Scandinavian design is indeed very minimalistic in many respects, but there is a place for maximalism in this style. What is this about? What principles are used to create an interior in the Scandinavian style? And how to create both a cozy and practical interior? We have already prepared answers to all these questions. Scandinavian minimalism in the interior has a very simple explanation and practical application.
Minimalism in color
Scandinavians prefer to paint walls, floors, and ceilings in white, or in very light shades of pale colors. Even the basic furniture can often be found white or at most gray. Bright and violent mixing of colors is not acceptable here. But there are still bright accents: pillows, blankets, rugs, and decor.
Residents of the Scandinavian countries love their homes to be light and spacious, so the white color was chosen for decoration not by chance. It helps to visually expand the space and make it bright.
Minimalism in the setting
Scandinavians prefer to be content with little and not force the space with unnecessary furniture. In the kitchen, everything is hidden in compact and convenient drawers, things are laid out and hung in a dressing room or a multifunctional cabinet, which does not take up much space, and there are convenient modules for shoes and accessories that can be combined with other furniture or rearranged. Scandinavian minimalism in the setting is due to the quality of furniture, textiles, decor, and not its quantity. Let you have one, but a high-quality and comfortable chair or one functional and practical wardrobe, then three or four identical and boring chairs and a bulky furniture wall with many empty shelves.
Minimalism in decor
There are also a few decorative elements, but they are still there. It is desirable that each item perform some of its functions. Something like “a picture that covers a hole in the wall.” That is, the decor is not for the sake of decor, but decor for the sake of comfort and in support of style. Choose interesting things that can be useful, for example, a soft bright poufe with a compartment for storing books or some small things, a designer floor lamp that also acts as a hanger, and stylish wooden plant boxes.
Minimalism in forms
The Scandinavian interior contains objects that are quite simple in design, having the simplest geometric shapes and clear straight lines. Such geometries makes the room orderly and organized. Rounded shapes of furniture or decor smooth out sharp corners a bit and make the space cozy. That is why the interior often uses a geometric print, which either “combs” the space or makes it softer and not so strict.
Maximum light
Not only the word “minimal” is applicable to the Scandinavian style, but also its antonym. For example, Scandinavian-style decor should be flooded with as much natural light as possible, which is backed up by artificial light. Scandinavians can simultaneously use almost all types of lamps: sconces, floor lamps, chandeliers, spotlights, and street lamps.
Maximum natural materials
Both decoration and interior items should contain natural materials – wood, cotton, bamboo, cork, and stone. Wooden floors, wooden furniture, wicker baskets, and cotton or linen textiles are welcome, and part of the wall can be covered with cork wallpaper.
Maximum space
Scandinavian houses are not only comfortable, and practical but also very spacious. They do not overload the space with unnecessary furniture, do not reduce the room due to the fact that they do not put furniture around the perimeter, and do not use complex structures such as a furniture wall.
This is how Scandinavian minimalism in the interior is skillfully intertwined with design maximalism, and together it turns out to be a very harmonious, practical, functional, and cozy interior.
Rules for creating an interior in the Scandinavian style
There are several established principles or rules that will help create an interior that looks like a real Scandinavian one. By following these simple tips, you will make the room truly hygge:
- Use no more than 2-3 primary colors in the interior.
- Decor details and green plants can become bright accents.
- Use multifunctional and ergonomic pieces of furniture.
- Do not use additional partitions to divide the space into zones.
- Use a lot of lights so that every corner is as lit as possible.
- The design of lamps can be close to hi-tech or even country style.
- Choose the right decor: paintings with abstraction on a stretcher, several photographs in the same frame, stylish pillows with a repeating geometric pattern, and wooden figurines that can act as shelves or hangers.
- Create areas in the house with poufs or a sofa where you can just lie back and relax.
Minimalism in the Scandinavian style does not mean that your interior will be sparse and boring, it only means that you can move away from the usual organization of space with a lot of furniture, without which you can actually live peacefully.
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Scandinavian minimalism in architecture
Minimalism can be traced not only in the interior of the house but also in the exterior. Houses in Scandinavia are built from natural materials, using shades that are in harmony with the environment, with large panoramic windows.
When building a house, they try not to disturb the landscape, and the design of the house is created in such a way that the building fits well into the environment and does not disturb the landscape.
When designing, every detail and every little thing is taken into account; “smart” technologies are often used in houses that allow the use of renewable resources of nature.
The appearance of the house fully reflects the essence of the organization of space inside. The interior is closely connected with the exterior, so in the Scandinavian design, you can often find objects or accessories that are usually found on the street: garden lights, a bicycle as a hanger, large plants, and outdoor wooden benches. For Scandinavians, harmony and a close connection with nature are important. Try to throw away everything superfluous from the house, leave only the most necessary and you will see that life will become much easier and freer. And you will also have more space to gather with the whole family and have a good time with simple chatter.
