Simple and elegant - this is the main characteristic of Scandinavian-style interior design. This direction has many opponents. Some people find these rooms too standard, like hospital rooms. But practice shows that properly designed projects can make a house stylish and comfortable. The main thing is to seriously approach this issue and observe all the rules of the Scandinavian style.
Characteristics
The interior of the house in the Scandinavian style is preferred by residents of Northern Europe. This is due to the characteristic climate, which involves long winters and a small number of sunny days per year. That is why people tend to keep more light in their apartment, to make it spacious, comfortable and warm. European residents do not like pretentiousness and pomp, they prefer reasonable minimalism, conciseness and practicality. For these qualities, people value the Scandinavian style and give it preference for many decades.
Today, there are two areas of Scandinavian style. The first option is preferred by wealthy people who want to emphasize their wealth. It recalls the fashion trends that prevailed in Sweden during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. But even expensive holiday interior details do not look pompous and elaborate. Rich people prefer originality and moderation.
The second version of the Scandinavian direction is based on conciseness and functionality. There is no luxury in it, but there is a sufficient amount of style, comfort and coziness.
Back to history
Scandinavian-style interior design first appeared during the reign of King Gustav III of Sweden. Until that time, the inhabitants of Northern Europe borrowed design ideas in Italy, France and England. In these countries, Rococo, Baroque and Classicism were in fashion. Residents of cold countries have added northern accents to the above destinations. And Gustav supported this initiative (he was a trendsetter of those times). Although the king lived in the eighteenth century, the “Gustavian style” remained at the top of the fashionable Olympus of Northern Europe until the beginning of the twentieth century. It is he who is the forerunner of the modern Scandinavian trend.
In the fifties of the twentieth century, exhibitions were held in America, where European designers presented their trends. Since then, the Scandinavian style has conquered the whole world and continues to be one of the most fashionable and functional areas.
Distinctive features
The interior design in the Scandinavian style is based on functionality, comfort, conciseness and some coldness. The main motto of this direction is "a sense of comfort by the owners and the lack of envy of the guests." Distinctive features also include:
- Practicality and conciseness. The main emphasis is on functionality, there is nothing superfluous in the room. Even an element of decoration upon closer examination may be applicable in practice.
- The abundance of light. The room has huge windows that are decorated with transparent tulles and delicate curtains.
- Simple and comfortable furniture. All of it has a rectangular or slightly rounded shape. It is arranged so as to occupy the minimum amount of space. At the same time, the furniture has everything necessary for convenience, it looks very elegant.
- The predominance of white. The interior design of the apartment in the Scandinavian style involves using it as the main background. In addition to white, beige, silver, blue, light yellow and pastel shades are used. Small accents of brighter colors are allowed.
- Patterns and prints are missing or look delicate and unobtrusive.
- It is customary to decorate the floor with soft carpets or animal skins.
- The use of environmentally friendly materials such as wood, stone, gypsum.
- Textiles are presented in the form of linen, cotton, wool.
- The main lighting devices are chandeliers, lamps, sconces, floor lamps.
- Mirrors do not have large massive frames.
Scandinavian style admirers
Scandinavian-style interior design is preferred by lovers of winter landscapes and frosty freshness. This applies not only to residents of the northern regions - we are talking about a calm temperament and intelligent restraint. This direction is also suitable for admirers of minimalism and functionality, who do not like to heap the house with extra furniture and demonstrate their financial situation.
People of the type described above should not be afraid that the home will look too cold. Scandinavian style guarantees comfort and coziness, spaciousness and multifunctionality, it is possible to realize multiple life preferences in it.
House
The Scandinavian style home interior is best coordinated with experienced designers. They will help to recreate all the details that emphasize the beauty and conciseness of this direction. The rooms should be bright and airy, with natural light playing the main role. The windows are large, the frames are preferred of light wood. Ideally, they should not be curtained, but you can decorate them with transparent curtains.
Designers will help you choose and arrange furniture, each item of which will be in its place. If there is no opportunity or desire to invite specialists, it is necessary to study each room in the house in detail in order to independently create a design project.
Flat
Not all Scandinavian residents live in huge apartments; many of them feel great in a small space. That is why the Scandinavian-style interior for a small apartment will be close to the inhabitants of our country. To visually increase the space, it is necessary to make the windows as open and not burdened with dark curtains. The general background should be bright, because such a solution will visually push the walls. Furniture must be purchased for its intended purpose, to eliminate unnecessary decor elements. You should also avoid piling up, correctly position objects along the walls and leave maximum free space in the middle.
A reasonable solution would be to combine small areas - the Scandinavian style welcomes creative manifestations. It is also necessary to pay attention to the balance of lines: too smooth must be made smooth, and round - a little straighten. So that the room does not seem typical, you can add several bright color accents. It must be remembered that there should not be many of them (maximum - four combinations).
Kitchen
The interior design of the kitchen in the Scandinavian style involves spaciousness, aesthetics and functionality. In the room should be exclusively everything necessary for cooking and eating. It should also be noted that a minimum number of items is allowed on the surface (all devices and kitchen utensils are recommended to be hidden in cabinets, drawers or pull-out shelves). This will constantly maintain cleanliness and create a comfortable atmosphere. The following rules should also be kept in mind:
- the working wall should be finished with white tiles;
- the dining area can be decorated with light stucco;
- as a flooring, tile, laminate, board or stone is suitable;
- the color of the floor should be natural light natural shades or wood-like;
- It is recommended to use cabinet furniture in bright colors;
- the dining table should be made of wood, with a solid surface and thin legs;
- when choosing chairs, massive legs and backs should be avoided;
- one chandelier with several shades is enough for lighting.
Living room
For arranging interior design in the Scandinavian style of the living room, it is advisable to prefer a room whose windows face the sunny side. Experts recommend using the following rules:
- Walls are best covered with white plaster plaster. You can also use unobtrusive drawings or discreet prints.
- The ceiling should be made white.
- The flooring can be represented by parquet, laminate or board. Color - natural wood or gray.
- Upholstered furniture is preferred without massive backs, huge armrests and bright patterns. Restrained in design and comfortable sofa in the Scandinavian style will fit, on which you can put several bright decorative pillows.
- The table should not be very high with a glass surface.
- You can put a carpet on the floor, decorate the wall with bookshelves.
- A reasonable solution would be to install a fireplace. Its upper part is recommended to be decorated with white decorative brick, the lower - with dark tiles imitating stone.
- A central chandelier with imitation of icicles or pieces of ice should be hung on the ceiling.
Bedroom
The interior design of the Scandinavian-style bedroom should resemble the chambers of the Snow Queen. Experienced professionals recommend using the following tips:
- cover the walls with plaster or other decorative plaster of pastel colors;
- decorate the head of the bed with wood;
- leave the ceiling white;
- make the flooring from parquet or laminate;
- put a fleecy carpet or animal skin on the floor;
- to establish a rectangular bed with a low headboard (or without it at all);
- on both sides of the bed put two laconic bedside tables on which to install table lamps;
- the cabinet should also be concise, with light sashes;
- choose a chandelier from crystal or glass;
- Lighting can be supplemented with a floor lamp.
Hallway
The first room in the house should be practical and elegant. It is necessary to use materials that are easy to clean and long retain their original appearance. The design ideas of the Scandinavian style in the interior of the hallway should be embodied as follows:
- make the door wooden, varnish;
- decorate the upper part of the walls with pastel-colored plaster, use the wooden panels at the bottom;
- flooring is best made of stone;
- put only the necessary furniture: wardrobe, chest of drawers, hanger, mirror;
- for lighting use chandeliers with white or transparent glass shades.
In order for an apartment or house to fully comply with the Scandinavian style, you must use the above tips of experienced designers. And most importantly - put your heart and soul. Then the home will be comfortable for the owners and hospitable for friends and relatives.