Modern Scandinavian design was popularized in Europe and America in the 1950s, blending traditional Scandinavian style with the clean lines of modernism. The look is timeless and the feeling it creates in a room is so zen that it’s no wonder that modern Scandinavian design is still popular today!
You’ve seen the look in magazines and on HGTV. You want to incorporate Scandinavian designs into your own home, but you’re not ready to part with the pieces you have now.
But how do you blend the two together? How can you create harmony in your home with different styles of furniture and decor?
Read on to find out some of the best ways to bring a taste of modern Scandinavian design to your home without having to replace everything you already own!
Let There Be Light
One thing you’ll often notice in modern Scandinavian design is the abundance of neutral tones. Light neutral tones like white, tan, and soft grey maximize the natural light in a room. Dark neutral tones like black, brown, and charcoal should be saved for accent pieces to create visual contrast.
Paint your walls white if they aren’t already. Get rid of heavy curtains that may be blocking natural light and leave windows bare or covered with light, semi-transparent curtains. Finally, amp up your unnatural lighting with modern fixtures like hanging globe lights!
Reduce Clutter
Scandinavian decor is minimalistic and practical. If you have a lot of small accent pieces in the room you’re hoping to make a little more Scandinavian, consider redistributing them in other rooms or spacing them out so no one area looks too busy.
Ultimately, try to stay on top of your cleaning game. That doesn’t mean that you need to vacuum the rug and dust the bookshelf every day! It just means that you should cut down on the clutter like junk mail and stacks of magazines.
The lack of clutter is perhaps one of the most soothing aspects of modern Scandinavian design. Clutter has been shown to increase anxiety and irritability and having a clutter-free space to relax can really boost your calmness.
Bring in Natural Materials
If you’re looking for a few Scandinavian-style furniture pieces, think natural. Leather, wood, and metal are all suitable for a room with modern Scandinavian influence!
For a living room, look for couches and chairs with dark leather upholstery, like the Ekornes Stressless Recliner. For a dining room, look for a dining room table made of a light wood with clean, modern lines, like the Toscana Dining Table.
Natural textiles are also a great way to incorporate natural materials. Look for area rugs made of wool or sheepskin or add chunky wool-knit throw blankets to your seating area. Chances are, you already have some items like these–now it’s time to display them!
Mix Clean Lines with Organic Shapes
Part of what makes modern Scandinavian design look so neat and tidy is the use of clean lines and sharp angles. Look for couches, tables, and chairs that will give your room an almost geometric appearance.
That being said, too many clean lines may take you out of the Scandinavian zone and into something more modern industrial. Remember that Scandinavian design is heavily influenced by nature, and there are some seriously funky organic shapes in nature!
Don’t be afraid to hang onto some of your furniture or decor that has a rounded, jagged, or uneven shape. Use them to add some whimsy to your otherwise modern space!
Be Smart With Color
If you’re holding onto your old design elements while ushering in the new, you’re going to need to think hard about color. In most modern Scandinavian design, you’ll see pops of color like blue, green, and soft pink. Even those pops tend to have a minimalistic vibe, mixing a single bright color with more neutral tones.
So what do you do with your favorite prints that are both colorful and busy? Don’t worry, you don’t need to hide them away. You just need to use them wisely.
Use your brightly colored pieces to create contrast. Put together a gallery wall with a few of your brighter prints and a few neutral, minimalistic prints. Go for a cleaner look by framing your prints in single-tone black frames.
Remember that you’re not going for an exact Scandinavian look. It’s perfectly fine if your favorite decor doesn’t look like it walked out of a modern art museum! It’s all in the way you style it.
Go Green with Plants and Flowers
Once you’ve maximized the light, reduced clutter, and created a balance with your textures and colors, it’s time to add some plants and flowers!
Got any bowls or vases you’re incorporating into your modern Scandinavian design? Fill them with cut flowers!
Does your mantel look a bit bare after cutting down on clutter? Spruce it up with potted greenery!
Plantlife is the one thing you can go crazy with in Scandinavian design. If you’re having a hard time adjusting to the minimalist vibe, this is the best solution for you.
Go Modern Scandinavian Without Sacrificing Your Favorite Pieces
If you’re drawn in by the modern Scandinavian look but don’t want to get rid of everything you already own, don’t sweat it! There are plenty of ways to incorporate this clean, minimalist look into your home without doing a complete overhaul of your belongings.
Now that you know the different elements of modern Scandinavian design, it’s just a matter of picking the ones that suit your taste and your home the best. If you’re in the market for new furniture with a Scandinavian twist, contact us so that we can help you find the best pieces for the best prices!
