Light, minimalism and functionality: these are the three key words of the so-called scandi style, the typical furnishing style of Northern European countries that is also taking hold further south, in countries such as France, Spain and Italy. The inhabitants of Mediterranean countries, in fact, are increasingly showing the desire to experiment with this way of living in spaces typical of Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, in which the function and natural characteristics of the materials are enhanced rather than the aesthetic eccentricity more typical of the south.
With a greater propensity for plays of pastel shapes and colors or on the gray scale, the Scandinavian style is ideal for experimenting with combinations of materials and delicate colors, to give the home an atmosphere of recollection, comfort and familiarity. In this regard, in our article we will give three tips for furnishing and decorating the house as in the Nordic countries.
Wood: the protagonist material
Using wood in furniture is certainly not new in Mediterranean countries, where parquet, storage benches or, in areas at a certain altitude, houses built entirely of wood are widespread, excellent for insulating from the cold temperatures of the outside. However, this material is used in a radically different way in Scandinavia, where the main focus is on enhancing its natural quality and using it to one’s advantage.
As we all know, winters in the north are not as mild as those we are used to in our beautiful country, which is why we tend to take advantage of natural light as much as possible. This is precisely where light woods, such as birch and pine, or bleached woods, come into play, which help to reflect the light from outside and give the living space a bright, tidy and minimalist air.
Geometric illustrations
As already mentioned, the scandi style is characterized by the assiduous use of shapes and strong geometries. This distinctive trait is especially noticeable in the illustrations which, with an alternation of circles and polygons, fit perfectly into the minimalist style of the Nordic countries and enhance the atmosphere of calm and harmony that reigns in Scandinavian homes.
Each of the four countries we have named has its own unique trends. In Denmark, for example, it is very common to use a very thick paper as a base, which allows you to avoid frames and gives the illustration a matte finish.
If you prefer a more concentrated genre, you can always search for posters and art prints online from Swedish Papertown.se, where you can find floral, naturalistic, abstract subjects, passing through modern photography and portraits. In any case, the commonalities always remain the same: pastel colors, alternation between black and white and geometric lines, which blend perfectly with the functionality of the furniture and the simplicity of the living space.
Light floors
Of course, the same applies to the choice of floors, which are also essential to take advantage of natural light and give brightness to the house for as long as possible during the day. It is no coincidence that the Nordic style prefers colors with natural tones tending to gray or at most beige.
As for materials, the ideal way to live in full Scandinavian style is light stoneware or natural parquet, which also highlights the natural characteristics of the materials and insulates from the cold abroad. In any case, you can always opt for a bleached floor.
At this point, the question that could arise is: what to do if the house already has terracotta or very dark floors, such as granite? In all honesty, our advice in this case is to evaluate other styles to make the most of the initial characteristics of the house. If, on the other hand, your home is already built with the materials already mentioned, it will be child’s play to furnish and decorate it according to the scandi style and transform it into a real paradise of Nordic tranquility.
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