10 Trends of Scandinavian Home Designs

When it comes to designing your home, Scandinavian home designs have been trending in Singapore. If you ask any homeowner what a Scandinavian design entails, they would probably mention 3 elements: wood, white and bright. 

In 3 words, the Scandinavian look is clean, simple and functional. Its design philosophy is based on functionality, simplicity and timelessness. 

Well, they are not wrong, but these aren’t the only elements that make designs Scandinavian. They’re just the tip of the iceberg, so let’s learn more about what the style entails!

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Natural is key 

How did natural light even become one of the design elements? Scandinavian countries tend to experience long periods of darkness, so natural light is extremely valuable. Over time, this became prioritised in home designs. 

Naturalness is the key to making Scandinavian homes look so peaceful and cosy. These could come in the form of allowing natural light to seep through the windows, creating airy spaces. In Singapore, people tend to pair sheer curtains with their windows to allow light to brighten their rooms while not being overly jarring for the eyes. 

Wooden furnishings 

Wood is an unmistakable trait of Scandinavian homes. They are usually spotted in dining tables, cabinets, flooring or even statement decor pieces. Opt for light wood such as beech, ash and pine. These help to brighten up spaces and make them look larger. 

Neutral colour palettes is the way to go 

Muted tones of white, greys and tans make up pretty much the basic Scandinavian colour palette. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you restrict yourself to only these colours. In fact, many Scandinavian home designs try to incorporate bright and vibrant primary colours! Just make it a note not to complicate the design by adding too many colours. 

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Add a touch of nature

If you didn’t already know, Scandinavians enjoy nature! They try to incorporate as many natural elements in their home without suffocating spaces with greenery. One way to do this would be to add fresh flowers or indoor plants for a touch of colour! 

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Keep spaces clutter-free

Minimalism as a way of living has been widely discussed in recent years. This seems pretty hard to achieve in Asian countries, but traditional Scandinaian households are usually small and do not have space for clutter. This restrain led them to focus more on purchasing functional, simple furniture. Focus less on extravagance and more on simplicity. Before purchasing yet another item to decorate your home, consider its function and whether it complements the overall look. 

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Wood Flooring 

Wood flooring is an irreplaceable element of Scandinavian home design. Light-toned wood, especially, helps to illuminate corners and make homes look clean and sleek. 

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Less is more 

This principle belies the design of Scandinavian, Nordic homes. Refrain from over-the-top designs, exquisite embellishments. Opt for simple, scaled-down decor, and mix patterns or textures for more variety. 

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Keep it hygge

Hygge is a Danish term that encompasses all that makes a home, moment or experience cosy and comforting. Embrace warmth in your home with simple add-ons such as candles, wool blankets or pillows. 

Photo by Tatiana Syrikova from Pexels

Incorporate storage in your furnishings and furniture 

Scandinavian homes are really smart at doing this because of the limited space they have. Storage furniture should thus be the emphasis of your design scheme when it comes to purchasing furniture. IKEA is a good place for simple, functional furniture or home needs. 

https://www.myscandinavianhome.com/2018/04/a-clutter-free-finnish-home-with-fab.html

Hang some simple art

Though minimalism and monochrome colour schemes are used in Scandinavian designs, artworks can make the home look more vibrant. The right wall art not only makes your space look less dull, but also more classy and stylish. If you are not too sure about the colour choices of your art, opt for a black-and-white scheme. You can’t go wrong!

To sum it all up, we emphasise on the sustainability and cosiness of Scandinavian designs. You can play around with textures, and some elements of Japanese decor could be used as well. These can create a zen-like vibe for your Scandinavian home!