Less is More: Reasons to Decorate Your Home the Scandinavian Way

All that time Scandinavians spend indoors during the long winters is perhaps the reason their homes are always decorated to perfection. The beauty of Scandinavian interior design has captivated everyone – literally everyone in the entire world. Even us Aussies, on the opposite end of the globe, love to decorate our abodes the Scandinavian way. If you are a fan of minimalism, Scandinavian design can infuse a good dose of style and functionality to your home, no matter where you live. And here are some reasons to support this claim.

Quality, Natural Materials

Scandinavian designer furniture is more than the flimsy coffee tables Ikea sells. Purchasing original Scandinavian furnishings such as a Danish couch or a Norwegian coffee table means investing in craftsmanship and durability as these pieces are made from sturdy hardwoods like oak, walnut, maple, or birch. The colours and textures of these high-quality natural materials help create a warm and cozy ambience which every home needs. Floors also follow the same pattern of furniture and are usually wide-planked hardwood floors or an engineered alternative. Avoiding to cover the floors and leaving them bare is a trick Scandinavian designers use to enlarge the space and keep its raw, natural appeal.

Beautiful Simplicity

Scandinavian design openly embraces the “less is more” attitude. In line with that belief, furnishings are usually minimalist in design in order to increase the amount of open space in the home. Even the bulkier furniture pieces such as a Danish couch are minimalist and compact, with almost invisible legs. Besides the furniture, the space should be minimalist as well, so make sure to display only the things you really need and use on a daily basis. Incorporating Scandinavian storage solutions such as cabinets and shelves can help you clear away the clutter and keep the home organized. Creating such a simplistic and orderly home means less cleaning and picking up. Isn’t that neat?

A Soothing Colour Palette

Scandinavian interiors always have a bright backdrop which is achieved with crisp, white walls. The stark white walls serve as a blank canvas onto which you can add a palette of neutral tones and even touches of pastel. Cream, grey, brown, and black, and hints of pastel here and there give the space some depth and balance out the white on the walls. The intention of this is to create a soothing environment that relaxes your senses. Because of this, bold hues should be restricted to the minimum as they can visually overwhelm the space.