Scandinavian style in the interior of a country house +100 photos of design examples
Despite the rich history, the Scandinavian style looks quite modern. Although the direction has a number of signs and obeys certain theses, it conveys rather the spirit, flavor of Scandinavia, and not its specific features. The most important distinguishing features of the characters of the northern peoples were able to be reflected in the style: restraint, frugality, leisurelyness, easy estrangement and boundless love for nature and everything natural. Behind the word "Scandinavia" is a historical region hiding a group of developed countries: Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden.
These states, despite their geographical proximity to the rest of Western Europe, rallied around the symbolic center and always stood apart. Perhaps that is why the characters of the northern inhabitants retained partly primitive, Nordic features.For example, the well-known proverb “my home is my castle” is more relevant for Scandinavians than ever. They always sought to create a cozy, neat home in which they would like to spend most of their lives.
Norwegians and Danes even have the concept of "hügg", which literally translates as "something safe, good and comfortable, which causes a feeling of psychological comfort." In recent decades, it has become a full-fledged life concept, which has been actively introduced into the masses. The hugge also partially affects the interior issue, because the house is a part of human life.
The exact date of the emergence of the Scandinavian style is not known. This process was long and took almost several centuries to "gain momentum." Initially, Scandinavian designers decided to create a unique direction that would have exclusively native features and would meet the requirements of their compatriots. The beginning was laid at the end of the 19th century. The main principle was recognized statement: "more beauty in everyday things." That is, despite the natural human craving for beauty, the northern people have not lost their traditional attachment to practicality.
Although some connoisseurs of the history of design suggest that the birth of the Scandinavian style began even earlier (almost 200 years before), when King Gustav III ascended the throne in Sweden. He devoted a lot of time to fashion and everything connected with it.Perhaps for this reason, the king lost sight of the conspiracy of aristocrats, which led to his death, but that's another story. Gustav, by his example, began to show the Swedes that no matter how beautifully the British, Italians and French would decorate their houses, their style can not only be copied, but also added something of their own. Baroque and Rococo at that time were replaced by an elegant Empire style, which in Sweden went on a completely different path, where it “grew” with numerous elements characteristic only for northerners.
Over three centuries, the direction has finally formed and gained strength. Unfortunately, until recently, they did not pay much attention to it, until modern Europe (trendsetter), tired of pretentiousness, pomp and luxury, turned its attention to simple styles. This happened in the 30s at the International Exhibition held in Stockholm. Designers demonstrated their work, reflecting the lifestyle of the average citizen of Sweden or Finland. The shown was a success, which was consolidated 20 years later in Canada and the USA after repeated exhibitions. Since then, the direction has its own official name, which increasingly appears in textbooks and magazines on interior design.
Luxury gradually lost ground, and new directions burst into houses and apartments, like a breath of fresh air. Some of them were as restrained as possible (minimalism, technological modern), while others allowed themselves the presence of gross details (Provence, rustic, industrial, fusion). And at this very moment, a quiet and inconspicuous Scandinavian way of life (that same mysterious concept), interested Europeans tired of the chronic pursuit of time itself. With the advent of the hyugge, to which whole tracts began to be devoted, where the Scandinavians are taken apart, perhaps under a microscope, the interior style characteristic of them became popular. He is calm, but not without emotion (albeit meager).
Features of the Scandinavian style
The main features according to which the Scandinavian style can be distinguished from the closest "relatives" include the following features.
Calm, natural colors in which white predominates (the color of the snow sheet - a native landscape for northerners).
The minimum amount of decor. The space must breathe.
Natural materials only: no synthetics or plastic.
The simplest finish.
Open floor plan. Northern style does not like doorways very much, therefore it often resorts to combined rooms.
When you make a home, you can save money without buying a “multilayer” finish, but natural wood or stone will require additional costs.
Exterior and construction features
Projects of Scandinavian houses are reliable. The architect must carefully verify all the details and remove the excess that does not carry any functional load. Northerners prefer to settle in private country houses, which are completely different from our traditional dachas. During the construction of the Scandinavians always pay attention to the surrounding nature: it must never be destroyed. Only the location remains of the summer residence here, but in general the dwelling is more like a comfortable forester's hut.
The place is chosen as calm as possible with charming rural landscapes that can be admired through panoramic windows. This is another feature of such houses: they must let in maximum light and allow to calm down spiritually when seeing the surrounding beauties. The line did not develop from scratch, because in the north there is such a short summer and so little sun that I want to swim in it when possible. In one-story dwellings, panoramic windows can grow into glass walls.
Previously, houses were built using the same technology as our log houses, but later they began either to sheathe the walls with boards outside (lining), or to use processed timber as a material.Scandinavian buildings usually have a "sharp" gable roof. This "technique" allows the snow to clean itself, and not accumulate in the form of deposits. Flora can also run amok: roofs are often overgrown with moss, creating a disguise for the surrounding nature. Having a second floor is not necessary, but for large families it becomes a necessity. The attic room can be successfully replaced, the northerners love to equip rooms, nurseries and bedrooms under the roof.
Talking about windows. This amount of sunlight is explained by another feature of the Scandinavians: they actively use alternative energy sources, among which the sun comes first. After all, the Swedes, Danes and Finns are trying not to harm the environment. Do not be surprised when you see solar panels on the roof, and a windmill near the house.
Who chooses the Scandinavian interior
This style is preferred, as a rule, by young, energetic people. They want to design their home with maximum comfort, which at the same time is not alien to extravagance. “Solitude and comfort” as a rule are taken by those who are too tired of excessiveness in everything: in colors, details, in forms. They want to come home and feel that only here you can relax and leave all your worries behind the front door. Going to your castle is akin to achieving nirvana in yoga, when a person completely lets go of all the little things and troubles in order to relax. A full-fledged vacation, helps with a double zeal to rush into the maelstrom of everyday life. That is why the Scandinavian style becomes a wonderful contrast for those who know how to relax in order to accumulate strength for even more intensive work.
Color
The main canvas in the Scandinavian style was white. It not only causes server peoples nostalgia for the vast snow-covered expanses, but also expands the space, reflects the light, which is so small in cold climates.To avoid the feeling of emptiness "ringing in the ears", use variations of white with a fraction of warmth: creamy, pearl, ivory. Complement it with calm cold shades. Imagine the winter palette, what will it be? Blue and white with transitions in blue, gray and even turquoise. These tones and will pair with white to form the basis of the color picture. No one forbids adding grains of “warmth” to them in the form of shades of pink, purple, green or yellow, but there should be few of them. In general, in order to determine the color scheme, it is enough to go to nature and look at its palette.
Scandinavians are not so boring people as it might seem at first glance. They are also not alien to the brightness. In the middle of the last century, the designers of a Finnish company came up with a “poppies” print, which glorified the owners and became the organization's calling card. He depicts bright flowers, which are rather primitively painted on a white or the same flashy background. Scandinavians actively use this print in the interior of their homes.
Materials and methods for decoration
Scandinavian style in the interior of a country house dictates strict rules regarding materials for decorating. Everything is very simple: they can only be natural. Finns, Swedes and Norwegians prefer wood (oak, elm, birch). It is lined with walls, decorated with a ceiling and covered with floors. Scandinavians do not like wallpaper, preferring rough strokes of paint. Wood is used not only for the construction and decoration of houses, but also in the creation of furniture. Almost all of it is made of this material with few exceptions when using metal or natural stone. Forget about synthetic drapery or plastic tiles, they will reduce the cost of the atmosphere and ruin the picture of the Scandinavian interior.
Walls
The walls are usually plastered and simply painted in bright colors. Priority is again on the side of white and its shades.When choosing paint, pay attention to its combination with the lighting in the rooms. In a store, it can look very different than in a house. Coarse strokes are also welcome: slight negligence during application will only emphasize the relief of the wall. They rarely resort to wallpaper. They partially paste over, as a rule, only one wall, on which it is necessary to emphasize. Shades are chosen neutral, and the pattern is usually of a "botanical" nature (floral or leafy ornament, discreet cell). Additionally, parts of the wall can be decorated with wood, stone or brick. The latter looks like a "hello" from the industrial style, but it fits into the Scandinavian framework.
Floor
The floor is covered with a laminate, although sometimes a parquet board is used, which is painted with one layer so that the natural pattern of the wood is visible. In colors, preference is given to light shades of brown. Remember, northerners prefer colors close to natural pine and are neglected by red tones. Brown favorably sets off the whiteness of the walls and makes the room's atmosphere warmer. It will be useful to have a fluffy, soft carpet or animal "skin" that is carelessly thrown in front of the threshold or under the sofa by the fireplace. In the kitchen and in the bathroom, the floors are covered with ceramic tiles in neutral tones (a chess pattern is possible): black, white, gray, blue or purple.
Ceiling
The ceilings must be bright. No stucco, painting or other bright elements are placed on them. From time immemorial Scandinavians simply plastered and painted ceilings or whitewashed ceilings. This practice has been preserved to this day. The only acceptable concession is the popular stretch ceilings, but they should be white and matte. Glossy shine from above in the room will be superfluous, will attract unnecessary attention.
Furniture and Textile Selection
The most striking example of Scandinavian furniture can be considered budget items from Ikea.They are original in their simplicity and non-standard solutions. Furniture is chosen from natural wood. Materials based on compressed and glued waste will not work for such an interior. Forget about conspicuous decorative elements that often adorn the legs, handles, or front walls of cabinets, beds, and tables. Use is encouraged:
Marble (countertops).
Glass (coffee tables, decor of furniture doors).
Metal (chairs, decor of racks or cabinets).
Non-trivial forms are perhaps the only thing on which you can recoup with imagination. The Scandinavian style welcomes the originality and quirkiness of the lines that will enliven the interior.
To clearly understand what kind of furniture in question, it is enough to look into the catalogs of the 50-60s. They feature design work by artists such as Saarinen, Jacobsen, Eames or Aalto.
What to focus on
Emphasis is placed mainly in color. As already mentioned above, attention can be focused on the wall pasted with wallpaper with an ornament or on a collage of "multi-sized" paintings, photographs. By the way, even such bright colors can break into the room through such decor.
Photos look original in black and white with bright elements (red dress, burgundy lipstick, blue eyes). Floral prints can also occupy part of the wall or be applied to furniture. On a neutral gray sofa, a couple of lilac pillows are placed, and curtains made from natural fabrics can play shades of green. Do not forget about animal skins (more precisely, their imitation), which cover chairs, sofas or armchairs.
And of course, the northern interior is not complete without indoor plants. No need to turn the premises into a branch of the botanical garden, just a few pots per room. Forget about the flower rows on the windowsills; panoramic windows will simply not allow this. Flowers are placed on tables or special racks.Preference is given to decorative thuja, ferns, dracaena, cacti, and in the bathroom you can place a real bamboo, which will appeal to its microclimate. And of course, in any home, the main focus is the fireplace. The warm heart of the house, its symbolic center, to which the whole family will reach in harsh winters. A decorative woodpile is installed next to it, which will add coziness.
Lighting Features
In conditions of deficit of light on lighting devices do not save, as well as on reflective surfaces. Spherical chandeliers on long holders are placed on the ceilings. To help them, additionally establish sources of point light, which can also emphasize individual areas of the room. The sconces are fixed on the walls, and thin-legged fixtures on the floor and countertops. Scandinavian style is characterized by lighting a certain area of the room with devices of the same color and shape, but of different sizes. When developing a project for a future country house, always focus on the rule of three types of light sources:
Top.
Directional.
Decorative.
Room decoration
There is one golden rule in the harmonious concept of the hugg: each room must fulfill its specific functions. Its purpose is necessarily emphasized, but in this room it is not permissible to get out of the general atmosphere of the house. That is, through all the premises the style passes through with a thin thread, on which the situation is “strung”. It is unique everywhere, but harmony and comfort are preserved in the interior picture. The interior design of a country house is worked out in advance, while consulting with specialists or looking at fashion magazines. You can furnish your home with your own hands, but at the same time you need to take into account all the subtleties so as not to miss and create an unnecessarily sterile, hospital atmosphere.
Perhaps the most important rule to follow is the reflection of the owners' inner world in the decoration of the rooms.The direction is primarily focused on comfort. You should be comfortable and comfortable in your own home, so transfer the "state of mind" to your home.
Living room
In the living room place a minimum of necessary furniture. Just a couple of chairs and a wide, spacious sofa, which also transforms into a sleeping place for late guests. A low coffee table with a glass surface and metal legs is located in a separate corner, next to the bookcase.
Take care of directional lighting for readers: it can be a sconce on the wall or a lamp on the floor. Wide windows usually do not curtain with tulle, because during the day it is necessary to let in a maximum of light, and at night they are covered with dense curtains of neutral color (acceptable with an unobtrusive pattern). The floor near the sofa is covered with a soft carpet. A group of stylish paintings is hung on the walls. Do not forget about the pillows, soft rugs and shawls that are casually thrown onto the sofa and chairs. One wall can be completely covered with a high rack of gray or brown color with a niche for a TV and a few decorative elements (also neutral shades). A tall fern in an elegant and simple pot will add life to the room. If the country house will be equipped with a fireplace, then the living room is an ideal place to place it.
Kitchen
The kitchen is usually combined with the dining room. Zoning of the space is easy to do with the help of a decorative platform, on which they put a dining table and chairs. Its main decoration will be a panoramic window that will allow you to have a meal, having a beautiful view before your eyes. A ready-made set of light shades of wood is put in the kitchen itself. Liberties in the form of metal handles or glass doors are allowed. Tiles of one or a maximum of two colors are laid on the floor. On the apron, you can recoup by laying it out of a bright material in deep purple or green.Remember that warm tones contribute to your appetite, which is why it is here that you can give up perfectly white in favor of its softer shades. Small pots of greens are installed directly on the working area of the table, and on the dining surface a vase with fresh flowers for comfort.
Bedroom
In the bedroom they put a wide bed, which is covered with a blanket of gray or black. Fresh flowers or an indoor plant and a lamp must be placed on the bedside table. Its ceiling is acceptable to choose a bright shade. In the corner you can hang a “soaring” wicker chair with a blanket and pillow, and next to it is a miniature bookcase or a couple of shelves with your favorite books.
The situation is enlivened by a pair of soft knitted poufs or a decorative element on the wall against which the head of the bed rests. The imitation of deer horns, painted white, in this room will look original. The floor is covered with a soft, pleasant to the touch carpet with a pattern that resonates with other textiles in the room.
Children
The children’s room still adheres to a “snow-white” atmosphere, but in this room they add more bright colors. For full development, a child simply needs to live and grow in a "colorful" atmosphere. Acceptable pink or yellow textiles in furniture and on the windows.
One wall is usually decorated with paintings, in the creation of which even the child himself can participate. The design process will be fun and exciting. The original element will be the placement of the "tree of knowledge" in the corner. A natural shelving is created from natural wood, the branches and shelves of which rest on the trunk. Books and toys are placed on them, and nearby you can install a small armchair with a table or a full-fledged working area. It will become more interesting for the child to learn, because for each new work he will have to climb a real century-old oak! Such a design move originally fits into the concept of the Scandinavian style: a natural material that emphasizes the proximity to nature. A functional minimum for a nursery: a relaxation corner, a bed, a wardrobe and a pair of ottomans.
Bathroom
In the bathroom, closed shelves are installed for storing household trifles, because only a stack of white towels can be displayed. They are tiled with tiles or wooden panels, which are treated with special substances that protect the material from high humidity. Ceramics is chosen either plain or with geometric patterns. Do not save on mirrors, there are not many of them in this room. A bright accent will be a shower curtain with a floral print. The sink made of solid stone will look original, which will emphasize the originality of the situation.
Hallway and corridor
In the hallway they use a “furniture” minimum. Refuse bulky dressing rooms in favor of a simple hanger and a special “tube” for umbrellas. A narrow, high chest of drawers will fit under a wide mirror. You can revive the situation with the help of a decorative niche in the wall with a pair of neutral trinkets and several paintings or photographs on the wall. The floor is covered with a rug of dark colors. In a country house, a staircase to the second floor is usually located in the entrance hall. It can be left in its original form, or organized under it a separate area for storing things.
Neat closed shelves will be a real salvation for large families who are hard to cope with the mess. Do not forget about placing additional lights along the entire wall of the corridor or hallway. These are the very rooms that are deprived of the already rare sunlight. The deficit needs to be compensated at several levels at once.
Conclusion
The Scandinavian style entered the global design arena as an ethnic group, but over time it turned into a classic that passed more than one test. Fashion trends could not shake the “pillars” of the direction, only leaked into the northern interiors with a couple of elements. Your country house should breathe prudence, simplicity, ease and comfort.At the same time, a light “winter” cold should blow from him, which is close to both Scandinavians and Russians. Coarse natural elements fit organically into the direction: real stumps instead of chairs, branches-holders for things on the walls or a decorative “path” made of wood saw cuts on the floor. Your house is your cozy fortress, which is sometimes nice to be locked from the outside world. It is this idea that carries a harsh, serious and practical Scandinavian style.
Despite the rich history, the Scandinavian style looks quite modern. Although the direction has a number of signs and obeys certain theses, it conveys rather the spirit, flavor of Scandinavia, and not its specific features. The most important distinguishing features of the characters of the northern peoples were able to be reflected in the style: restraint, frugality, leisurelyness, easy estrangement and boundless love for nature and everything natural. Behind the word "Scandinavia" is a historical region hiding a group of developed countries: Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden.
These states, despite their geographical proximity to the rest of Western Europe, rallied around the symbolic center and always stood apart. Perhaps that is why the characters of the northern inhabitants retained partly primitive, Nordic features.For example, the well-known proverb “my home is my castle” is more relevant for Scandinavians than ever. They always sought to create a cozy, neat home in which they would like to spend most of their lives.
Norwegians and Danes even have the concept of "hügg", which literally translates as "something safe, good and comfortable, which causes a feeling of psychological comfort." In recent decades, it has become a full-fledged life concept, which has been actively introduced into the masses. The hugge also partially affects the interior issue, because the house is a part of human life.
Content
Origin of style
The exact date of the emergence of the Scandinavian style is not known. This process was long and took almost several centuries to "gain momentum." Initially, Scandinavian designers decided to create a unique direction that would have exclusively native features and would meet the requirements of their compatriots. The beginning was laid at the end of the 19th century. The main principle was recognized statement: "more beauty in everyday things." That is, despite the natural human craving for beauty, the northern people have not lost their traditional attachment to practicality.
Although some connoisseurs of the history of design suggest that the birth of the Scandinavian style began even earlier (almost 200 years before), when King Gustav III ascended the throne in Sweden. He devoted a lot of time to fashion and everything connected with it.Perhaps for this reason, the king lost sight of the conspiracy of aristocrats, which led to his death, but that's another story. Gustav, by his example, began to show the Swedes that no matter how beautifully the British, Italians and French would decorate their houses, their style can not only be copied, but also added something of their own. Baroque and Rococo at that time were replaced by an elegant Empire style, which in Sweden went on a completely different path, where it “grew” with numerous elements characteristic only for northerners.
Over three centuries, the direction has finally formed and gained strength. Unfortunately, until recently, they did not pay much attention to it, until modern Europe (trendsetter), tired of pretentiousness, pomp and luxury, turned its attention to simple styles. This happened in the 30s at the International Exhibition held in Stockholm. Designers demonstrated their work, reflecting the lifestyle of the average citizen of Sweden or Finland. The shown was a success, which was consolidated 20 years later in Canada and the USA after repeated exhibitions. Since then, the direction has its own official name, which increasingly appears in textbooks and magazines on interior design.
Luxury gradually lost ground, and new directions burst into houses and apartments, like a breath of fresh air. Some of them were as restrained as possible (minimalism, technological modern), while others allowed themselves the presence of gross details (Provence, rustic, industrial, fusion). And at this very moment, a quiet and inconspicuous Scandinavian way of life (that same mysterious concept), interested Europeans tired of the chronic pursuit of time itself. With the advent of the hyugge, to which whole tracts began to be devoted, where the Scandinavians are taken apart, perhaps under a microscope, the interior style characteristic of them became popular. He is calm, but not without emotion (albeit meager).
Features of the Scandinavian style
The main features according to which the Scandinavian style can be distinguished from the closest "relatives" include the following features.
When you make a home, you can save money without buying a “multilayer” finish, but natural wood or stone will require additional costs.
Exterior and construction features
Projects of Scandinavian houses are reliable. The architect must carefully verify all the details and remove the excess that does not carry any functional load. Northerners prefer to settle in private country houses, which are completely different from our traditional dachas. During the construction of the Scandinavians always pay attention to the surrounding nature: it must never be destroyed. Only the location remains of the summer residence here, but in general the dwelling is more like a comfortable forester's hut.
The place is chosen as calm as possible with charming rural landscapes that can be admired through panoramic windows. This is another feature of such houses: they must let in maximum light and allow to calm down spiritually when seeing the surrounding beauties. The line did not develop from scratch, because in the north there is such a short summer and so little sun that I want to swim in it when possible. In one-story dwellings, panoramic windows can grow into glass walls.
Previously, houses were built using the same technology as our log houses, but later they began either to sheathe the walls with boards outside (lining), or to use processed timber as a material.Scandinavian buildings usually have a "sharp" gable roof. This "technique" allows the snow to clean itself, and not accumulate in the form of deposits. Flora can also run amok: roofs are often overgrown with moss, creating a disguise for the surrounding nature. Having a second floor is not necessary, but for large families it becomes a necessity. The attic room can be successfully replaced, the northerners love to equip rooms, nurseries and bedrooms under the roof.
Who chooses the Scandinavian interior
This style is preferred, as a rule, by young, energetic people. They want to design their home with maximum comfort, which at the same time is not alien to extravagance. “Solitude and comfort” as a rule are taken by those who are too tired of excessiveness in everything: in colors, details, in forms. They want to come home and feel that only here you can relax and leave all your worries behind the front door. Going to your castle is akin to achieving nirvana in yoga, when a person completely lets go of all the little things and troubles in order to relax. A full-fledged vacation, helps with a double zeal to rush into the maelstrom of everyday life. That is why the Scandinavian style becomes a wonderful contrast for those who know how to relax in order to accumulate strength for even more intensive work.
Color
The main canvas in the Scandinavian style was white. It not only causes server peoples nostalgia for the vast snow-covered expanses, but also expands the space, reflects the light, which is so small in cold climates.To avoid the feeling of emptiness "ringing in the ears", use variations of white with a fraction of warmth: creamy, pearl, ivory. Complement it with calm cold shades. Imagine the winter palette, what will it be? Blue and white with transitions in blue, gray and even turquoise. These tones and will pair with white to form the basis of the color picture. No one forbids adding grains of “warmth” to them in the form of shades of pink, purple, green or yellow, but there should be few of them. In general, in order to determine the color scheme, it is enough to go to nature and look at its palette.
Materials and methods for decoration
Scandinavian style in the interior of a country house dictates strict rules regarding materials for decorating. Everything is very simple: they can only be natural. Finns, Swedes and Norwegians prefer wood (oak, elm, birch). It is lined with walls, decorated with a ceiling and covered with floors. Scandinavians do not like wallpaper, preferring rough strokes of paint. Wood is used not only for the construction and decoration of houses, but also in the creation of furniture. Almost all of it is made of this material with few exceptions when using metal or natural stone. Forget about synthetic drapery or plastic tiles, they will reduce the cost of the atmosphere and ruin the picture of the Scandinavian interior.
Walls
The walls are usually plastered and simply painted in bright colors. Priority is again on the side of white and its shades.When choosing paint, pay attention to its combination with the lighting in the rooms. In a store, it can look very different than in a house. Coarse strokes are also welcome: slight negligence during application will only emphasize the relief of the wall. They rarely resort to wallpaper. They partially paste over, as a rule, only one wall, on which it is necessary to emphasize. Shades are chosen neutral, and the pattern is usually of a "botanical" nature (floral or leafy ornament, discreet cell). Additionally, parts of the wall can be decorated with wood, stone or brick. The latter looks like a "hello" from the industrial style, but it fits into the Scandinavian framework.
Floor
The floor is covered with a laminate, although sometimes a parquet board is used, which is painted with one layer so that the natural pattern of the wood is visible. In colors, preference is given to light shades of brown. Remember, northerners prefer colors close to natural pine and are neglected by red tones. Brown favorably sets off the whiteness of the walls and makes the room's atmosphere warmer. It will be useful to have a fluffy, soft carpet or animal "skin" that is carelessly thrown in front of the threshold or under the sofa by the fireplace. In the kitchen and in the bathroom, the floors are covered with ceramic tiles in neutral tones (a chess pattern is possible): black, white, gray, blue or purple.
Ceiling
The ceilings must be bright. No stucco, painting or other bright elements are placed on them. From time immemorial Scandinavians simply plastered and painted ceilings or whitewashed ceilings. This practice has been preserved to this day. The only acceptable concession is the popular stretch ceilings, but they should be white and matte. Glossy shine from above in the room will be superfluous, will attract unnecessary attention.
Furniture and Textile Selection
The most striking example of Scandinavian furniture can be considered budget items from Ikea.They are original in their simplicity and non-standard solutions. Furniture is chosen from natural wood. Materials based on compressed and glued waste will not work for such an interior. Forget about conspicuous decorative elements that often adorn the legs, handles, or front walls of cabinets, beds, and tables. Use is encouraged:
Non-trivial forms are perhaps the only thing on which you can recoup with imagination. The Scandinavian style welcomes the originality and quirkiness of the lines that will enliven the interior.
What to focus on
Emphasis is placed mainly in color. As already mentioned above, attention can be focused on the wall pasted with wallpaper with an ornament or on a collage of "multi-sized" paintings, photographs. By the way, even such bright colors can break into the room through such decor.
Photos look original in black and white with bright elements (red dress, burgundy lipstick, blue eyes). Floral prints can also occupy part of the wall or be applied to furniture. On a neutral gray sofa, a couple of lilac pillows are placed, and curtains made from natural fabrics can play shades of green. Do not forget about animal skins (more precisely, their imitation), which cover chairs, sofas or armchairs.
And of course, the northern interior is not complete without indoor plants. No need to turn the premises into a branch of the botanical garden, just a few pots per room. Forget about the flower rows on the windowsills; panoramic windows will simply not allow this. Flowers are placed on tables or special racks.Preference is given to decorative thuja, ferns, dracaena, cacti, and in the bathroom you can place a real bamboo, which will appeal to its microclimate. And of course, in any home, the main focus is the fireplace. The warm heart of the house, its symbolic center, to which the whole family will reach in harsh winters. A decorative woodpile is installed next to it, which will add coziness.
Lighting Features
In conditions of deficit of light on lighting devices do not save, as well as on reflective surfaces. Spherical chandeliers on long holders are placed on the ceilings. To help them, additionally establish sources of point light, which can also emphasize individual areas of the room. The sconces are fixed on the walls, and thin-legged fixtures on the floor and countertops. Scandinavian style is characterized by lighting a certain area of the room with devices of the same color and shape, but of different sizes. When developing a project for a future country house, always focus on the rule of three types of light sources:
Room decoration
There is one golden rule in the harmonious concept of the hugg: each room must fulfill its specific functions. Its purpose is necessarily emphasized, but in this room it is not permissible to get out of the general atmosphere of the house. That is, through all the premises the style passes through with a thin thread, on which the situation is “strung”. It is unique everywhere, but harmony and comfort are preserved in the interior picture. The interior design of a country house is worked out in advance, while consulting with specialists or looking at fashion magazines. You can furnish your home with your own hands, but at the same time you need to take into account all the subtleties so as not to miss and create an unnecessarily sterile, hospital atmosphere.
Living room
In the living room place a minimum of necessary furniture. Just a couple of chairs and a wide, spacious sofa, which also transforms into a sleeping place for late guests. A low coffee table with a glass surface and metal legs is located in a separate corner, next to the bookcase.
Take care of directional lighting for readers: it can be a sconce on the wall or a lamp on the floor. Wide windows usually do not curtain with tulle, because during the day it is necessary to let in a maximum of light, and at night they are covered with dense curtains of neutral color (acceptable with an unobtrusive pattern). The floor near the sofa is covered with a soft carpet. A group of stylish paintings is hung on the walls. Do not forget about the pillows, soft rugs and shawls that are casually thrown onto the sofa and chairs. One wall can be completely covered with a high rack of gray or brown color with a niche for a TV and a few decorative elements (also neutral shades). A tall fern in an elegant and simple pot will add life to the room. If the country house will be equipped with a fireplace, then the living room is an ideal place to place it.
Kitchen
The kitchen is usually combined with the dining room. Zoning of the space is easy to do with the help of a decorative platform, on which they put a dining table and chairs. Its main decoration will be a panoramic window that will allow you to have a meal, having a beautiful view before your eyes. A ready-made set of light shades of wood is put in the kitchen itself. Liberties in the form of metal handles or glass doors are allowed. Tiles of one or a maximum of two colors are laid on the floor. On the apron, you can recoup by laying it out of a bright material in deep purple or green.Remember that warm tones contribute to your appetite, which is why it is here that you can give up perfectly white in favor of its softer shades. Small pots of greens are installed directly on the working area of the table, and on the dining surface a vase with fresh flowers for comfort.
Bedroom
In the bedroom they put a wide bed, which is covered with a blanket of gray or black. Fresh flowers or an indoor plant and a lamp must be placed on the bedside table. Its ceiling is acceptable to choose a bright shade. In the corner you can hang a “soaring” wicker chair with a blanket and pillow, and next to it is a miniature bookcase or a couple of shelves with your favorite books.
The situation is enlivened by a pair of soft knitted poufs or a decorative element on the wall against which the head of the bed rests. The imitation of deer horns, painted white, in this room will look original. The floor is covered with a soft, pleasant to the touch carpet with a pattern that resonates with other textiles in the room.
Children
The children’s room still adheres to a “snow-white” atmosphere, but in this room they add more bright colors. For full development, a child simply needs to live and grow in a "colorful" atmosphere. Acceptable pink or yellow textiles in furniture and on the windows.
One wall is usually decorated with paintings, in the creation of which even the child himself can participate. The design process will be fun and exciting. The original element will be the placement of the "tree of knowledge" in the corner. A natural shelving is created from natural wood, the branches and shelves of which rest on the trunk. Books and toys are placed on them, and nearby you can install a small armchair with a table or a full-fledged working area. It will become more interesting for the child to learn, because for each new work he will have to climb a real century-old oak! Such a design move originally fits into the concept of the Scandinavian style: a natural material that emphasizes the proximity to nature. A functional minimum for a nursery: a relaxation corner, a bed, a wardrobe and a pair of ottomans.
Bathroom
In the bathroom, closed shelves are installed for storing household trifles, because only a stack of white towels can be displayed. They are tiled with tiles or wooden panels, which are treated with special substances that protect the material from high humidity. Ceramics is chosen either plain or with geometric patterns. Do not save on mirrors, there are not many of them in this room. A bright accent will be a shower curtain with a floral print. The sink made of solid stone will look original, which will emphasize the originality of the situation.
Hallway and corridor
In the hallway they use a “furniture” minimum. Refuse bulky dressing rooms in favor of a simple hanger and a special “tube” for umbrellas. A narrow, high chest of drawers will fit under a wide mirror. You can revive the situation with the help of a decorative niche in the wall with a pair of neutral trinkets and several paintings or photographs on the wall. The floor is covered with a rug of dark colors. In a country house, a staircase to the second floor is usually located in the entrance hall. It can be left in its original form, or organized under it a separate area for storing things.
Neat closed shelves will be a real salvation for large families who are hard to cope with the mess. Do not forget about placing additional lights along the entire wall of the corridor or hallway. These are the very rooms that are deprived of the already rare sunlight. The deficit needs to be compensated at several levels at once.
Conclusion
The Scandinavian style entered the global design arena as an ethnic group, but over time it turned into a classic that passed more than one test. Fashion trends could not shake the “pillars” of the direction, only leaked into the northern interiors with a couple of elements. Your country house should breathe prudence, simplicity, ease and comfort.At the same time, a light “winter” cold should blow from him, which is close to both Scandinavians and Russians. Coarse natural elements fit organically into the direction: real stumps instead of chairs, branches-holders for things on the walls or a decorative “path” made of wood saw cuts on the floor. Your house is your cozy fortress, which is sometimes nice to be locked from the outside world. It is this idea that carries a harsh, serious and practical Scandinavian style.