A beginner’s guide to Scandinavian design
There is something so effortless and serene about Scandinavian design. Gentle colours, soft textiles and an inviting take on minimalism. Everything has its place yet you don’t get the cold, hard corners of modern minimalism. Scandinavian design is often connected to words like functional, minimal, clean and light. But what is Scandinavian design really? And can you achieve it at home? Following is a beginner’s guide to Scandinavian design and how you can recreate it at home.
Warm wooden floors and soft colours are traits of Scandinavian design. photo from nordiskakok.se
What is Scandinavian design?
When we refer to Scandinavia we are talking about Sweden, Denmark and Norway, which together with Finland and Iceland makes up the Nordic countries. Design from this part of the world is usually characterized by light wood and bright interiors and aims to create harmonious yet functional environments. Inspired by the long, dark winters and the cold climate, Scandinavian interiors are usually cozy and warm without clutter.
A little bit of history
Scandinavian design as we know it today was established during the 40s and 50s, when designers such as Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, Nils Strinning and Alvar Aalto together with the exhibition “Design in Scandinavia” which toured North America in 1954 started what is known as the “golden age of Scandinavian design”. These designers decided to apply a more human-centric way of minimalism, which stood in contrast to their American counterparts. Danish designer Kaare Klint had already began his extensive research on the human body, which would go on to be the foundation for ergonomics and other Scandinavian designers followed on his path. In Sweden the thoughts of incorporating the human into the environments and designs can be seen as far back as the end of the 19th century with painter and artist Carl Larsson who stated in one of his books that:
“the most important characteristics to strive for in an environment is to create peace and relaxation, with decors tastefully selected.” (Larsson, p.20, 1910)
How to achieve the style
The Scandinavian style is appealing from multiple angles; the timeless aesthetic, the harmonious layouts and the light rooms, but how is it possible to achieve it in your own home? Below are a few guidelines and tips to help you recreate the style even if you don’t live in Scandinavia.
stick to muted colours with a white or beige base and one or two details in black. photo from pexels.com
Opt for muted colours
Colours like white, beige and grey are usually preferred as a base, along with light coloured wood. Darker colours can still be applied but are usually incorporated more sparingly. A trick used by designers to achieve a well-balanced look in a room is to use the 60-30-10 method for choosing your colours. For a Scandi look stick to 60% light colours, 30% of an accent colour of choice, 10% of a second accent colour and one or two details in black to create some depth and weight to the interior.
incorporate plants and natural materials such as linen or wood to create an inviting scandi interior. photo from ikea.se
2. Incorporate nature
As we have already established nature plays a big role in Scandinavian design. The vast forests and lakes found in Scandinavian landscape has always been the number one source of inspiration for designers and you can incorporate it yourself either through material choices, colours or shapes of the objects. When possible, try to go for natural materials such as wood, stone, glass, jute, cotton or linen. Green houseplants are also an excellent way of bringing nature into the home to soften up the rooms and help keep air quality high. Don’t be afraid to start by incorporating these materials in smaller objects if you already have great furniture that you love at home. A glass vase, a wooden side table or linen curtains are small ways that still make a big impact.
leave out the curtains and use light coloured wood to reflect as much natural light as possible. photo from nordiskakok.se
3. Bring in natural light
To allow as much of the natural daylight as possible to reach the interior curtains are often skipped. However textiles can add a lot of character and much needed help with acoustics in a room. If you do opt for curtains try to go for lighter textiles such as linen or lightweight cotton which still allows daylight to filter through. For darker corners of the house use mirrors or light reflecting materials like a semi-gloss paint or light wood to get the light to reach as far in as possible. Glass doors on cabinets can also help create a lighter look, as is seen in the photo above, as the glass reflects the light but also creates depth when we can see what is stored inside.
a sofa or daybed that can double up as an extra guest bed when needed might be exactly whats needed in a smaller home. photo from pexels.com
4. Make it functional
Scandinavian designed interiors are usually very functional and minimal. Make sure you surround yourself with objects that you actually enjoy and try to choose objects that have multi-purposes which will allow you to make fewer purchases and keep your home nice and tidy. Perhaps dining chairs that can double as an impromptu desk chair, a daybed that can turn into a guest bed if needed or just a cleverly designed storage unit in the space underneath the stairs. Solutions that makes it easy to put away your everyday items are a great way to keep organized but the most important aspect however is that it is functional for you and your lifestyle.
different textures and shades of beige adds depth and coziness to the space. photo from pexels.com
5. Add textures and textiles
The last few years have seen the Danish concept of Hygge gain international success, but the coziness that Hygge entails isn’t just found in Denmark but in all the Scandinavian countries. The cold climate makes the need for textiles obvious. Achieve an extra level of warmth by adding blankets, throws and rugs to your space. Make sure that the rugs you choose are big enough to fit your furniture on and create depth by using different types of textiles. Add in ambient lighting in the form of table lamps, fairy lights and reading lights to create interest and an inviting space even when the sun has set. Books and other personal items chosen with care are always welcome and help to not only set a personal touch but make the space feel lived in.
Summary
The fact that Scandinavian design is looking to create a harmonious and practical environment with lots of natural light definitely contributes to its international appeal. Scandinavian designers have always looked for inspiration in nature which can be applied through shapes, materials, colours or simply by bringing plants into your home. Using muted colours, light wood and a white base means you can achieve the look at home and then add in textiles for warmth along with lamps in different heights. The most important aspect of Scandinavian design is however to focus on the people living in the space, to make it easy to live well.