A quick glance at Scandinavian interior design

Clean design is akin to minimalist design but with a difference as evident in Scandinavian interior design that uses a blend of textures and contrasts with soft hues that add a warm and inviting feeling to modern interior design that never goes out of style. Scandinavian design is different from the minimalist style in that it defies the sparse and colorless spaces that define the minimalist style and chooses more colorful contrasts while preserving the soft appeal. Tidiness is prevalent in the Scandinavian design for creating minimalist styles by using modern furniture with cozy accents and concise color palettes. Light plays a vital role in the design because of the plentiful sunlight that the Nordic countries enjoy.

Interior designs inspired by the Scandinavian style are trendy as it showcases our desire to have clean and tidy interiors that inspire us to live in cozy and comfortable settings. The designs uphold the beauty of modern Scandinavian design while providing an intimate and beautifully layered living space. Scandinavian design is a design movement characterized by simplicity and functionalism that has been around since the 1950s and still enjoys high popularity in interior design. Use of natural materials like hemp, wood, and leather is prevalent in the design that has close connections to nature and creates designs by combining natural shapes and abstraction.

Good understanding of Scandinavian design should help to implement it in your home.   In this article, we will try to explain the design with some examples that should help you to create stunning interior designs that have the Scandinavian touches.

Use warm textiles as accessories

Scandinavian designs use warm textiles for furnishings and accessories, and the choice is driven by the extreme cold climate of the Nordic countries. Therefore, any Scandinavian home décor uses warm textiles that are perfect in the countries from which the design originates. The carpets and throws used as part of the design have wool, mohair, and sheepskin as the material of construction.  The warm textile of accessories keeps the rooms warm and cozy during the cold months.

High contrasts are another hallmark of the design as the interiors have white walls and black furniture that create a dramatic and impactful statement. Modern furniture creates the perfect contrast with the ornate architectural details of building interiors commonly seen in northern Europe.

Maintain a simple decorative tone

Simplicity is at the heart of Scandinavian design, and it manifests within the decorative elements too. The decorative elements of the living room or any other room must have simple designs but high in its aesthetic appeal that matches with the design philosophy.  Placing some elegant looking ceramic vases on your living room table will enhance the decoration.  For adding texture and color to the Scandinavian interiors use simple geometric prints on throws and pillows for couches.

Even in newly built contemporary spaces, you can maintain the minimalist approach by installing tulip tables and swan chairs with upholstery made from rich cognac leather tones and blonde wood accents highlighting the surrounding walls and floor.

Blend wood and metal finishes

Using wooden floor and wood furniture and fixtures are the specialties of Scandinavian design, and in any Scandinavian house, you will find wooden coffee tables and chairs.  Scandinavian design has undergone some changes with time, and the latest trend of decoration combines the use of wooden elements along with metallic finishes. For example, it is not surprising to see brass pendants and copper sconces installed in wooden ceilings to make the ceiling shine that light brightly up the entire space.

Use neutral colors

The Scandinavian color palette that goes with the décor has a typical assortment of hues of grays and blacks as well as whites and browns. The predominant use of these neutral colors helps to create clean and soothing effects in any Scandinavian home design. To add variety to the colors, some designers use fuchsia and sea greens as pops, and any interior has white paint on the walls that provide the perfect background for the furniture, fixtures and decorative pieces to stand out.

Choose light and colored flooring

If you have a fascination for wall to wall carpeting, then the Scandinavian design is not for you. Wall to wall carpeting has no place in Scandinavian design and instead prefers flooring made from some hardwood materials.  The floor can either preserve the natural looks of wood or at best painted white. Laminated light flooring is ideal for a Scandinavian design that can make any house look more spacious and brighter that looks very inviting, always ready to welcome anyone. Installing heated tiles in bathrooms can be a pleasing experience in extremely cold temperatures.

Use plants and fresh flowers for decoration

As told earlier Scandinavian design embraces natural elements that add a living element of color and beauty to the interior. Therefore, you must add some living element to the design by choosing carefully selected indoor plants and flowers that spruce up the décor. Using plants and flowers in the living room will add a unique dimension to the design that looks livelier and provides a soothing touch that has a calming effect. When you go for Scandinavian design, remember that plants and flowers are a necessity and not something that you can think about incorporating later. Flowers are available in plenty in the Scandinavian region which has inspired designers to use it creatively for interior design.

Pay attention to lighting

To make Scandinavian design show up at its best, you must ensure that natural light or daylight enters in plenty within the indoors. Natural light has a tremendous effect on Scandinavian design, and you must consider carefully the manner of lighting the spaces to highlight the salient features of the design. Arrange for different types of light sources for proper illumination of the entire space because lighting sets the mood of the design. For the best effects, experts recommend the use of modern lighting with industrial design such as pendant lamps and wall sconces.

For adding some romantic appeal to the cozy and warm setting of Scandinavian interiors use candle lights and candelabras that create some mesmerizing effect.