Scandinavian design is one of the most popular design trends – known for it’s clean, calming, functional style, it’s the perfect solution for any home style update. Beginning in the early 20th century, in Sweden, the Scandinavian style combined traditional Nordic elements with modern lines, inspired by the growing Bauhaus movement in Germany. With the rise of designers like Arne Jacobsen, and Hans Wegner, Scandinavian design grew more and more popular, and has remained a staple in today’s interior design industry. One of the forerunners in modern Scandinavian design is Normann Copenhagen, established in 1999 featuring beautiful Danish designs. We’ve worked with the team at Normann Copenhagen to compile our top tips to introduce Danish design to your home.
Bring the outdoors inside. When you’re a Scandinavian prepping your house for a long winter to be spent indoors, it only makes sense to include a bit of nature. A good rule of thumb is to add at least one house plant to each room. This can be a fern on a bookshelf, a vase of fresh flowers on the table, or a ficus in the corner of your living room. Plants add a great living element of colour and help to highlight the natural materials used in Scandinavian design. It’s not just limited to plants however, bringing the outdoors inside also means opening up the curtains and letting natural light into your house, and opening the windows every now and then to help reenergize and refresh.
The Allez chair was designed with the idea of bringing nature into your home. Ergonomically designed, the chair is inspired by Nordic landscapes, and is available in neutral tones, with the option of adding oak legs. With a light and sophisticated design, the chair can even be used in outdoor environments too – truly a versatile chair.
Quality materials. One of the key points in good Scandinavian design is choosing items with high levels of craftsmanship – and with good craftsmanship, comes good materials. This means beautifully selected woods, leathers, fabrics, and metals, that help showcase the form and functionality of the items. The usage of quality materials also means your items are likely to be more durable, and therefore cheaper in the long run. It also adds a touch of depth to your home, and is a great conversation starter when you have guests over.
Amp is a great example of Scandinavian design style – traditional mediums translated to a modern touch, and it uses beautiful crafted materials to really elevate it’s form. The Amp Lamp features polished marble, with tinted glass lampshade, as well as a beautiful textile cord. Each section is well thought out, meaning your lamp looks great from afar and up close, and really brings a touch of craftsmanship to your home.
Colour. One of the most striking parts of Scandinavian design is the usage of colour. Neutral colours are the most prominent – hues of grey, beige, brown, white, and black – combined with one or two pops of colour to add contrast. The usage of vibrant tones is actually used to highlight the furniture and decorative pieces, and help them stand out – as well as providing a simple, yet sophisticated, backdrop to your interior.
Little Bird is the perfect touch to bring a bit of colour and fun to any room. The decorative figurines can be arranged in any way, and look great on a shelf or on a table. The sleek designs are crafted from solid oak or walnut and when lacquered, provide the perfect addition to liven up any room.
Minimise clutter. One of the biggest misconceptions about Scandinavian design is that it is all about minimalism – this isn’t necessarily true. It is more about simplicity, limiting yourself to “logam”, a Swedish term for “just right” – making sure your home isn’t stark, but also not cluttered. This helps keep things feeling light and open, and creating a home that defines serenity.
Jet Shelf is the perfect solution to help organize and display your “logam” items. Made from extruded aluminum, the Jet Shelf has a surprisingly spacious surface that is elegant and sophisticated. Available in different sizes, you can mix and match to your liking, so you can put your best items on display, or simply have additional storage. The surface of the shelf even has a grooved texture, meaning your items are less likely to slide or fall off, while still providing a stylish design.
Hygge. Hygge is a Danish concept relating to comfort and coziness. Adding hygge to your home means selecting items that make you feel happy and comfortable. Whether this means selecting the comfiest bed you can find, placing some candles on your coffee table, or adding a chunky throw to your sofa, hygge is all about those personal touches that make your home yours.
What better way to provide Hygge in your home, than through the Hyg Sofa? Designed around the Hygge concept, the Hyg Sofa uses encompassing contours and a soft silhouette to bring that comfort into your home. With various options for leather or fabric upholstery, it’s versatile too, and can even be combined with other chairs or barstools in the same series, allowing your home to be as Hygge as it can possibly be.
Scandinavian design is one of the most established interior styles – and with more people spending quality time at home, it’s the perfect opportunity to give your home a refresh and add in that Scandinavian touch, using our tips above. For more information about Scandinavian design and products, check out www.normann-copenhagen.com.