Scandi Design: 3 Unique Ways to Get This Sleek & Modern Look
Reinvigorate your home with this subtle, minimalist design.
Scandinavian design is an intentional and streamlined aesthetic. It is design with purpose. By embracing thoughtful symmetry, clean lines, and an uncluttered style, this conscious design allows for an inviting and functional space. Learn more about Scandi design and how you can integrate this modern style into your home below.
What Is Scandi Design?
Scandinavian design draws heavily from the Nordic cultures of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. An enduring branch of 20th-century functionalism, it emerged as a popular modern style in the 1950s. Its aesthetic philosophy, that of craftsmanship and practical simplicity, is largely shaped by the Scandinavian landscape. Due to the region’s long, harsh winters and short hours of sunlight, Scandinavian design promotes open-space planning and a warm palette. It is an aspirational style that implements earthy elements and light to combat the stressors of everyday life. In this way, it deliberately combines a calming architectural flow with a thoughtful interior design inspired by nature. Scandinavian design’s long-lasting popularity can be traced to this timeless approach.
The Basics of Scandi Design
When incorporating Scandinavian design into a home, focus on a few key aspects:
Neutral palettes: This includes white walls, blonde wood tones, and beige, tan, white, or gray furniture upholstery.
Natural materials: This can be found in wood furniture, metal lighting, stone decor, and upholstery crafted with cotton or linen.
Bright colors: Add balance to an otherwise neutral design with abstract wall art, planters, decor, or a geometric-patterned rug. Sage green and blue are most popularly used, as they complement the neutral palette.
Simple accent pieces: Grounded in minimalism, Scandinavian style is purposeful. Plants are used to bring a touch of nature inside.
Soft, cozy textiles: Inspired by the cold Nordic winters, chunky knits and plush rugs are the final touch to this modern style.
Scandi with a twist, this moody room takes the basic elements of the style – including the blonde wood and furniture with sleek, clean lines – and pairs it with dramatic colors.
While the darker colors enhance the glamour and luxury of the room, hints of luster – seen in the metal wall art frame, chair bases, and light shades – help balance the overall aesthetic. The plush, neutral area rug complements the bold wall, chair, and lighting fixture colors. Scandi decor like muted, earth-toned candles and plates blend well with the neutral table, green chairs, and lighting.
Taking elements from the Japandi style, a hybrid design merging the aesthetic principles of Japanese wabi-sabi with Scandinavian hygge, this room balances the Scandi ethos of coziness and the minimalist comfort of Zen Buddhist philosophy. It highlights simple silhouettes, natural materials, and a contrasting color palette to achieve a comfortable yet unexpected design.
Choose pieces that are both essential and functional for your interior design. Furniture made from natural materials, such as wood, rattan, metal, and marble, enriches the bright, ethereal ambience of the living space. Linen upholstery and wool throw blankets can transform any room into a calming and meditative retreat. Bring more harmony into your Scandinavian home with ceramic planters, foraged branches, botanical-inspired wall art, and plants that deepen the connection to the natural environment outside. To finish the minimalist look, add color or texture with geode decor, colorful vases, a sculpture-inspired framed wall mirror, and a sputnik chandelier.
Lean into whimsical accents and colors for a playful iteration on Nordic design. This Scandinavian style mixes practicality and clean lines with unique statement pieces to set it apart from its more traditional approach.
Showcase the dark accent walls and neutral furniture with eye-catching textures, including the crystal chandelier, frosted table lamp, polished dining chairs, and abstract wall art. The soft-brushed watercolor paintings complement the movement of the grain in the light-toned woods and the curved lines of the chairs. Sea-blue vases, copper bowls, and glass complete the playful aesthetic with a spark. Choose a nature-inspired sculpture made from marble or stone to add something unexpected to your Scandinavian home.
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