5 Easy Tips To Make Your Home Scandinavian
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March 8, 2023Scandinavian interior design is one of the interior design styles that has best stood the test of time. Whether you’re an interior design enthusiast or just browsing, you would have probably come across it in an Ikea catalogue, home & decor magazine, or Pinterest. It’s surely a distinct style that is recognisable from the get-go.
But what defines Scandinavian design? Thinking of how to elevate your home with it? In this week’s guide we’ll teach you some key Scandinavian design principles so that you will not only learn useful tips to make your home beautiful and practical, you’ll appreciate the meaning behind the design too.
Read on to learn how to do it right. No interior design knowledge required!
#1 Minimalise
Scandinavian Design Has Elements Of Minimalism. View Portfolio Here
Scandinavian design shares many similar qualities with minimalist design that emphasises on brightly lit spaces that gives you a sense of spaciousness to breathe within. Clean lines and white colours exude calmness in a visually uncluttered manner.
Of course, decluttering means saying bye bye to much of your barang barang. In the process of doing that, there’ll be some tough decisions to make as you will have to dispose of some of the belongings you’ve been holding on for many years.
But minimalism does not always need decluttering!
Rather than going for a complete decluttering, we suggest adopting lagom, a Swedish term that roughly translates to “in between” or “just right”. Not too much and not too little. Hence, just right.
Start by using patterns and colours sparingly to balance out each room’s contrast. Keep adding and removing items till you feel you've achieved lagom. Keep in mind when shopping, to mindfully choose the pieces that go to your rooms.
#2 Quality Products
Quality Products That Offer Form & Function.
In traditional Scandinavian homes, furniture and fixtures are made of the finest quality and craftsmanship. They are known for their functionality and striking designs that still manage to look simple and not overly ornate.
Even though we are recommending simplicity, don’t sacrifice it for style! Unadorned furniture holds its own kind of beauty and can be decorative on its own. We recommend looking for storage-as-decor pieces like shoe racks, shelves and organisers that are the peak of form and function in every home.
Head down to local furniture stores where you’ll be spoilt for choice! Some of our favourites include local furniture giants like Scanteak and EMOH.
#3 Muted Colours and Lighting
Muted Colours & Bright Spaces. View Portfolio Here
Colours play an important part in Scandinavian interior design as the colour palettes tend to be more on the muted side. Typically, it focuses on primarily white and similar lighter colours with not more than 4 neutral shades.
In Scandinavian countries, long periods of darkness also known as polar nights are common experiences. Therefore light is a top principle in their interior design. Complemented with the presence of natural lighting, white and muted colours further brightens up your home! . A bright home also makes your rooms feel more spacy and classy.
We know curtains and shades are the staple of every Singaporean home in this unpredictable tropical weather. But fret no! We recommend trying to keep your windows as bare as possible. Use the thinnest materials you can find for your curtains to let the light seep through while keeping cool. Opt for blinds if that’s your style too.
#4 Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood Flooring Is A Preferred Choice. View Portfolio Here
If you’ve ever entered into a Scandinavian themed home that has vinyl, marble or ceramic flooring, that’s not authentic. An authentic Scandinavian interior design will hardly feature anything but hardwood flooring in its home.
The reason is simply because it is the preferred choice and goes back to the design principles of incorporating natural characteristics in its homes. A hardwood floor is a great choice that adds warmth to your space. It also complements the minimalism, tying all elements together aesthetically. Spice up your flooring with some simple patterned rugs of neutral colours.
If budget is a problem as hardwood floorings are slightly on the more pricier side, opt for laminate flooring which is a more affordable lookalike, but take note that they are more prone to discolouration. Hardwood floorings can be applied throughout all rooms, but not the bathroom as it's not waterproof!
#5 Sprinkle Some Nature
Sprinkle Some Plants Into Your Home.
Finally, finish up your Scandinavian home with a touch of nature! Start small by introducing some natural elements into your interiors in the form of indoor plants. Florals like fresh flowers add novelty, interesting visuals and are beneficial to your mental wellbeing. In a post-covid world where working at home is common, a plant-iful environment helps you stay close to nature without feeling too boxed in.
Indoor plants can also help add to the light breeziness feeling of Scandinavian interior design when carefully placed throughout your home. But remember to not overdo it! Each room should have no more than 3 plants as its main purpose is to complement the overall design or embellish empty corners. Too many plants risk looking too messy and less minimalistic.
#6 The Hygge Mantra
Hygge means Cosy Togetherness.
Hygge is often widely considered to be synonymous with Scandinavian interior design. Many of you would have come across this concept before whether you realise or not, as it is actually part of Ikea’s design philosophy as well.
Hygge is a Danish word that means ‘cosy togetherness’. It is a concept of creating a warm atmosphere that celebrates the enjoyment of life. Combining form and function, its clean and minimal approach is popular with Singaporean homeowners and is what we are prepared to design for you.
We hope you find these design tips useful when deciding how to style your home! While Scandinavian interior design has a lot in common with minimalist interior design, the key difference is the concept of hygge which emphasises on creating a warm and cosy space, while minimalist homes aren’t necessarily bound by this. Adopting hygge as a mindset, you’re one step closer to your Scandinavian home!
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