Going less does not mean it is easier. Scandinavian-themed homes are minimal and straightforward, but they also require careful planning. Take note that having minimal designs for your space is not the same as achieving minimalism. Minimalism focuses more on geometric designs, open spaces, and the colors black and white.
What Are the Characteristics of Scandinavian Design?
To achieve a Scandinavian look, you must put effort into achieving a clean design. These designs are simple, but their beauty lies in standing against the test of time. This design will never go out of style, and thus, you should make extra effort to add coziness to the formula.
The ultimate goal of those who dive into the Scandi bandwagon is to achieve equal comfort and cleanliness. You should play with natural lighting, textures, and layers. That said, these are some main characteristics of this design aesthetic:
Functionality
At the core of the Scandinavian design is functionality. An example is the use of white and natural wood finish for flooring. In Nordic countries, they only get as much as seven hours of natural light every day. They use light-colored materials to maximize the natural light that they get.
Warm, Nature-like Colors
They hardly play with bright colors. When using non-white colors, they are used as accents and are in earthy tones or colors seen in nature. You often see plenty of brown, blue, green, and gray. These shades, although dark, add coziness to the overall feel of a space.
Clutter-Free
Those who don’t like Scandinavian design say that it lacks warmth. You can add warmth through textures. Since Scandinavian is all about cleanliness, using unnecessary decorations just to liven up the look is a no. Instead, you’ll find that in Nordic countries, they achieve variation in textures through the use of different textiles.
Since it’s cold in Nordic countries, using wool and sheepskin have dual purposes: aesthetics and practicality. This goes in parallel to the core of Scandinavian design that decors should have practical use as well.
How Do You Achieve Scandinavian Design through Decor?
After mastering these characteristics, it’s time to apply what you’ve learned through decor. Here’s how you can apply a Scandinavian feel to your decor:
Natural Patterns
Living rooms often set the tone in every house, and at the center of every living room is the sofa. A sofa is never complete without anything on them. To make your couch cozier and more inviting, why not add a few pillows to it?
If you want to get decorative pillows and throws, go for those with natural patterns. Patterns of leaves or small flowers in earthy colors are a good idea. Dusty pastels have been the primary color of popular Scandi designs for a long time now so that you can follow that.
You can also apply that rule to wallpapers. Just because Scandi is about minimal design doesn’t mean you can’t go for vibrant flower patterns.
Functional and Simple-Looking Furniture
You have surely seen Scandi furniture before. Because of the popularity of this style, major furniture brands carry a line solely dedicated to Scandi fans. In Scandi design, furniture is simple and functional.
Get a desk in natural light wood finish. This works well with white walls. You can pair this up with a small and matching color bookcase and a basic stool. Furniture is one of the telling elements that gives away the Scandi feels that you are going for.
Three-legged stools in white material with sturdy-looking wooden legs are perfect for getting that minimal yet functional vibe. You can also get any other furniture as long as the design is straightforward. A simple coffee table not going higher than knee height is also a good purchase. When going for chunky sofas, choose earth colors like gray or light brown.
Earthy Rugs
If you have bright walls and wooden flooring, the best addition to add an accent is earth-tone rugs. You might think that adding light colors with earth tones will result in a dull combination. No, there is still some beautiful contrast, especially if you go for textured rugs. Again, color is not the only thing you can manipulate to add warmth.
You can add thick knit blankets to drape on your couch, especially during the cold months of winter. That fulfills both aesthetics and functionality. Plus, the similarity in color tones makes it look less cluttered. The more color of different brightness you add, the more likely it will create an unharmonious look.
Pendant Light Fixtures
Geometric and metal light fixtures hanging above light-colored furniture pull the design all together. Decorative light fixtures are pretty, but they also give you a way to maximize lighting. Choose warm-colored light to add an ambient feel to your pale white interior. Warm lighting also blends well with shades of brown and gray.
Pulling off a Scandi design is all about harmony. You can add rugs, pillows, and chunky blankets. But if they come in different colors, it will be hard to achieve that clutter-free, put-together look. If you want clean and stylish, Scandi is definitely the style for you.
