8 Myths About Scandinavian Design – Demystified
Scandi style is super popular right now — but are you sure you know what Nordic design is all about?
The designs and styles coming out of the Nordic countries at the moment are a far cry from the Scandi stereotype. A wave of colour, showy materials and glistening brass is washing away the image of all-white walls and blonde wood faster than you can say smörgåsbord. This year’s design fairs have seen brands go from minimalist to maximalist, patterns inundate previously demure furniture and the walls succumb to emerald greens, denim blues and ruby reds. So maybe it’s time to brush up on what you might have missed from the Nordic scene – we’ve got the inside scoop.
Myth #2: For an apartment to be Scandi, it has to be white.
Truth: There’s a misconception that white is the only acceptable colour if you want to create a Scandinavian interior. In the last few years, light pastels, pinks, dark blues and greens have actually dominated modern Swedish homes. A big trend is the all-in style of painting, when skirting boards, door frames and window sills are covered in the same colour, like in this flat in central Stockholm.
Truth: There’s a misconception that white is the only acceptable colour if you want to create a Scandinavian interior. In the last few years, light pastels, pinks, dark blues and greens have actually dominated modern Swedish homes. A big trend is the all-in style of painting, when skirting boards, door frames and window sills are covered in the same colour, like in this flat in central Stockholm.
Myth #3: Our homes all look the same.
Truth: While there is definitely such a thing as a typical Scandi home, there is also a lot of room for individual creativity. This Swedish home is filled with amazing and unusual design ideas, like a living-room ceiling covered with old paintings. In general, Scandinavian interior design is moving towards becoming more of an expression of the creator’s personality, rather than conforming to a preconceived style.
Truth: While there is definitely such a thing as a typical Scandi home, there is also a lot of room for individual creativity. This Swedish home is filled with amazing and unusual design ideas, like a living-room ceiling covered with old paintings. In general, Scandinavian interior design is moving towards becoming more of an expression of the creator’s personality, rather than conforming to a preconceived style.
Myth #4: It’s all very, very serious.
Truth: Yes, people from the Nordic countries have a reputation for being stern and somber – but it’s not all doom and gloom. There’s plenty of playful, humorous Swedish, Danish and Norwegian design, from the classic wooden toys by Kay Bojesen to Verner Panton’s voluptuous chairs. Our designs run riot especially in the kids’ rooms – this wallpaper from Mr Perswall is a great example.
Truth: Yes, people from the Nordic countries have a reputation for being stern and somber – but it’s not all doom and gloom. There’s plenty of playful, humorous Swedish, Danish and Norwegian design, from the classic wooden toys by Kay Bojesen to Verner Panton’s voluptuous chairs. Our designs run riot especially in the kids’ rooms – this wallpaper from Mr Perswall is a great example.
Myth #5: Scandinavians only like subtle patterns.
Truth: There are plenty of exciting new designers who create truly inspiring and unusual – and slightly over-the-top – patterns. Scandinavia has a long tradition of beautiful textile patterns, including elaborate flower prints, from the likes of Marimekko and Josef Frank from Svenskt Tenn. This tasseled tiger is by Stockholm designer Lisa Bengtsson.
Truth: There are plenty of exciting new designers who create truly inspiring and unusual – and slightly over-the-top – patterns. Scandinavia has a long tradition of beautiful textile patterns, including elaborate flower prints, from the likes of Marimekko and Josef Frank from Svenskt Tenn. This tasseled tiger is by Stockholm designer Lisa Bengtsson.
Myth #6: We buy everything from Ikea.
Truth: Well, ok, we do buy A LOT of our things from Ikea. But trend-savvy Nordic people know the value of a good flea market crawl or vintage rummage sale, and take pride in family heirlooms. The perfect symbiosis of these two trends? The fact that certain classic Ikea pieces from decades ago now have a high second-hand value and are often sold at auction houses alongside midcentury modern classics. Insider tip: Keep a Sinnerlig pendant lamp or two in the attic – they’re bound to become classics.
Truth: Well, ok, we do buy A LOT of our things from Ikea. But trend-savvy Nordic people know the value of a good flea market crawl or vintage rummage sale, and take pride in family heirlooms. The perfect symbiosis of these two trends? The fact that certain classic Ikea pieces from decades ago now have a high second-hand value and are often sold at auction houses alongside midcentury modern classics. Insider tip: Keep a Sinnerlig pendant lamp or two in the attic – they’re bound to become classics.
Myth #7: In Scandi design, everything is useful and beautiful.
Truth: Actually, you got us there. However out there we think our designs get, they are always on the safe side of useable. A chair should be comfortable and a sofa inviting, no matter how outré the colour or material. And if a Hans Wegner chair is beautiful enough to serve as a bedside table, so much the better.
Truth: Actually, you got us there. However out there we think our designs get, they are always on the safe side of useable. A chair should be comfortable and a sofa inviting, no matter how outré the colour or material. And if a Hans Wegner chair is beautiful enough to serve as a bedside table, so much the better.
Myth #8: What does “Scandi” even mean?
Truth: Finally, for those of us who live in the Nordics, Scandi style doesn’t push the same visual buttons as it does in other countries. We often see rooms in magazines and on sites that are dubbed Scandi, that to us resemble French chateau style, or American mid-century modern more. As you can see from the preceding images, style from the Nordics is about more than a bit of wood, white walls and a lit candle.
Even geographically, the term is a bit problematic. For us Scandinavia is a geographical term to describe Denmark, Norway and Sweden. We prefer to talk about the Nordics, which also encompass Finland and Iceland. All of these countries are all culturally, commercially and politically connected.
But whatever you want to call us, we are happy to keep sharing good design, playful patterns and useful – but beautiful – living with the rest of the world.
TELL US
What do you like about the Scandi style? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Truth: Finally, for those of us who live in the Nordics, Scandi style doesn’t push the same visual buttons as it does in other countries. We often see rooms in magazines and on sites that are dubbed Scandi, that to us resemble French chateau style, or American mid-century modern more. As you can see from the preceding images, style from the Nordics is about more than a bit of wood, white walls and a lit candle.
Even geographically, the term is a bit problematic. For us Scandinavia is a geographical term to describe Denmark, Norway and Sweden. We prefer to talk about the Nordics, which also encompass Finland and Iceland. All of these countries are all culturally, commercially and politically connected.
But whatever you want to call us, we are happy to keep sharing good design, playful patterns and useful – but beautiful – living with the rest of the world.
TELL US
What do you like about the Scandi style? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
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Truth: No, it’s not all about bare wood and functional furniture. These days, Nordic design is just as likely to soak up inspiration from stately homes in London or luxury pads in Los Angeles. As design influences become more global, Scandinavian designers have adapted an updated, exclusive style that would have been impossible just a few years ago. Furniture is covered in sumptuous velvet, brass details glimmer and the walls are painted in deep blues and burgundies. Even international publications like the New York Times have woken up to the fact that Scandi minimalism has returned to its maximalist roots, to the 18th century when the prime style influence was the opulence of Versailles and other great European houses.