How to have a modern Scandinavian look at home

Lily Cichanowicz Lily Cichanowicz
Bloomingville at House Envy, House Envy House Envy Salones escandinavos
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The Scandinavian aesthetic has received attention in the design world for some time now. Yet, it would seem that this style of design is particularly en vogue across the globe, reaching a much wider audience. Its appeal is understandable. Nordic cultures have well-organised, inclusive societies worth emulating. The Scandinavian outlook of equality and cosiness manifests itself in the home as well. An important element of the look is the incorporation of heartfelt and thoughtful details at every corner of the interior. Because Scandinavian countries are located so close to the North Pole, choices in interior design tend to be ruled by a certain preoccupation with light. Curiosity and attention to style come into play through modern and minimalist inspiration in décor and furnishings. Of course, the ultimate goal is to make a comfortable, welcoming space to enjoy time with friends and loved ones. The culmination of these different variables results in the distinct Scandinavian aesthetic that is simply irresistible to the rest of us.

Add some light colour tones

Many Scandinavian interiors appear quite minimally decorated at first sight. They are characterised by white spaces, pale tones of hardwood, and the selective inclusion of bold, colourful items. The result is a more open, expansive look in the interior along with an appealing sense of simplicity rivalled only by minimalist styles of design. As for the floors, Scandinavian style gurus prefer light coloured wood. In fact, wall-to-wall carpets never really caught on in these areas. White walls along with pale blue or grey colouring will give your space the right ambiance. This room contains all of these elements. It is neat and the clean grey walls, white kitchen fronts, light hardwood, and white brick are a perfect display of the Scandinavian colour palette. Accessorise with light blue accent pillows like these ones or even consider adding some crimson, another popular accent colour in this aesthetic. The fireplace in the corner brings the necessary touch of cosiness to the look.

Maximise natural light in the home

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With astoundingly long winter nights and drawn-out hours of daylight in summer, light takes on a special meaning in this region. In the darkness of wintertime, many Scandinavian societies practice their distinctly unique cultural concepts of comfort and cosiness by keeping friends and loved ones close and enjoying drawn-out candlelit meals together. It is not uncommon to visit a household in a Nordic country during the winter and find it utterly illuminated in candlelight. During the summer, these otherwise subdued individuals are bursting with vivacity and smiles, spending time outdoors and taking in all the sunlight they can before winter’s arrival. Therefore, being mindful of the role light plays in your interior will help you to think like a Nordic interior designer. Keep windows unobstructed or use sheer, light fabric curtains. If you don’t have a lot of sunlight to work with, do what the Scandinavians do and get some candles. This cosy little room is an ideal spot to have a visit with friends while soaking in that important vitamin D.

Think about simple storage ideas

As with anything else in the Scandinavian interior, simplicity and functionality are key elements in selecting which items to include. While there are increasingly elaborate storage solutions on the market today, if you’re looking to make your home look more akin to the Scandinavian aesthetic, we advice that you opt for an uncomplicated storage system. Invest in a series of shelves like the ones included in this space or hide your items away in a modular cabinet. Remember to err on the side of modern style when choosing a storage item. Choosing cabinets without handles will increase their simplicity of form. Another tip is to use some basic white decorative boxes to house smaller items. Adding a potted plant on the shelf or cabinet is an easy, pleasant touch.

Get simple and stylish furniture

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Because Scandinavian design is closely akin to minimalism, simplicity is a central aspect of furnishings in these interiors. It’s important that a Scandinavian style home is highly practical and functional to its inhabitants. Therefore, furnishings should be comfortable but utilitarian in equal measure. It’s not uncommon for lots of items to be purchased from Ikea. Ideally, you can supplement these staple items with a few carefully selected pieces to fit contemporary styles. Scandinavian design for instance, tends to have a touch of modern or even retro character. 

Take this Scandinavian living room for example; the sofa is quite simple and functional. It’s supplemented with the apt addition of a retro table and a sleek chair with red cushions. Choose some pieces that make the space feel personal and homey. Scandinavians take great pride in the spaces they create because they carefully select some special items. Plus, there are lots of wonderful Scandinavian furniture manufacturers to choose from!

DIY Furniture

On the topic of choosing special pieces to personalise the interior with the right furnishings, consider trying some DIY furniture. The hip and thrifty among you might enjoy exploring a flea market and fixing up some diamonds in the rough. You may also try antiquing and repurposing some vintage items. There are lots of routes DIY furniture projects can take. The important thing is that the resulting look feels like a thoughtful addition to a given space. This dining area by kg5 Architekten, include several antique pieces including a functional foldout table. The chairs have received a new coat of finish, and one was converted from an antique stool. If you feel uneasy about doing a project that’s 100% DIY, consider consulting a carpenter or interior designer to assist you.

Cosy soft cushions and thoughtful decoration

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Finally, we ought to talk about the details. Scandinavian aesthetics are all about simplicity with the incorporation of thoughtful, heartfelt details throughout the interior. In Nordic cultures, there is an emphasis on creating a cosy space for spending time with friends and loved ones. This is why many Scandinavian homes are nurtured with keen attention to the selection and placement of details. Many Scandinavians are very proud to show you the spaces they’ve created for this reason. Some ideas for thoughtful decoration include pretty candlestick holders to frame the flicker of flames on dark evenings or fur seat cushions like the ones depicted here. Remember to pay mind to the colour tones you choose in the décor, aiming mostly towards soft blues and greys. Keep things simple and uncluttered to add focus to the decorative pieces you do choose to include. 

If you enjoyed this Ideabook, but were wondering what exactly is minimalism, check out this Ideabook on Clear the clutter: employ a minimalist bedroom design. Happy decorating!

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