Scandinavian-style bathroom - simple and accessible design rules and interior ideas (115 photos)

Scandinavian style bathroom: features

Scandi interiors combine practical and aesthetic aspects of life. The bathroom is one of the most functional rooms in the house: pipes, drains, ventilation, storage, a bathtub, and sometimes a toilet. This is the minimum set that is found in every home. To organize a space for the Scandinavian style, you need to remember that everything should be in moderation . Not too little and not too much.

For the Scandi style, there are several main characteristic differences between the bathroom:

1. White is the main color . But there are interior options in gray, beige or other light, cold shades. However, you can also find dark designs. The main thing is to maintain lightness, airiness and naturalness of the style.
2. Lots of light . If there is a natural window, the interior style will be more authentic. The windows are not covered with thick curtains and are not tinted. When using artificial lighting, neon and multi-colored lights are avoided. Everything should be as organic as possible.
3. Simple interior forms . This applies not only to furniture, but also to bathtubs, sinks, toilets (if there is a combined bathroom) and many decorative elements.
4. Natural materials . For the Scandi style, it is important that the interior contains wood, good ceramics, high-quality textiles and the greenery of house plants.
5. Thoughtful storage system . It is believed that Scandi is characterized by minimalism, but this is not entirely true. They try not to clutter the visual part of the room, but this does not mean that Scandinavians reduce household items to a minimum. Most often, the necessary things are safely hidden from view. Built-in cabinets, niches or drawers are planned in advance, the required space is calculated and included in the interior design.

Selection of plumbing

The bathtub is the real star of the Scandinavian bathroom, so it’s worth starting from it. Oval or rectangular classic models fit best. Triangular, angular or round are more typical of other areas of minimalism.

As for materials, pay attention to warm and light acrylic, from which bowls of any size are cast. It requires careful handling, but looks more elegant than cast iron or steel. Artificial stone looks more practical and impressive, but such a purchase will cost much more.

We recommend choosing the sink together with the bathtub so that they match the shade and texture. Both round and geometric rectangular models fit into Scandinavian design. As for materials, pay attention to stone, acrylic, earthenware and porcelain. Glass or steel, although impressive, are not very typical for a Scandi bathroom.

If you have a combined bathroom, you will need a toilet: a classic floor-mounted or wall-hung one. The first ones are cheaper, much easier to install and have a large assortment. But the latter with hidden installation look much lighter, more compact and better complement the Scandinavian style.

Finishing materials: floor, walls, ceiling

Any interior style is adapted to the reality of a particular country. But they always preserve the main points of interior decoration, otherwise the style may lose its originality.

For the interior of the bathroom, they do not deviate from the philosophy of style and use natural, environmentally friendly and practical materials .

Floor

Usually - ceramic tiles or wood parquet. No linoleum or laminate is allowed. Moreover, it will be impractical for the bathroom.

Floor tiles can be:

• plain,
• with monochrome pattern
• or with bright patterns.

The latter option is perfect for small bathrooms with white walls, which will visually expand the space.

Solid colors are matched to the interior style of the entire house. If the main color of the design is white, then the bathroom design is also made white. But this is not a mandatory rule; you can choose a different color scheme.

If you choose monochrome or another color with a pattern, then stick to Nordic motifs: ethnic, forest or with greenery .

Parquet is selected so that it is combined with other decorative elements (shelves, drawers, cabinets). The most popular pattern is the classic herringbone. Often it is laid out throughout the house, making a common floor.

If a shower is provided, transparent walls would be a good solution. They will visually increase the space due to the absence of a blank partition.

Walls

The choice of wall decoration depends on the size of the bathroom. The larger the room, the more different materials are used for decoration. You can combine tiles, wood panels, brick, or simply cover the wall with plaster and paint.

The effect of dirty accents, for example, “rusty” brick, is not allowed. Leave these colors for the loft style. And for Scandi they use white brick and light cold shades .

But most often, bathroom walls are decorated with ceramic tiles. Design options may vary:

• plain tiles in cool colors;
• hexagonal shape (recently a very popular shape of Scandinavian-style tiles) with or without a pattern;
• accent wall - monochrome pattern, motifs of ethnic culture, and it can also be stylized as a floor covering. Lay it offset to blend with the floor.

Ceiling

Perhaps the simplest facet of the bathroom. It should be light and even. No molding, borders or patterns.

Components of style

Wood effect tiles

Wood-imitation porcelain tiles are the best thing that has appeared for bathrooms in the last 5 years. These tiles are good for any bathroom design style and especially Scandinavian. Huge selection of colors, textures and sizes. There is a rule:

The more the tile looks like real wood, the better.

This means that not only the pattern of knots and cuts must be imitated, but also the deep texture. Because Real bathrooms usually don't have windows and rely on artificial lighting. It gives shadows to the texture of the tile, and this adds volume and realism to it.

Thanks to the texture, wood-effect tiles look very beautiful under angled light. This is especially true for a loft-style bathroom, where imitation wood is no less popular.

A standard trick with wood-effect tiles in the bathroom is the transition from floor to wall, when both surfaces are finished the same way. The effect is interesting and there is no need to worry about compatibility. The only negative is that if it is porcelain stoneware, then it is extremely difficult to cut holes in it. And if there are a lot of fixed objects planned on the wall, there may be difficulties.

Important: wood-effect tiles are laid offset like parquet or laminate.

The offset can be done by half or a third (better) of the board. The result is a “deck” installation. If you lay wooden tiles like regular rectangular ones, it will look strange.

In terms of color, it is best to imitate real wood species, i.e. light yellow or brown samples. At the same time, such tiles are combined with absolutely everything except bright unnatural colors in large quantities. Dirty accent colors are allowed.

Wooden countertop in the bathroom

A countertop for a built-in or countertop sink is a cool theme. Allows you not to adjust to the dimensions of ready-made solutions and assemble the washbasin area without gaps. The result is both minimalistic and functional - a perfect match to the Scandinavian style.

You can implement such a countertop in the bathroom in 2 ways. 1st - natural solid wood. This is a luxurious solution from a visual point of view, but it also costs accordingly. An array is always piece work to order. And because In the bathroom there is high humidity, constant direct contact with water and temperature changes, then the solid wood will have to be thoroughly processed. In general, the option is as complex as it is exclusive.

The second implementation option is a furniture standard made of chipboard or MDF, laminated into film or plastic with imitation wood. In terms of finances and practicality, this is a very humane and hassle-free method. But there are problems with the visual component. Of the wood imitation options available in the CIS countries, I only liked Natural Nebraska Oak. Some multi-band imitations are also suitable when the surface area is small. Then the repetitions of the pattern are not yet striking.

I also advise you to take a closer look at the combination of a bowl sink and a faucet built into the wall. In terms of practicality, this solution has no equal: the spout is located high and splashes cannot reach it; there is no junction between the faucet and the sink, around which a stain usually forms.

Bright hues

The base color of any Scandinavian-style bathroom is white. It is quite normal when the floor, walls and ceiling do not go beyond the range of white, beige and light gray colors. Because All faience plumbing is also white, we get a minimum of contrasts.

Practicality is also at its best, because... Most of the stains are left by salts from dried water and they are also light. That being said, don't be afraid to use dark gray grout on white tiles. It looks good and is definitely better than the dirty, patchy white. Thanks to the light color scheme, the Scandinavian style is ideal for a bathroom in Khrushchev, because... has maximum practicality.

In all bathroom styles except Scandinavian, the larger the tile, the better it looks. But it is white that makes good small bricks or squares. If you want to create a bathroom design that is as close as possible to an authentic Scandinavian design, then choose black grout for such tiles. It is a little less practical than gray, but in the homeland of the style it is used.

The ceiling is only white, only smooth and only matte. You can use a tension one - it has no disadvantages in the bathroom.

Patterns, geometry and patchwork

Many people have fallen in love with multi-colored tiles with patterns, and the sets consist of different tiles, not the same ones. The result is a patchwork effect. This is an interesting way of finishing and it is still relevant, but it is more of a tracing paper.

Patterns and geometric motifs are indeed part of Scandinavian style bathroom interiors, but in black and white monochrome. A complex pattern is more than enough to make the bathroom look interesting even in grayscale.

Another unusual attribute of the Scandinavian style is tiles with a 3D effect. But remember that these are all accents. They should not cover all surfaces. The base is just light colors.

Accent patterns can be used even in a small area. Small bathroom in Scandinavian style:

Modern bathroom in Scandinavian style

It’s a good idea not to strive for a complete copy, but simply take elements of the Scandinavian style and make a high-quality modern bathroom design. Items that should not be used:

1. Floor standing and other retro toilets.
2. Freestanding bathtubs and clawfoot bathtubs (not sealed).
3. Retro faucets.
4. A small tile.

If all this doesn’t scare you, then a Provence-style bathroom will suit you - this is the only classic style that is not based on kitsch and luxury.

In the Nordic countries themselves, time and interior fashion also do not stand still. Just as we don’t live in wooden huts, the interiors of their bathrooms don’t have to conform to stereotypes. Everything is subject to globalization. Scandinavian motifs can be discerned, but overall these are just high-quality modern bathrooms:

Choose the best of the Scandinavian style for your bathroom, don’t chase an exact match, read about the Scandinavian-style kitchen and good luck with the renovation!

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Scandinavian style bathroom color scheme

Scandinavian colors are good because they leave a feeling of spaciousness, lightness and freshness. Even in a room with high humidity, like a bathroom. And although the palette of primary colors of the style is small, they are among the most popular.

1. White colors . Icy, frosty and light marble shades. Plumbing fixtures are usually chosen in white. And such an interior is diluted with decor with a warmer shade, greenery and discreet textiles. Otherwise, the room will be monotonous, reminiscent of a sterile room.
2. Natural shades . This is a palette of beige colors, where light wood-colored walls or gray surfaces are more common.
3. Bright accents . Rich, but not flashy. Cool shades of blue, green and black. Sometimes dark yellow and orange. These colors are used not only in furniture or decor; they can also be used to decorate all walls. And the effect of lightness of style is created by other techniques, for example, parallel white skirting boards and borders.

Modern plumbing in a Scandinavian bathroom design

Moderation in everything is the main principle of Scandinavian-style bathroom design. A modest-sized bath or shower, toilet and washbasin made of acrylic or ceramics is all that is needed to create the appropriate ambiance.

As an exception, a spacious bath designed for a large room area can be considered. An excellent solution would be to place it in the center, immersed in the floor. Aromatic foam and appropriate cosmetics will truly make you feel like you're in a spa. A small wood-burning stove with a woodpile will help enhance the effect of the Scandinavian style (photos of such a solution are impressive in their beauty).

Scandinavian-style plumbing looks restrained and stylish

The Scandinavian countries are technologically very developed, so the plumbing in the interior must be modern. There will be no significant problems with the purchase, since today the choice of such products on the market is very diverse. Corner, hanging or built-in models of plumbing equipment will make it possible not only to save space, but also to maintain style. Classic white sanitary ware remains the preferred option.

The cutting-edge fashion trend is to use a sink, shower tray and bathtub bowl made from a man-made material called Living Tec - an alloy of aluminum oxide and polyester acrylic resin.

A shower with a side entrance, a large static matte screen and a drain at floor level looks good. As a rule, the design of a shower or bath bowl is carried out in the same tone as the decoration of the rest of the room, without the use of accents. Their side parts along the long side are decorated with the same tiles as the walls in the bathroom. The use of Scandinavian-style equipment with retro elements will make the interior feel homely.

When choosing plumbing fixtures for a Scandinavian bath, you need to remember moderation

Helpful advice! A bathtub bowl can take up a lot of space, so in a small (about 4 sq. m) Scandinavian-style bathroom it makes sense to install a shower stall.

Scandinavian style furniture

Compact, simple and maximally functional Scandi style furniture is a trend in recent years. It is also used to decorate other types of interiors, creating mixes of styles.

The shape of the furniture should be symmetrical, regular and laconic. And its quantity is limited. Only the furniture that is needed.

Even if the bathroom is large and there is room for imagination, Scandinavians choose to complement the room with a quiet place to relax or a “green” corner with a minimum of things.

Natural materials are chosen for furniture: wood, fabric, leather . The forms should have a sense of lightness of lines, no decorative elements on the façade.

Furniture should be ergonomic and not clutter up the space. Storage systems can be hidden or end-to-end. For the second option, racks, shelves or hanging structures (hooks, sticks) are suitable.

The bath itself can be of strict shape or with a “streamlined” design.

The airiness of the design is added by overhead sinks, wall-hung toilets and cabinets, as well as decorative interior elements.

Accessories and decor

Any interior cannot be considered complete without the finishing touches. Even small things like lamps, a soap dispenser, and a toothbrush holder should be in harmony with each other and match the style of the bathroom.

Interesting, eye-catching decorative elements will make the interior special. If possible, hang a vase of flowers or a picture on a free surface. A small woven rug and a couple of cozy family photos on the wall will add more atmosphere and comfort to the conservative Scandinavian design.

A mandatory element of the bathroom is mirrors. They visually expand the boundaries of the room, reflect light, thereby making the room brighter. You can hang large square, rectangular mirrors with a noble wooden frame or install a vertical full-length mirror.

Don't be limited by accepted standards. For example, you can compensate for a missing window using a small mirror under the ceiling. This design is an excellent option, since it will visually enlarge even the smallest room and make it more spacious.

Small square or round rugs that contrast or match the color of the walls and floor are ideal for the bathroom. Natural materials would be preferable - satin, linen, cotton.

Exquisite plants in laconic pots, in harmony with the rest of the design, will add more naturalness to the interior.

Decor

The concept of minimalism inherent in the style does not mean a complete absence of decor. This should not be a meaningless set of things, but a harmonious, balanced order of elements , creating a relaxing atmosphere.

For the bathroom interior choose:

1. towels and rugs with ethnic motifs, geometric patterns, or simply plain, but different from the main color of the finish;
2. mirrors , the more, the more spacious; the shapes may be different, but geometric, without massive frames;
3. green plants , often sansevieria, indoor bamboo, calathea and others;
4. wicker baskets , knitted boxes or jars for storing cosmetics and household products.

No disorderly storage of various cans and bottles is allowed on the sink or shelves , and order is constantly maintained. Scandinavian style is not creative eclecticism, but simple, not pretentious decor.

Decor and textiles

Scandinavian style, in contrast to technological minimalism, gravitates towards cute and cozy decor. But it can also be functional – and this is fully evident in the bathroom. Instead of unnecessary decorations, buy a beautiful set of glasses, coasters and dispensers made of stone.

Finally, all the beautiful handmade decorative cosmetics can be put on display. And along with them - cozy fragrant candles and several small flowerpots with succulents. Don’t forget about textiles: let all the towels and bathrobes match each other and create those very accents. Complement them with a bright rug on the floor - fluffy or patchwork.

Design option for a small bathroom in Scandinavian style

Designing a large Scandinavian bathroom is not difficult, but is it possible to adapt the style to a small space?

Of course, and here are some tips to help.

1. Compact furniture and sanitary ware . Focus on real models of plumbing fixtures; not everything can always be made to order, even in the era of 3D printers.
2. Light colors of the interior . The technique with white baseboards from the example above will not work in a small room. Achieve lightness and freedom with natural light colors.
3. Accent tiles on the floor and plain walls . A good trick to increase space. The floor area in small baths is smaller than the wall area; such tiles will attract attention and visually expand the room.
4. Shelves instead of wall cabinets . You can leave basic cosmetics on them, and hide everything else in floor cabinets or hidden storage niches.
5. A large mirror with the right shapes will also help to increase the space.
6. Shower instead of bath. Best with glass partitions.

If you decide on a Scandi style for the bathroom, we hope our article will help you understand its features. We will only remind you at the end of the golden rule of the Swedes - lagom . About sufficiency. This is exactly as much as needed. Don’t overload the interior, let it have good functionality and a natural appearance.

Materials and design

When it comes to finishing a bathroom, everything is quite stable in any style, because materials are needed, first of all, to be functional and hygienic. Fortunately, all laconic and natural textures fit well into Scandinavian interior design. You don't even have to try to combine incompatible things!

Floor finishing

Scandi is, first of all, wood, but it is not very suitable for bathroom floors. Therefore, pay attention to floor tiles, porcelain stoneware, natural or artificial stone, or even self-leveling floors. All these materials are not afraid of water and dampness, and therefore are easy to clean.

Wall decoration

For bathroom walls, nothing better has yet been invented than ceramic tiles. It looks natural and cozy, is easy to clean and fits well into the Scandi concept. Choose plain matte, glossy or satin collections, and you can experiment with shapes and sizes.

Another option is simple painting, which is more than enough if you have smooth walls. This is even more convenient, because dirt will not get into the seams and moisture will not be retained. But plastic panels are usually not used in Scandinavian bathrooms.

Ceiling design

A flat ceiling can simply be whitewashed or painted - this will save space. But if you need to hide communications, irregularities and install lamps, take stretch fabrics. In a damp room they will last better than drywall, especially since you can find different glossy, matte and satin textures for the walls.

Scandinavian style bathroom: photo and design

And now it’s time to admire photos of Scandinavian-style bathrooms without words.

What furniture is suitable for the bathroom?

Furniture in a Scandi interior is as functional as possible, simple and compact. The room is often furnished with only the most necessary elements: a mirror, a cabinet and a wardrobe.

A hanging or floor-standing bedside table is mounted under the washbasin, hooks are hung on the walls and doors, and a stepladder is placed for towels and bathrobes. In a room with a large area, you can equip a seating area with benches or chairs, giving the atmosphere a special coziness and tranquility.

Furniture made from natural coniferous wood with visible texture should have a laconic, symmetrical and geometrically correct design.

The photo shows a black and white bathroom with contrasting furniture and Scandinavian-style finishes.

A mirror is considered an essential attribute of a Scandinavian-style bathroom. This decor visually increases space and light. Geometric-shaped products in a light wooden frame, as well as illuminated mirrors built into the dressing table, are suitable. A full-length mirror will be an excellent replacement for a missing window.

In the Nordic style, countertops made from natural solid wood look luxurious, but expensive designs are often replaced with products made from MDF or chipboard that imitate wood in a high-quality manner.

The photo shows a bathroom design in a Scandinavian style, the main decoration of which is a blue floor cabinet with scuffs.