There is more to Scandinavian-style home design than blowing a load of money on Ikea furniture with questionable names. It arose as a mix of old and new styles from the Scandi countries and was influenced by mid-century, industrial design themes and the Bauhaus movement. Today’s Scandi design is minimalist, functional, and very beautiful. Incorporate Hygge design themes into your home and you can create a relaxing, practical, and stylish property. Read on for some handy design tips.
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Natural Light is Important
Scandinavians love to maximise natural light. In northern countries like Norway and Sweden, natural light is in short supply during the winter months, so interior spaces are designed to be as light and bright as possible.
To achieve this in your home, switch out heavy curtains for blinds made from lighter fabrics like linen. Use mirrors to reflect as much light as possible and decorate using pale colours to create lighter rooms. Instead of painting walls in dark shades, go with natural earth tones, such as neutral beige, soft blues, pale greens, and warm greys. If you can’t stand all the neutrals, it’s OK to have one feature wall, perhaps with some attractive botanical-themed wallpaper.
If you want to take further advantage of the increase in natural light, go for efficient storage solutions with glass doors to really make the most of the sunlight and space. They don’t need internal lighting during the day and improve the visual appeal of the room they are in.
Incorporate Natural Materials Into Your Design
Scandi-style doesn’t mean ditching plastic and metal – both materials have their place in the home. However, to achieve a more authentic look, prioritise the use of natural materials in your home furnishings and accessories. Invest in rustic wood furniture. Buy thick fleece throws and choose rugs made from natural materials, such as jute.
Any material that originates from nature is a solid choice. Texture is very important in Scandinavian design. Interiors are often minimalist, but natural materials are layered to create interesting textural juxtapositions. For example, you could pair a pine table with a jute rug or a knitted wool throw with a rustic chair.
Install Light Wooden Flooring
Wooden flooring is popular in Scandi homes because it is both practical and stylish. White oak floors are common in Scandi design, but darker flooring can be lifted with pale rugs. Look for flooring that has long, wide planks for a more authentic look. Dinesen is a popular Scandinavian flooring manufacturer; if you like the products, look for a Dinesen Flooring Approved Contractor.
Add Functional Storage
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from Ikea it is that furniture must always be functional as well as stylish. Storage is a must-have in Scandi design. The aim is to reduce clutter and have a more minimalist space. If you can, invest in built-in cabinets in alcoves or similar, so you have places to store items and clutter. This is essential if you have lots of hobbies, such as board games and jigsaws, or if you just like collecting junk.
Finally, bring nature indoors by way of house plants. Most Scandinavian homes have lots of plants. House plants clean toxins from the air and bring a space to life. It’s also a cheap way to enliven your room’s palette with a splash of colour.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.