Six steps to understanding Scandinavian style

Light and airy Scandinavian style is equally good in a large country house and in a tiny city apartment. It stands out for its originality, versatility and availability of design solutions. But to get a really cozy embodiment of it, it is not enough just to follow the general principles reflected in the photo or snatched from the classic northern interior. This will require more.

So that the Scandinavian style is not associated with a hospital ward or a tastelessly decorated ascetic dwelling, you need to accept his philosophy. And this is impossible without understanding the reasons that gave rise to the basis of the northern interior.

The magic of color

The first thing that comes to mind when describing the Scandinavian style is the abundance of white. This is the basis, the canvas, against the background of which something original, unique and incredible is to be created. White can be diluted with delicate beige, cool blue, neutral shades of gray or contrasting black strokes.

But these inserts should be accents. Their task is to emphasize the whiteness of walls and ceilings, slightly shade and diversify it, but in no case muffle or weaken it. And all because the sun in the north is not a frequent guest. So do not be surprised at the desire to catch and repeatedly reflect the life-giving rays, allowing them to get to the most secluded corners of the home. And white is the best assistant in solving this problem.

The above does not mean that there will be no place for bright colors in a Scandinavian interior. On the contrary, they should be present, but only in the form of point "flashes". Their task is to arouse interest, to get rid of the feeling of monotony, while not distracting from the white canvas of the base.

Harmony of light

The long winters and short days typical for the climate of northern Europe, at first glance, do not go well with the large windows of Scandinavian houses - after all, heat leaves through them. But everything immediately falls into place, if you remember that the sun is a welcome guest. And the more of its rays penetrate into the house, the better, therefore there are often no curtains on the windows.

Well, at night it is time for artificial lighting. His task is to disperse the twilight even in the most secluded corners, so that nothing reminds of the cold darkness of the northern night. For this reason complex lighting schemes are welcome in Scandinavian interiorsthat leave no chance for darkness.

Scandinavian style materials

Wood is another element, without which it is difficult to imagine a cozy northern house. This should not be surprising, because it stands out for its accessibility - taiga forests occupy almost the entire Scandinavian Peninsula.

Wood covers the floor, adds exquisite beauty to the walls, and even sneaks up to the ceiling in the form of uncovered beams. Additional charm is given by minimal processing. And the only important condition is the use of light wood (after all, spruce, fir, pine and larch grow mainly in the taiga).

Natural wool and fur help supplement the warmth provided by the wood. They are given a lot of space on the floor and furniture. But decorating the walls with animal skins is already an overkill, which will prevent the spread of light.

In the middle latitudes, the use of wood and fur can hardly be attributed to cheap pleasures, therefore, the Scandinavian style adapted to local realities allows the use of artificial materials. But even in this case, it is worth striving for the maximum realism of imitation of natural solid wood or wool.

Furniture in the interior

Closeness to nature and unwillingness to block the path of the sun's rays led to the fact that Scandinavian-style furniture is easily recognizable by its simplicity and lightness. Laconic forms, exceptional functionality and moderate dimensions are rules that must be strictly observed.

But as for the materials from which the furniture is made, then some liberties are permissible. Yes, natural wool and wood add comfort and warmth to the interior. But this does not mean at all that there is no place for glass, plastic or metal in the house.

However, it should be understood that furniture made of such materials is assigned the role of a curiosity brought by a severe Viking from a long campaign. Still, on the Scandinavian Peninsula, suitable driftwood, local animal fur and reindeer antlers have always been more affordable material for dwelling decoration.

How to choose accessories

The abundance of light and yearning for summer led to a natural result: ornamental plants in a Scandinavian-style interior are as desirable as the sun. Often, it is they who become the islands of bright color, which were mentioned earlier.

Wherein Plants are allowed to do anything: they can occupy window sills, settle on the wall or even in pots hanging from the ceiling. And this is not to mention the floor vases or pots nestled on the coffee tables.

Same Mirrors, ceramics and porcelain, candles, paintings and posters dedicated to the beauty of nature can become worthy interior decorations. Moreover, it is not at all necessary to look for suitable gizmos in catalogs: the Scandinavian style allows you to combine items from the mass market with rarities or piece art objects.

But with such a solid range of accessories remember to keep in moderation. There should not be too many plants and paintings so that they do not interfere with the spread of light. And the number of other accessories is limited by their functionality: not a dozen different vases, but one or two, which often contain fresh flowers; not decorative plates on an open rack, but a service that can be used at any time.

Every little thing should be useful. The beauty of accessories fades into the background, giving way to functionality.

Scandinavian style philosophy

When creating such an interior, one should build on practicality.. First of all, the house of northerners is focused on meeting basic needs - protection from the cold, the possibility of cooking, sleeping in a comfortable bed. Along the way, problems are solved with the storage of everything you need - clothes, equipment, dishes and food.

And only after the necessary minimum has been collected to meet urgent needs, the turn of the formation comes collections of secondary gizmos that, although they stand out for their functionality, still do not have a serious impact on comfort.

If you follow this logic, you can avoid the basic mistakes that arise due to the impartiality of the Scandinavian style to the age and cost of things. Although this interior is a kind of collection of items aimed at providing comfort, it also reflects life, where everything you need appears in the house for a long time, and all unnecessary is removed the moment it becomes useless. This is the impression that should arise when entering any of the rooms.