So Your Style Is: Scandinavian

Clean and simple, this understated style is eternally on trend

Joanna Tovia 26 May 2014

Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well. Follow her photodocumentary about pets and the people who love them on Instagram @unfoldingtails

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Direct from the Nordic North, this uncomplicated style’s beauty lies in its clean lines, soothing tones and uncluttered spaces. Light natural timber makes an appearance in almost every room, floors are smooth and never carpeted, and natural light abounds. Furnishings are comfortable and low-key, artwork is soothing and ornamentation is minimal.

Why it works: One of the reasons this style remains enduringly popular is its because it’s livable. Comfort is at the heart of every Scandinavian home, with surrounds as restful for the eyes as they are for the body. Its understated elegance makes this style hard not to love.

You’ll love it if… You’re comfortable in your own skin, peaceful surrounds make you feel at home, and eco-friendly living just makes sense to you.

Introduce the following elements into your home for a Scandinavian touch.

Studio Revolution

Low-slung seating
You won’t find patterned upholstery or chesterfields in Scandinavian-style homes. Couches are comfortable and low-profile, and are inevitably in muted tones. Natural fibres are a given, and cushions are kept to a minimum.

SMART STRATEGY: By all means, add a splash of colour in the form of a cushion or two, but go easy on the brights and use pattern sparingly. The cushions on this couch add interest without drawing too much attention to themselves.

Dan Kitchens Australia

Clean lines
Light timber makes an appearance in most Scandi kitchens, but the clean lines are really the telltale style statement.

SMART STRATEGY: White is often used to complement the pale tones in the timber; add a splash of black, navy or grey for depth.

Simple design
Sweet slumbers are yours for the taking in a clutter-free room like this. Pare back the accessories and stick to white, pale grey or pale blue for bedding. Lovely.

SMART STRATEGY: Fine craftsmanship is important in Scandinavian homes, so opt to spend a little more for well-made items built to withstand the test of time.

Scandinavian Kitchen Scandinavian Kitchen

Focus on timber
Timber is certainly a dominant feature, but care is taken with both the choice of timber and its tone. Timber cladding, furniture and flooring are all encouraged.

SMART STRATEGY: Treated timber – particularly pine – can turn an unsightly yellow over time. Using a grey oil is one of the ways to keep timber looking its best … and any yellow at bay.

Forum Phi Architecture | Interiors | Planning

Toasty warm
Cold winters and dreary skies have influenced Scandi design – homes are warm and comfortable, and a built-in sauna is the perfect way to relax and thaw out those icy toes.

SMART STRATEGY: If a sauna isn’t realistic at your place, do what you can in your bathroom to make it a haven for relaxation. Install a bench seat in the shower, choose soothing colours for your towels and bath mats, and let in as much natural light as possible. It’s the simple things in life.

Suburban Modern

Texture rich
The lines may be clean and simple in this style of home, but introducing texture is important to prevent a space from feeling cold or uninviting. These couches look soft enough to sink into, and the woven rug adds both texture and welcoming appeal.

SMART STRATEGY: Coloured glass is a way to introduce a little more personality into a home that’s big on Scandinavian style, and its transparency is less of an interruption to the eye.

Modern Kitchen Model Lundgaard & Tranberg in oak wood

Minimalism gone mad
There’s no such thing as being too minimalist when it comes to Scandi style. Pare back, then pare back some more. This Danish home takes minimalism to a whole new level, but it’s utterly chic, too, thanks to two additions – the unexpected colour of the range hood and the relatively busy black and white artwork.

SMART STRATEGY: Give over-bench cabinets a miss to streamline your kitchen and opt for drawers rather than cupboard doors to introduce uninterrupted lines into the space.

Angus Mackenzie Architect

Natural light
Scandinavian style suits Australia’s sunny skies perfectly – Nordic homes are bright and beautiful and let the light flood in. Keep window treatments sheer or forego them entirely.

SMART STRATEGY: Australians have the luxury of great weather for much of the year, but be sure to factor in warmer temps and get the air flowing with the help of louvres.

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Scandinavian homes for inspiration

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everdebz

Did I read right somewhere -that such northern latitudes with soft blue-ish sunlight [oblique and not direct and hot like in tropics] causes their rooms to echo / look well in blue-ish whites, along with soft greys, etc... ?

1 Like 5 June 2015 at 4:11pm