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SCANDI
“Characterised by a focus on simplicity, minimalism and functionality, this style emanates a soothing and calming atmosphere through its muted colour palette and natural elements.”
Scandi interiors focus on creating simple yet striking visual appeal with minimal fuss.
Are you looking for fresh and elegant interior design style? Scandi interior design is a great way to modernise your home and bring a touch of Scandinavian flair. This minimalist style was popularised by Danish designer Arne Jacobsen in the 1930s, but over the last decade it has truly taken off as an international trend. Read on to learn more…
Scandi Style
The Scandi style of interior design has its roots in Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Denmark and Norway, but has since become more widely embraced around the world. Characterised by a focus on simplicity, minimalism and functionality, this style emanates a soothing and calming atmosphere through its muted colour palette and natural elements. A blend of pale woods, soft fabrics and gentle metals is used to create an inviting balance between geometric shapes and askew lines. The result is an elegant yet comfortable look that celebrates the simple beauty of nature with flair.
The modern Scandi style of interior design traces its roots back to the 1920s, when Finnish architect Alvar Aalto was gaining popularity for his sparsely-furnished minimalist designs. His simple aesthetic, inspired by nature and combined with minimalistic pieces of furniture, laid the foundation for what is known today as the Scandi style. Today’s version of Scandi style draws from this same foundation and incorporates contemporary lines alongside traditional details for an airy, neutral look that emphasises comfort without sacrificing sophistication.
The terms Scandi, Nordic, and Danish all relate to a minimalist interior design style. Scandinavian design is often thought of first when these terms are mentioned, however Nordic and Danish styles also have differences between them. Scandinavian style typically leans towards light beige, white, and grey tones with natural materials like wood heavily featured in the furnishings. On the other hand, Nordic style is much more colourful and takes risks; it's much more eclectic than Scandi as it often mixes different patterns and colours together. Danish style is similar to Scandinavian but uses more bold colours than typical Scandi palettes and features heavy lighting fixtures that create a focal point in the room. Although these three styles share similarities, there are subtle variations that can make an impact on one's home décor when considering which style would best suit their needs.
“Combining the Scandinavian style in coastal interiors can create a truly stunning look.”
Who is this style for
The Scandinavian interiors style is perfect for those who appreciate simplistic yet chic design. Free of clutter and boasting a cosy, comfortable atmosphere, this style makes use of bright whites and pale neutrals to create a look that is both homey and calming.
“Scandi design offers a timeless yet chic solution for people who want their home décor to make a sophisticated statement without drawing too much attention.”
How to achieve the scandi look and feel
The Scandi interior design concept is one that focuses on creating a warm yet minimalistic living space. Scandi style is all about clean lines, modern simplicity, and cosy warm minimalism.
The Scandi interior design style is all about creating a light, airy, and clean environment. To achieve this look, neutral colours like white, beige, or grey are the perfect complement – they create a subtle contrast that helps to emphasise the sleek finish of minimalistic furniture. Additionally, these colours enable you to layer elements in your home with visual interest so that your space looks slightly off-balance yet sophisticated at the same time. When it comes to creating an inviting home with a tranquil atmosphere, neutral tones are without a doubt the way forward for achieving this style.
For a truly Scandinavian-inspired interior design, minimalism is key and natural materials should be used wherever possible. Whether it’s introducing stone, terrazzo or wooden accents; the beauty of nature can easily be brought into the home. To give your home a warm and inviting rustic feel, wooden furniture is one of the most essential elements of Scandi interior design. Furniture pieces embrace the iconic mid-century modern palette with simple and geometric furniture shapes, smooth curves and compact footprints. Natural materials like wool, cotton, linen, bamboo or rattan bring texture to further enhance to create an eclectic ‘Scandi-chic’ look. As these materials are simple in design they aesthetically represent a scandi feel while also making your home look zen-like. Scandi design offers a timeless yet chic solution for people who want their home décor to make a sophisticated statement without drawing too much attention.
Coastal Scandi
Scandinavian coastal interior design is becoming increasingly popular, and it's easy to see why. With its calming blues and soft whites, this style brings the beautiful tranquility of nature into the home. It draws inspiration from the Scandinavian coast with natural materials such as wood and stone to create a rustic yet modern look. Incorporating natural materials such as wood, bamboo and jute with lighter shades of white and bright colours are commonly found in Scandi decor, making for a perfect fusion when introducing beach-inspired pieces to the mix. Add nautical accents such as deep navy striped fabrics and rattan furniture combined with a neutral colour palette featuring green tones from plants to bridge the two styles together for an effortless coastal look. Finish off the decor with metal detailing, shells and greenery for a modern yet comfy atmosphere fit for anytime of the year.
These features incorporated together make for a perfect blend of Scandi comfort and modern flair in any space, creating a cosy but chic atmosphere.
hygge and Lagom
Scandi-style is renowned for its focus on simplicity, functionality, and comfort. Taking this even further are the concepts of ‘hygge’ and ‘lagom’. Hygge refers to a feeling of coziness, contentment, warmth, and joy from embracing simplicity. On the other hand lagom encourages having just enough in life – not too little and definitely not too much. This dichotomy creates a unique balance that makes Scandi interiors timelessly inviting while remaining effortless in its chic minimalism.
“Scandi elements like the popular ‘hygge’ lifestyle ensure maximum coziness and relaxation with soft furnishings that make you want to stay in your home forever.”
Whether it’s the modern interior design with its well-defined lines or the contemporary approach which adds more texture, scandi always offers something for everyone. Importantly, don’t forget to add subtle hygge elements like throws, candles and plants to complete the look. Incorporating Scandinavian style into your own interior design will create an elegant and cozy atmosphere that you’ll want to come back to over and over again.