It seems like a new style every few decades takes over the public awareness and reigns dominance for a brief period of time. We saw several styles of design, from rustic farmhouses to modern to eclectic Bohemians of the mid-century, gain prominence, but none of them appears to have the same strength or prominence as the Scandinavian. Not to suggest that these other styles have been out of popularity, the Scandi décor is something that people just can’t get enough of. It goes beyond enjoying conventional popularity, instead of having its influence seep into many other elements of design. Check out this article by Beautiful Homes for timeless Scandinavian interior designs which you can use for your own home.
Scandinavian Design and its History
To honour its influence on design, we will be visiting its many draws throughout the article. First though, let’s examine the fundamentals of Scandinavian design principles so we can start off on the same foot.
Scandinavian design is characterised by an emphasis on clean, clear lines, simplicity and beauty. In the 1950s it initially became known as the modern style in America and Europe. This was also when it gained widespread recognition. The absence of clutter is part of what makes it so aesthetically attractive. There are no extraneous things in the Scandinavian-style room, yet everything has to have a place and there’s no need for excessive fixtures.
- In the Washington Post, despite sharing many of its contemporary components in the mid-century, the Scandinavian design promotes the concept of bright, airy rooms, whereas MCM interiors tend to have darker hues and less attention on light.
- Scandinavians also love nature strongly and spend time outdoors, which this design reflects. Wood floors tend to remain exposed. In Scandinavian houses, brighter wood tones may sometimes be seen. And live plants are, of course, a popular alternative for bringing the outside into the actual world.
- Scandinavian winters, by nature, are no joke, thus it is quite important to create a cosy house. Therefore, in so many Scandi designs, you will discover warm, welcoming textures (think: sloppy-knits and false fur accents).
Colour Usage in Scandinavian Design
More notably, light whites with black and tan pops rely largely on neutrals. That doesn’t mean that the design is entirely colourless, though, because the overall layout of rooms is monochrome, and colours are used playfully as accents. Beginners might mistake Scandinavian design as a bland or colourless genre because a lack of colour differential does not equate to a boring home.
Why is it so Popular?
One of the attractions of this particular design is due to how versatile it is. The clean nature and luminosity invoke the calmness that so many people need in their everyday life. After a hard day at work, it’s a particularly attractive idea to return home without heavy furnishings and clutter.
Is Scandinavian Interior Design here to Stay?
There are trends in design and then there are styles that become eternal elements in the decoration of the interior. So, is the former or latter the fate Scandinavian style? It seems like it is here to stay for now, and even if other styles eventually overtake Scandinavian design in popularity, it has had such a profound influence on design that it never truly will go out of style.
At Homees.co, we provide you anything from basic furniture ideas, lifestyle designs that go beyond hygiene, to a thorough dive into what it means to ever own a house in a Scandinavian land. You can find out more inspirational home designs and ideas in Singapore, and find more Scandinavian-themed homes at https://www.homees.co/articles/scandinavian-interior-design.
