Scandinavian interior design is famous for its clean and simplistic attitude. It demands that furniture and decorative items are kept to the bare minimum in order to increase the amount of open space and support movement in the home. But even with fewer things, you won’t find yourself lacking something because this is Scandinavian furniture we’re talking about. And Scandinavian modern design furniture is often built to serve several functions like for instance, an ottoman that doubles as hidden storage, or an extending dining table which allows you to add extra seats when needed.

However, simplicity doesn’t only refer to cutting back on the things you own. It also refers to the clean and simplistic aesthetic of Scandinavian which is perfect if you want to fill your home with calmness and a Zen-like atmosphere. And what colour is more calming than white? For this reason, white walls are the predominant feature of this style. They serve to make the space feel lighter and look larger visually and allow the modern design furniture with sleek lines to grab more attention. As for the windows, they are best left bare or partially covered with a sheer curtain that allows for light to filter through and flood the space.

Although the colour palette is dominated by white, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t feel free to include other colours as well. In fact, a palette of neutral tones and touches of pastel can give the white backdrop more depth. The rule goes that big furnishings should come in neutral colours such as cream, grey, brown, or black, whereas décor and smaller furniture pieces like ottomans can come in pastels. As a result, your space will feature plenty of colours while still feeling visually balanced out.

Besides the dominance of white and neutral colours, another characteristic of Scandinavian style that makes the home feel more serene is the connection to nature. Drawing inspiration from the great outdoors, Scandinavian modern design furniture is made of quality hardwoods such as oak, maple or walnut. The colours and textures of these woods give the space a warm and cosy feel. The same goes for the floors as well, which are usually made of wide-planked hardwood. The use of indoor plants as décor is strongly encouraged in this style. Additionally, you can also include some modern metallic touches in the form of brass lighting fixtures.

Quality, Natural Materials

Scandinavian designer furniture is more than the flimsy coffee tables Ikea sells. Purchasing original Scandinavian furnishings such as a Danish couch or a Norwegian coffee table means investing in craftsmanship and durability as these pieces are made from sturdy hardwoods like oak, walnut, maple, or birch. The colours and textures of these high-quality natural materials help create a warm and cozy ambience which every home needs. Floors also follow the same pattern of furniture and are usually wide-planked hardwood floors or an engineered alternative. Avoiding to cover the floors and leaving them bare is a trick Scandinavian designers use to enlarge the space and keep its raw, natural appeal.

Beautiful Simplicity

Scandinavian design openly embraces the “less is more” attitude. In line with that belief, furnishings are usually minimalist in design in order to increase the amount of open space in the home. Even the bulkier furniture pieces such as a Danish couch are minimalist and compact, with almost invisible legs. Besides the furniture, the space should be minimalist as well, so make sure to display only the things you really need and use on a daily basis. Incorporating Scandinavian storage solutions such as cabinets and shelves can help you clear away the clutter and keep the home organized. Creating such a simplistic and orderly home means less cleaning and picking up. Isn’t that neat?

A Soothing Colour Palette

Scandinavian interiors always have a bright backdrop which is achieved with crisp, white walls. The stark white walls serve as a blank canvas onto which you can add a palette of neutral tones and even touches of pastel. Cream, grey, brown, and black, and hints of pastel here and there give the space some depth and balance out the white on the walls. The intention of this is to create a soothing environment that relaxes your senses. Because of this, bold hues should be restricted to the minimum as they can visually overwhelm the space.

The most basic reason why this style has become so sought after is its immediate association with cosiness. The atmosphere it aims to create originates from the notion, feeling or mood named hygge. This hard to define and rather elusive word is best explained through actual activities rather than some definition. For instance, it is that exact moment of utmost relaxation you get when slipping into a hot bath or that first morning cup of coffee, enjoyed with a scented candle lit nearby…

Apart from its association with calmness and an almost Zen-like state of mind, this design also makes for easy maintenance. And when I say maintenance I don’t mean for cleaning alone. Think of it as the complete opposite of hoarding. It defies it with every aspect it stands by. What this style imposes is even getting rid of items you are 50%-50% percent sure you might need. In prioritizes the bare necessities and that makes for order and peace of mind.

In the light of those points, uncluttering would be the first step towards implementing this concept into your home. Keeping the walls plain white would be the next move along with investing in candles and items in dark gray or black colour that must have another function beyond adding to the aesthetic appeal.

The above mentioned changes would cost you next to nothing and that could leave room to splurge on a few more important items, such as furniture pieces. You could, for instance, redesign your dining area by investing in a table, chairs and a wooden bench made from solid timber, such as oak. The purpose of the wooden bench in this case (instead of just getting 6 chairs or more) it to ensure that there are more sleek and clean lines without sacrificing sitting space.

Finally, what renders the Scandinavian design a checkmate approach is the fact that it’s built upon the power of three: beauty, simplicity and necessity. Sounds like a pretty great combo to me!