Swedish style interior: pastel colors by Karl Larson

Main stylistic features of Swedish interior

You need to start getting acquainted with this unusual interior, of course, with its typical characteristics. So, the main features of Swedish decor are:

1. Simplicity of design; 2. Light tone walls; 3. Wooden or ceramic floor; 4. Replacing window curtains with blinds; 5. Often wooden furniture; 6. Lots of sofa cushions; 7. Colored bedspreads; 8. Pictures on the walls; 9. Availability of floor carpets; 10. Large floor vases with original paintings.

stylistic feature of the Swedish interior - paintings and portraits on the walls

Materials

• light wallpaper on the walls;

• natural finishing materials - wooden floors, ceramics (bathroom, kitchen);

• natural wood furniture of simple design (bedroom);

• the absence of lush curtains and curtains, instead of them there are light blinds on the windows;

• colored bedspreads without large patterns;

• small rugs on the floor;

• an abundance of small decorative pillows that create coziness;

• floor vases;

• dim small paintings for wall decor.

The color scheme is not limited to white. Swedish style in the interior actively uses all shades of pastel colors. The house is finished and decorated using bright blue, lilac, scarlet, and emerald colors.

Scandinavian style is laconicism in clothing and household details. The same principle is used in home decoration. Swedish style will appeal to those who value comfort, tranquility, and simplicity in the interior. It creates freshness and spaciousness in the room and speaks of the good taste of the owners. Man intuitively strives from urbanization to the bosom of nature, to natural materials, to purification and health. This is what attracts many people to the Scandinavian style – naturalness and simplicity.

Related article: Marine style in the interior: how to decorate rooms and create comfort

Swedish interior: color layout

As already mentioned, the interior in question is memorable for its light palette with an advantage of white tones.
The craving for calm tones is due to the national characteristics of the Swedes, who are secretive in their emotions, but this absolutely does not mean that the richness and brightness of colors is alien to them. Swedes enjoy filling their homes with colorful accessories and decorative elements. The main colors of Swedish decor are all pastel shades: cream, creamy, milky. Contrast is added to the interior with rougher tones: black, brown, burgundy and blue. The bright palette includes orange, red, pink, yellow, purple and green.

Swedish living room interior in white and green tones

Grey colour

The second requirement after large windows and white walls is monochrome. Accessories can then be chosen in bright colors, but furniture and most textiles should be white or gray. By the way, this is a great chance to understand that 50 shades of gray is not a metaphor. If you really want color, choose at least a muted shade, as is the case with the sofa in the last photo.

Gray textiles in a studio 355 m2, one-room apartment 42 m2 and two-room apartment 48 m2

Swedish style house

Decorating a house in the Swedish style is a pleasure, the main thing is to know where to start.

Ceiling

As a rule, finishing begins with the ceiling surface. In a Swedish interior, it can be covered with wallpaper and then painted, lined with plasterboard and again painted in a suitable color, or hidden under stretch ceilings that are always white. The finishing touch will be finishing the ceiling perimeter with polyurethane skirting boards, which exactly imitate stucco.

decoration of the walls and ceiling of the Swedish living room in the same color style

Walls

Wall decoration in a Swedish house can be done with light decorative plaster, snow-white vinyl wallpaper with an unusual texture, or the usual paintable wallpaper. Modernity has made some adjustments to the Swedish style, and today a system of combined wall decor is increasingly found in such interiors. It looks something like this: three wall surfaces are covered with white plaster, and the rest is highlighted with textured wallpaper in bright green or deep red.

Floors

The floors in a truly Swedish interior are covered with long planks of natural wood, painted in the traditional white color for this decor. But since not everyone can use such an expensive coating, and such floors require special attention to maintain, modern designers are increasingly replacing floorboards with ceramic tiles, naturally in pastel colors. As for the color part of the decor, here they do not depart from the traditions of style.

a wooden floor with a small rug is the best solution for decorating a Swedish-style living room

Style Features

Swedish style in the interior is great for apartments with a studio layout. The living room, kitchen and hallway, as a rule, are only visually separated from each other. Every element and object in such an interior is thought out to the smallest detail and carries useful functions.

The Swedes' living room is rightfully considered the center of the apartment. Here they receive guests, relax and work. The furniture used for the living room is functional. Be sure to have a sofa that easily becomes a sleeping place, a small table, and armchairs.

Swedish style kitchen design

Swedish style living room design

Although white is considered the main color in the interior, Swedes prefer to choose furniture in other shades. The sofa can be bright blue or red, the color depends on the concept chosen by the designer. It is important to fill the interior with high-quality and natural items that are easy to handle and clean.

Traditional Stockholm apartments have a lot of windows, which means a lot of light. People are not used to blocking the light with an abundance of heavy drapes and curtains. The windows use blinds or a light veil, which can be easily cleaned without the hassle of lengthy ironing.

Living room in Swedish style

Bright bedroom in Swedish style

Light Swedish design

Swedes are pragmatic in everything, including the design of their homes. You will never find unnecessary objects in their settings. Everything you need. If the owner of the apartment does not read books in the evenings, then he does not need a floor lamp at all, and if he works at home on a computer, he needs a separate work corner. This is the main principle of Scandinavian houses; they have only what is really needed and nothing superfluous.

Swedish style bathroom design example

Living room in Swedish style

Swedish interior in the living room

You already have a rough idea of ​​what the decor of the Swedish room will look like, but what to fill the interior with is still an open question.
The white walls of the living room will be an excellent backdrop for an equally snow-white sofa, which can be covered with a colorful blanket and chaotically decorated with many pillows. This will create the concept of slight "creative" clutter. Of course, armchairs are purchased as a set for the sofa, but their upholstery should be slightly darker than that of the sofa. In the center of the furniture composition you can install a coffee table, which can be wooden or pleasing to the eye with decorative forging.

red chandelier as a bright decorative element in a Swedish living room

In principle, for a Swedish interior it doesn’t matter what exactly it will be made of and what shape it will be given, the main thing is that it should also be white.

There can be a rectangular or oval carpet on the living room floor, the color scheme of which matches the tone of the furniture upholstery or sofa blankets. The intricately shaped living room is decorated with mirrors, paintings in modest white frames, floor lamps and painted vases, poufs, and window blinds.

traditional living room in Swedish style: ceiling and walls in light colors, black sofa and rug, the color of which matches both the furniture and the main color

Lighting

They don’t skimp on lighting fixtures in Swedish interiors. For the bedroom, select a ceiling chandelier and wall sconces, floor/table lamps, which are placed on both sides of the bed. In the living room, every corner must be equipped with lighting fixtures. For these purposes, they again choose sconces, lamps with original shades, candles, and lanterns. Additionally, point light sources are used, which are placed around the perimeter of the room on the ceiling and on top of the furniture. The accent wall can be illuminated with light bulbs. In the kitchen, which is combined with the dining room, instead of a central chandelier, a group of lamps is hung above the dining area. The lack of light above the work surfaces will be filled by light bulbs built into the lower shelves. In the bathroom, as in the hallway, mirrors must be decorated with paired sconces. The rest of the lighting is provided by a simple ceiling chandelier.

Swedish style bedroom

Since the heart of the bedroom is the bed, it is the main focus when furnishing the room. It should be made of wood, ideally solid wood. Made from durable material, it will serve its owners for many years and will also fit perfectly into a stylish Swedish interior. The bed frame does not have to be painted white; it can easily remain a natural shade.
All other furnishings: bedside tables, chest of drawers, wardrobe, dressing table - can also be made of unbleached wood. Wicker chairs and soft poufs are more than appropriate in a Swedish bedroom. The ceiling and walls of the bedroom are covered with light paint, but the floors here can be the color of natural wood.

The bedroom is decorated according to the same principle as the living room. Here they also hang pictures, mirrors and add floor vases, lamps with compact lampshades, fresh flowers and hide the windows behind the blinds.

Swedish interior design for the bedroom

Materials and finishing methods

Mostly natural materials are used in decoration. The walls are covered with light white or milky paint. They can also be plastered or wallpapered. Combined finishing is also welcome. For example, three walls are covered with plaster, and the fourth is covered with textured wallpaper with a “marble” pattern. Since the surface is accent, it is permissible to use bright colors: cherry, green, blue. The ceiling is also plastered or finished with stretch fabric with a glossy sheen. It will play the role of an additional reflective surface that refracts light. In the living room, bedroom, nursery and hallway, the floor is covered with laminate or parquet boards made of light wood. Ceramic tiles are used in the kitchen and bathroom. In the latter, the walls are also tiled. In a modern variation of the Swedish style, light shades of brickwork are allowed to be introduced into the interior. This design solution is usually aimed at zoning large or combined rooms. In the bedroom and living room, long boards are used, for which deck laying is ideal. If the apartment is under a roof, then the ceiling is decorated with plaster and gray or brown beams, which alternate with windows. This colorful decoration is somewhat reminiscent of a chalet style.

Swedes are “closed” to strangers. They show their character only in the circle of close people. Therefore, the interiors of their houses are designed primarily for comfort for the owners, and convenience for guests comes second. The Swedish House is truly an impregnable fortress into which only a select few are allowed.

Swedish style bathroom

A stylish Swedish bathroom should have a touch of austerity.
The ideal order reigning in it will give the room a visual uninhabitedness, which in this case will only emphasize the pedantry of the Swedish interior. In such a bathroom you will never see jars of creams, tubes of toothpaste, bottles of perfume, deodorants and other little things - all this is necessarily hidden on the shelves and drawers of the bathroom set. But the general background of the Swedish bathroom is represented not only by a light palette. Additional shades like gray, black, and brown often appear here. This, of course, is pleasing to the eye, but still leadership remains with the Swedes’ favorite white, therefore his leadership is one of the most important stylistic conditions. If there are windows in the bathroom, there is no talk of decorating them with curtains initially, because for a wet room this is nonsense. Here, too, stylish and comfortable modern blinds, familiar to Swedish interiors, are used. In terms of plumbing, a rectangular bathtub and sink with chrome fittings and faucets will fit perfectly into the decor. Stylish sconces, colored towels and a compact vase with cute flowers, standing somewhere near the washbasin, will dilute the design.

restraint and simplicity in Swedish bathroom interiors

Swedish bathroom

Swedish bathroom interior design implies perfect order. The room should look uninhabited, stylish and strict. It is unacceptable to place cosmetics and other small items in visible places; all this must be hidden in the shelves of the headset.

The background of the decoration is predominantly white, but it is acceptable to dilute it with black or gray. The windows already have familiar and comfortable blinds. The predominant plumbing fixtures are rectangular in shape.

You can add some color with bright towels or lamps. You can decorate the room with a small vase with one large or several small flowers. Sophistication will be emphasized by a large mirror of an unusual design.

The Swedish style is good because it is ideal for modern homes. Its simplicity and lightness turn small apartments into spacious spaces where you want to return. Light colors are soothing and allow you to escape from the outside hustle and bustle. The Swedish interior has won many hearts around the world with its unique atmosphere.

Swedish cuisine

The Swedish kitchen space is content with a typical set of furniture, without pretentiousness or other frills. A kitchen set, a dining table and comfortable chairs are all that unassuming Swedes need. Kitchen walls are usually covered with moisture-resistant paint, white, of course, and the furniture present may well be in the same spectrum. Only the dining table is allowed to slightly contrast with the decor. It may be gray or brown in color. But chairs in a Swedish kitchen interior can be not only traditionally wooden. Modern plastic models will also feel quite comfortable here.

modern Swedish style kitchen

The kitchen is perhaps the only room in whose decor open shelves are welcome, because they provide quick access to the necessary products and utensils. Naturally, they should be in perfect order, because the Swedish style is characterized by particular neatness, and besides, the white design requires this. You cannot ignore the luxurious, by stylistic standards, kitchen decor. It contains a lot of flowering plants planted in monochromatic light pots, wall planters, glass panels with photo printing, decorative plates, white blinds and, of course, a chandelier that imitates palace candlesticks in its design.

White baseboards, windows and doors

White in Swedish apartments is required not only for the walls, but also for the baseboards, window frames, doors and jambs. The walls should be a blank canvas against which the interior will be built, so there is no need to place unnecessary accents on them or decorate the openings with bright frames.

Black and white apartment 49 m2, two-room apartment 64 m2 from a Swedish studio, Scandinavian two-room apartment 48 m2

Photo gallery - Swedish style in the interior:

red chandelier as a bright decorative element in a Swedish living room

Selection of furniture and placement rules

The living room has a large sofa with light upholstery. A wooden coffee table is placed on the rug in front of it. A small fireplace is usually installed in this room, which will add warmth and comfort to the atmosphere. There is also a small reading corner with shelves for books. In Swedish living rooms, armchairs or ottomans are usually placed in the corners, on which the family can sit while relaxing. This way, everyone will gather in one room, but will not interfere with each other doing their own thing.

The bedroom has a spacious bed made of light wood. It comes complete with two bedside tables, symmetrically located on the sides. A small couch is placed at the foot, and if there is enough space left, it is replaced with a sofa, chaise longue, recamiye or ottoman. Any of them will allow you to relax or take a nap with a book in the bedroom during the day, without bothering yourself with disassembling the bed. Complement the interior with a dressing table, chest of drawers or dressing table, painted white. If the size of the bedroom allows, then a modern wardrobe with a mirrored facade is installed here. The kitchen uses a standard furniture set, consisting of a dining set (table and chairs) and a kitchen set. The latter is chosen from simple models, where the bottom is represented by cabinets with doors, and the top is an open storage system. In the hallway, too, they make do with a minimum of furniture and decor: a cabinet, a sofa, a mirror on the wall and a hanger for outerwear. Everything is done in light shades. In the bathroom, preference is given to “angular” plumbing fixtures with chrome elements. Showers, by the way, are rarely replaced with bathtubs. From furniture, only one white cabinet and a couple of open shelves for towels are enough. The upholstery of upholstered furniture is predominantly monochromatic. It is allowed to use textiles with discreet floral patterns.

The use of light wicker furniture (usually armchairs) is encouraged in the bedroom and living room. They will unobtrusively emphasize the “airiness” of the interior and fit into the color composition with light brown notes.

Greenery and flowers

Often the only truly bright spot in a Scandinavian interior is a potted plant. If a monochrome apartment, even with wooden details, seems boring to you, and you still can’t decide on an accent color, stop at this option. Greenery paired with white walls and wood floors just can't look bad.

Plants in a studio 23 m2, studio 38 m2 and apartment 50 m2

Features of Swedish houses

As in all Scandinavian countries, modern country cottages in Sweden are built mainly from wood. Natural wood, subjected to minimal processing, prevails in construction, interior decoration, and furniture production. Some characteristic features of Swedish buildings can be noted.

• The houses are simple in shape with wide roofs, under which residential and utility rooms are combined. The summer kitchen and bathhouse are often connected to the main house through closed vestibules.
• Log walls are left unfinished, covered with boards impregnated with a special compound, or painted with durable paints.
• The windows are simple in shape with wooden frames, usually white. There is no finishing (unlike our carvings) on them.

The Swedes build log houses from round logs; the insulation between them is placed in “closed” grooves: the top log rests tightly on the bottom without any visible gap. In the corners they are connected into a “hexagon”, so the log house looks more neat.

A typical Swedish house resembles a Russian hut from the outside, but is very different from it from the inside. Energy-saving double-glazed windows, heated floors, several autonomous heating systems are a familiar set for such a house. The harsh climate and the habit of saving have led to the development of many energy-saving technologies that are widely used in private construction.