Style Inspiration: Scandinavian Design
Image: Taryn Elliot/Pixels
If you’re anything like me, you find most minimalist spaces far too cold and uninviting. Who wants to live in a house where they can’t actually use the space? It often feels much too like a showroom of untouchable pieces and not an actual home. When I see homes like this, it always reminds me of this quote from the book Eve in Exile. The author writes about a conversation with her husband, in which he says, “I don’t like kitchens that look like they would smell like cleaner. I think the kitchen should look like it smells like hot food in the oven.” (Rebekah Merkle). I think the same philosophy ought to apply to the entire home. A home that looks like it smells like cleaner is not one I’d like to spend any time in. Home ought to smell like life and joy, but instead, it feels like you're not allowed to sit on the couch. But what if you like the cleanliness of minimalism but also the warm comfort of hominess? Where is the middle ground?
If you’re looking for a style that combines the classy airiness of minimalism with the warmth, nature, and comfort of home, look no further than Scandinavian design. Founded in the early 20th century in the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland, it rose to popularity in America during the 1950s and has stayed prominent ever since. Scandinavian design has such a long-lasting hold due to its timeless ideals. It focuses on cleanliness, simplicity, and minimalism—all without sacrificing beauty or comfort. Perfectly balancing the airiness of minimalist design with the warmth of cozy spaces, Scandinavian design makes a simple space feel comfortable and functional, rather than the sterile coldness of an overly minimalist approach.
As a philosophy, Scandinavian design is about being in harmony with one’s environment. Your home ought to be a place of comfort, enjoyment, and warmth - engineered to make your daily life better.
So, how do they achieve such harmony?
Simplistic Spaces
Image: Pinterest
On par with its minimalistic origins, Scandinavian design focuses heavily on simplicity.
Clean lines, neutral tones, and little clutter make up the main themes here. Most of the simplicity comes from the “less is more” approach to decor. The core colors featured are white, black, grey, and tan. Other colors tend to come in as an accent or pop of color. Furniture tends to be clean-lined, with naturally inspired curves and shapes—this style is known for its rounded chairs and curvy softness. There is generally less pattern and more texture, which adds depth to the space without making anything look busy or cluttered.
Natural Inspiration
Image: Getty Images
Another key tenant of Scandinavian design is bringing nature inside. Part of the Scandinavian design philosophy is to create harmony with your surroundings, and nature plays a key role. This partially is achieved through houseplants, but it also involves raw woods, pops of green and brown, and plenty of natural light. This combats the sterile tendencies of minimalism by adding plenty of warmth and color.
Large floor house plants work incredibly well with this style, but small potted plants and even bouquets add a similar brightness. Another main natural feature is the light hardwood flooring. Paired with plenty of windows, this brightens up the space and keeps the quintessential airy quality that attracts people to this style. Furniture keeps with the light wooden theme, often matching the floor or dining table. Natural textiles also feature prominently, which adds texture and depth.
Hygge
Image: Farmers Almac
Hygge is a Danish/Norwegian word meaning “a feeling of contentment and comfort”. This key element of warmth, in my option, is what differentiates Scandinavian design from other minimalist designs. This comfort mostly is found in textiles. Wool and cotton are prominent here, and many Scandinavian designs incorporate plenty of throw blankets and other soft fabrics. Layering adds depth and character, and raw woods add a sense of hominess. Fireplaces add visual comfort as well as warmth to combat a chilly Nordic winter.
Hygge also brings a sense of friendship and comradery. Scandinavian design often focuses on the dining table, reminding us of the wonderful uniting power of a shared meal, a warm fire, and a hearty laugh. If that is the purpose of home, ought we not design around it?
Functional Pieces
Image: Getty Images
Scandinavian design is known for its high-quality products that are built to last, yet still affordable for the common man. Good craftsmanship is valued highly, and pieces are bought as a long-term investment. Simple, high-quality products end up being extremely functional for day-to-day life, which is a massive goal of this design philosophy. Your home is meant to improve your circumstances, and functional spaces enhance the utility of your home. A home that you use well is a home you can love well.
Keep things Beautiful
Image: Pinterest
Though Scandinavian design is highly useful, it could certainly never be considered utilitarian. Beautiful spaces improve your day-to-day life, after all, and that is one of the end goals of this design style. Even if a space is simple and highly functional, this design style does not leave aesthetics out of the equation.
The natural themes and cozy textiles go a long way towards making a Scandinavian space more beautiful, but this design also employs plenty of contrast to draw the eye, often using black accents for depth. The white, black, & tan base colors of the style are complemented with pops of color such as light blue, sage, and pink.
Scandinavian design also calls back to its folksy heritage. The Nordic countries have a long history of pattern and shape, and plenty of modern designers use this heritage in their modern designs, adding another stunning form of contrast. Patterns are often simple, botanical, and brightly colored. Wallpapers, rugs, curtains, and paintings add a pop of color and pattern to an overall simple space and draw in even the most minimalist-adverse. Other rustic pieces, especially hand-carved wood, add life and rustic flair to an otherwise modern space.
I personally go for a bit more color and flair than the average Scandinavian household. Even so, any person with a space to love can pull their favorite pieces from this philosophy and apply them. Keep it simple, and keep it cozy! Take inspiration from all over, and make a style that is uniquely yours.
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