When it comes to finding the perfect design style for your home, the options are overwhelming, especially when you want an aesthetically pleasing look that reflects who you are. One of the more popular styles right now is Scandinavian due to its combination of light, warm neutral tones, clean lines, minimalism, and our favorite, wood accents. Implementing this rustic-meets-modern design makes it easy to create stylish, yet inviting interiors with personal touches that make you feel right at home. We know not everyone is an experienced interior designer so to make decorating easier, here are some of our favorite Scandinavian-inspired home design tips!
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Keep It Cozy
If there’s one thing the Nordic people are familiar with, it’s being stuck in freezing temperatures during the winter months. So to combat the treacherous outside, they make sure to maintain a warm, comfortable home. Popular color schemes used will often include beige, tan, white, grey, and a bright pop of color for variation. Use soft, solid, or patterned textiles and pillows to decorate couches for lounging. Bonus tip: light earthy scented candles for the best experience!
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Minimize And Utilize
For many Americans, minimalism isn’t exactly the easiest concept to implement into home design due to evolving trends and, of course, irresistible sales promotions. But Scandinavian inspiration actually thrives on minimizing cluttered home decor and focusing on quality products that can be used for a long time. The next time you’re about to make a purchase, ask yourself exactly where the object will go, how long it will last, and if it fits the aesthetic of the room. This will definitely save you money and contribute to a more efficiently arranged household.
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Focus on Cleanliness
When you look at examples of Scandinavian design, you’ll notice that every object appears effortlessly placed. That isn’t always the case though! The reality is that every object has its own place to create a balanced energy flow throughout the whole space, also known as the Chinese practice of feng shui. A lived-in home is obviously not always going to be spotless, but making sure that clutter is reduced (as mentioned above) and items are organized properly will reflect traditional nordic cultural norms like organization, preparedness, and cleanliness.
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Bring The Outdoors Inside
Perhaps the backbone concept of Scandinavian design is incorporating nature into the indoors. Nordic culture is extremely appreciative of the outdoors, fresh air, and landscape so, naturally, representing these in everyday life is important. Displaying easy-to-care-for plants like succulents and snake plants, keeping window blinds open, or turning on stylish lamps to lighten spaces are all great ways to bring outside in. But the best and most important thing to do is add light-toned wood accents in the form of wall art, meaning that decorative beams are a must. Try mimicking the fjords and create an indoor forest atmosphere with Vintage Harvest’s lightest white oak wood plank kit. The do-it-yourself opportunities are endless, but check out these Scandi-friendly project ideas like installing a reclaimed wood wall or hanging gardens.
If these four tips remain the focus of your journey into designing a Scandinavian-styled home, your efforts will surely succeed! Just remember to be thoughtful and careful when selecting each design element, accent, and piece of furniture so everything blends well. It’s all about balance and harmony! Lastly, while IKEA is a wonderful store with affordable products to fit this type of design, don’t be afraid to branch out to local stores or even independent shops on Etsy to find the perfect pieces for your home.