Redecorate Your Home in Scandinavian Design
Scandinavian interior design is inspired by the décor of Norway, Sweden and Denmark, although it also sometimes includes designs from other Nordic countries, including Finland, Greenland and Iceland. The style first became popular in the 1950s and is currently enjoying a resurgence of popularity.
Scandinavian home décor emphasizes open space and minimalist design. It’s similar to modern design but offers a bit more warmth in its incorporation of plants and natural materials, such as wood and stone.
To provide an open look, keep the amount of furniture minimal. Individual pieces of furniture should be spare and functional, never overstuffed. Uncover windows during daylight hours to emphasize and accentuate space. Keep colors, including wall paint, neutral. Rooms can be monochromatic or a mixture of traditional colors, such as cream, tan and gray. Add warmth with interesting textures on couch cushions, accent pillows and curtains.
Decorations should be sparse too. You can add touches of art, such as paintings and sculptures, but not too many. For a pop of color, bring the natural world inside with a large broad-leafed green plant or two. The frames of tables, chairs and couches can also impart some color — usually black, white or light blue.
Bring the look together with wood or stone flooring. Laminate flooring designed to look like wood or stone can also work. You can go with carpeting or areas rugs too, provided you stick to neutral tones.
To maintain an open and minimalistic aesthetic, all rooms should remain clutter-free.
Scandinavian Living Room Design
A room that imparts a sense of calm is key to Scandinavian-style living rooms, where the emphasis is on neutral colors and a lot of open space. Choose light colors for the walls, such as white, ivory, tan or light gray. Select pieces in line with Scandinavian furniture design — simple, even spare, furniture that has clean lines and coordinates with the wall color.
Scandinavian design makes the most of light, so keep the shades up and the curtains open. There should be a minimal amount of furniture. Couches should coordinate with the colors of the wall and be in neutral tones. Chairs should have clean lines and be in neutral tones, black or white. The fabric on couches and chairs should have an interesting texture to add warmth to the room.
Keep art and sculptures to a minimum, too, and coordinate them with the room’s color scheme. They should blend in rather than demand attention. The living room is a good place to employ a single large, green plant for color.
Floors, whether carpeted or wooden, should be in a neutral color. Accent carpets in neutral shades that match the color patterns can do well here, too.
Scandinavian Bedroom Design
The bedroom should also feature light, neutral colors and clean lines. Paint your walls white, bone, light tan or shades of light gray to create a soothing, peaceful background for your bedroom décor. If you want to stay authentic and add an occasional pop of color, go with black, white or light blue.
Hardwood and stone floors in natural colors, such as brown or gray, provide a nice complement to the décor. If you choose to use carpeting or area rugs, go with light colors and neutral tones.
Bedroom furnishings should be minimal for a Scandinavian look. Furniture should have clean lines and be in light, neutral shades. Use light-hued curtains to add texture to the room. Blinds or shades in a structured pattern also work well. You’ll want to keep decorations, such as art, vases and textiles, to a minimum. As in the living room, adding a green plant or two here will work well if you want to add some color.
Scandinavian Kitchen Design
Scandinavian kitchens, like the rest of Scandinavian home décor, emphasize open space and clean lines. Choose neutral colors, such as tan, cream and brown, or go for natural materials, like stone and brick.
Tables and chairs should be neutral in tone to coordinate with the walls and cabinets. Scandinavian design doesn’t tolerate clutter well, including in the kitchen, so you may want to install a couple of floating shelves for cookbooks and knickknacks.
Wooden planks are a traditional choice for Scandinavian-style kitchen floors. Another good option is waterproof laminate flooring, which can resist stains and scratches. Choose a laminate that mimics the look and natural aging of wood. Wide wood planks expand the look of the room, helping to achieve the open feel you want.
Declutter Before You Begin
Scandinavian design is minimalist, so you’ll want to declutter before you redecorate. Start by organizing your things into four piles: keep, give away, sell and throw away. Sweep floors and vacuum your cabinets and drawers. Store the furniture you won’t be using by covering it with drop cloths and keeping it at least three inches from the walls to prevent mildew. Keep clothes, sporting goods and other things you aren’t using in plastic boxes on shelves outside the living area. Attach a list of the contents to the outside of each box so you can easily find what you need.
Create More Living Space With Good Closet Organization
You may also want to organize your closet space so that it’s more efficient before you redecorate. Wood and metal closet organizers make it possible for you to keep sweaters, shoes, purses, accessories and clothes out of sight.
Scandinavian design brings a light, expansive and organized feel to your home, making it a serene place to return at the end of your day.