Scandinavian style in the interior of an apartment or house - original beauty and practicality. What is the Scandinavian style in the interior Dark floor in the Scandinavian interior

  • 29.08.2019

To date, the Scandinavian interior of apartments remains the most popular in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. The inhabitants of Northern Europe have remained true to tradition and continue to improve their style.

Modern Scandinavian style in the interior of the apartment looks concise and tasteful. Local residents are not characterized by a craving for pomposity and wealth.

Protracted dark winters left their mark on the arrangement of the premises, so they are dominated by white, as well as objects made of crystal. This decision makes it clear that winter remains a favorite season, but at the same time, a desire to enjoy more bright days is visible.

There are two options for Scandinavian house interiors.

The first option gravitates towards the interiors of Sweden in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is preferred by owners who want to emphasize their well-being, but without monumentality and pretentiousness. The second - personifies softness, conciseness and functionality. It does not provide for antique furniture and paintings in massive frames, but home comfort it has plenty.
















A bit of history

Many believe that the history of the Scandinavian interior began to take shape in the late 19th century. But in fact, it happened much earlier.

For the first time, the Scandinavian style in the interior began to take shape during the reign of the Swedish king Gustav III in the 18th century. Before this period, the inhabitants of the northern part of Europe equipped their houses, copying the fashion trends of France, Italy, and also England. Baroque, rococo and classicism reigned in these countries. When the Scandinavians equipped their homes, they added northern notes to the decor.

The final advantage in favor of northern motives occurred at the initiative of Gustav III, who was a trendsetter of that time. Until the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, the "Gustavian style" was popular in the countries of Northern Europe. It was he who was the forerunner of the Scandinavian modern interior.

A new round in the development of the current received in the 80s of the 19th century. Designers began to give the style more modern features, while they were guided by the desire to make the environment more functional and concise.

In the 30s of the 20th century, an International Exhibition was held, at which designers presented their achievements - interiors that harmoniously combine practicality and aesthetic appeal. In the 50s, after exhibitions in America, the genre began to confidently conquer the world community.














Main features

The interior of the house in the Scandinavian style embodies practicality, naturalness, restraint and even some coldness. There is also a love for nature. The main principle of the direction is to make the owners feel comfortable, and not envious of the visitors.

Consider what other features the Scandinavian-style interior design combines:

  • Functionality with minimalism

There is nothing superfluous in the interior. Decor and details are minimal, furniture is only the most necessary. At the same time, the atmosphere does not seem empty. At first glance, a decorative item may have a practical purpose.

  • Lots of light

In order for the rays of light to penetrate the premises, the windows are often made large and complemented with light tulle and light curtains.

  • Furniture of a simple form, light, practical and at the same time elegant.

Spacious shelves and racks are popular, on which you can place things to create space in the rooms. The shape of the furniture is rectangular or slightly rounded. It is combined with cabinet-type furniture. Scandinavian interior items are placed so that they take up a minimum of space.

  • The main Scandinavian colors in the interior are white, beige, blue, silver-gray, muted shades of yellow.

White always prevails. As inclusions, you can use bright colors that will bring zest to a restrained setting.

  • Patterns are either absent or they are neutral.
  • The floor is dominated by warm soft carpets and animal skins.
  • Preference is given to natural and environmentally friendly materials - wood, stone, gypsum plaster.
  • The most commonly used textiles are cotton, linen and wool.
  • Various lighting devices are used as accessories - floor lamps, sconces, table lamps. Mirrors without massive frames are also involved.








Who prefers Scandinavian style?

The modern Scandinavian style in the interior is most often preferred by people of the northern type, and this is not about appearance, but about character traits and personal preferences. There is a category of people who like the frosty freshness of the north, cold shades and the beauty of nature in a winter dream. At the same time, such people prefer a free, practical and concise environment.

If you belong to this category, then do not doubt your choice, scandinavian design the interior of the apartment will not seem cold and alien to you. On the contrary - you will feel in it harmony, comfort, as well as the embodiment of life preferences.

Also this direction suitable for lovers minimalism and free space, but on the condition that they positively perceive cold colors in the interior.

Scandinavian interior design can be implemented both in a city apartment and in country house. The main thing is to enlist the support of an experienced designer who will help to place all the accents correctly and provide for everything to the smallest detail.









Scandinavian style home improvement

Consider the options for implementing Scandinavian design in the interior.

Hallway

The first thing a person sees when entering an apartment is the entrance hall. Therefore, it must be drawn up especially scrupulously, taking into account all the rules.

A Scandinavian-style entrance hall in the interior at first glance should be associated with the practicality and elegance characteristic of the inhabitants of Northern Europe. Entrance door, like other doors in Scandinavian interior must be wooden. The color of the door lacquer is only close to natural colors.

Wall decoration in the hallway should be made of materials that are easily cleaned of dirt without losing properties. Vertical surfaces are best done in a pastel or slightly creamy tone. White color although it is the most suitable, it is impractical in the hallway, as it can quickly lose its whiteness due to the human factor. The lower part of the walls can be finished with wooden panels.

Make the floor darker than the walls. As a material, you can use a stone of cold shades.

The design of the hallway in the Scandinavian style includes only the most necessary furniture - a chest of drawers, a floor hanger for guests' clothes, a small or medium-sized mirror. You can also put a wardrobe with folding doors, in which outerwear will be stored. Often they make hangers attached to the wall.

It is advisable to make lighting in the form of several hanging chandeliers with shades of white, frosted glass.

















Living room

Having correctly designed the Scandinavian interior of the living room, you are sure to fall in love with the atmosphere, from which you will breathe the tranquility of the north. To furnish the interior of a living room in a Scandinavian style, it is best to choose a spacious room with large windows on the sunny side of the house.

  • Cover the walls with decorative gypsum plaster white. It is possible during the application of plaster to make a beautiful texture in the form of an uncomplicated pattern.
  • Also make the ceiling white. Don't be afraid to overdo it; this color is basic for the style and will help it to open up in the best possible way.
  • Lay parquet or laminate on the floor. If you want to add warmth to the room, choose colors for natural wood flooring. If you are more comfortable in the predominance of cold tones, choose among shades of gray (preferably close to a silvery tone).
  • Arrange a sofa area in the living room with a low glass table. Upholstered furniture - without massive decor, large backs and catchy patterns. You can put several pillows of bright colors on the sofa, which will serve as a highlight and a bright splash of color.
  • Lay a warm carpet on the floor in the sofa area. Also fits into the room bookshelf with your favorite literature
  • The Scandinavian-style living room design will complement the fireplace, which will warm you on cold, winter evenings. It is advisable to overlay the vertical fireplace zone with white brickwork, and the foot with dark tiles or stone.

The style loves good lighting, so it is best to hang a central chandelier in the living room, a design that will resemble pieces of ice or crystals.

























Bedroom

Remember how the Snow Queen felt at home in her chambers? The bedroom should also evoke the same feeling of comfort. It is necessary to create such an interior of the Scandinavian bedroom in which you can relax, immerse yourself in healthy sleep and feel peace.

  • The wall at the head of the bed can be finished with wood, and the rest can be covered decorative plaster pastel color.
  • Leave the ceiling white.
  • On the floor - parquet or laminate.
  • Choose a color with the same factors in mind as when choosing a living room floor. In the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe bed, lay a fleecy carpet or animal skin.
  • Make a double bed rectangular shape with a minimally low headboard or without it.
  • On the sides of the bed there are two laconic light-colored bedside tables, on which there are small lamps with frosted, white glass.
  • Clothes and other things are best stored in a dressing room or in a closet with light, folding doors.

The Scandinavian style in the interior of the bedroom will be emphasized by properly selected textiles - lay a cream or slightly pinkish cotton bedspread on the bed. The bed can be decorated with decorative pillows in brighter colors.

A central crystal chandelier is suitable for a Scandinavian-style bedroom design. You can also use a floor lamp with a light-colored shade.
























Kitchen

The Scandinavian interior of the kitchen, like other rooms, embodies spaciousness, functionality and understated elegance.

The Scandinavian style appeared as a logical development of post-war trends in the world, superimposed on national characteristics Scandinavia: abundance of wood and people who know how to work with it. Another factor - the ruined cities of Europe needed a lot of furniture, and it had to be functional first, and only then beautiful.

The first here were the Danes, who used mainly teak wood. They also began to use plywood, and then plastic. A little later, standardization came from Sweden: first Swedish kitchens, then beds and other furniture. Since the 70s, the massive use of pine and the distribution of Ikea began. And now the Scandinavian style is chosen for lack of other worthy options, and often from a lack of knowledge. Decorators Anna and Mikhail Koshelev suggest considering alternatives that will not be much more difficult to implement.

Clients often say: "I want Scandinavian style." But the question "And if not Scandinavian, then what?", As a rule, confuses them. It seems that other styles simply do not know. Sometimes "grandmother's style" and hi-tech come to mind, they also remember shabby chic. And it turns out that there seems to be no alternative to Scandinavian. But in fact, there are a great many styles: for example, Moroccan, Chinese, Japanese or Art Deco are good in their own way. But we will only talk about those that are likely to appeal to Scandinavian fans.

Postwar

midcentury



Let's start with styles that are often confused with Scandinavian. In the 50s of the last century, a boom in minimalism began around the world, both in clothing and in interiors. Then the beauty of things gave way to functionality: everyone had to build, and there were few materials, and plastic was not yet common.

Distinctive features of the midcentury style are stone, wood and bright colors. Even in "The Adventures of Shurik" we see interiors with these motifs. So a good half of the assortment of Moscow fashion online furniture stores is actually not Scandinavian style, but replicas of style icons of the 50s and 60s.

Minimalism




The second style, which is often mistaken for Scandinavian, is minimalism. The simplicity of the lines is here and there, but in minimalism the main thing is a deliberately limited amount of detail and good lighting. It cannot be said that the Scandinavians live in the dark, but really only large windows can give a lot of daylight, which is not cheap and irrational in a cold climate. The main difference between minimalism and the scarcity of decoration is the high cost of execution of both individual details and the entire architecture of a house or apartment as a whole. But there are difficulties here: everything looks great until the first signs of life. After all, even a shirt left on a chair in such conditions begins to declare itself as part of the interior.

Modern

Contemporary




An important feature of this style is relevance. It consists of what is now at the peak of popularity. If white broken triangles in the Audi style are relevant, this is contemporary, if concrete and chandeliers made of cord and cartridge are fashionable, this is contemporary, if zigzags on the walls and craft bags for children's toys are at their peak, this is contemporary. Individual fashion items appear more often than a whole style. Something is forgotten, but what manifests itself with better side, is accumulated in a new style. The task of the designer is to create a space in which you can constantly change something without violating harmony. The complexity of this undertaking is obvious: it is not easy to follow fashion all the time. It is worth stopping once, and repairs can be dated to within a couple of years.

Traditional




This style is traditional not for us, but for Europe and America. If you travel around the world, you can understand that the interiors of the houses that we see in Western cinema are really like that. The reason for the style's popularity is practicality. Such an interior will not become outdated and will look appropriate in many years. Scandinavian particle boards or chipboard get shabby over time, which spoils the look, but scratches on traditional furniture (not to be confused with classic) are perceived as scuffs on jeans, that is, they only add charm. Separately, the opportunity to put a brass lamp, which is 80-90 years old, on a new bedside table, or hang a 250-year-old engraving on the wall, fascinates.

Nautical




The basis of the beach style, as a rule, is quite traditional and in demand in any other style colors - white, blue, beige and coral, as well as the color of the deck board, brass or bronze. Maybe chrome, but definitely not plastic. Details play the most important role here: old burnt-out oars on the walls, pillows with seahorses, blown glass bottles, ropes and other marine paraphernalia. Nautical decor is often used for nurseries: it is difficult for kids to live in a boring rectangular world.

Rustic

Farmhouse, French country




Rustic style is a cozy interior with traditional wooden furniture and simple decor, in which pastoral motifs prevail: floral curtains, crockery with red polka dots, bed linen with frills and cockerels. Everything that says about the coziness and hot cocoa that your grandmother cooked for you as a child is a rustic style. Decorators most often borrow barn doors from it, but we would also advise taking a look at wooden ceilings, walls and furniture - cast, less often stamped, made of metal and with wooden elements.

Industrial




A style originating in old factory and warehouses Manhattan, now successfully continues its victorious march through the old buildings in the center of Moscow and other capitals. It is often called "loft" for short, although the loft is just one of the directions of the industrial style. All rooms in this area are characterized by the presence of huge windows and high ceilings. Because large spaces you won’t finish with expensive tiles, bare concrete or metal structures of the building are simply painted, parquet is replaced with a planed board, but they don’t save on furniture. Metal, leather, solid wood will not be cheap. It would be a gross mistake to try to replace the real brickwork her imitation. You can build a wall from the cheapest red brick, and then take used engine oil, coal and age the masonry yourself. For such cases, we use a plasma torch, which oxidizes and ignites clay. As a result, decades of exposure to air and ultraviolet light make up in minutes.

Mediterranean




If in nautical style the color of the walls and the shape of the doorways are not so important, then in the Mediterranean it is in them that the whole point is. Semi-circular arches, bright multi-colored tiles, terracotta pots with Provence herbs, textiles with geometric prints in yellow, red and blue shades - this is mediterranean style. And no photo wallpaper with the Black Sea surf in Yalta.

Chalet style

Rustic, "Hunting Lodge"




This is an abundance of natural wood with a visible texture, sloping ceilings, warm colors, stone aprons in the kitchen and in the fireplace area, leather furniture, wooden beams on the ceiling and everything that is somehow connected with taxidermy: animal heads and skins on the floor. We often want to see country houses like this, which is understandable. Although sometimes individual elements can be great friends with interiors in other styles.

Eclecticism




Aerobatics of the owner of the apartment or the decorator. Eclectic is a successful combination of different styles, such as an antique coffee table from a great-grandmother with a pop art poster and an Auchan carpet. Keyword- successful.

Victorian




If the traditional style is quite neutral (add a trendy plastic rocking chair with wooden legs - and it's already modern, a boar's head - it's already a chalet), then the Victorian interior is difficult to remake. This is the interior of a rich English grandmother or a Californian gold miner: floral wallpaper on the walls, furniture self made from the best varieties wood, classic candlesticks and chandeliers made of crystal, Tiffany, no chipboard. Seriously, sustainedly and without fuss. Like whiskey. Victorian style is definitely expensive. When designing it, you can fall into leather wallpaper or natural silk on the walls. For such an interior, you don’t even need a decorator, but an antique dealer with excellent taste.

In the thirties of the last century in interior design there was a branch from modernism of a new independent direction, called "Scandinavian style". It was based on the peculiarities of the arrangement of life of the inhabitants of the Scandinavian countries - Norway, Sweden.

Designers Alvara Aalto, Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner, Paul Henningsen are rightfully considered the founders of the Scandinavian style. They determined its canons, such as harmonious coexistence with the harsh nature of the northern latitudes, a return to the origins of naturalness, originality, rejection of excesses and pretentiousness.

The Scandinavian style is characterized by:

  • abundance of light, large window openings, transparent or their absence, saturated artificial lighting;
  • the prevalence of pure white in the finish - it enhances the lighting;
  • proximity to nature, the naturalness of the materials used;
  • open layout, unification of rooms - this allows daylight to penetrate to all corners of the rooms;
  • functionality - the use of folding furniture;
  • minimalism - lack of luxurious decor;
  • accent bursts of bright colors (textiles, some furniture, accessories) - no more than two per room;
  • preservation of free space;
  • focus on the owner, his habits, preferences.

Style color dictated climatic conditions countries of origin. Cold white color plays a dominant role. It is combined with the natural shades of the nature of Northern Europe, repeating the grayness of the stones, the entire brown palette of endless forests, the colors of the cold sea, cloudy sky and coastal sand.

The lack of sunlight in the northern latitudes has led to the maximum use of white in interior design, which has unique ability illuminate the room from the inside. In addition, it is considered the perfect background for color accents and goes well with any other color.

The decoration is simple and concise. The walls are usually simply painted white or another color suitable for the canons of the style. To add zest to the interior, one wall can be decorated with a painting on the theme of natural nature or highlighted with a bright finish.

The floor is traditionally lined with long, wide boards of natural color or bleached. Parquet or laminate also often act here as a floor covering. A soft wool rug will keep your feet warm and soften the openness of the interior.

The light textured surface of wood and lively greenery on a white background, the presence of single accessories create a soft, gentle flavor of a homely atmosphere within the framework of Scandinavian restraint and pedantry.


Contrasting black or dark gray shades are often added to the combination of white and wood.



Usually, either one large item (something from furniture) or two or three small interior elements (curtains, other textiles, a floor lamp, etc.) stand out in color.


Scandinavian style means space. The space is in no way cluttered with furniture and things. Stylized furniture is simple and functional. Light, thin and graceful designs, clean and simple geometric lines, coupled with a general light background create a feeling of conciseness and freedom of space.

Wooden furniture is traditionally used in Scandinavian style, but other lightweight materials such as plastic are also possible. Upholstery is preferably leather, suede or natural fabric, plain, checkered or striped. Textured textiles, fur blankets bring comfort to the general cold background of the interior.

Scandinavians love unusual furnishings. For example, in Norwegian schools, chairs are used where you need to sit on your knees.

A wood-burning stove, or in the past, were the most important elements of Scandinavian home improvement, and today they remain attributes that emphasize style.

Crystal pendants of chandeliers, glass vases, mirrors present in the interior reflect and refract rare rays of light.

In addition to the central large chandelier, sources artificial lighting there should be a lot. It can be spotlights, sconces, floor lamps, table lamps - anything. Bright colors, futuristic or often make them a highlight of the interior.

Accessories require careful selection. Photos, candles, clocks, animal horns, decorative pillows, handmade rugs - they should be part of the overall concept and not attract too much attention. You can often find musical instruments, such as a guitar, just leaning against the wall, as if accidentally forgotten.

Since the window is not covered with curtains, pots with plants, small lamps and other decorative elements are placed on the windowsill. Garlands and pendants are often used to decorate the interior. Scandinavian style is a mix of simplicity, conciseness and abstraction.

Living room in Scandinavian style

The living room is undoubtedly the face of any home. Guests, friends and family gather here to take a break from everyday hustle and bustle, chat and spend time in comfort. Scandinavian style provides such an opportunity. The interior, designed within its framework, has excellent external characteristics, remains relevant for many years, does not create trouble in cleaning. The color scheme based on white allows you to easily and quickly refresh the environment by replacing accents.

The heart of the living room can be a fireplace. Above it there is a place for a picture corresponding to the style of the subject. On the wooden floor in the center of the room is a wool rug or animal skin. It is conveniently located upholstered furniture upholstered in leather or other natural material. On a small coffee table convenient to place the necessary little things.

Accents in the living room are often original table lamps or floor lamps in bright colors and simple geometric shapes. You can also set a color mood against the background of a combination of white, black and brown with the help of decorative pillows of different colors and ornaments.





Kitchen and dining room in Scandinavian style

In the Scandinavian style, the kitchen is often a studio that combines the functions of a dining room, and sometimes a living room.

The main combination of colors is also relevant for this room. Often it appears as a combination of a set and dining room furniture in a natural shade of wood with a dark shade of an apron against a background of white walls and a ceiling. But a wide variety of variations are also possible.

The facades of the headset are usually smooth, without inserts, all utensils are removed from the eyes. Functionality, accuracy, ergonomics are the main characteristics of a Scandinavian-style kitchen.







Bedroom in Scandinavian style

The Scandinavian bedroom is ideal for rest and relaxation. Light, natural atmosphere, the absence of unnecessary details sets you in harmony with the outside world and yourself. The furniture is limited to the bed, bedside tables, open shelves, hangers for storage. Lightness and symmetry are welcome. massive closed cabinets would not fit into such a nice environment.

The walls are finished with decorative plaster or simply painted white. The shade of natural wood on a white background looks flawless. It is often present on the floor, interior items and decor. The accent in the general background combination white / wood can be done on any thing by choosing a suitable juicy color for it.

Framed photographs, a northern landscape, books on open shelves and potted plants are simple accessories for a sleep room. It is preferable to curtain the windows with Roman blinds, which will protect from extraneous light at night and will not prevent the penetration of sunlight during the day. Sconces or table lamps of modest shapes will give you the opportunity to read before going to bed. Spread on the floor, an animal skin or a fleecy rug will warm your feet and soften the severity of Scandinavian minimalism.







Children's room in Scandinavian style

Scandinavian style is the best for decorating rooms for children. There must be a large window and good lighting. The white finish is perfect. A symbol of goodness and peace, it will not distract from work, annoy or overload the fragile psyche. Against a neutral wall background, any pictures, drawings, maps or photographs will look equally good. As the child grows, they will change and change the character of the room.

Wood, due to its environmental friendliness, is the most suitable material for finishing floors, doors and windows in the children's room. Wooden furniture to maintain the Scandinavian style and save space should be compact, such as a loft bed. In such a room, the child will have a place for any games.

Natural textiles in a warm pastel palette, fluffy rugs, stylish lamps unobtrusively decorate the room.


Scandinavian style in the interior is one of the the best options design modern apartment or at home. Its components can be mixed with classic, avant-garde and even loft, which allows you to create a unique, individual image of the home. A calm, bright, positive atmosphere in which one breathes freely and thinks easily, skillfully placed spatial pauses and original comfort make this style more and more popular.

Photos of the apartment in Scandinavian style

The Scandinavian style in the interior most clearly demonstrates its specific traits at home, in their countries of origin.

For example, an interesting design project is embodied in an apartment located in the center of Gothenburg, a popular big city Sweden. Kitchen, living room, bedroom and children's room are located on its area of ​​79 square meters.

The first thing we see when we step over the threshold is a large window. The absence of curtains gives freedom to the sun's rays, striving inward, reflected smooth surface white walls. The effect of the room's own glow is created.

An uncurtained window also participates in the concept of open space. Open hanger and clothes dryer, no interior door, cabinets and other bulky pieces of furniture turned a small hallway into a separate spacious room. The active use of the window sill works to save space, eliminating the need for additional furniture.

Accessories are carefully thought out and fully calibrated to match the style. Decorative pillow on a wooden chair with leather upholstery, small posters arranged in a composition on the wall, candles, glass vessels, a living plant function as elements of the overall Scandinavian image of the interior.

The floors of one of the rooms, laid with black and white checkerboard tiles, are an element of the retro style of the last century that does not lose its relevance. The balance of colors is supported by decorative elements. The contrast with black gives the interior character, intrigues and lures deep into the home.

The living room, in turn, impresses with its uniqueness and extraordinary design solutions that do not go beyond the style canons. White-painted ceilings, walls, as well as whitewashed wooden floors, a minimum of furniture make the room unusually spacious.

In the best traditions of the Scandinavian style, there are light and dark shades gray. Warm color blotches break the icy shell of color and make the interior extremely dynamic.

In a seemingly random collection of things, each has its place. The first thing that catches your eye upon entering the room is the fixture used as a table. His shabby appearance and metal structure suggest a perfectly acceptable borrowing from . An aged armchair, lack of technology add a touch of retro to the overall composition. Books stacked on the floor, on chairs and placed on an open shelving, captivating attention with the brightness of the covers, have been turned into a decorative element. The same can be said about the children's wooden horse.

Animal skin, clocks, lamps located around the perimeter of the room, a wicker laundry basket, a pouffe - all these details are involved in the creation of the Scandinavian style.

Open doors, filling the apartment fresh air lead to the balcony. Adhering to the general style decision, its open space looks softer, more comfortable than others thanks to the natural shade of wood, an abundance of textiles, soft knitted rugs, aged objects, light furniture and an abundance of greenery.

The bedroom is combined with an office. In this room, the minimalism and austerity of style were most clearly manifested.

The baby's room is decorated with a magical light emerald color of the walls, paper garlands, and a bright blue rug.

In the kitchen, the contrast between the black wall and the stark whiteness of the rest of the room is striking. An open shelf with books in the kitchen looks unusual, but here it is in place, as it muffles the aggressiveness of black and echoes the posters hung on the opposite wall.

The gloss of the floors reflects the light, the room seems dazzling. Light furniture in cheerful shades, a cheerful rug, natural warm color of the countertop against the backdrop of snowy freshness - a guarantee of a good appetite and cheerful mood.






Despite the fact that the characteristic features of the style have been formed for more than one century, the term “Scandinavian design” itself appeared during a design exhibition held in the USA and Canada in 1954.

The Scandinavian style in the interior is often called the most democratic design and there are two big reasons for this:

  • The Scandinavians were the first to introduce the idea of ​​seriality, thanks to which design became a mass phenomenon;
  • The main idea of ​​the style - beautiful and functional items were available to everyone, not just the rich.

The main ideological moments of the style were formed at a time when new inexpensive materials and methods for mass production appeared. From a basic necessity, design has become a tool of unnecessary consumption. Railroads made it easy to import the necessary resources: cheap materials led to an overabundance of mass products, and the northerners quickly tired of them.

Scandinavian style - background and features of occurrence

Whether we are talking about interior design or attitude to life, the Scandinavians have always had their own way. The love for simple aesthetics and light colors is partly due to natural conditions: in long winters, you had to stay in houses for a long time, which, moreover, had to be built quickly in a short summer.

For many years, wooden furniture and simple craftsmanship were the main decorations of Scandinavian homes due to difficulties with imports and a huge selection of wood. But times have changed, and even to the north came the luxury and aesthetics of European styles, albeit in a Scandinavian manner.

Development of the Gustavian style in the north

The history of the Gustavian style begins in 1771, when the future King of Sweden, Gustav III, fell in love on a trip abroad and brought elements of love for the Parisian Versailles to Scandinavia. So the Gustavian style is a restrained interpretation of French neoclassicism.

Features of the Scandinavian classic:

Neoclassicism was easily accepted by the Swedes, but in their own way - without any frills. Airy and calm, graceful and light, over time the Gustavian style spread from palaces to rural homes. The typical colors of the style are soft yellows, creams, pale blues, greens, grays and, of course, lots of white, which best reflects the light from the candle.

Furniture and accessories:

Gustavian furniture is easily recognizable by its classical proportions and carved legs and scallops, and the furniture is almost always painted. The most famous accessory is Mora's Swedish watch, tall and magnificent, named after the city where it was made. The clock is made of wood, has a softly rounded shape and a characteristic petal crown. In addition to watches, gilded accessories are important in the Gustavian style - large mirrors that increase light, wall candlesticks, and furniture items.

The most necessary accessory in the north is chandeliers, lamps, lamps, candelabra. In the Gustavian design, the ornate chic chandeliers and candlesticks contrast beautifully against the clean white backdrop. Just imagine how spectacular crystal looks with many candlesticks over simple tables and chairs.

Bauhaus and Scandinavian design

Modern Scandinavian design was also influenced by the ideas of the Bauhaus - an artistic association based on the German higher building school of the early 20th century. Representatives of this style put the functionality of design and architecture at the head of the table, denied the elegance and luxury of classical styles, leaving the premises almost naked.

Scandinavian interior design - distinctive features

open floor plan

Along with simple color schemes, Scandinavian interior design doesn't involve cluttering a space with too much furniture or accessories. At the same time, the layout of common rooms is often open - the living room smoothly flows into the dining room, then into the kitchen. This layout allows you to leave more windows, fit into the space as much light as possible.

Wooden accents

In Scandinavian decor, people like to use natural ecological wood. It can be found everywhere: on the floor, ceiling, furniture, in toys. The floor and ceiling are usually white or very light, the furniture is warmer if it is, for example, made of oak or teak. The most popular wood is pine, and it is most often painted.

Cold colors

The main color is white, it is the basis of everything, the walls are painted with it. In addition to white, northerners love cool blues, blues and grays. In some houses you can find bright color spots - for example, yellow, orange, green. Often seen in black and white. For example, in the photo above, a calm black and white gamma is diluted with wooden furniture and brown accessories.

Accessories

The exception is paintings on the walls, which can be quite a lot, as in the photo above, and accessories that increase the amount of light - mirrors, lamps, glass vases.

living vegetation

Perhaps because of the climate, northerners lack greenery, but almost every Scandinavian home has houseplants. There may be only a few of them, or there may be quite a lot - northern minimalism does not always extend to flowers.

bright spaces

Well, probably the most important item on the list. Thanks to minimalism and functionality, most of the Scandinavian interior space remains unoccupied - this creates a feeling of spaciousness and fullness of air. All furniture, all decoration is designed to maximize natural light - look, for example, at these windows - they are designed to ensure that every drop of light reaches its owners.

Design examples

Wooden floors, white walls, functional decor... we think you already understood - all rooms should adhere to the same design style. Let's talk about the other features of your favorite rooms in more detail:

Living room in Scandinavian style

Carpet on the floor in the living room, as in the photo, is a rarity, as stained or aged parquet makes up a large part of the Scandinavian aesthetic. Every room should be airy, so even the sofas are slightly raised on thin legs. Chairs of unusual shapes, less often flowers, are well suited. Geometry and simple lines are valued in rooms, you can place them on paintings or pillows.

Bedroom in Scandinavian design

One of the key (and few) style accessories in the bedroom is textiles. A lot, a lot of textiles - blankets, blankets, pillows. As a rule, you should stick to a three-color range - black, gray, white, less often pastel shades, but textures and shades can be as much as you like - the more the better. And yet, the room must breathe, so choose a bed frame made of either light wood or metal.

Nursery in Scandinavian style

In the nursery, you should start with the same white walls and large windows, but add different color accents to the room to the taste of the parents or the child. Here it is very important not to turn the nursery into a sterile clean room, but to fill it with trifles important for the child - drawings, old toys, leaves found in the forest or fingerprints.

Kitchen and dining room

In the kitchen, as well as in the dining room, there is little furniture and accessories, and a few dishes are hidden in large and comfortable closed sets. With an open floor plan where the kitchen, dining and living areas are combined, Kitchen Area takes up very little space. A dining table with thin legs is most often white or very light. If your choice is darker, make sure the other items in the room are thin and dainty enough for contrast, like in the picture above.

Scandinavian style office

The same rules apply in the office as in the dining room. The table should be light with thin, and even better, legs tapering downwards. Such a simple, streamlined table will look good against the backdrop of a heavy large chair. The theme of storage is played well in the office, especially Scandinavians love large wicker or steel baskets. Accessories are standard - black and white paintings, metal lamps, a green plant in a beautiful pot.

Bathroom in scandinavian style

Most of the bathrooms are also white, although pastel and gray tones can be found on the walls, and part of the space can even be black. In this case, the accents can be very bright, the presence of a large window is very important. With great imagination, you can approach the storage system - for the Scandinavians, this is one of the important elements of decor, which also allows you to free up space as much as possible.

The Scandinavian style in the interior of a country house or apartment is completely special, unlike anything: it is equally far from the splendor of the West and the exoticism of the East. This minimalist design direction big influence on modern styles with the comfort and warmth of a half-empty house, in which it always turns out that less is actually more.

Do you want to know the features and main secrets of creating the most popular interior design style on the planet?

Then welcome to Scandinavia!

After all, it was here that the Scandinavian style of the same name was born in the interior, which millions of families around the world have become admirers.

But how and why - we will tell you right now.

Everything you need to know about Scandinavian style

The Scandinavian design style is one of the most sought after and popular in the world. Yes, yes, it is even more popular than high-tech, classic and Provence styles.

And all thanks to… Ikea!

But first things first.


The history of the origin of the Scandinavian style

Firstly, only three states belong to the Scandinavian countries: Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Neither Iceland, nor Finland, nor any other neighbors are the progenitors, carriers and standards of the Scandinavian style. Even despite the superficial similarity of the interiors, the dwellings of the neighbors of the Scandinavians have their own special authentic features.


Secondly, the inhabitants of Northern Europe (like any other inhabitants of any other country in the world) have been building their houses since time immemorial. And, of course, they built them in accordance with their needs and needs.

Do you want to understand what?

Then imagine: it is cold, a very harsh climate, there are continuous snows, forests and mountains around, the sun peeks out from behind the clouds a limited number of days a year, you have a huge amount of bulky warm clothes ... In what kind of house would you like to live?

Obviously warm, light, bright and with ample storage.

Here these are the houses that the Scandinavians built.


But until the 20th century, there was still no mass production of anything, so the interiors were more of a handicraft character than the modern Scandinavian style that is now familiar to the entire planet. The traditional Scandinavian style still has its place in the world of interior design today, but, like any ethnic trend, it is more of a local flavor and a kind of zest than a mass trend.


The history of classic modern Scandinavian style began in the 20th century along with the development of mass industry. Moreover, the Scandinavian style has become a kind of quintessence of the focus of the Nordic countries on sociality and democracy.

Swedish social policy is considered the most thoughtful and focused on ordinary people. According to its postulates, all benefits should be equally available to both the rich and the poor. And this is more than noticeably reflected in the interior design of the Nordic countries. After all, with the creation of technologies for the mass processing of natural wood, cheaper technological processes, the invention of plywood and plastic and, as a result, the development of mass furniture production, the interior has ceased to be an indicator of status and financial capabilities.


It has become concise, functional, comfortable, of high quality and carefully checked by the control service, but most importantly - affordable.

The birth of modern Scandinavian style culminated in the opening of the first Ikea store in Sweden in the 1950s. The concept of the store resonated so much with the masses that it confidently began its journey around the planet, and the brand became the most recognizable furniture brand.


Scandinavian apartment: features, colors, materials

In a modern Scandinavian apartment, light powdery shades predominate, and black and white contrasting monochrome decorative elements are very common.

The most commonly used colors are white, light gray, light blue, beige, yellow.

Bright textile accents are welcome.


Most of the materials used for Scandinavian interior design are natural wood and especially teak (for a long time Denmark was the main supplier of teak on the world market).

However, today one can observe a general upward trend in prices. natural materials, therefore, more and more often, synthetic imitating natural ones are allowed to be used in a classic Scandinavian interior.


Who suits the Scandinavian style?

Scandinavian style in the interior of different rooms

Living room in Scandinavian style

Such living rooms are distinguished by their simplicity and conciseness. The main colors used in the interior of the Scandinavian living room are white, light gray, light blue, beige and black as accents.





Scandinavian style kitchen

In 1952, the term "Swedish cuisine" was coined, meaning an organization of space that is as compact as possible and as functional as possible. In fact, this is how the kitchen sets (not only IKEA) appeared, which are used by housewives all over the world today.

Perhaps that is why the term today has somewhat lost its relevance, because what used to be exclusively the invention and property of the Swedes is now produced and used on a planetary scale.










Dining room in Scandinavian style

For Scandinavians, family ties are of particular value, which is clearly visible in their principle of organizing the dining and dining area in the kitchen.

There must be a large dinner table and comfortable chairs. They can be wooden or with a textile coating of a simple texture.

One or two pendant lamps can be placed above the table.

Sometimes, to create a dining room in Khrushchev, it makes sense to combine the kitchen and living room, but remember - any demolition of the walls must be coordinated with the control service!




Bedroom in Scandinavian style

The interior of such a bedroom is rarely performed in cold shades. As a rule, the base color is white. It is combined with beige flooring and light gray or light blue furniture. However, other options are also possible.

So, in particular in Ikea, all the facades are made in several colors and always like a wooden “blank” without a coating. You can not only leave it in its original texture, but also experiment with color using paint.

One of the walls in the Scandinavian bedroom can be accentuated.

Indoor plants will not be superfluous in the interior.










Nursery in Scandinavian style

This style is very popular in the design of children's rooms, because:

  • natural and safe materials are used, which have passed the quality control service
  • the interior is very light and delicate
  • bright accents and interesting patterns contribute to the full psycho-emotional development of children

And in such a bedroom it will always be appropriate to look at a wigwam! Kids of all ages just love them.







Bathroom in Scandinavian style

A feature of the bathroom in this style is the presence of wooden functional or decorative elements.

Wall panel, shower tray or hanging cabinet - it's up to you.

For a budget option for decorating a bathroom in Khrushchev, instead of natural wood, it is quite suitable tile imitating wood slabs.







Scandinavian style office

The office and workspaces of the Scandinavians are distinguished by their visual lightness.

Instead of bulky classic tables with cabinets and antique massive secretaries, everything is as simple as possible here: a small table with thin legs, a cozy streamlined armchair, several open shelves and a very light palette of shades (white, beige, light blue, yellow, light gray) .

Bright accents are not used here (or are used in limited quantities), but you can often find black accent details.





house in scandinavian style

The house or cottage will look good in a traditional rather than modern style northern peoples.






Scandinavian style apartment

For an apartment, this style is ideal due to its conciseness and simplicity. A light range of cool shades allows you to visually expand even the smallest space, and spacious storage systems are ideal for city apartments without storage rooms and utility rooms.




Hallway in Scandinavian style

Scandinavians borrowed many motifs from nature, so a tree-shaped hanger or a wooden pendant lamp would look appropriate in the hallway.






How to create Scandinavian style at home?

Furniture

The Scandinavian interior is famous for its thoughtful storage system with a large number of spacious drawers and cabinets.

Scandinavian furniture of a restrained laconic form, no frills, light gray, light blue or light beige, less often dark, made of natural wood.

Wooden sets are used modular, with the ability to independently assemble furniture of a suitable size and content.


However, there is furniture that is a must have for a classic Scandinavian interior and its distinctive decorative elements.

For example, furniture by designer Arne Jacobson, known throughout the world and widely used in interior design to this day.

The Ant chair was the first mass-produced Danish chair.





Armchair "Egg".





Armchair "Swan".





Armchair "Drop".





Textile

Textiles are an important decorative element in a Scandinavian interior. The texture is not important in it and layering is completely excluded, however, the obligatory component is a rich and rich palette.

To create Scandinavian style with fabrics, you will need some sofa cushions in bright covers, a rug with a bright geometric pattern, simple curtains to the floor with a print.

Important condition! The Scandinavian style is not characterized by synthetic colors, so even the brightest shades used in the interior should be as natural and natural as possible.





Lighting

In the Scandinavian countries, sunlight is quite a luxury. Gloomy weather reigns there for most of the year, so when decorating a Scandinavian apartment, they are in great demand different types lighting and all kinds of light scenarios. In addition to classic pendant lamps, table and floor lamps are used. Sometimes even a single-color garland can play the role of decorative lighting.




Accessories

Despite all the modernity of the Scandinavian style, handicraft roots make themselves felt. Therefore, ancient chests and stools are frequent decorative elements in a Scandinavian apartment.

Another feature of the Scandinavians is the passion for family photos. As a rule, in a Scandinavian apartment you can see individual shelves or even entire walls hung with family photos. V modern interiors they are often replaced by laconic posters or watercolors.






Often, the Finnish Aalto vases, also known as Savoy vases, become the main decoration of the table.






Trees and plants

Nature has deprived the Scandinavian countries of rich and picturesque flora, so their inhabitants decided to compensate for this right in their homes.

Plants can be everywhere!

However, which ones - depends on the type of room.

In the living room or in the dining room can there be more plant and even full-fledged trees.

In smaller rooms, it is better to give preference to a plant in pots.

And in the bathroom or hallway, a crumb can even settle in a miniature glass or glass jar.

As for plant species, these can be succulents, monsters, ficuses, ferns, etc.






Functionality

This is the most main feature Scandinavian interior!

First of all, it must be FUNCTIONAL.

Therefore, a capacious storage system, laconic wooden furniture, wall covering that is as easy to clean as possible, and textiles that do not require much effort to care for are used here.





Finishing materials for the Scandinavian style

For floor

In a classic Scandinavian interior flooring wooden.

Today, given the pricing policy for natural wood, a more budgetary laminate is quite acceptable, which, with modern processing technologies, is practically indistinguishable from its progenitor.

Parquet boards or lamellas are laid in a herringbone pattern or “in a run”.

For flooring, medium-beige shades of the coating are used, less often light gray.




for windows

Curtains on the windows in a Scandinavian apartment are not used at all or are used in a minimal amount. Here you will never see the curtain + tulle duo, traditional for the post-Soviet space, because the main task of Scandinavian-style windows is to let in light.

It is better to make frames natural, wooden. It is not only beautiful, but also functional in terms of keeping warm.





for walls

In the Scandinavian style, the walls are always plain and very light:

  • white
  • light gray
  • light blue
  • light yellow

Cold shades are rarely used.

Paint is usually used as a coating, although wallpaper can be used.

Sometimes Scandinavians single out one accent wall.