At its heart, the Scandinavian style is truly minimal with muted tones and plush fabrics and rugs that truly instill the ‘hygge’ feeling. The focus is on building a clean space devoid of visual clutter that is said to calm anxious minds.
Here are some key ideas you need to keep in mind if you intend to design a Scandinavian-style inspired space.
Minimal: Less is more
Most Scandinavian spaces are truly minimal, but not extremely so. These spaces are characteristically ‘clean’ with not too many decorative knick-knacks crowding your shelves and coffee tables. Invest in quality pieces and decor items that become the ‘focus’ of the setting.
Light, neutral colours with muted dark accents
The Scandinavian space is rooted in light, natural colour tones like pale pinks, muted wood tones, grey-green, etc. So refrain from creating the bright blue accent wall or that busy wallpaper. Just because the core colour palette leans towards warm, muted tones, it does not mean you cannot bring in any colour. Explore the idea of bringing in colour by using accents like pillows, art, or even fabric. The trick is to understand the minimalistic nature of this style and stick to bringing in 1 or 2 muted natural accent colours as opposed to a riot of bright reds or blues.
Natural textiles
Stay away from synthetic materials when you are designing a Scandinavian space. Natural, organic fabrics like cotton, linen, and wool are what you are looking for here.
Airy spaces filled with natural light
Mid-century modern spaces do best with neutral palettes with a pop of bright colours. Keep your walls a neutral shade and add colours with items like accent chairs, art, cushions, fabric, and even by mixing metals. Bear in mind, the art you bring into the space can end up making or breaking it. Here are some pictures for inspiration:
Modern furniture
When picking furniture, bear in mind the colour palette associated with this style. Select pieces made of light-coloured wood or get them treated. You want quality wood pieces and steer clear of low-quality items or ornate designs.
Unique, modern light fixtures
This is where you get to play around. Pick unique, stand-out fixtures that draw your attention. Fill your space with light! Invest in sconces, table lamps, floor lamps, and even pendants or chandeliers. The only thing to keep in mind would be simplicity. Do not pick the crystal chandelier or the traditional tiffany table lamps. Look at some of these pins for inspiration.
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