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Scandinavian

If you want to ask anyone for advice on how to decorate your home, pick someone from Scandinavia. Scandinavians really know a thing or two about relaxing, minimalist yet hyper-functional spaces. And what better place to try out your Scandi design than in your kitchen where functionality is the focus? Trendy, sleek and relaxing, this style is both elegant and casual, both industrial and natural. So, if you want to achieve an attractive kitchen design, here’s how to give the Scandinavian style a shot.

Go light

Scandinavian spaces are usually characterized by excessive use of white. All these light neutrals are very calming, especially when put in the busiest room in the house and serve as a perfect backdrop for all your accessories. Your safest bet when it comes to a good color palette is to go white with a few touches of gray and beige. A few splashes of green from your foliage will nicely break the monotony yet still look perfectly natural and relaxing.

Introduce textures

The Scandinavian style might look a little bare at first glance, but it’s actually very comfortable thanks to all the textures that inhabit the space. So, make sure to fill your space with different textures, even those that are usually not found in a traditional kitchen. Think rugs, faux fur, tasseled cushions and woven baskets. This will give your space a very laid back vibe and a welcoming feel not many kitchens have.

Dress Your Kitchen in Scandinavian Style

Fill it with wood and copper

Many people think that wood in the kitchen looks outdated and boring, but it doesn’t have to! Scandinavian style is anything but outdated and boring, as a matter of fact. If you choose light wood and surround it with a variety of different finishes, you’ll achieve a very interesting look. For instance, think light beech cabinets, black granite countertops and copper fixtures like faucets and sinks. Finish the look with some attractive kitchenware and you’re done. You can find a gorgeous-looking charcuterie board for sale that has a very rustic and unique look. It will serve as a centerpiece of your kitchen without standing out too much, plus it will be the eye-candy of every party you host!

Choose wood flooring

Any kitchen looks more welcoming and warm with wooden floors, especially the one dressed in Scandinavian style. Wooden floors are very practical and durable which are two key components to every Scandi space. If you can’t choose wood, ceramic tiles or stone flags are also a viable choice and both are very easy to maintain.

Dress Your Kitchen in Scandinavian Style

Bright appliances and furniture

Many true Scandinavian spaces are shrouded in white floor-to-ceiling, so you might want to do something that will break the monotony. The best way to add a pop of color to your space is with some interesting appliances. A super cute retro Smeg fridge in pastels color or a vibrant coffee maker will introduce color to your kitchen without going overboard. You can also liven up your furniture by adding some Scandinavian-inspired cushions and fabrics to it. Think Baltic stripes in blue or Lapland cornflower stripes in pink or yellow. This will be a little more out there but still fit into your overall design.

Choose open shelving

Scandinavians love pottery and crockery and any other pieces that look eclectic and vintage, especially those with quirky motifs and symmetrical patterns. These are a great way to add some personality to your kitchen, so choose open shelving to display your collection.

Dress Your Kitchen in Scandinavian Style

Interesting lighting

There’s nothing trendier than having hanging lighting in your kitchen right now, even in Scandinavian-inspired kitchens. Luckily, you can find these hanging pendants in all imaginable sizes, shapes and colors, so you’ll certainly get something that fits your Scandi aesthetics. If you want to stray from the standard, an interesting floor lamp in the corner will do the trick.

Add some art

Wall art is highly encouraged in any Scandinavian space, but it looks especially interesting in the kitchen. No matter if you opt for a gallery wall or choose just one larger piece, make sure to go with simple frames and monochrome color palette that will add character to the space without disturbing the minimalist image.

Once you’re finished with your kitchen remodel, you’ll enjoy your space like never before. Scandi design is welcoming and simple yet whimsical and warm. Try it out yourself and you’ll fall in love instantly.

The concept of hygge, invented by the Danish and pronounced “hoo-ga”, means the art of creating intimacy and can roughly be translated as cosiness. It has taken the world of interior design by storm and almost everyone is trying to recreate the beautiful Nordic minimalism that manages to offer warmth in a simple, timeless décor.

For beginners, hygge means a fresh, clutter-free space with indoor plants, lovely, fluffy rugs on bare hardwood floors, soft fabrics and furnishings and books. However, hygge is more than just design and décor. It’s about togetherness and family ties, nights of simple joys of being in each other’s company and having fun. So, here are several basic ways you can easily hygge up your home and make it more welcoming and inviting.

Bring in natural materials

 

Natural materials are a key ingredient of hygge. Incorporate natural elements by bringing in simple decorative pieces such as a rustic wooden table, an organic wool throw, your collection of seashells, potted ferns, a bunch of fresh flowers or any other item from the great outdoors. If you love DIY projects, find a branch outside that you can use for a lamp post and create a stunning floor lamp that will cast a warm glow in your reading nook.

Create an ambient glow

Lighting and candlelight is an essential element in hygge and in cold and dark winter months in Scandinavia, this is the way to keep the atmosphere indoors warm and cosy. There’s a wide range of hand-made, scented candles on the market today and bringing them in your home will not only evoke warmth, but it will create peace and serenity.

You can also enhance the atmosphere by hanging a string of twinkling Christmas lights around your home and you’ll be amazed how relaxing it can be. Don’t limit this only to the living room. Bring them lights and candles into your kitchen while you’re cooking, into your bedroom while you’re reading and in the bathroom while you’re having a bath. Your kids too will love the soft glow of flickering lights hung around their bed frames.

Use textures to soften up the space

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By using natural materials and textiles, it’s easy to create an inviting space. Experts advise adding light linens in summer and soft, woolly blankets in the winter. They advise against carpets but recommend area rugs and soft, white sheepskin that is minimally processed and sustainably sourced.

The nursery can also benefit greatly from hygge design. If you’re going for a gender neutral room and you’re not a fan of typically themed kiddie rooms, cladding the baby’s room in neutral, pastel colours, natural textiles such as wool, cotton, sisal and felt, you’ll design the room that will provide a warm and pleasant environment for your baby to grow up in.

Unplug and unwind

It’s easy to get caught up in work today and lose our heads in information overload. Unplugging and unwinding doesn’t mean you should bury your head in sand and stop caring about what the world around you. It’s really about practicing being present now for just a few moments every day and enjoying the company of loved ones. To have a true hygge spirit in your home, put your phones down, turn off the TV and slow down. Have a delicious meal with your family, talk and embrace the simplicity of life.

It’s all about the details

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A few cosy details can go a long way and show people just how much you care. For instance, a basket with slippers by the entrance will help people kick their shoes off and relax, a tray with flowers, tea, coffee, cider and chocolates will indulge everyone’s senses and a lovely woven basket with extra blankets, pillows and favourite books will make anyone feel welcome and appreciated.

To achieve the ultimate hygge in your home, follow the tips listed here and enjoy the cosiness that will follow!

If you were following interior design trends, you’ve definitely noticed the rising popularity of Japandi. This mix of Japanese and Scandinavian décor manages to tone down the extreme characteristics of both of these styles. By combining a minimalist, sleek and nature-fused theme with bold statement pieces, Japandi quickly managed to earn the title of a timeless trend. As it breaks the strict rules of the cold Nordic design and Zen-inspired environment, Japandi presents the best of both worlds. That’s why Japandi is so easy to introduce in any home.

1. Color palette

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Between the bright and exaggeratedly cold color scheme of Scandinavian style, and warm wood from the Japanese, Japandi makes a perfect common ground when it comes to color palette. In general, cooler pastel shades of pink, gray and green are warmed up with earthy details and wooden elements. You can mix these up however you want, just make sure that you can achieve the perfect balance between the two very different – yet complementary – color ranges. Pops of color can be introduced here and there as long as they don’t break the harmony and the minimalistic approach to the design.

2. Bold simplicity

Three words that could best describe this design are simple, functional and impactful. There’s no room for clutter in the Japandi home. Every object needs to have its place and purpose. Still, what makes Japandi so popular is probably the fact that furniture pieces themselves act as bold, statement accessories.

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Using raw forms in furniture design with very sharp and sleek lines minimizes the need of other décor details. Mixing and matching industrial-like pieces with rich timber or bamboo creates a very unique take on a modern and timeless décor.

3. Introducing accessories

Japandi style should look very clean, but warm and pleasant at the same time. These two features seem pretty contradictory, but they’re far from impossible to achieve. Even though you should keep accessories to the minimum, this doesn’t mean that you should completely avoid them. Curtains, rugs and decorative cushions can effectively break the overwhelming coldness of Scandinavian influence. Still, make sure to have plenty of natural sunlight as this is the main characteristic of both styles.

4. Plenty of greenery

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While you can use photo frames, paintings and figurines as additional touches to your overall décor, Japandi relies on the use of plants the most. Instead of using flowers and really colorful foliage for your interior, stick to the Zen theme. Bold simplicity is evident in this aspect as well. Opt for tall plants with sleek and elegant leaves that would draw attention with their strong presence and simple form. Of course, make sure that plant pots go well with your overall theme.
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5. Best ways to mix and match

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There are many ways you can mix and match the Scandinavian and Japanese décor in order to achieve the balanced Japandi look. Colors, materials as well as furniture’s height and form are ideal starting points. For example, you can use cooler pastel shades for your walls, yet install wooden flooring. Feel free to mix statement wooden coffee tables with urban chairs and sofas. Introduce earthy elements with accessories such as curtains and cushions. Keep the rug warm yet minimalist by choosing a fuzzy material in plain color. You can also experiment with asymmetrical height of furniture pieces in order to break the monotony of the layout.

As it leaves room for more warmth without disturbing the minimalist design, the fact that Japandi interior movement took the world by storm  hardly comes as a surprise. Even though it still has its décor rules and guidelines, this design leaves more room for customization compared to the very specific Scandinavian and Japanese design trends.

At first glance, one-room apartments do not seem like a perfect stage for design ideas. On the contrary, these cramped spaces give decorators many headaches. However, one Swedish small haven is about to change this notion. The irresistible charm of the Scandinavian decor was used to pull together a striking home, which responds to obstacles with stylish ingenuity and interior design prowess. It demonstrates the art of making every inch count, and deploys smart design tactics: This is a master class in how to engage in decorating a small space.

White sensation

The first thing that stands out in the unique shelter is the monochrome visual appeal, as this enthralling all-white space embraces the Scandinavian color philosophy. Gorgeous white floor and walls are accompanied by pastel accents that make the room more captivating. Furthermore, the clutter is kept at bay, which provides enough room for daily activities and for people to move around freely. Finally, a large count of windows infuses an airy and spacious feel, which is paramount to Nordic flats.

A photo of a small white kitchen

This shows in the open kitchen and dining area that emanate a sense of freedom. Differently-colored pastel chairs add drama and deliver a whimsical touch to the room, which is complemented by minimalistic wall art. An industrial pendant light draws the eye up, and reminds us of the importance of lighting in assembling a stunning environment. Wall shelving provides storage space in the kitchen, with effective lamps located above it. A small ’50-style, pastel green refrigerator is a spectacle in its own right, and it also acts as a room divider.

A photo of a small apartment in Scandinavian decor

Make room

A comfortable sitting area is the hub of domestic life. It serves as a convenient place for various household activities and social gatherings. There are many windows that let the natural light and fresh air in, summoning the sense of openness and calmness. A grey ARÖD floor lamp compliments the natural blessings, and with its adjustable arm and head, it is a highly-functional source of directional light.  The statement wall on the opposite side introduces some style with the wacky artwork, and shows us we should not shy away from daring focal points when decorating.

Small Apartment

A private sleeping nook is concealed behind the wall, offering sublime coziness. There is also a door that breaks the room and creates an illusion of more space. Behind it, an open wardrobe is located, which is a nice solution for the shortage of storage capacities. There was even space left even for a chill-out corner, which is located above the bedroom. This is a great way to maximize the horizontal space and take advantage of the high ceilings. Make an effort to nurture such strategic thinking whenever decorating and designing a spatially challenging home.

Scandinavian Inspired Apartment

More power to you

Sometimes less is more. Nothing proves this statement as superbly as a tiny, adorable Scandinavian-style home. It has everything one could need, and it is astounding indeed how much style and beauty were packed in 45 m2. This proves that by making the most out of small space, it is possible to transform it into a retreat that transcends the spatial limitations. Merging unparalleled functionality with minimalistic edge and appealing design, this is a small dream home come true.

Images via vaningen.se