When you first think about Scandinavia, an image of invincible Vikings, dressed in bearskins and horned helmets, is born. A proudly sailing boat across the northern sea carries the proud conquerors to new adventures. How did they live? What was used in everyday life? Wooden huts, black fireplace and lamps with seal oil? The four modern Scandinavian countries, led by successful Sweden, have long shattered the stereotypes about the brutality of their ancestors, giving preference to everything functional and laconic. Now the Scandinavian style in the interior is copied everywhere, however, before starting to implement it, it is worth understanding all its subtleties.
Where does this popularity come from? The whole secret is in exquisite brevity, the play of natural light and a sense of vast space. studio apartment, hostel or family estate. Throughout the year, the climate of Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden remains unapproachably harsh, so the Scandinavians decided to revive the solar warmth in the interior of their homes. And although the canons of style are not so diverse, they create amazing harmony and simplicity in everyday life.
The secret is in exquisite brevity and a sense of vast space.
Color palette
Scandinavian style in the interior is, first of all, maximum light. Peace and comfort reign here. The walls and ceiling, like fluffy snow-white clouds, are reflected in the gray waters of the Baltic. There may be fog and the naturalness of rocky shores. All colors are natural and contain maximum light. Sometimes white monochrome jumps into sand and summer motifs, plunging those who witness the interior into a warm environment that is scarce. With such a monochromatic fill from floor to ceiling, a feeling of solidity is created without a single seam.
Why is minimalism today increasingly beginning to appeal to modern women to one degree or another? Personally, when I start cleaning and dusting, I dream of simple furniture and a minimum of any decorations. The simpler things are and the less unnecessary, the easier it is to clean up and simply create conditions of order for your family. For working women or mothers of many children, this approach would save a lot of time. Therefore, when my husband and I began to little by little dream and plan renovations, I immediately talked about my desire to do renovations in this particular style. It may seem that the interior with a Scandinavian character is cold and uncomfortable. But I have always believed and will continue to believe that a lot of light and simple things in the house only helps to find the right accessories and decorate the rooms without cluttering them up.
Where do legs come from?
I won’t surprise anyone if I note two main trends in the style in general: everything is light, simple, and at the same time warm and cozy. Surprisingly, it was precisely this tandem of completely opposite directions that made the Scandinavian style so original and unlike anything else.
Officially, this style appeared in the second half of the 19th century. But, in fact, it gradually took shape for about three centuries, step by step. At first, French design rules were methodically imposed on the Scandinavians, and English furniture gradually appeared. But the peoples of the north abandoned this foreign body in their harmonious and simple style, which is why elaborate lines did not take root there, and luxurious fabrics became a thing of the past.
All that we now call the Scandinavian style was finally formed only in the 19th century. All its main elements fully reflect the typical behavior and worldview of the inhabitants of these countries. Everything is laconic, calm and understandable, but not without pleasant colorful moments. Therefore, it is difficult to say whether this approach is truly cold. Here, who looks at it differently: who sees warm natural materials and natural colors, and who sees too much white and gray hurt their eyes. And many things are simply alien to our people, from the white floor to the lack of carpets or other decor on the walls.
What do Scandinavians breathe?
And they breathe deeply and deeply with the clean and bright filling of their home. Have you noticed how spacious and light a room becomes when there are no unnecessary objects and too much color load? For you and me, lovers of decorating more with a characteristic breadth of soul, such stingy decor may seem to be a consequence of a lack of colors and greenery. Indeed, there is not enough warmth and sun in the homeland of the style, and just a lot of light colors and multi-level light make it possible to make up for this lack.
As for the decor itself, it’s very much there, but it’s not pretentious and seems to be part of the working content of the room. Color will definitely appear, but not in an abundance of paintings or figurines, but in the form of bedspreads or dishes, cozy colored window frames and flowerpots. In a word, I do not agree with the opinion that the room will become cold and empty, but rather spacious and light.
So, when we want to create a Scandinavian atmosphere at home, we use the following techniques in decorating and decorating the premises:
We avoid anything obviously modern and technical (all materials used are natural, such as wood and stone or simple ceramic tiles), the simpler the better;
Complex lines for furniture are not used here; all sofas or armchairs, and other furniture, are usually low and very laconic (most often the furniture is not polished, but covered with a layer of transparent varnish, sometimes white or a similar shade of paint);
As a rule, a monochrome color scheme is used for the interior, and the color spots are made from textiles, which in turn are also natural (linen and cotton, wool or very thin transparent fabrics);
As for the decoration, all frames and windows, including straight and simple, have a lot of glass (even the windows are not covered with curtains and curtains, instead there is an almost transparent fabric, light and airy);
And of course there is a lot of lighting, from ceiling to tabletop - as light as possible and the light is not warm yellow, but with a cool tint.
The room can be yellow, blue, green - but all this is in a natural palette and without fanaticism. In a word, everything is concise and not overloaded.
Scandinavian style attracts everyone with its minimalism and pristine beauty. There is nothing superfluous in it, and this causes admiration. We offer 35 stunning ideas for decorating living rooms that will amaze with their beauty, functionality and simplicity.
Scandinavian style suggests that quality is much more important than quantity, so restraint is surprisingly intertwined with minimalism and grace. It is considered one of the simplest styles, but for this you will have to overcome the habit of many to fill the house with unnecessary things and various trinkets. But discipline is needed, since the main thing in the Scandinavian style is practicality.
We must pay tribute to those designers who, since the Scandinavian style gained popularity in the world, have tried to preserve its pristine beauty and combine it with the concepts of ergonomics and aesthetics of the majority of the population. The love for it does not fade over the years; it is still relevant due to its undeniable advantages.
1. Small living rooms in Scandinavian style
The style, born in the harsh Scandinavian conditions, which demanded efficiency and practicality over luxury, a sense of space and light, is ideal for decorating small living rooms. The color scheme is kept to a minimum, which allows you to create a universal background. Most often, the choice is a boiling white color. Thanks to this, the fragmentation of the room is visually reduced and a feeling of space appears. Using limited decor, straight lines help create a neat living room that looks both warm and cozy.
However, when decorating a small living room, you do not need to completely abandon the variety of colors, otherwise you will end up with a boring and gray interior. Scandinavian style allows you to add color accents. You can hang mirrors to visually expand the space. A soft carpet, a side table, a stylish floor lamp and a comfortable chair will help create an elegant and stylish interior.
2. White and gray - Nordic style
White has always dominated the Scandinavian style, but in recent years attention has been paid to another neutral color, which quickly replaced white and became its reliable partner. Gray is the color that, having gained popularity, is not going to lose its position. Therefore, you can safely give the living room a Scandinavian feel by introducing at least some gray elements. This could be a sofa or an accent wall. Typically, the Scandinavian style uses light gray shades, however, dark ones can be used to create an interesting contrast.
A black and white background with gray tones will also look great in an interior decorated in a Scandinavian style. This is an amazing opportunity to combine modern minimalism and urban style. But you need to make sure that black is used only to emphasize certain architectural elements. Too much of it will quickly change the overall atmosphere of the room.
3. Colorful accents
Scandinavian style will not only help you get rid of excess and unnecessary decor, it will also open up a world of amazing and unique accents in the form of elements that are pleasing to the eye. Geometric patterns, stripes, chevron patterns and abstraction will create a light, pleasant and individual atmosphere in the living room.
But it's not just about the drawings. Small colorful accents will attract attention. Cushions, rugs, vases and lamps are the most popular ways to add color to a Scandinavian-style interior. Those who are ready to experiment can opt for rich tones. Beautiful wallpaper will be an interesting alternative that can fill the room with freshness and energy. True, the wallpaper design should in no case deviate from the general style of the interior.
4. Scandinavian style decor
One of the great advantages of the Scandinavian style is the variety of decor that never goes out of style. Firstly, this is traditional furniture. Once you have invested in it, you won’t have to worry about having to exchange it for something more modern. In any period, classics from Isamu Noguchi or Charles Eames will be in trend, easily turning into the compositional center of any interior. Of course, this is not a cheap pleasure, but everything else can be brought simply from IKEA.
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The aesthetics of the Scandinavian style is subordinated to minimalism. And let someone think that this is boring and irrational, they are probably simply not familiar with the interiors of the Nordic countries. The houses and apartments in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark are always very cozy, comfortable and spacious. Here you can breathe easily, think interestingly, relax pleasantly and work fruitfully. And all because the interior is not filled with unnecessary furniture and unnecessary trinkets, is not overloaded with a riot of colors and is as close as possible to natural realities. Everything here is simple, which means elegant, and in some places even extraordinary. Consider the Scandinavian style to be a minimalist style.
Laconic decor and furniture
Much in the Scandinavian interior relies on the laconicism of details and furniture, or rather on their absence. And this is not a joke - in Scandinavian houses there is always a minimum of furniture and accessories, but at the same time there is an amazing environment and it is achieved through the following:
- wooden or wicker furniture of simple, laconic shapes;
- cozy woolen blankets;
- flowers in ceramic pots;
- candles in glass candlesticks;
- stylish high-tech fireplace;
- glass coffee table on a wrought-iron leg;
- mirrors in wooden or metal frames.
Any detail in a minimalist interior should have its own specific function. This is the key to successfully creating a comfortable and stylish interior design.
Minimalism in color selection... or bright spots are not prohibited?
Any of the trends in Scandinavian interiors does not tolerate a riot of colors. Natural shades and natural muted tones are acceptable here: light green, light shades of brown, pale blue, gray and white as a base.
But minimalism in the interior does not mean boring and primitive design, so adopt these tips:
- bright textiles: rugs, pillows, small rugs;
- muted tones of bright colors in the design of paintings;
- bright juicy greens and indoor flowers: both natural and cheerful;
- bright wooden chairs;
- table lamp with multi-colored lampshade.
But keep in mind that all these points should not be combined in one room; choose two or three, otherwise you risk going beyond the limits. Sometimes monochrome looks very stylish - this means that the entire interior is subordinated to only two colors that differ in brightness.
Lighting in a Scandinavian minimalist interior
The minimalist style is a little similar to such a design direction as high-tech: laconic forms, the use of metal, glass, a minimum of accessories. Therefore, lamps and chandeliers made in this technological direction or in the constructivist style can also live in your Scandinavian room:
- chandeliers of clear geometric shapes, futurism is welcomed;
- the light is dim, soft;
- the use of glass in lamps is encouraged;
- spotlights around the perimeter of the room will give a feeling of spaciousness and freedom;
- a floor lamp of an unusual shape will help to emphasize one of the areas of the room, given that such a design does not tolerate partitions and obvious zoning;
- lighting is also fire, arrange several lamps that suit the style to complete the interior;
- and, of course, the minimalist style cannot exist without a huge window; make sure it is in the room.
Minimalist materials
Don't forget that we are talking about Scandinavian style, and these are natural materials. Scandinavian design, the minimalism of which is expressed in laconic forms, should also be displayed in the decoration of walls and floors:
- textured plaster on the walls is welcome;
- one of the walls can be decorated with natural tiles;
- if there is brickwork in the room, then it is not touched, but only coated with a special varnish;
- another wall can be decorated with natural stone;
- It is advisable to lay the floor in a Scandinavian room with natural wood planks or tiles.
Main accents
No matter what interior design style you choose, it is important that the house or room in which you live reflects your character and inner world. Minimalism in the interior is characteristic of sensible, free, perhaps calm people who value space and comfort. Everything that appears in the interior should be interesting and useful to its owner. Let it be elegant candlesticks from a rare collection, a few landscapes from a trip abroad, a couple of bright pillows purchased from your favorite handmade store, or a few futuristic armchairs for the living room. Minimalist design is an intelligent interior, subordinated to practicality and sophistication.
The white glossy surfaces of the corner kitchen unit will reflect natural light. Visual interest will be given to the room by “warm” inserts of wooden facades and an apron made of blue-tinted tempered glass. Upper cabinets located in two rows, due to different depths, will not create a feeling of cluttered space, but will provide plenty of storage space.
The bright modern interior is designed with a minimum of decorative elements. Furnishings in pastel colors harmoniously combine with the warm texture of wood and white surroundings, and graphite acts as an accent color.
Pure geometric shapes of furniture with smooth facades and natural wood shades will visually unite the living room and kitchen areas into a single space. The TV will fit into the design of wall cabinets. The center of the living room-bedroom will be highlighted by an Astral Agnes LED chandelier in contemporary style, and the dining area will be illuminated by two pendants with clear glass shades.
According to the idea of the author of the project, Irina Rozhkova, a small studio apartment in a monolithic building could become the first home for a young married couple who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy sports (bicycling, rock climbing, snowboarding). The designer proposed separating the kitchen from the living room-bedroom using sliding glass partitions, due to which the light from the windows located at the opposite end of the room will freely penetrate into the isolated area, and visually both rooms will remain a single whole.
The flooring in the living room will be a massive Lab Arte board, and in the kitchen (and other rooms) a carpet made of Kerama Marazzi ceramic tiles in the shape of multi-colored honeycombs will be laid. To decorate the walls, use Tikkurila paint in white and graphite shades.
Another advantage of this transformation is that such a design has good sound insulation and the housewife will be able to cook without fear of disturbing her husband sleeping in the room. The combined bathroom will be located on the right hand from the entrance to the apartment, on the left (in the hallway) - it is planned to erect a partition to build in a spacious wardrobe for outerwear with multi-colored doors.
In the niche formed by the wooden structure and the wall, an open shelving unit for books and accessories will be placed, the inner surface of which will be painted in the same expressive graphite shade as the gap on the ceiling. A dining group consisting of a rectangular table and three multi-colored armchairs in the Scandinavian style will also be placed here.
The ceiling will be lowered to solve several problems: to install lamps and lighting, as well as fasteners for sliding partitions. The gap around the perimeter of the lower will be painted graphite. There is an air conditioner in the space between the windows.