, or are simply looking for a new heart for your hytte. Like the rest of Nordiska Kök’s designs, the ‘Hytte Kitchen’ can be customised to your needs, and is available in all of the brand’s wood finishes, from deep, rich brown to the palest ash grey.