Scandinavian style - the basics of philosophy
Scandi can easily be called a modern classic, if only because it does not accept anything pretentious, unnecessary or impractical. Its forms are simple and are literally timeless, without losing their relevance over the years. In this, his philosophy is very similar to minimalism, but the focus in the Scandinavian interior is on the naturalness of materials, the most spacious open space with plenty of light and conciseness in details. At the same time, literally not a single square centimeter of even the smallest apartment will be wasted.
Why Scandinavian?
Harsh nature with coniferous and deciduous forests, relatively short summers and long frosty winters, not the most gentle sun - all this makes Scandinavia very similar to Russia. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that the interior style of the same name was liked by the residents of our country, along with the Swedes, Norwegians and Danes.
The climate there is temperate and even subarctic, the seas that wash the Scandinavian Peninsula on all sides, and many rivers and lakes have determined the philosophy of housing in this region.
The house should be as simple in shape as possible - so that it can be quickly erected, spacious and warm - to keep warm in the cold winter, light and airy - to compensate for the lack of sunlight.
The active use of natural materials in such housing - in particular, wood and wool - has long been due to the relative geographical isolation - compared to other European countries, as well as the abundance of forests of various types. But despite the traditions that have been established over many years, the style received its official name only in the mid-twentieth century after one of the design exhibitions held in North America - in the USA and Canada.
However, it is not only and not so much the principle of arranging a Scandinavian house that has singled out this design as a separate stylistic direction.
A huge role in the development of the style was played by the fact that it was the Scandinavians, in particular the Swedes, who put comfortable, functional, high-quality furniture and household items available to everyone.
Thanks to this, the very concept of design has become accessible to almost everyone - after all, combining ready-made, stylistically consistent solutions with each other is much easier than creating an interior completely from scratch. By the way, this is precisely what lies behind the apparent simplicity of creating a Scandinavian interior in an apartment or house. However, as usual, it's all in the details.
Scandinavian style apartment: main features
The Scandinavian style, despite its laconicism, requires several fundamental conditions. Firstly, this is a very specific color scheme - a maximum of cool colors, and the basis of the interior is most often pure white. Secondly, no clutter with furniture - on the contrary, the most free open space with a large number of windows, including panoramic ones. Thirdly, all furniture and decor are of simple forms, but at the same time maximally functional and ergonomic. And finally, the constant companion of the Scandinavian style in the interior is details made of natural wood and living greenery of indoor plants.
Why is white the color in favor when arranging an interior in a Scandinavian style?
It's simple - in harsh climatic conditions you always want more light, and snow-white decor contributes a lot to this. The main thing is to maintain the necessary balance so as not to turn the room or kitchen into a sterile operating room. The use of cool colors in interior design - turquoise, blue, lilac shades, the color of natural stone or spring greenery will emphasize the charm of the Scandinavian style without violating the integrity of the design idea. Elements made of natural wood or its imitation, as well as those decorated in warm beige or brown colors, will add warmth and special comfort. The main rule is clear lines and simple geometric shapes.
Modern solutions when choosing furniture and accessories for a small apartment in Scandinavian style
For small rooms, compact furniture made of light wood, perhaps painted white or pastel, is suitable.
A sofa and a bed, a table and chairs - everything should be simple, comfortable, compact and ergonomic.
The following options are typical when choosing furniture:
- racks instead of cabinets and walls;
- simple sofas and armchairs in a modern style;
- minimalist wooden beds;
- light white chests of drawers;
- glass tables;
- wooden dining sets.
It is worth giving preference to natural materials: wood, rattan, metal.
Accessories are also chosen from glass and metal. Textiles can be two-color, printed with geometric patterns.
Stylish northern interior is an excellent solution for small spaces. It’s easy to create a fashionable environment with your own hands, armed with the advice of interior design professionals.
A minimum of things with great functionality will help you use space rationally, but comfortably.
Scandinavian style furniture
This requirement directly applies, first of all, to “Scandi” furniture: no curlicues or excessive decoration, which allows you to use literally every centimeter of space as functionally as possible. The simple geometry of the furniture is compensated by the color scheme and the absolute ergonomics of each item.
As for the materials from which the furniture is made, there are practically no restrictions, the main thing is that the appearance corresponds to the Scandinavian style, but the highest aerobatics in this case is furniture made of natural wood of laconic forms. The main wealth of such furniture, as a rule, is hidden inside: storage systems and ease of use must be impeccably executed. Therefore, organizing a Scandinavian interior, especially in small apartments or in “industrial” premises such as a kitchen, requires accurate calculation and consideration of all the nuances of the room.
Decoration: interesting solutions
The calmness of Scandinavian design methods can cause despondency and depression for the inhabitants of the room. To prevent this, it is necessary to use bright accents in the design. They will make it more colorful and fill it with meaning, add vitality and dynamism to the living space.
Wall shelves are a good choice for decorative items, helping to organize the storage system in the room. They look interesting and natural. The simplicity of the room is maintained.
You can complement the overall color theme with black or other similar tones. The red print on the rug looks great. It will fill the interior with liveliness and variety.
Scandinavian-style room design does not have to be monotonous
Wooden furniture will perfectly complement the Scandinavian style interior
Scandinavian style kitchen
By the way, the kitchen is an ideal space for “Scandinavian” experiments, since this space is, first of all, purely functional. In other words, practicality and ergonomics dominate here and are expressed, perhaps, most clearly. It’s great if the white kitchen, which can be either matte or glossy, has a wooden or gray stone countertop. Open shelves with dishes at the top of the kitchen cabinets will highlight the Scandinavian style. And the cabinets themselves should be as high as possible, ideally close to the ceiling. A kitchen apron can be either white or quite bright - in this case it may well become a color accent of the interior. The chairs in this kitchen are both vintage and ultra-modern in shape.
The main thing is color and a minimum of decor. The floor is traditionally light; a mat or other lint-free carpet would look appropriate on it.
One room studio
Most often, studio apartments are decorated in Scandinavian destinations. Such housing is distinguished by the fact that it has a kitchen combined with a living room, and there is also a bedroom, a library, and a study. That is, one spacious room is correctly divided into various functional areas. This can be achieved in different ways, using:
- using different finishing materials. As a rule, when decorating walls, materials of the same texture are used, but with a slight difference in color;
- multi-level lighting. For example, a luxurious ceiling chandelier is placed in the reception area, the sleeping area is decorated with wall sconces, and modern lighting is used in the kitchen;
- two-level ceilings.
Diamond IMPORTANT : Scandinavian interior is something between minimalism and loft. The main emphasis in the rooms is on white.
The simplest option to make a one-room studio apartment in a Scandinavian style is the classic combination of white and black colors. Black color is suitable for decorating the kitchen area, and white for the living room.
Star Half Empty ATTENTION : the main thing is not to overdo it with dark colors so that the room does not look gloomy and dull.
Living room in Scandinavian style
And although an open space with a minimum of partitions is desirable for a Scandinavian-style interior, it is the one that is most suitable for small-sized apartments. And this is obvious: the color scheme inherent in this design and the ergonomics of furniture and decorative items visually expand the space, while leaving it as cozy as possible. Therefore, in this case, the format of living room-kitchen, studio apartment is quite logical.
In such living rooms, much attention is paid to wall decor. A minimum of high furniture opens up vertical space, which should also be included in the overall concept.
Interior in Scandinavian style - an ideal solution for a studio apartment
A feature of the studios is the placement of all functional areas of housing in a single space. The northern studio apartment has several characteristic features. Firstly, blind partitions are not used for zoning the territory. They “steal” space and prevent the spread of sunlight, which is unacceptable for the chosen design. Zoning is carried out using open shelving, glass screens, and differences in the decoration of walls and floors. To protect the bedroom from the noise of household kitchen appliances, it is recommended to use a thick curtain, which can be easily pulled aside if desired.
In northern studio apartments, visual zoning is more often used
Secondly, designers recommend using transformable furniture. For example, a bed, which, if raised to the wall, turns into a wardrobe during the day. The bar counter, separating the kitchen from the living area, is both a dining and work area. And the drawers placed inside will serve as an excellent place to store kitchen utensils.
Thirdly, proper organization of lighting is of particular importance. It should be multi-level. Adjusting the light intensity is also important. In the evening, dim lighting is used to create a relaxing atmosphere. At the same time, built-in spotlights above the kitchen work area provide ample lighting for cooking. We invite you to familiarize yourself with real photos of the interiors of studio apartments made in the Scandinavian style.
Related article:
Studio apartment: photo, interior and layout. Recommendations for zoning, lighting features, interior solutions in styles (loft, Provence, hi-tech, classic, pop art and modern style), expert advice - you will find in the material.
Scandinavian style bedroom
The design of a Scandi bedroom should be approached with typical restraint. Every unnecessary detail tends to overload the room, which is intended for relaxation. Classic bedrooms in this style are so minimalist that they only contain a bed/sleeper, a bedside table, an open wardrobe and a floor lamp. Sometimes you can see a miniature chair in them and that’s it.
Children's room in Scandinavian style
As you already understand, Scandi is not only white, gray and black. This style allows you to make your child's room very stylish without being too overbearing. If you are familiar with IKEA products, then you have probably seen wonderful decorative items for a child’s bedroom, which are distinguished by bright colors, geometric shapes and laconic design.
Hallway in Scandinavian style
We published an interesting article about Scandi hallways - 20 hallways in Scandinavian style. We have made a large selection that will help you understand how to decorate a corridor or hall, adhering to the concept as much as possible.
The main emphasis in such hallways is on storage - it’s not for nothing that IKEA constantly pays a lot of attention to storage systems.
Scandinavian style bathroom
A Scandi bathroom is distinguished by an abundance of light, natural materials, laconic and simple furniture and plumbing. Unfortunately, sometimes it is difficult not to go into “hospital” design on your own when creating a Scandinavian style. Plants can often be found in these bathrooms, adding color and contrast to an otherwise overly white space.
The biggest advantage of this style is that it fits perfectly with Russian realities. Namely small bathrooms. Often Scandinavians have a combined toilet and bathroom, which is not uncommon in our country.
Scandinavian style decor
Coloristic and “geometric” requirements fully apply to the elements of “Scandi” decor, however, no one has canceled accent items. But even in accent decor, at least one condition must be fulfilled - simple forms. The material is almost any, but glass, crystal, metal, and ceramics are in favor. And the main thing is not to overdo it!
A special place is given to textiles - practically the only “solid” element of the decor of a Scandinavian interior.
Therefore, everything is important - texture, color and, most importantly, conciseness. Curtains, bedspreads, upholstery, decorative pillows and tablecloths are a great opportunity to emphasize the clean lines of Scandinavian style without the use of “rich” interior decorations. The same mission applies to posters and paintings, which can become an accent element in the interior - again taking into account the philosophy of the “Scandi” style.
Features of Scandinavian style in the interior of a small apartment
Regardless of the square footage, the Scandinavian interior is suitable for a small-sized apartment, as it will help expand the area through the use of light materials in decoration and design.
Designers offer a large number of projects that, at first glance, are radically different from each other and cannot belong to the same style.
Features and characteristics of Norwegian design for small spaces:
- light plank floors common to all rooms;
- white walls and ceiling;
- wooden texture in decoration;
- white furniture;
- minor bright accents;
- printed textiles.
Scandinavian style is a mix of minimalism and loft, Provence and ethno; the main thing is that there are many light shades.
Important! Simplicity and conciseness are the defining features of Scandinavian interiors, so it is necessary to adhere to minimalism in the decor and not use an abundance of decor, textiles, and accessories.
Wallpaper in Scandinavian style
Usually Scandinavians paint all the walls with light paint, but sometimes you want to add an accent to the wall. In this case, wallpaper comes to the rescue. But not every design is suitable for Scandi. Having studied the furniture and decor, you can now easily distinguish wallpaper with a Scandinavian style pattern.
Photo source - hirshfields.com
Photo ideas in the interior of rooms
There are many options for window design depending on the purpose of the room.
Kitchen
Scandinavian-style kitchen curtains maximize the view outside the window and let light into the room. This creates the necessary comfort for preparing and eating food. Curtains can be long if space allows. In small kitchens, practical short, roller or Roman blinds are used.
The photo shows a kitchen with an accent wall and dark curtains made of natural fabric.
Living room or hall
Curtains for the living room in the Swedish style bring home comfort and set the mood for relaxation with the family.
Bedroom
Curtains for a Scandinavian bedroom create a feeling of protection from the outside world, but do not overload the room.
Children's room
The world of a children's room should be individual and special. In Swedish design, bright details include not only children's toys, books, decor, but also curtains.
Loggia or balcony
According to the Scandinavians, curtains on a loggia or balcony should not block the view of the beautiful landscapes outside the window.
The photo shows a loggia with a seating area and stained glass windows framed by curtains.
Quartblog digest: studying Scandi in more detail
However, even if you are confident in your impeccable taste and have studied the IKEA catalog literally by heart, this does not always mean that you will be able to create an interior in the Scandinavian style right away. Any apartment, especially a small one, any kitchen with installed communications, has many technological nuances, which the homeowner is not always able to take into account when selecting furniture and decor. It is quite difficult to choose a color scheme that is acceptable for a specific room, taking into account natural lighting. And as a result, there is a great danger that instead of the desired beautiful picture from the magazine, you will end up with a faceless, completely unpersonalized room. However, nothing is impossible: high-quality decor and furniture combined with your imagination plus available ready-made solutions will help make your dreams of Scandinavia come true. Well, traditionally - Kvartblog will help.
- What is a Scandinavian interior like: 5 style variations - We will show five approaches to interior design in the Scandinavian style using the example of more than 40 interiors: cold Scandinavia, forest and geometry, and others.
- Scandinavian interior: pros and cons - Scandinavian style is not at all as ideal as it seems. We invite you to discuss its pros and cons.
- Scandinavian style using the example of three Russian apartments - 3 real apartments - 3 good examples in the Scandinavian style.
- 7 cult objects of Scandinavian bloggers - We’ll tell you how to decorate your interior in the spirit of fashionable Scandinavian bloggers. Decorating in Scandinavian style: useful tips and recommendations from Kvartblog.
- Scandinavian studio 43 m² in Magnitogorsk - We asked the owner of the apartment Alexey about how he did the renovations with his own hands and what it was like to live in a Scandinavian paradise.
- Scandinavian apartment of 70 m² in an old Moscow house - Designer Daria Elnikova told us about the project of a two-room apartment in a Scandinavian style for a young family with three children.
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Decoration of windows in rooms for various purposes
The design of light protection systems is chosen depending on the functional purpose of the room.
Curtains for the kitchen with a Scandinavian style interior
Did you like the curtains? You can order the same in the Kitchen section
When choosing a model for this room, first of all, pay attention to the practicality of the light protection system. The best options are roller blinds or Roman blinds up to the length of the window sill. Models attached to the sash leave the window sill free, which is important for amateur gardeners. For windows located near the work area, choose mixed fabrics of non-marking colors, treated with antistatic and fire-resistant compounds. One option is light horizontal blinds with plastic slats.
Curtains in Scandinavian style for the children's room
To decorate windows in children's rooms, it is better to use models up to the window sill - roller and Roman systems, short curtains. For older children, long curtains with a laconic cut are suitable. Roller curtains can be decorated with photographic images that match the Scandi style.
Scandinavian style curtains in the bedroom and living room
For living rooms and bedrooms, long curtains are usually chosen, decorated with tiebacks, edgings located at the top and bottom of the fabric, or stripes sewn vertically. In rooms with light, monochromatic walls, fabrics of moderately bright colors are appropriate - blue, light green, gray with gold patterns.
