SCANDINAVIA'S influence on our homes looks as though it is here to stay.

The blend of clean lines, simple shapes and beautiful yet functional furniture adds up to a sophisticated, elegant look that has proven irresistible here in the UK.

Just as the Scandi buzzword of the moment has moved on from the Danish 'hygge' to the Swedish 'lagom' - meaning 'just the right amount' - the mood in interiors has evolved too, making way for a more balanced, pared-back style, where comfort and quality reign.

That 'less is more' vision is perfectly understood by Niki Brantmark, a Londoner who moved to Sweden more than a decade ago. The move inspired her blog, My Scandinavian Home - and now her new book, The Scandinavian Home, opens the door on distinctive spaces, including dreamy log cabins.

"Scandinavian homes are renowned for their clean lines and muted colours and there's a wonderful ease in the way they create them and apply their innate sense of style," said Niki.

"In general, they believe it's better to take time layering their homes with items that tell a story and have a sense of purpose. It all helps to make their settings unique and filled with personality and beauty."

The huge popularity of this look means it can be created quickly and affordably - at Ikea, for example - or you can follow a more measured approach, and take your time collecting one-off finds and heirloom pieces. Here are Niki's tips for creating a Scandi feel at home.

- Keep the look clean and fuss-free, focusing on straight lines and simple shapes. "In many homes, whether urban or rural, you will find only a few beautifully crafted, high-quality design pieces, alongside antiques and flea-market finds, all made from natural, sustainable sources."

- Stick to light, muted colours, such as white, light grey and blue, for a calm look. "The preference is for light wood floors and white walls and ceilings which reflect the light."

- Leave windows as unobscured as possible to allow natural light to fill the room. "Scandinavians are inspired by light, having an abundance of it in summer, but so little of it in winter, so house design tends to maximise the natural light flow with large windows."

- Create interest using different textures, such as marble, wood and stone. "Nature and weather are major influences, as homes have to be made warm and cosy, not simply with log burning stoves, but also through incorporating earthy colour tones and natural materials from wood to leather, to soften the clean lines of the architecture."

- Add layers of soft materials such as cotton, linen and sheepskin, for a warm and inviting space. Forgo wall-to-wall carpets for wood flooring and a selection of small rugs. As a final finishing touch, bring nature indoors with plants, flowers and pine cones.

When it comes to choosing wall colours, Kasia Wiktorowicz, of paint specialists Valspar (www.valsparpaint.co.uk) has this advice: "Nordic principles are largely to do with quiet, understated aesthetics and surroundings. Muted mid-tones, like shades of grey, caramel or soft blue, are restful yet interesting, and help create a clean and balanced design. Chalky whites also blend quietly with these colours, so you are left with a calming interior that will rejuvenate your mind after a busy day."

TIP: consider Grey Callisto or Welcoming White, from the Valspar Premium Blend v700 Walls & Ceilings range, £28 for 2.5L, available in store at B&Q.

- For floors, Jemma Dayman, assistant buyer at Carpetright, recommends soft neutral shades of wood or tile: "It's all about introducing different tones of colour, and sheepskins or wool rugs are perfect for this look, which could be in pale hues or, for more practicality but still appropriate, earthy shades."

TIP: Aspect 2 Strip limed oak wood flooring, £54.99 per square metre, Carpetright (www.carpetright.co.uk). Replicate those Norwegian pale blonde floors with wood-effect Nordic maple tiles, currently reduced to £26.95 from £49.45 per square metre, Walls & Floors (www.wallsandfloors.co.uk).

- Statement lights are a feature in a pared-back setting, and a selection of pendant lights hung over a table, unified by colour, attracts the eye upwards and defines a dining area. Lighting specialist Original BTC has a black Drop One pendant light, £149 (www.originalbtc.com); Rume's Gubi G-10 pendant light, £319, is a classic onion shape (www.rume.co.uk), and Dar Lighting has a handsome Toronto pendant in matt black and copper, £118.80 (www.darlighting.co.uk).

- Cloudberry Living (www.cloudberryliving.co.uk) is one of a host of online furniture companies specialising in Scandinavian style, with furniture and sheepskin rugs. Holloways Of Ludlow also has a collection of pieces from Design House Stockholm, such as the Tablo tray table, £230 (www.hollowaysofludlow.com). Alternatively, be inspired by Ikea's new Stockholm collection which is full of covetable pieces, including a Sandbacka dark blue two-seat sofa, £895 (www.ikea.com).

sheepskin pouffe £350, and a luxurious Tibetan sheepskin cushion, £95. Holloways Of Ludlow's sleek copper-handled Lotus lantern, from £96, would be a great fit.

- The Scandinavian Home by Niki Brantmark, is available to readers for the special price of £14.99 (inc P&P). Call 01256-302699 and quote ref KF8.