With the continuing rise of condos and small apartments, most people are considering what style and theme to use in these areas.
And one of the most popular styles that fits perfectly with just about any interior of any size is the Scandinavian Style.
Scandinavian Style is a style that was quite popular through the 1950s in the five Nordic countries of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland.
They are characterized by its simplicity in design, its functionality, and its minimalistic approach to home living.
Its overall look denotes a warm and cozy ambiance, which led to its general appeal all over the cold countries.
It had a renaissance of sorts in the early 2010s when small spaces called for practical and small pieces of furniture.
Nowadays, it can be achieved in just about any space and in any size.
It is often said that those who have this style in their homes are typically described as one who opts to live a more simplistic and hassle free lifestyle.
Here are a few elements and tips on how to achieve the Scandinavian Style.
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1. Woods and Woods
Wood, if you would look at it, is quite warm and relaxing to look at.
This is what most of the Scandinavian designers thought of when they designed their iconic pieces.
The most popular woods used are teak, oak, and ash wood. When used properly, it gives off a light and breezy ambiance.
To get that light and calming feel, you can use oak wood flooring or even accent a wall with some lovely wood panels.
2. Famous Iconic Pieces
A defining characteristic for Scandinavian interiors is the use of pieces and elements from famous Scandinavian designers.
The first person that comes to mind when one hears famous Scandinavian furniture is Hans Wegner, whose famous designs, particularly the Round Chair, have been used in many interiors.
Apart from Hans, there is also Arne Jacobsen, Alvar Aalto and Verner Panton.
Most of the iconic pieces, aside from being of wood, feature the distinct philosophy of simplicity, functionality and minimalism.
You don’t necessarily need to break the bank. rather opt for pieces that are somewhat similar to them.
You can use curved back chairs that resemble the round chair in your dining room or as an accent chair in your living room.
You can also look for sofas that have Danish inspired backrests and fabric finishes or even café chairs with oak or ash wood legs as dining chairs.
3. Light and Muted Accent Colors
Another distinctive feature of the Scandinavian style is the use of light and muted colors.
Colors such as grays, light browns, off whites and even teals, give off a light and simplistic approach to modern design.
You can use a light grey sofa accented with various neutral colored pillows and one or two accent colored pillows.
Another option is to bring in a bold floor rug or carpet to act as a break from the use of grays and whites.
You can also use white and oak colors as a base for your interiors, since you can further accent it with either muted prints or a bold color like yellow, rose pink, rusty orange or even emerald green.
4. Functionalism
You might have noticed how this word is constantly said about Scandinavian design.
This is due in part to its philosophy of modernity and simplicity.
As such, when designing your interior, it is important to think about “form follows function” Take into consideration your area.
If your area is quite small, you don’t necessarily need to have all of the pieces you see in a typical room.
You just need to have a few basics and they must be practical. If your area is big enough, take into consideration that when you plan your layout, it must work around the space rather than the space work for it.
If your space happens to be an open space and is big enough for two areas, you can arrange it in such a way that each area is evenly spaced out without compromising accessibility.
It goes without saying that the less frills, the better.
5. Natural Light
This is another factor to consider when you create your interior.
Scandinavian design draws its aesthetic from the natural word, in particular, the use of wood and natural lighting.
Most Scandinavian interiors have large windows that allow natural light to enter and illuminate the space, but you can also achieve this aesthetic even with other window sizes.
Simply place your furniture next to a window and opt for soft, voile curtains to help distribute the light.
You can go the extra mile and open the windows to let in some fresh air.
6. Minimal Decor
Now that you have your basic pieces in place, it is time to put a little bit of yourself into the mix.
Scandinavian design, as mentioned over and over again, is all about simplicity, functionality and modernity.
But that doesn’t mean it can’t bend a little when it comes to adding a little bit of your personality.
You can add a nice throw blanket on your sofa or a set of simple pillows in complementing fabrics.
You can place a stack of books or a few simple vases on the coffee table.
A simple framed artwork can add a bit of class and modernity to your area or if you are in the mood for a small wall gallery, you can do so in one section.
You can also bring in some plants for that extra natural feel. Another popular and functional décor is employing the use of wooden ladders that serve as an accent piece while hanging hats, magazines, scarves and even bags.
Designing a Scandinavian-style interior is quite tricky for some since it draws on the principle of minimalism with comfort and functionality.
But if you are the type who likes no-nonsense things and is more than willing to embrace a more simple and straightforward lifestyle, then this is perfect for you.
