Friluftsliv: The Nordic Philosophy of Outdoor Life
There is a saying among Scandinavians that goes something like this: "There is no poor weather, only poor clothing." I've had people from every Nordic country describe this to me when visiting our store. The idea of spending time in nature, no matter the weather is something very cultural. Even in frigid temperatures and dark skies in the winter, you'll see people enjoying the outdoors.
Central to this mindset is Friluftsliv, meaning "open air life." This word describes a relationship with the outdoors that Scandinavians have practiced for generations. It promotes embracing nature for both physical and mental well being.
Although the practice has existed for much longer, the word Friluftsliv originated in Norway, coined by playwright Henrik Ibsen in an 1859 poem about a young man who chooses a free life in the mountains over the drudgery of his father's farm. The phrase evolved, and today is used across Scandinavia to describe anything from a lunchtime walk in the woods, choosing to bike to a destination, to taking a cold plunge in a nordic sea after work.
Adapted for the Desert
During the winter months here in the desert Southwest, it's easy to spend time outdoors. The temperatures are mild with sunny skies for months. Friluftsliv comes naturally here during this time and people travel from all over to enjoy the weather outdoors. However, I'm writing this the beginning of July as the sun is hot overhead, rain is absent, and temperatures are rising to triple digits. The instinct to spend time outdoors in THIS weather isn't as easy. It does not invite a leisurely lunchtime forest walk. Is there a way to enjoy Friluftsliv even in the summer months of the desert Southwest. Can we adapt the philosophy and make it work for hot climates too?
Yes! Friluftsliv doesn't mean spending all day outdoors, it's prioritizing getting outside when you can. Desert dwellers know that early mornings and evenings are our outdoors window in the summer. This is when you'll see pickleball courts full, hikers lacing up boots, or bikers heading down a trail. Common desert knowledge is wearing appropriate clothing (loose light coverage), covering your head, protecting your skin, and taking plenty of water when spending time outdoors. This is our own version of "no poor weather, only poor clothing" for the hot summer months.
Friluftsliv as a Design Philosophy
Perhaps Friluftsliv could also be a design philosophy? What if our goal was to designing a life so that seeking moments outdoors feels integrated? It doesn't require a grand gesture or large investment. It means finding outdoor activities that appeal to you and then setting up outdoor space to use do them.
A few ways this can show up in a home:
- A bench or chair positioned to catch the morning sun, so sitting outside for coffee takes no extra thought
- Portable lighting that can move outside in the evening and back in when the heat returns
- A designated spot by the door for shoes, leashes, and the outdoor gear that otherwise ends up scattered through the house
- A small garden bed or container arrangement sized to what is easiest to tend
- Furniture that moves easily between inside and out, rather than pieces built to stay in one place
The best design helps find solutions to make the way you want to live easier.
Bringing the Outside In
Friluftsliv as a design philosophy might also ask us to find ways to bring the outdoors inside a little, so that even the hours spent indoors still carry some connections to the world outside.
A few starting points:
- Opening the windows first thing in the morning, before the heat sets in, to let fresh air move through the house
- Leaving natural light unfiltered by heavy drapery wherever privacy allows
- Choosing materials that echo the landscape rather than shutting it out: stone, linen, clay, unfinished wood
- Keeping a few easy-care plants somewhere visible, not just for air quality but for the simple lift of seeing something green
- Letting at least one room hold a view of the outdoors as its focal point, rather than orienting furniture entirely inward
A home that treats the desert as something to celebrate, feels right in line with Friluftsliv.
Why It's Worth the Effort
In many modern cultures, it's easy to go from day to day without spending any real meaningful time outdoors. We can go from our homes, to our cars, to our jobs, and back again. Day after day. The benefits of finding ways to enjoy Friluftsliv can include reduction in stress and cortisol levels, improved cognitive function, deeper social connections, and foundational physical health advantages. It seems worth the effort to try and incorporate it into our lives.
Friluftsliv is more than just a Scandinavian concept, it's an invitation to reshape how we live. Whether you're in the Nordic forests or the desert Southwest, the philosophy remains the same: prioritize time outdoors, dress appropriately for the conditions, and design your life to make those moments feel natural and accessible. It doesn't require grand adventures or perfect weather. It asks only that we step outside when we can, breathe fresh air, and let nature remind us what it means to be alive. In doing so, we discover that the greatest luxury isn't what we own, but the time we spend in the open air.
If you're thinking through how your own outdoor space could work harder for the way you actually want to live, our interior design services and A&D trade program are here to help.
