Four simple ways to bring Scandi style into your space

The phrase ‘Scandinavian style’ gets thrown around a lot in our little corner of the internet, inspiring countless home decor photo shoots, Pinterest boards and shopping cart wish lists. But like all trends, it is not always applied with precision.

Authentic Scandi interior design is multifaceted and based mainly on the following principles:

• Simplicity
• Functionality
• Neutral colors
• Natural materials
• Texture
• Light
• Hygiene

We’ve broken down four of our favorites and included some new Scandi-inspired pieces that we’re putting on our mood board.

1. Use a neutral color palette and embrace texture

Soft tones of white, gray and beige are the blocks upon which Scandinavian interiors are built, reflecting a deeply rooted philosophy of simplicity, serenity and connection with nature. The neutral palette allows natural light to thrive, and by starting with soft tones, it’s easy to add color with textiles, art, and decor.

Inspired by the Sami, the indigenous people of northern Scandinavia, Swedish designer Anna-Carin McNamara’s new Kiruna collection for designer rugs draws heavily on these principles. “All design solutions can be found in nature,” she says. “What we aim to create in our homes is an echo of that deep and intrinsic connection we feel when immersed in nature. It’s about bringing that vital force, that sense of belonging, into our living spaces.”

Anna-Carin drew inspiration from her own life when creating the Kiruna line, including motifs from a reindeer leather coin purse her sister Eva-Maria received as a child, with an embroidery pattern reminiscent of tree roots or reindeer antlers. , mountains, trees and flowers.

2. Add quality wooden furniture

Wood, especially light woods, dominates Scandinavian furniture and the region’s artisans are known for their craftsmanship and style. Whether it’s a dining table, bed frame or media unit, most furniture embodies a function-first philosophy, so minimalism and clean lines abound, exemplified by these Scandi-inspired pieces from Australian makers. Holy Funk.

In chic Scandinavian homes, wooden pieces are complemented and contrasted by upholstery, bedding, rugs and other pieces made from different natural materials, including wool, cotton, linen and leather, which also add warmth and texture to the room. The keyword is balance.

3. Practice Hygge principles

Hygge is a Danish term, not so much a word as a concept, a great mood and a way of life. Hygge means warmth, coziness and cultivating an inviting home environment. It’s about connection – with ourselves, with nature and with each other. And it’s about contentment, well-being and celebrating the simple pleasures of everyday life.

For interiors, hygiene is best expressed through layers of textural details, such as soft pillows, throws, and rugs, and through soft lighting from lamps and candles. Hygiene your home with beautiful and scented candles from the Danish brand Skandinavisk.

4. Turn off the big light

Natural light is non-negotiable in Northern Europe, especially in the colder months when sunlight is limited. Large, often floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto modern neighborhoods or expansive landscapes worthy of the countless works of art they have inspired, and enhance the sense of buoyancy and space at the heart of Scandinavian design and architecture.

At night or when the sun is setting, fixtures and lamps do a lot of the heavy lifting, both to maximize brightness and to create that cozy, comfortable, hygienic atmosphere and bring together a beautiful Scandinavian-inspired home. Turn off the big light and get comfortable.