Over the last few decades, several international design styles have gained popularity in India due to globalisation as well as the type of principles and lifestyles that they promote. One such design style is Scandinavian interior design, which is known globally for its minimalist and eco-friendly design approach. Read on to learn more about Scandinavian interior design, how it originated, key features and benefits of Scandinavian design decor and explore tips on how to create Scandinavian home interior designs in Indian buildings.
What is Scandinavian Interior Design?
Scandinavia refers to a group of North European countries that includes Sweden, Norway and Denmark, and Scandinavian interior design refers to a design style that originates from this region. It is a subset of Nordic interior design (Nordic refers to the three Scandinavian countries plus Finland and Iceland) and utilises the concepts of Minimalist interior design with a few local variations. Featuring neutral colour palettes, brightly lit spaces and natural materials, the “Scandi” style encourages people to adopt simple lifestyles and sustainability.
Evolution of Scandinavian Architecture and Interior Design
During the early 20th century, a design movement called ‘Skonvirke’ spread across Europe, emphasising functionality and local craftsmanship in Danish design. This movement led to the development of more Scandinavian design styles that suited the extremely cold climate of the region and encouraged Minimalist principles. The works of various prominent Scandinavian and Nordic architects and designers like Josef Frank, Alvar Aalto, Arne Jacobsen and Borge Mogensen further promoted this Scandinavian aesthetic, which then spread to other regions like the USA. In 1954, an exhibition titled ‘Design in Scandinavia’ was held across USA and Canada, helping Scandinavian architecture and interior design gain global recognition.
Although the style is several decades old, it continues to trend even today, with property owners not just in Scandinavia, but across the world. Today, the style includes concepts of other styles like Japandi and the Bohemian style, producing a modern Scandinavian interior design style that has several local variations globally.
Key Features of Scandinavian Home Interior Designs
Some of the common features observed in Scandi house design interiors are:
Simplicity and Balance
Scandinavian design styles emphasise functionality, encouraging the use of items that may have multiple functions. With only absolutely necessary items included in spaces that incorporate these styles, simple, clutter-free and Minimalist ways of living are promoted. All the interior decor items typically have clean lines and geometric shapes, placing a focus on their functionality rather than their form.
Neutral Colour Palettes
Scandinavian interior design uses white as the focal colour, along with the usage of light and neutral shades of brown, grey and soft earthy colours as undertones. In order to create a consistent look, a monochromatic colour scheme is typically used throughout the house. Such colours make enclosed spaces seem larger and more airy, while also reflecting light and increasing warmth.
Brightly Lit Spaces
To combat the extremely cold climate in Scandinavian countries, this style incorporates methods to warm interior spaces by maximising the natural light entering them. These methods include using large floor-to-ceiling windows, skylights and other glass features with minimal treatment to allow the entry of as much light as possible. Along with the use of light colours that reflect this light, climate-responsive architecture is effectively achieved.
Natural Materials and Textures
Modern scandinavian interior design uses locally available and natural materials like stone (for flooring, walls and decorative features), wood (for furniture, storage, floors, doors and windows) and bricks (for walls and as insulation). When used on walls and ceilings, these materials are often painted white to retain the neutral colour palette. Natural fabrics such as wool and rattan are commonly used for making furniture and upholstery.
Why Opt For a Scandinavian Interior Style?
The Scandinavian interior design style offers several benefits to homeowners, including:
- Health Benefits: The brightly lit spaces and low clutter help in creating tranquillity and peace in interior spaces. Users experience a higher level of thermal comfort, which can result in mental and physical health benefits like improved circadian rhythms, enhanced concentration levels and a general upliftment in spirits.
- Simple Maintenance: Scandinavian home decoration involves very few items, thus making spaces with such decoration easy to clean and maintain on a daily basis.
- Sustainable Living: With the use of natural materials like wood and stone, Scandinavian interiors promote sustainable building practices and create healthier living spaces.
Tips to Incorporate Scandinavian Interior Design in Homes
Here are a few tips that you can adopt to create beautiful Scandinavian interior spaces in your Indian home:
Focus on Functionality
Restrict the number of items in your Modern Scandinavian home decor to a minimum. Avoid clutter by adhering to the 90/90 rule. “Have I used this item in the last 90 days or will I use it in the next 90 days?” are questions you should ask yourself. You can decide not to buy or keep an item in your house if the answer to both of these questions is no. Instead, retain items that are absolutely necessary, functional and simple.
Introduce Softness With Plants and Fabrics
You can add softness to the rigid lines of Scandinavian interior design and prevent spaces from appearing too cold, geometric or industrial by using indoor plants and textiles. To maintain sustainability, use locally available natural fabrics such as wool, cotton, silk, and khadi for curtains, pillows, rugs, and upholstery. You can also use furniture made of bamboo, cane and rattan to introduce visual interest and softness.
Layer Different Textures
Scandi interiors can often seem sparse and boring, especially in the Indian context, where people typically lean towards Maximalist or traditional design styles. To avoid this, use textural variations such as exposed brick that is painted white, hardwood flooring laid in herringbone patterns and natural fabrics with simple, geometric patterns. You can also add subtle accents in every room using colours like sage green and sky blue, chosen to reflect your individual personality.
Use Recycled Products
Include recycled, reclaimed or repurposed products in your home along with the modern Scandinavian decor items. For example, a Scandinavian living room style can be enhanced by including distressed wood storage cabinets that contrast harmoniously with modern sofas made of light-coloured cotton fabric. Such products can help reduce the overall cost of the project and also enhance sustainability.
Getting The Best Scandinavian Design
Scandinavian interior design needs expertise and industry knowledge to be effectively adapted to Indian homes without seeming boring or industrial. With a team of architects who are experts in the field of design, Brick & Bolt has completed 10,000+ homes that fulfill unique customer desires. The company also collaborates with the top interior designers in the country to ensure perfect finishes in its building projects. Its guarantee for supreme quality and absolute transparency has made it a leading design-build company in India. To get the best Scandinavian house design and construction, reach out to Brick & Bolt today!
Apoorva H P Achar