Do you like quiet and calm environments? Discover the highlights of the Scandinavian style below.
The Nordic style has been going strong in the world of decoration for a few years now, and it seems that it still has a long way to go. The truth is that today it is a trend when it comes to decorating both private homes and commercial premises, bars, and restaurants. Below, we summarize the highlights of this style and give you ten keys to get a Nordic look in your home. The Nordic style was born in the early twentieth century and came from northern European countries like Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. However, it was introduced in the rest of the continent until it has become, at present, the star trend in interior design. Over the decades, this style has been dramatically refined, going from being less bucolic to more minimalist. Today, with its functional, beautiful, natural, and straightforward base, it has found its way into homes worldwide.
In these countries, most of the year, natural light is scarce, and winters are long and harsh, so the essential characteristics of this style emerged as a way to counteract the lack of light. Hence, light colors always predominate in their environments, both on walls and floors and in furniture. On the other hand, cushions, blankets, rugs, and other textiles and small accessories provide the necessary touch of color. Here are some examples to give our homes a Nordic touch.
Nature is the protagonist. Many materials, textures, and decorative motifs of this style come from nature. Choose furniture in natural wood, such as birch or beech, in light colors to help create bright and relaxed environments like the one we see in the image. Natural fabrics. When looking for textiles to decorate the rooms, opt for fabrics from raw materials, such as cotton, linen, or wool. As for their colors or motifs, here, you can give them a more personal touch. As we said before, a base in light tones allows color when choosing textiles and other decorative elements. The drawings of flowers, leaves, and animals are perfect for recreating the effect we are looking for.
Geometric motifs. They are widely used in the Nordic style, mainly those created in black and white and any other color. Here we see a rug with triangle motifs in different shades of gray. Blankets, duvet covers, kitchen textiles, rugs, and even the walls, on some occasions, present this regular and orderly aesthetic.
Simple shapes. As for the cut of the furniture, simplicity is sought: straight and refined lines combined with soft and sinuous curves -although this way read seems contradictory. Of course, we should never overload the spaces with furniture, but we must achieve a clean and, at the same time, practical and functional space.
Variety of materials. The Nordic style has changed due to the influences of other movements and latitudes. As a result, in recent times, it has been incorporating new materials beyond wood, such as copper or brass, elements that give it a more current and contemporary touch. But always in small doses, through lamps, candle holders, trays, or vases. Another material that combines copper and natural wood is marble, but always in white tones. An example of its use can be as an accessory for the kitchen: a cutting board.
Combine styles. Nordic environments always admit other decorative pieces and furniture with a vintage or industrial look. This way, you will make the decoration more personal and get a cozier atmosphere. Get an old family piece and restore it to place it in some corner of the house; you may even find something interesting for it in an antique market. For example, look at this room, where an old desk has been placed next to other more modern furniture.
Recycle and reuse. The decontextualization of materials or pieces is another key of the Nordic style. It gives another unusual use to some music or accessory, for example, travel suitcases turned into a bedside table, pallets used as a headboard, stairs as shelves. Here imagination and creativity play an essential role. For example, we see how a pallet has been transformed into a coffee table with seating in this living room.
Stylish rooms. Wallpaper is often the protagonist of some of the walls in a Nordic environment. Place it, for example, in children's bedrooms, and you will get more fun, cheerful, and cozy touch in its decoration. As we see in this image, combine it with decorative garlands, another element widely used in youth and children's bedrooms.