An Introduction to Scandi Minimalism
When you imagine a typically Scandanavian home, what do you see? The image that most people will have in their minds is that quintessentially Scandinavian setting of a wood cabin perched on the edge of a tranquil forest, overlooking a lake.
In recent years, the Scandinavian lifestyle trends of lagom, hygge and lykke have become particularly prevalent, with many of their customs being more widely known and adopted in households in other parts of Europe, and the US. Scandinavian minimalism takes elements of all of these trends, creating a sense of Nordic minimalism that doesn’t sacrifice comfort and pleasure.
Read on to find out how you can adopt the trend in your home...
What is Scandi minimalism?
At its core, Scandi minimalism is about combining simplicity with comfort and practicality. In a sense, it attempts to capture and replicate the qualities of that scene of the wood cabin. This is a warm, homely, comfortable space (hygge), but also minimalist as everything there is there for a reason.
Where and when did it begin?
Its origins are rooted in the modernist design movement of Bauhaus, which developed in early twentieth-century Europe and featured predominantly simple, geometric shapes without detailed embellishments or decorations. Emerging in the mid-twentieth century, Scandi minimalism borrows these elements, and as the concepts developed, there became more of a focus on clean simplicity and the value of comfort in living spaces, aiming to keep spaces both exciting and welcoming.
What is the difference between Scandi minimalism and standard minimalism?
Whilst Scandi minimalism shares a lot of similarities with traditional American minimalism, there are a few distinct nuances that set it apart. Both use the same clean lines, shapes and clarity in their design, but Scandi minimalism tends to use more muted, pastel colour schemes with lots of creams and pale blues.
These colours are designed the soften the space and make it more inviting and comfortable to visitors. The main difference, however, is the importance it places on practicality - the designs never compromise efficiency or functionality, whilst still retaining their compelling and beautiful aesthetic designs.
How can I adopt Scandi minimalism in my home?
Bringing Scandinavian minimalism into your home may be a lot easier than you think. You should begin by de-cluttering and try to adopt a more efficient and eco-friendly lifestyle, as well as putting importance on cosiness and comfort.
Design-wise, you will want to be featuring those pastel colours and lots of authentic stone and wood finishes, and of course, don’t forget the golden rule of function over form.
Visualise clean, simple lines; bright, open spaces. Cozy.
What furniture would it have? What kind of decor? And most importantly, how do you feel in it? That is what you want to recreate.
What to do before you begin implementing Scandi minimalism
To achieve the desired results, you should start with a vision board. Collect images of home interiors that best represent how you wish your home/space to look. Use magazine cutouts, and print pictures you find online. Use apps like Instagram to find your inspiration. Add some quotes too. They will inspire you design for a feeling as well as a look.
Once you have a collage board of images, look at each feature separately: wall colour, furniture, decor, etc. and make a template list for each category. This will help you to go from inspiration to implementation.
Adopting Scandi Minimalist elements in your home will make it feel cozy and comfortable and a place you love to spend time in with family and friends.
