A Guide to Scandinavian Home Design
Nestled by the fireplace and wrapped up in a cosy pullover with blankets of snow covering the world as far as the eye can see, the world is a different place. In Northern Europe, there is a feeling of cosiness, comfort, and perhaps snugness, that we Aussies don’t even have the words to describe. We might know what Scandi decor looks like, but capturing that atmosphere is a whole different mission.
In Denmark and Norway, they have hygge. This fleeting yet unmistakable feeling of wellness fills your essence and can happen anytime, anywhere if you know how to set the stage. In Sweden, they have fika, an elegant pause in the day that is far beyond our typical coffee break or teatime. In Sweden, fika simply can’t be experienced alone. It takes a perfect blend of warm coffee, the gooey sweetness of kanelbullarn cake, and companionship.
While we might love to knock our McCafes back on the way to work and leave the snow behind after a ski break, we can capture a bit of this much-loved Nordic style of life at home. With its flawless blend of simplicity and utility inside of distinct beauty and warmth, it’s easy to see why the world is in love with Scandi decor. The understated elegance of its functionality and flawless craftsmanship makes Scandi design the perfect livable-yet-chic home style.
What Is Scandi Style?
Scandi style, or Nordic decor as it’s equally well known, represents the Scandinavian aesthetic of Northern Europe. The style shows the stripped back and simple chic style of homes in Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Denmark, and the Faroe Islands. With a core focus on uncluttered and simplistic living, a Nordic home embraces the natural beauty of its surrounding.
Where Does Scandi Style Come From?
The Scandinavian style emerged in the 1950s alongside the modernist movement across the United States and Europe. Modern design and Scandi style alike embrace clean lines and timeless pieces. As the father of modernism, American architect Louis Sullivan proclaimed, “form follows function.”
From fashion to home decor, Nordic sensibility demands premium quality. Fast fashion in all of its forms is frowned upon as unethical and unsustainable. Premium capsule wardrobes that last year after year and family heirloom items are almost universally prized. Of course, people will grab filler pieces from H&M and Ikea but they are not the cornerstones of style.
The long dark winters demand interiors that are warm and bright. Local materials like birch and ash wood are found inside and as often as outside. Interior designers like Hans Wegner, Finn Juhl, Arne Jacobsen are as well known as any Hollywood celebrity. Their iconic styles are the anchor pieces of countless Nordic homes.
What Defines Scandi Decor?
Now that you’ve got a better sense of the mission to counterbalance the cold and dark exteriors of Nordic winters with bright and warm interiors, you’ve got a better understanding of Scandi decor.
Floor plans are created with an eye on keeping the space bright and open. Natural lighting is maximised in every space. Since the heart of Nordic social life happens indoors and often at home, it’s key to have a flexible and practical living space.
Creating a Scandi Colour Palette
We’re talking white, white, and more white. Embrace neutrals but keep them warm by incorporating pastel accents and natural timber tones.
Scandi aesthetic plays with natural colours but is anything with monotone and dull. Best of all, it’s highly customisable. Experiment with tones, textures, and variations of Nordic design. To start curating your own style, look to the different variations of Scandandian design.
Types of Scandi Design
An urban flat in central Copenhagen is going to have a completely different aesthetic from a rural Icelandic farmhouse. Nordic styles vary quite a bit and each has its own distinct charms.
Designer Tip: Found a home decor style you adore? Learn more about it before you actually start planning. Get to know the different influences and variations of the design. Finally, create a style all your own by playing with your favourite elements of each substyle. It’s the perfect way to get inspiration while avoiding a cookie-cutter look.
Swedish Style Homes
The word of the century in Sweden is efficiency. A Swedish home has nothing useless. Every item is expected to pull its weight or be kicked to the kerb.
Light coloured furniture, walls, and floors reflect and maximise the natural light. Minimalistic furniture is the heart of the family home for generations. Simple lines and understated styles feel timeless and are low maintenance. Pieces purchased in 1950 could have been purchased yesterday. Nothing should ever show its age and demand to be replaced.
To brighten things up, Swedes bring inside the colours of nature. From dandelion yellows to mossy greens to poppy reds, they play with natural tones in a range of shades.
Danish Design
Hygge is everything in Denmark. There is nothing more important than creating a feeling of warmth and comfort in a Danish home. This can be as simple as incorporating oversized knit throws and candles. Ask yourself: Is this a space where I could curl up with a good book? Is this room where I could have a dinner party with all of my favourite people?
Underneath the warm accents, you will see the clear influence of the German Bauhaus School. This has been one of the core influences since the 1950s. Danish designers love to emulate the style while utilising local materials.
Designer Tip: Arne Jacobsen is a natural hero in Denmark. The Egg and Swan chair is worth its weight in gold to any Dane. To capture the quintessential style of Nordic design, get your own (or a knockoff) and toss a chunky throw over it.
Norwegian Home Style
Norway is known for being less style-conscious than its neighbours. There is a strong minimalistic influence but homes tend to be more eclectic with a mix of everything.
One of the most beloved local traditions is the folksy Norwegian style of wooden house with a grass roof. Called a sod roof or turf roof house, this Nordic style is still going strong in Norway for its practical insulating effect.
Scandinavian Style vs Nordic Design
You’ll notice that the terms “Scandinavian Style” and “Nordic Design” are used interchangeably. Technically, however, they are slightly different. Scandinavian design only describes the styles of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Meanwhile, a Nordic design incorporates the aesthetic of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and the Åland Islands. In practice, however, this difference tends to be irrelevant.
What Is New Nordic?
In response to the muted palette of Scandi style, New Nordic is a home look that embraces colour. While bolder and bright, the heart of the style is still in nature. Rather than a hazy sky blue, New Nordic design embraces dazzling cobalt shades. Rather than a creamy mint cream, you’ll see saturated emerald. To embrace New Nordic design, look to shades of blue, green, rose, and caramel.
Finnish Home Decor
Since the 1950s, Finnish home decor has been part of the Scandinavian design movement. At the same time, they’ve remained firmly enraptured in the Slavic love of stark contrasts, floral patterns, and ornate design. This has created a distinctly Finnish look that you will see particularly in the textiles, glassware, and ceramics of the country. If you are looking to incorporate one of a kind Nordic elements, look to Finnish finery and knickknacks.
Defining Gustavian Style
One influential Nordic figure is King Gustav III of Sweden. His visit to the Palace of Versailles changed design history. In the 1780s, he brought French Neoclassicism to the north and added his own unique Swedish twist.
He loved the proportions of French design and feeling of grandeur yet he wanted to make them his own and reflect his native culture. To do this, he utilised the elaborate wood elements, but on native Swedish beech and pine wood. He brought in the Louis XIV opulence with a toned-down Nordic colour palette. He created a unique understated yet opulent design known as Gustavian style.
Why is Scandinavian Design So Popular?
Like King Gustav III, we are all looking to mix and match our way to the perfect Scandinavian style. The appeal of the decor is that it’s so universal and functional. Ellen Key, one of the founders of the Scandinavian design movement, wrote a seminal work called ‘Skönhet För Alla’ (Beauty For All). The book highlighted the value of having fewer but better things. This principle guides everything in Scandinavia.
Key wanted us to all have things that worked well and nothing superfluous. This ‘Minimal Scandi’ approach is just as loved (and practical!) as it was so many generations ago.
How to Create Scandi Style
Your first mission is to clear out your home. Anything cheap and unnecessary has got to go. Focus on quality design and clean lines. Scandi style revolves around those core pieces of timeless furniture. Look at your best pieces and think about what you really love in your home.
If you are doing a full remodel, seek out pieces that will stand the test of time. A classic Scandi home never shows its age and neither should yours. Look to those great designers for premium pieces then build your style from there.
More than anything, make it your own. Go for Scandi chic if you want to embrace an elegant style. Love eclectic design? Make it Scandi boho. Minimalism on the next level? How about monochrome Scandi style? Design is an individual process so trust your gut. Once you know the fundamentals of the design, you will instinctively know the next steps.
Scandi Decorating on a Budget
Want a quick and inexpensive home makeover? One of the best things about Scandi style is that it’s ultra-affordable. Here are a few ways to get cheap Scandi style that looks like a million dollars.
Declutter and Buy Less
Want a chicer home? That clean minimalistic style is truly free. Sell or donate what you don’t love or use then resist the urge to buy more. It’s certainly easier said than done but it’s a habit worth fighting to develop.
Lighten Up
For a quick update, paint your walls and any dated furniture with shades of white and pastel. To add even more light, add mirrors of all shapes and sizes throughout your home.
Find the Perfect Rug
Wall-to-wall carpeting is a Scandi nej-nej. If you can pull up your carpeting, do it. The best way to create a cosy feeling is with Scandinavian rugs. Look to kilim and Dhurrie rugs to create warmth and don’t be shy to even layer them.
Set the Mood
Create that apres-ski atmosphere where you imagine curling up at the end of a cold day. Add dimmer switches. Use candles. Bringing in cosy throws and warm textiles. Your home is your refuge.
How to Style a Scandi Bedroom
There is no place more perfect for hygge than a bedroom. Get rid of any mess or clutter and focus on creating the ultimate cocoon. Bring in luxe bedding and layers of texture. Put a warm sheepskin rug by the bed. Add a knit throw and some oversized pillows that’ll make you want to linger in bed all day.
Too many Aussies view their bedroom as an afterthought since it’s rarely on display. In a Scandi home, the bedroom deserves only the best. Add plants to clean the air and bring in brightness all year round. Display your favourite art, especially black and white or pastel pieces.
Designer Tip: Want to embrace that European feel? Leave your art on the floor! Scandi homes, as well as German abodes, often have framed pieces on the floor or stacked, sometimes overlapping, on a shelf or dresser.
Creating a Scandi Kitchen at Any Budget
Who doesn’t wish their kitchen was a bit more functional and streamlined? Banish the cluttered cupboards and overflowing drawers. Get rid of the fussy piece and embrace the pared-down style of your new Scandi kitchen.
Quick Kitchen Upgrades
Want a new kitchen today? Here’s how to make your kitchen modern and minimal, even on a tight budget and packed schedule.
Clear It Out
Of course, decluttering is the name of the game when you are talking about Scandi style. Clear off the worktops and stash away anything that you aren’t using every single day. In a Scandi kitchen, you’ll often see toasters, kettles, and other basics tucked up in the cupboard. Just keep in mind that you shouldn’t have to dig anything out but rather just pull it out like you would your morning coffee cup.
Add Colour and Texture
Bring in splashes of pastel colours throughout your kitchen and add natural texture like rattan to add warmth. Look to practical jute rugs for the floor and sheepskin throws for the chairs. You want each surface to be inviting.
Full Kitchen Makeover
Ready for a completely new Scandi kitchen? If you need a change, this is a particularly worthwhile investment because, by its very nature, this style is timeless.
Always Opt for Flawless Craftsmanship
Get the best of everything. Cheap materials simply don’t last and they’ll show their true colours quickly. If you aren’t ready to splash out on a full overhaul, change the cabinet doors. Invest in high-quality hardware. If your cabinets are structurally solid, all you really need are these superficial upgrades. Remember, buy less, but buy better.
Designer Tip: One common Scandi trend is to embrace open shelves in the kitchen. This allows you to display your best pieces while cutting costs. Invest in top quality cabinets below then go minimalistic (read: affordable) on top. Before you take this leap, however, take stock of what you’ve got. If your kitchen is small, it’ll be nearly impossible to keep the upper cupboards looking tidy. If you’ve got a big space, go for it.
Keep It Light and Timeless
Upgrade to premium cabinets and floors in a light shade. Creams and dusty greys will never really show their age. You can go trendy with hardware and accessories throughout the kitchen, but keep it completely basic with the bones of your kitchen.
The Essentials of a Scandi Living Room
Make your living room into a sanctuary by incorporating a few Scandi style essentials that will add warmth and depth to your space.
Add Textiles
Warm and natural are the focus in your living room. Look again to the knit throws and sheepskin (faux or real) rugs to create a cosy space. While classic Nordic furniture tends to stray into the direction of stark, adding a knit throw and overstuffed pillows is what makes them homely.
Think beyond soft furnishings too! Get creative with hard surfaces and decor by adding elements of metal and wood. Mixed media and diverse elements are a quick way to make your space feel designer.
Bring in Some Life
Another way to bring the outside in is with plants and flowers. Add interest by mixing and matching different types of plants. Thinking about hanging plants, potted plants, and small trees. While most areas of Nordic design are restrained, you can go wild here.
Designer Tip: Kill every plant you get? Chances are that you don’t lack a green thumb but just haven’t been buying the right plants. Always research before you shop. Look at the conditions of your space. Is there a lot of natural light or will the plants be tucked away? Do you have time to water and keep a feed schedule? Be realistic and do your research. If you’re feeling a bit lost, go to a nursery. Most greenhouses and nurseries have knowledgeable staff who can point you in the right directions.
Less Is More
Get rid of the clutter and eliminate anything you don’t use. As you’re doing this, keep in mind that Nordic homes tend to embrace multipurpose pieces. This means sofas and ottomans with storage inside. Shelving with ample space to store lovely looking (and utilitarian) storage boxes full of essentials. If you feel like your place is always bursting at the seams, start demanding more out of every piece. Get rid of unused corners and add shelving. Upgrade to a bed that lifts up to allow hidden storage. Be resourceful and choose carefully.
Scandi Style Bathroom Inspiration
Your ultimate goal is to make your bathroom feel bright, big, and clean. By their nature, too many bathrooms feel cluttered and a bit lost stylistically. To truly elevate your home style, don’t leave this space behind.
Walk Into the White
Once again, it’s all about those shades of white and muted pastels. Paint tired walls and refinish cabinets with a light colour. Remove anything dark, save for a few small accent pieces, like a black tap or lighting fixture, that’ll really pop.
Add Accents
While you want the foundation to be white, it’s key to add pops of colour and natural elements. Think about a wooden accent wall or a whimsical wallpaper. The great thing about a bathroom is that the small space allows you to be more experimental than you might be in a bigger room.
Ready to for your Scandi-inspired makeover? Share this piece with your most stylish friends and start a design party! Getting those tips and feedback before you start is the best way to ensure that you are making decisions you’ll love for years to come.
