Scandi: Light and Airy

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Grey 01

Greige 02

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Minimal vibes with light woods and simple lines. Clutter free and no frills for those airy vibes

As a simple Pinterest search for interior decor inspo will show, the love for Scandi style has been around for a while… and it isn’t going away any time soon. Not only is this style of decor pleasing to the eye, it can be easy to bring into your home. And minimalism (its core principle) is a rising trend, as more of us seek to declutter our lives and become increasingly eco-conscious. \n\nLet’s take a closer look at the basic principles of the uber popular Scandinavian interior design style, its origins and how we can start to introduce its characteristics into our home. \nWhat is the Scandi interior style? \nThe Scandi style of interior decor that we know (and love) today first started popping up in homes across Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark in the 1950s. It’s a style that is centred on clean, simple lines and minimalist functionality, with added touches of cosiness and warmth brought in through a blend of textures and flattering lighting. Contemporary but not cold, Scandinavian interior decor is all about creating a modern home that still feels inviting. More on that below.\nCharacteristics of the Scandi interior style \n\nMuted colors\nThink fresh, natural and muted. Maximise the light in your room with bright whites on your walls, such as \nWhite 01\n or \nWhite 03\n. Add contrast with pops of \nearthy beiges like Beige 03\n, greiges and darker shades.  

Wooden accents\nScandinavians are also great lovers of nature, and this love is visible in their style of home decor. It’s all about bringing the outdoors in, with a mix of bare wooden flooring and lots of indoor green. Opt for warm, light oak woods and cover with thick rugs to get that true Scandi look.

Cosiness\nScandinavian design wouldn’t be complete with some seriously cosy elements. Add in some warmth and cosiness with thick throws, plush rugs, or furry cushions.\nFunctional layout & de-cluttered space\nClutter is a big no-no in a typical Scandi style home. Keep it minimalist by having a decluttering session and recycling or giving away that which no longer sparks joy.

Simple, sleek lines\nScandinavian style is all about simplicity. Keep things simple but chic by choosing pieces with sleek lines and a modern look. Less is more here. Check out our \n6 tips to create a minimalist kitchen\n to see how you can incorporate elements of Scandi minimalism into your heart of the home.\nEco-friendly materials\nIn an increasingly eco-conscious world, it’s easy to see why Scandinavian decor is so on trend. One of the main characteristics is also that it encourages using natural, eco-friendly materials throughout. Which we’re big fans of. The \nJapandi interior style\n takes it's inspiration from this love of natural materials (just read our \n8 ways to make your home look and feel more Japandi\n).\nGreenery\nIndoor plants are both mood boosting and add a dose of style. So you’ll be glad to hear that a Scandi styled room typically involves bringing some green in. Pop some succulents on the side tables or add hanging plants above your bed. Your indoor green will add a splash of color and loveliness to any room. And hey, there’s the cleaner air thing.

Flattering lighting\nTo really create an inviting space, good lighting is key. Luckily, Scandi decor is all about that. Make it a reality by getting an assortment of floor and table lamps to light up different corners of your room and create a space that feels truly inviting. Or, dangle lighting at different heights above your seating area for a cosy and stylish look.

Looking for more trendy inspo for your home transformation? Check out our blog posts on how to decorate like a real Scandinavian and \nhow to create a Scandi kitchen\n, and learn more about the increasingly popular \nJapandi interior style trend.\n

Image via Unsplash\n\nSearching for living room decor that’ll make your Netflix binge sessions \nthat\n much more enjoyable? Turn to Scandi style. \nWhen done ‘right’, Scandinavian-style living rooms emit cozy and warm vibes without any of the stressful clutter. A Scandi-chic living room would include the perfect mix of sleek lines and contemporary furniture pieces, mixed with soft textures, snug throws and ‘sinkable’ rugs. Add natural touches such as warm wood and splashes of indoor green for the full effect. \nIf that sounds up your alley, read on to get inspired by 5 simple Scandi decor ideas that can transform your living room.\nScandi style living room idea 1: muted paint colors \nA muted and neutral color palette made up of whites is one of the main characteristics of Scandivanian decor. The countries where this style of design comes from tend to have long, dark winters and white is often used to make the most of any natural light and brighten rooms up. \nTo start creating your very own Scandi style living room, opt for cool off whites such as \nWhite 01\n or \nWhite 02\n on the walls. You could even paint your floorboards white if you want to maximize the light and open up a smaller, darker space. 

Scandi style living room idea 2: keep it simple \nCreating a Scandi-chic space is actually a lot easier than many may think - the ‘less is more’ approach is key here. Keep clutter to a minimum for a soothing living room that reflects the primary principle of Scandi design: minimalism. Every piece you select for your space should be functional with clean, modern lines. The warmth and ‘homey’ factor will come through with the textures and the lighting. But more on that later.  \nScandi style living room idea 3: have statement pieces\n\nAlthough Scandi style is simple, it doesn’t have to be boring. Add impact with a few statement pieces, such as a mid-century modern sofa —a slim and comfy sofa with contemporary elements like angled wooden legs. A furniture piece that combines warm wood and metal would also look right at home in your Scandi style living room. \n\nAdd small bursts of color or statement pieces to bring in contrast and make things a little more interesting, but keep it minimal and clutter-free all the way.

Scandi style living room idea 4: play around with textures \nTime to start adding on the cozy. \nBring the snug factor to your living room by accessorizing with soft and plush textiles in different textures, such as rugs, cushions and throws. Scandinavian style is all about creating a warm and inviting space (which may have something to do with those long, dark Nordic winters), and texture is a way to add both warmth and interest. 

Scandi style living room idea 5: layer your lighting \nThe lighting of your living room has a huge impact on how it looks and ‘feels’. For \ntrue Scandi style\n, layer your lighting to create an inviting space. Lamps are a great way to do this, and you can get some lovely, modern table and floor lamps to complete your look. \nUse these to light up different corners of your room and keep overhead lights to a minimum. Unless you’re working with dimmer switches that can be adjusted to amp up the coziness. Cozy is the key here. \nLove Scandi decor? You may also be interested in the similarly minimalist \nJapandi interior style\n, which is a lovely blend of Scandi and Japanese home decor influence. Or if you want to stick a little closer to home, find out more about how \nUK interior design trends are influenced by other countries\n.

\nScandi interior style\n is all about making your home feel calm, cosy and inviting. Most Scandi homes consist of a mix of muted tones and wooden flooring with pops of color and nature brought in through textiles and indoor plants.\n\nA calming color palette, sleek lines and lighting that creates an ambience are just a few of the reasons why Scandi and \nJapandi interior style\n kitchens have become so popular. If you’ve caught the Nordic interior design bug, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite Scandi kitchen ideas to inspire you to transform your very own kitchen.\n\nScandi style kitchen idea 1: light and white color palette\nScandinavian decor often includes a more muted or lighter color palette. This is reflective of the weather in Nordic countries, as their winters are on the longer and darker side (hey, we can relate). \n\nThe most popular colors in Scandi design are those that make a room feel a little brighter, such as cool greys and classic whites. Adding contrast is also encouraged, with pops of bolder and darker colors against a more neutral color scheme. \n\nFor your Scandi style kitchen walls, reach for whites such as the pure \nWhite 01,\n the creamier \nWhite 03\n or \nWhite 04\n. Add contrast by painting an accent piece or two in the deliciously inky \nBlue 07\n, \nmatt or eggshell Black 01 paint\n, or \ndark velvet Black 02\n.

Scandi style kitchen idea 2: open shelving \n\nDare to bare your kitchen clutter with open shelving that isn’t hidden behind a cupboard door. Yes, that means everything you put on it is out on full display. But it also gives you a great decor opportunity, as you can show off all your favorite ceramics and glassware. Add pops of color and nature with indoor plants.  \n\nWhen done right, open shelving offers both convenience and aesthetic benefits. Learn more about \nhow style open shelving in your kitchen\n. 

Scandi style kitchen idea 3: warm woods & metal kitchenware\n\nWhen you’re creating a Scandinavian space, bringing in touches of warmth is a major factor. Add a cozy feel to your kitchen by incorporating warm wood tones. This could be through your flooring choices, shelving or drawers. Contrast your woods with classy, contemporary kitchenware made of metal. That lovely mix of modern and natural will give you the Scandi-chic effect you’re after.

Scandi style kitchen idea 4: indoor plants \nScandi style is all about bringing the outdoors in through natural materials and colors. Style your kitchen with simple and natural objects like fresh flowers, textured placemats, wall hangings and houseplants. Try popping hanging plants on your open shelves, putting a few low-maintenance succulents on your countertops, or placing some sun-loving plants by your window. 

Scandi style kitchen idea 5: clutter-free countertops \nWhen it comes to creating a Scandi-chic space, you always want to go for the ‘less is more’ approach. Now, that isn’t always as easy to do in a kitchen, but it can be done. Opt for kitchenware and appliances with sleek lines and a modern look. Keep those countertops clutter-free by making sure you have a place to store everything you get. Check out \n8 ways to make your home look and feel more Japandi\n for more ways to declutter your home.\n\nStart introducing Scandi style into your home, one room at a time, with our\n 10 tips on how to decorate like a real Scandinavian\n.

Hygge home decor idea: warm and calming color palette\nWhen choosing a hygge color palette look for warming colors, with a red or yellow undertone, rather than blue or grey. If you’re going for more of a nature-inspired look, opt for something tonal like \nBeige 02\n or \nGreen 02\n. Lighter colors will create a relaxed, airy feel whilst darker paint colors will give that cozy, cocooning look, perfect for a bedroom or a living room in the evening. To get the look, get some inspiration from \nPalette 04: Timeless Neutrals\n designed in collaboration with \nKelly Hoppen CBE\n.\nHygge home decor idea: candles everywhere\nOn your coffee table, on your mantelpiece, on your shelves. If in doubt, if there’s room for a candle there, put a candle there. Extra hygge house points if you’ve got an open fire or log burner. Decor isn’t just about the eyes, it’s sensory, so when choosing your candles go for rich, nostalgic, autumnal scents.\nA hygge home isn’t just about gentle living, it’s about being gentle to the planet too. So opt for soy or beeswax candles, rather than paraffin wax. Find out why in our blog on eco-friendly home decor ideas. Extra hygge house.

Hygge home decor idea: cozy blankets\nJust as with \nScandi interior style\n, creating a hygge home means layering lots of fabrics and textiles. And when it comes to blankets, you can’t have too many. On your sofa, on your bed, pile them high in a wicker basket—just make sure there is one within arms reach at all times. It’s about texture, rather than color, so go for thick knits, fluffy throws or bouclé blankets.\n\n\nDecorate like a real Scandinavian with these 10 tips\n.

Hygge home decor idea: lots of cushions\nJust as with blankets, more is more when it comes to cushions. Cable knit and Nordic style patterns are classic hygge, but you don’t need to stick to them. We think textured Beni Ourain, shearling or kilim cushions work even better. Take a look at these \nneutral living room ideas\n to see how you can create depth and visual interest through layering textiles.

Hygge home decor idea: cozy nooks\nA hygge home is all about creating little nooks in which to cozy up. Be that a big armchair to sink into (piled high with cushions and throws, naturally) or a cushioned bench in the kitchen. If you haven’t got room for an armchair, a beanbag or pouffe will do. Make use of tricky spaces by creating a stylish alcove with a bespoke seating nook.

We hope these home decor ideas gave you some inspiration on how to make your home a little more hygge. Take a look at these \n5 ways to make your living room more Scandi\n if this style is up your street.

Scandi decor is all about light and airy colors, and this palette does exactly what it says on the tin. Simple yet stylish whites, greys, and greiges will transform your space into a bright, relaxed living room or light-filled Scandi kitchen. 

Scandi: light and airy

Scandi

Scandi: calm and relaxing

Scandi: cozy and warm