What makes Scandinavian Design so aesthetically pleasing
Scandinavian Design is a popular style that blends a minimalist aesthetic with function and comfort. Its style embodies the timeless concept of simplicity and minimalism together with functionality. Part of what makes this near century old design style so aesthetically pleasing is the simplicity of the design and lack of clutter. The design’s main concept features bright, airy spaces marked by clean, simple lines. Neutrals or bright whites backgrounds with pops of black and tan are also heavily relied upon in an effort to bring in more light in the cold dark Nordic winters. Light wooden tones and live plants featured to blur the boundaries between outdoors and indoors.
First emerging in the five Nordic Countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland in the early 1930s, Scandinavian design continues influence contemporary interiors across the globe and experienced enduring popularity among the masses.
If you’ve always wanted this minimalist design style but have no idea how to go about achieving it, here are seven tips to follow:
1. Use Light Coloured Neutral Tone
Use a light coloured neutral tone for flooring and walls. Because winters are long and dark in Northern Europe, this design utilizes a neutral heavy colour palette to make a space feel uniform and bright. Some of these neutral tones (i.e. beige, ivory, taupe, black, grey, and shades of white) have undertones, which needs to be paired accordingly, in order to give an open, clean and breezy look to any living space.
2. Pops of Colour
In typical Scandinavian spaces where walls are lightly coloured, small busts of bright colours will provide the space with a cheerful vibe. Other colours such as dusty pinks and rich sea greens would also highlight and accentuate the design in any living space.
3. Bring in Natural Light
Natural lighting is something craved in the short Nordic winter days. In order to maximise light at every turn, designers turned to undressed windows, mirrors, doors made of glass and even roof lighting.
4. Bring in Plants
Greenery, nature and the forests are a huge part of Nordic lifestyle and hence are a huge inspiration in their interior design style. Adding plants will not only add a touch of life but also inject colour into any living space.
5. Wood Accents
Light wood, such as pine, beech and ash, are often incorporated into the design of a space through walls, wood slats, and flooring. Some Scandinavian-inspired furniture also feature elements of wood which are widely found in the five Nordic countries. This is an important element of Scandinavian design as it adds warmth and texture to any living space.
6. Other Textures
Juxtaposing the hard, dense, woody material with other textured materials can soften the feel of a space. Plush rugs, fluffy duvets or sheepskin textiles are different ways to soften the feel of a space and add subtle variation.
7. Remove any Clutter
Finally, the design of the space should follow the “less is more” mantra. Walls are commonly left bare and spaces are left relatively sparse to emphasize this principle. Scaling back on unnecessary accessories would also limit clutter in any living space. By sticking to the two largest principles of simplicity and practicality, home owners would be able to bring out a level of spare elegance.
Beautiful, clean and timeless, this minimalist approach helps create a calm and focused space that provide relief from the realities of modern-day life, all while meeting the requirement of modern living spaces. As the epitome of simplicity and function, Scandinavian continues to be a leading source of inspiration for many interior designers till this day.