Scandinavian Interior design is a design movement characterised by simplicity, minimalism and functionality which gained its popularity in the 1950s in the five nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Thanks to Swedish brand Ikea’s global hold on Scandinavian design, the Scandinavian-style homes you can find anywhere are mostly influenced by Swedish aesthetic. Here are the key elements to adopt the Nordic concept in your home.
1. White Walls
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Bright white is the wall colour of choice in Scandinavian style. This living room exudes a calm, Scandinavian vibe with the help of a lot of white paint and clean-lined furniture. It embraces the simplicity of Scandinavian design in white wall and pale wood. The walls don’t have to be entirely white, you can alternatively use soft grey or off-white.
2. Pale Wood Furniture
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Wood is key design staple in Nordic interior. Nordic countries are cold and dark most of the time. Functional, streamlined wooden furniture is the important ingredient to keep Scandinavian style warm and inviting. Pale wood is often used in the furniture because it adds warmth and also looks fantastic with bright white.
3. Sunlight
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Because the daylight in Nordic countries is cool and soft, Scandinavians seize as much sunlight as they can. Their windows are not obstructed by complicated window treatment to let as much natural light flood in as possible. White wall goes well with sunlight as it reflects light very well. Scandinavian interior design emphasises simple-yet-cosy style with spaces that are bright, open and airy to counter the long, dark winters.
4. Accent Colour
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Scandinavian style is characterised by clean lines, lots of light and pale colour palette. The backdrop might be white, but colour plays an important role in Scandinavian Interior design and it usually appears in accessories. While Scandinavian design is known for the white, clean and minimalist look, it doesn’t necessarily mean it should look monochromatic and stern. Choose colourful rugs, art and furniture for a playful and fun take on Scandinavian style. When it comes to adding colour to your Scandinavian style, stick to pale and washed-out version of the colour.
5. Minimalism
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Minimalist interior design is all about the Less is more and better. Scandinavians adopt “Less is More” approach. Scandinavian interiors are simple, uncluttered and pared-back with light timbers and a minimal colour palette. This minimalist bedroom is accented with clean-lined wood furniture and pale-coloured bedding which complement the white wall and ceiling well.
6. Timber Floor
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Comfort lies at the heart of very Scandinavian home. Timber floor is certainly a dominant feature that adds warmth to the space. Due to the cold and dreary weather in their hemisphere, Scandinavians visually warm up the interiors with natural materials like wood floors and indoor plants.