What Is A Nordic Home Style?

Nordic or Scandinavian Design principles

The month of March is Women’s History Month, and to commemorate we are publishing three posts on interiors that reflect women. The first one is about Nordic or Scandinavian design. The second one gives you the steps to implement this wonderfully simple design style. And, the third one will be on the colour purple as a design element.

If you wonder what the dickens Nordic design has to do with the month of March and women in particular, you are not alone. Friends and associates were wondering too and thought we had gone off the deep end!

But, Nordic design is such a minimalist style that it is easy to take care of. It takes less time and it is easy for family members to help out with. After all statistics show that women still bear the brunt of the majority of household chores… The colour purple is associated with Women’s History Month and since this is not an easy colour in design, we want to show you how it can be done to achieve terrific results.

Source: Pinterest (contributors unknown)

So, let’s find out what exactly Nordic design is all about…

First of all Nordic or Scandinavian design is one and the same. The words are used interchangeably. For easy reading, let’s refer to it as Nordic design.

The Nordic style emerged in the early 1900s in the Scandinavian countries, i.e. Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. Winters are long and harsh in these countries. Daylight comes at a premium. Houses were small and space was valued a lot. To create the illusion of more space, rooms were sparsely decorated and with little decorum.

Designers and architects, like Alvar Aalto and Arne Jacobsen, were creating multifunctional spaces and furniture pieces. For instance, Aalto introduced his famous bentwood stool, while Jacobsen designed the Egg chair. The stool can be used as a seating unit, an end table, a stepping stool, or a night table, plus it is stackable. Really functional. The Egg chair clearly shows the outline of an egg…! Simple lines are married to comfort and style.

Left: Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair & Flatware. Right: Alvar Aalto Bentwood Stool & Serving Cart

7 Main Elements of Nordic design

1. Simple and Uncluttered Lines

The style is dominated by the principle “Less Is More”. It is a minimalistic, yet functional look. It is airy, light and open. Less cluttered, bright and harmonious, this style gives a sense of peace, allowing our senses to come to rest with less stuff around us to fire up our brain. Nordic design embraces imperfections such as deep and rich wood patinas, well-worn hardwood floors, and mismatched furniture. Scratches are totally acceptable.

Source: Entrance Makleri, Gotenborg, Sweden

2. Multifunctional, Flexible and Eco-friendly

Rooms can easily be rearranged with few actions to serve more than one purpose. Furniture is multifunctional and flexible in usage. Natural and sustainable materials are used in abundance, making the style eco-friendly. Wood, wool, leather, cotton and linen are typical materials. Greenery brings in nature, interest and texture.

3. Mix of Woods and Metals

A true Nordic style can never be called boring since the mix of wood and metal elements makes for interesting design. The eclectic and inviting nature creates warmth and functionality both at the same time.

Typical wood species used are beech, ash and pine. These species are on the blonder side of wood colours creating that airy feeling. You can easily find a mix of brass, copper, and chromed or painted metals in this style, particularly when married to a wood material.

4. Neutral Colours with some Soft Pastels

Colours in a Nordic environment are always neutral with occasionally a sprinkle of soft pastel tones. White walls, light coloured upholstery and window treatments are the mainstay.

The palette consists of whites, greys, beiges, browns and black. Soft green, yellow or blue can be found as well, but in modest quantities. Wood colours are shown in their natural finish without colour stains added.

Left: Falken Reynolds, Designer Vancouver BC. Right: Nordic Vases by Alfie & Gem, Las Vegas USA

5. Mismatched Furniture Pieces, Wall & Ceiling Applications

While the Nordic style is characterized by modern and clean lines, it provides plenty of comfort, unlike a true minimalist one.

Blond and light in tone, Beech, Ash and Pine are seen in flooring, walls, ceiling and, of course furniture applications. Wood elements provide a canvas for more luxurious textures found in upholstery, rugs and accessories. Interesting wall and ceiling treatments using wood elements are frequently part of a Nordic environment.

Eclectic pieces represent the main look in this style of design. A leather sofa or chair is combined with heavily textured and upholstered seating. Chairs upholstered in textured wool are common. A loose sheepskin piece casually thrown over a chair for additional comfort, warmth and texture. Mismatched pieces form a comfortable backdrop for easy living.

6. Bold Lighting

JDP Interiors, Los Angeles USA

Lighting is important in Nordic design. Long winters and short days demand good lighting. Windows are typically uncovered to let in as much daylight as possible.

Great light fixtures add so much flair and character to a Nordic-designed space.

With the arrival of LED lighting, we see lighting design taking on a whole new meaning! Bold and interesting light fixtures combine wood, metal, and other elements to add visual interest to a space. LED allows for unconventional forms, yet plenty of light output to be functional.

Read more about Nordic lighting in our previous blog Terrific Lighting Trends For 2022.

Adding candles creates an atmosphere in rooms. A flickering candle can add magic to a space. Today many candles are available with a myriad of scents. We recommend sticking to candles with aromatic essential oils though since artificial scents can negatively impact your health. And, while (scented) candles have been and still are all the rage, there is something to be said for artificial candles. You don’t have to worry about leaving the candle unattended.

JDP Interiors, Los Angeles USA

7. Abundant Use of Textures

Comfort is introduced by using lots of textures. Worn leather upholstery, heavily textured fabrics, cozy accessories, like toss pillows and throws, all are important elements in Nordic design. Neutral in colour, they add interest and character, in addition to beating that chill that can creep into any space during the winter.

Nordic style refers back to nature by incorporating organic materials such as cotton, linens, wool, wood, leather, sheepskins. It is so much more eco-friendly and sustainable.

Green plants add another natural element, as well as more texture. They introduce colour and clean the air. A plant in an interesting pot gives flair. Hanging plants can make for an interesting display in a corner. A large floor plant here and there can bring nature indoors. Read more on how to use greenery as a decorating element here.

***

If you find this look interesting and you would like to implement it in your home, but you don’t know quite how to pull it all together, let us know. Let’s see if we can help you! Or, you can wait for our next post giving the steps to achieve this look.

As always you can leave any questions or thoughts in the Comment section below. We also respond to your email.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

Happy decorating,

Jessica & Loretta