Do It Right: A Complete Guide To Scandinavian Design
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"Scandinavian interior","Nordic design","IKEA style house," are some phrases oft repeated by homeowners and designers alike. So why exactly is a concept that originated in a bunch of Western European countries so popular in Singapore? Where does the appeal of Scandinavian design lie?
In the 1950s, Scandinavian design was born out of a need for functionality, minimalism and simplicity in five Nordic countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland. The style has influenced the design of items such as clothes, cutlery and furniture. Its modernity, mass appeal and simplicity are its most enduring characteristics. Do you want a houses with that dreamy aesthetic that dominates almost all Instagram feeds? Then a Scandinavian interior is for you.
1. Shades of Scandinavia: Leave the over-the-top colours to the Art Deco enthusiasts: a Scandinavian colour palette is all about calmness and serenity. Pale shades of blues, greens and lilac have become almost synonymous with the Scandinavian vibe. Going completely monochrome is also an option. Use the power of contrast to your advantage by pairing lightly painted walls with dark furniture and fixtures. If you really want to play with bold colours, then paint your walls in light shades and pair them off with vibrant accessories and furniture.
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2. Absolutely floored: Another appealing aspect of the Scandinavian design lies in the material used; remember that the philosophy of the design is to keep as simple and natural as possible. Which is why Scandivanian floors use mostly wood, save for the bathroom. Shades of light brown for a wooden floor and shades of grey for a marble floor is usually preferred to darker shades. Or you can switch the materials around and have wooden panels of various shades on your wall instead, while your floors are made of cold, hard marble.
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3. From the window, to the wall: Proponents of the Nordic design really treasure their white walls. But in the event that you have a young child, or pets, it is simply not feasible to keep shelling out money to repaint your pristine white walls in the event of damage. If you think that whitewashed walls are simply too drab, there's always darker shades to play with. Blacks and greys for wall paint is becoming increasingly popular amongst aficionados of Nordic design. For a more striking effect, paint adjacent walls in vastly different shades.
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4. Light it up, up, up: The aim of Nordic design is to make sure that homes are as cozy, warm and inviting as possible. Getting the lighting right is crucial: keep in mind that Scandinavian design is all about keeping things natural. Ceiling lights, pendant lamps and wall lamps: basically any fixture that emits an enticing glow should be installed in your house.
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5. Keep it simple, silly: If you're a fan of ornate, Victorian style furniture, then Nordic design is not for you. Thanks to IKEA, we can all experience the simplicity and functionality of Scandivanian design. Avoid leather sofas and excessively complicated furmiture; you'd want upholstery with fabric-like finishing, slim legged chairs and tables and wooden finishes.
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Are you a fan of Scandinavian design? Tell us why/why not!