simply Scandinavian interiors – how to get the decor style right

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Scandinavian interiors possess a luminous radiance and breathe in fresh air to any space. The elegant purity accompanying the charming warmth is certainly alluring and irresistible.

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After designing a couple of offices for a Swedish bank in India, I got the sense of words like simple, minimal, and white. These ordinary words, deeply ingrained in their philosophy, evolve into some extraordinary designs.

As Nordic countries including Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland experiences harsh winters for most of the year, this influences their design style to a great extent.

Despite the cultural and climatic differences, the style is a rage in the design world today. You can see so many Scandinavian influences in the current interior design trends.

Well if you are someone who admires the elegance of a white linen shirt or a monochromatic illustration set on a white background or a tripod floor lamp with a white shade, you are in the right place. Read on to know about Scandinavian Interior design style.

However, if you love bold colors on your walls or a rich mix of patterns in your textiles, or the elaborate chandelier over your dining table then this is not your style. Nevertheless, keep reading, maybe you change your mind after reading this post!

Scandinavian interiors and mid-century modern interiors

Rooted in the early 20th century, the style is a close cousin of Mid-century modern interior design style. For instance, both the styles represent the modern movement and are embodiments of rejecting the traditional style of decoration. The Scandinavian style influenced the mid-century modern style to a great extend.

Since the furniture retail giant- IKEA is now present in India, therefore, I feel inspired and excited to discuss Scandinavian Style. IKEA is a synonym for Scandinavian design and delivers these clean aesthetics to the common households.

Perhaps the hectic lifestyle and superfluity around us drive us towards the relaxing, serene, and austere quality of this style.

The inherent characteristics of Scandinavian interiors are:

• Uncomplicated and pristine aesthetics

• Minimalistic approach

• light and fresh feel

• Easy to implement

• Affordable

• Easy to maintain

Hygge

At the backdrop of all these spaces is the Danish philosophy – Hygge at work, which means cozy and comfortable. Although these spaces are pared down and monochromatic, they are loaded with warmth and comfort.

With this desire to create warm gathering spaces with plenty of cozy elements you can use elements like soft sheepskin rugs, wool or faux fur throws, candles, wood-burning stoves…

This style demonstrates that a sense of warmth and coziness go beyond the material possessions in a house. It all depends on how welcomed and at home, you feel in an abode.

how to get Scandinavian interiors

Go for simple, clean-lined furniture

The furniture is low profile, streamlined and user-friendly. Furniture silhouettes are delicate and lean in appearance. Juxtapositioning of straight and sinuous lines and forms creates interest and at the same time keeps the space from being heavy and stuffy.

The shutters of the cabinetry are flat paneled. They have flush or sleek hardware. They are seamless, white, or pale wood in color. The spotless and clutter-free appearance of these spaces is notable.

These pared-down, sleek, and unassuming pieces are just enough to meet the functional requirements in terms of both quantity and quality. As a result, there is a lot of breathing space between furniture pieces.

White or light wood pieces with tall skeletal legs generate an airy feel. In addition, the upholstery is mostly solid white or of other pale neutrals.

Colour Palette

The most favored color is of course, clean and crisp white. Various shades of white bounce off light and keep the space bright and airy. To impart a Scandinavian edge, other soft neutrals like dove grey, taupe, light beige, etc are also used.

In addition, colors, like blush pink, powder blue, mint green, in their pale and muted form. Black or other bright colors are used as accents. This is balanced by swathes of white. To bring a punch to these withered spaces include graphic patterns. This can be achieved through rugs, cushions, artwork, and accessories.

Artwork and accessories

Art and accessories are minimal but worthy of attention. The colors are monochromatic and muted. In other words, nothing is very loud or gaudy. Scandinavians find the art in ordinary things. Their furniture itself is a piece of art.

Modern designs and streamlined gallery walls with black and white photographs or portraits, landscape paintings, illustrations, sketchy art, are common. Also, the frames are thin and monochromatic.

Read to know more about the ways to display art at your home

Accessories of clear glass and ceramic are based on the philosophy of minimalism and are light and sculptural. They ooze out a handmade vibe. Mirrors are used to reflect and maximize the prevalent natural light.

Generally, rugs and cushions are also neutral in color but you can add pops of colors and balance it with white. Candles are their favorite accessory.

Blonde Wood

A lighter variety of wood is used to prevent a space from becoming a cavern. Beech, pine, birch, ash is the common wood varieties that you can use. Flooring is almost always wood.

In Scandinavian interiors, herringbone is the hallmark pattern. In addition to the flooring, furniture and ceiling are other obvious places for wood application.

Wood helps add the much-needed warmth and coziness to the otherwise white and stark space.

lighting

As already discussed, in Nordic countries light is definitely one of the most precious assets. The region faces harsh weather for almost three-quarters of a year. As a result, it gets dark very early during winters.

Maximum light is allowed to come into the spaces. This helps evade the gloom. Architecturally there are big windows, clerestories, skylights, etc. The windows are left bare. Mirrors and other glass elements help bounce off as much light as possible.

However, it depends on the location of the country where you live. In India, for instance, the summers are quite harsh and leaving windows bare, especially on the southern and western sides, is impractical.

Select light-colored or rather white fabrics, like linen and cotton, in case you are going for drapes and blinds.

In addition, try to create coziness and warmth through your artificial lighting scheme. Remember Hygge is our aim! Candles are used to create a warm vibe.

Common types of fixtures include – branched chandeliers inspired by nature, simple pendants out of clear glass, brass, copper, or paper balloon-shaped, black metal lamp-shaped scones mounted on walls, tripod floor lamps, organically shaped table lamps, etc.

Mix it up

This style allows you to mix up the traditional or vintage pieces with simpler and modern-looking ones. However, remember, whatever you include must be sleek and low profile in character.

Everything works well together because a neutral scheme ties all the elements up. The neutrals help mellow down the intricacies of traditional elements, unifying them with the rest of the clean lines.

In the picture below a traditional sofa in the foreground gels beautifully with the structural and straight-lined dining furniture in the background. Neutrality brings the two to level ground. Also, the busy branched chandelier contrasts well with the pared-down dining furniture.

We often see many iconic pieces designed in the early and mid-century periods in the current Scandinavian designs. Legendary Scandinavian designers include  Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, Danish furniture designer Hans Wegner, Danish architect Arne Jacobsen, Finnish interior designer Eero Arnio, and Swedish IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad.

inspiration from nature

These Nordic countries have beautiful sceneries and abundant forests around them. Hence, their interiors are inspired by nature considerably.

• Natural, tactile and solid neutral textiles like cotton, linen, velvet, suede, leather, sheepskin, wool, faux fur, animal hides, enhance the look.

• Organic shapes and forms inspired by nature, for furniture and accessories, add a natural vibe.

• Light Wood in its natural form or bleached or painted white, to impart a weathered look. The wood color blends well with the predominantly white space and at the same time induces a sufficient sense of contrast.

• Piles of cut firewood stacked around stoves adds a touch of nature to the interiors.

• When most of the exterior landscape is covered with snow, indoor plants are a welcome addition.

In conclusion, there is no room for saturated colors, glitzy, shiny fabrics. Minimal and monochromatic is the idea.

These natural and tactile textures and elements add contrast and visual depth to these austere-looking spaces. After all, the purpose is to induce warmth through simplicity and minimalism.

what is your take on scandinavian interiors?

Scandinavians are known for holding a design edge. These refined and well-organized spaces are difficult to ignore. What is your take on Scandinavian interior design style? Do leave a comment below.

I hope you enjoyed reading the post.

Also Read :

Bohemian decor style – tips to get the look right

Till next time…