Showrooms
Bright, minimalist rooms, a neutral palette, carefully considered accessories and timber furniture with clean silhouettes. The Scandinavian aesthetic, which has been around since the 1950s, is ever popular today. If you love the look but have no idea how to incorporate it into your home, we’re here to help. We’ll talk you through the key Scandinavian styling pillars so that you’re on the right track to recreating it in your own space.
Functionality comes first
‘Form follows function’ is the guiding principle of Scandinavian style. Every item in your home needs to serve a purpose – whether it’s the chest of drawers in your bedroom for storing your linen and clothes or the entertainment unit in your living area that houses your TV, music system and bric-à-brac. What’s more, these pieces need to be well designed and look beautiful. Start with a clean slate by decluttering your home and stripping things back to give your home some breathing space. You can then start carefully curating your furniture and decor to create a cozy space where you love to spend time.
Olivia Dining Table and Magnus Dining Chairs
Let there be light
Take your cue from the way the Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway capture and maximise light in the interior of their homes through their long, dark winters. Replace the heavy drapes on your windows and opt for airy curtains or lightweight blinds so that your space is bathed in natural light. White walls, big mirrors and a neutral color palette enhance the light and give rooms that airy vibe. As for artificial lighting, make sure you have different light sources – table lamps, dimmable downlights, or floor lamps can create a soft, cozy glow in your home.
Olivia Sofa 3-Seater and Olivia Armchair
White is always right
The Scandi color palette is natural and neutral. It’s about white space with light shades of colour. Think duck egg blue, soft green, gentle grey and natural linen. The warmth comes through the tones of timber furniture and a variety of textures. When you are working with a simple color palette, it’s important to incorporate natural finishes, layers and textures to give it dimension. Don’t despair if you love color – inject it through artworks and accessories.
Bastian Office Desk and Olivia Dining Chair
Quality over quantity
With such a simple color palette and crisp, clean lines, the Scandi style values the importance of a well designed piece of furniture. Rather than cramming everything into a room, give careful consideration to a few key items, leaving enough empty space to celebrate their beauty. Remember to include storage pieces so the space can remain clutter-free. Choose furniture with clean lines that are well made from authentic materials. Quality workmanship is crucial so that the beauty and integrity of your furniture shines through.
Axel Dining Table and Magnus Dining Chairs
Accessorize with care
Scandi style minimalism transforms from cold to cozy with simple yet sophisticated décor choices. Resist the urge to over decorate and instead focus on natural materials, interesting textures and hand-made items. Filling the walls with art is the perfect way to add your favorite colors into the room. Scandi art is known to be very geometric and graphic, but don’t let this limit you. A large artwork or a well curated salon hanging injects personality into the room. Add layers in the form of cable knit throws, crisp linen and decorative cushions to transform your bed and sofa to give a feeling of cosiness in the cooler months. Create a vignette by stacking your favorite books and hand-made ceramic vases for a personal touch. Finally, we can’t forget about plants – they are the quintessential Scandi way to inject life and freshness into a space.
