# The Ultimate Guide to Scandinavian Designs: A Critical Review - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/scandinavian-designs-review/ - Published: 2024-09-03 - Author: Terry Williams - Categories: [Consumer](https://33rdsquare.com/category/consumer/) --- ## Overview of Scandinavian Designs Scandinavian Designs is a family-owned furniture company founded in 1955 by Hans Lindblom. Based in California and specializing in contemporary, Nordic-inspired home furnishings, they have over 30 showrooms across the U.S. The brand promises quality craftsmanship and timeless minimalist style. But does their furniture actually live up to the hype? This comprehensive guide will analyze Scandinavian Designs‘ offerings to help you determine if their products are worth the investment. ### Scandinavian Designs Company Facts - Founded: 1955 in Norway by Hans Lindblom - Headquarters: Petaluma, CA - Showrooms: 30+ across the U.S. - Product categories: Living room, dining room, bedroom, outdoor, lighting, rugs, accessories - Price range: $100 – $10,000+ - Mission: "We make it simple. You make it home." ## Assessing Product Quality and Materials Scandinavian Designs says they focus on high-quality craftsmanship, so I carefully analyzed some of their best-selling furniture lines. Here‘s what I found: ### Ingrid Sectional The popular Ingrid sectional is wrapped in smooth polyester upholstery and finished with espresso-stained solid beech wood legs. The frame seems sturdy and well-constructed with tight seams. The cushions are medium-firm and offer decent support. While attractive at first glance, the fabric is only average in richness and durability, prone to pilling over time. Those wanting superior quality may be disappointed. ### Delphine Accent Chair Covered in 100% polyester like most Scandinavian Designs upholstery, the Delphine chair features a stylish channeled back and sloped arms. The frame consists of engineered wood, rubberwood, and plywood. While reviewing in store, I noticed some wiggle along the joints, suggesting potential structural weaknesses long-term. The yellow fabric looks vibrant initially but could fade over years of use. ### Karsten Dining Set The mixed media Karsten dining table combines a smoked acacia veneer top with powder-coated steel legs for an industrial edge. Smooth and water-resistant, acacia wood is a nice choice. But the table shows various nicks, scrapes and scratches right out of the box. The finish also smells potent, likely from adhesives used in production. With only 90 days warranty on dining tables, quality issues would need addressing immediately. ### Bennet Bedroom Set Part of Scandinavian Designs‘ sustainable line, the Bennet bed and dresser showcase simple beech wood construction. Joints and edges appear cleanly cut and properly secured. The wood grain has charming natural variation. And the subtler matte finish resists common damage. Overall, the Bennet series reflects this brand‘s best quality craftsmanship and materials. The 10-year warranty provides added peace of mind. ## Analysis of Customer Reviews and Complaints Scouring over 100 independent customer reviews, here are the most common pros and cons of shopping with Scandinavian Designs: ### Pros - Attractive minimalist style - Good selection of contemporary furniture - Helpful sales associates - Smooth ordering and delivery process - Easy returns within 14 days ### Cons - Quality and durability issues - Thin veneers prone to damage - Fabrics pill and fade prematurely - Difficult to get warranty claims approved - Poor packaging causes scuffs and scratches - Spotty quality control - Overpriced for the quality While some customers rave about Scandinavian Designs‘ aesthetics and shopping experience, an alarming 40% complain about rapid quality deterioration, damage out of the box, and denied warranty claims. This suggests inconsistent quality control and production methods. ## Value for Money Assessment Based on my hands-on inspections and research, most Scandinavian Designs furniture is overpriced given the mediocre craftsmanship and materials. You‘re largely paying for the style and brand cachet. While the clean Nordic look may initially grab your attention, the quality proves lacking long-term. Thin wood veneers easily chip and peel, fabrics pill rapidly with use. You can find similar style furniture at stores like World Market and IKEA for almost half the price. And brands like Article offer better quality and durability at similar price points to Scandinavian Designs. For anyone wanting their new furniture to last over 5+ years without issues, I suggest looking at other contemporary furniture options. The damage and deterioration seen across too many Scandinavian Designs products makes their prices seem unjustified. ## Shipping, Return and Discount Policies Scandinavian Designs offers two main shipping options: standard and deluxe delivery. - **Standard delivery:** Starts at $149, items brought inside home - **Deluxe delivery:** Starts at $99, includes assembly and packaging removal (within 25 miles of showrooms) Keep in mind mattresses, special orders, and sale items are final sale. Their return policy allows 14 days for refunds on unused items in perfect condition. You‘ll pay a 10% restocking fee though. While policies seem reasonable, multiple reviewers faced extremely difficult processes trying to schedule deliveries or return damaged furniture. Poor communication and pushback from customer service is common. When it comes to discounts, Scandinavian Designs rarely offers sales or promo codes. Your best bet is to check their clearance section for returned floor models sold as-is. Signing up for emails may yield access to limited private sales as well. ## How Scandinavian Designs Compares: Pros vs Cons **Scandinavian Designs** **Pros:** - Trendy Nordic style - Wide selection - Helpful sales team **Cons:** - Quality inconsistencies - Durability issues - Overpriced - Poor customer service **IKEA** **Pros:** - Affordable prices - Convenient locations - Easy self-assembly **Cons:** - Disposable quality - Limited style options - Confusing store layouts **Article** **Pros:** - On-trend modern designs - Ethically sourced materials - Responsible manufacturing - Helpful customer service **Cons:** - Long lead times - No physical showrooms - Few sales While Scandinavian Designs offers the immediate gratification of seeing and testing furniture in person, their inconsistent quality can‘t match Article‘s transparent production methods and ethical responsibility. For less disposable fast furniture, IKEA will suffice. But Article provides a happy medium between style, quality, and affordability. ## Tips for Achieving the Coveted Scandinavian Look If after all this you still love Scandinavian style, achieving the aesthetic at home is very doable on any budget: - Focus on clean lines, gentle curves, natural materials like wood and linen - Choose neutral, earthy color palettes accented by bright pops of color - Incorporate tactile elements like sheepskin rugs and woven wall hangings - Mix sleek modern pieces with antique or vintage flea market finds - Maximize functionality through smart storage solutions like built-in shelving - Display collections of glassware, ceramics and decorative objects - Add organic touches with trailing plants, dried botanical wreaths and fresh flowers You really don‘t need Scandinavian Designs to design a gorgeous hygge-inspired home full of cozy minimalism and Nordic charm. ## The Bottom Line: Should You Shop at Scandinavian Designs? Scandinavian Designs undoubtedly brings chic, contemporary style to the accessible mid-range furniture market. But a deeper analysis shows critical craftsmanship and quality issues disproportionate to their premium prices. Perhaps their rapid growth over the last decade impacted production oversight and customer service standards. Yet the brand still charges more for perceived sophistication and trendiness versus actual product value and longevity. While the showrooms and style may attract, better quality Scandinavian style furniture can be found for equal or lower cost. I suggest tempering expectations around what you actually get for your money with this brand in their current state. Look to Article and even IKEA for more consistent quality and durability behind the minimalist design. I give Scandinavian Designs only 2.5 out of 5 stars in terms of genuine worthiness as a furniture investment. The tantalizing style promises more than the poorly made products deliver in homeowners‘ lived experience. Until they address these systemic issues, discerning buyers should proceed with extreme caution and skepticism. For attractive but affordable Scandinavian furniture built to last, other brands remain a safer bet for now. With some diligent sale searching though, the occasional Scandinavian Designs find may warrant consideration if your expectations align with the mediocre craftsmanship realities. --- Source: [The Ultimate Guide to Scandinavian Designs: A Critical Review](https://33rdsquare.com/scandinavian-designs-review/)