Swedish style is part of a large group of ethnic areas. It is not as popular as prim English, laconic Mediterranean (Greek), or romantic Italian. The Swedish style is closely connected with the Scandinavian. Sometimes both of these concepts are even considered as one. In fact, the style is one of the varieties of the Scandinavian, as Sweden is part of the historical and cultural region of the same name along with Denmark and Norway, to which sometimes Iceland is also considered. In this part of Europe, where the harsh northern beauty surrounds the cities, at the mentality level, locals with special trepidation relate to nature and everything natural. This love is reflected in the interiors. To understand how highly the Swedes value the surrounding nature, it is enough to give a clear example. If a tree grows at the place where the construction of a private house is planned, then if possible it will not be cut down, clearing the site, but “surrounded” by a veranda, making it part of the situation. The Swedish style in the interior has become one of the founders of the eco trend. Let's talk about its characteristics and a special role in design.
The beginning of the history of style has not been lost in the mists of time, as happened with many other ethnic trends. It began to form in the second half of the 18th century. If before this period the interiors of average Swedish houses were created according to the principles of pan-European fashion, then after (through the efforts of national symbolists and modernists) the basic principles of the style that became autonomous were formulated. Many people associate its origin with the German sociologist Max Weber, who proposed the concept of Protestant work ethic to society. It followed that only honest, conscientious work, indestructible faith and restraint in everything (including the "good" of humanity) can become the key to a solid economy and a happy society. The new concept laid the foundation for laconicism and rigor in Swedish interiors, which reflect the national character as much as possible.
The Swedes appreciate a stable position in society, good earnings, but at the same time they do not boast of their achievements and do not equip houses and apartments with luxurious items, which, by default, should be "dusting". Therefore, the Swedish style can be safely called a direct antagonist of Baroque, Rococo, Empire, that is, those areas in which pompous drowned France, Germany and Italy. It was formed on the fragments of classicism, absorbing the bold ideas of impressionism, romanticism and sentimentalism. Above, the concept of direction was slightly seasoned with national traditions. As usual, innovative ideas were picked up not only by designers, but also by poets, artists, sculptors. Among the most famous masters of the "new genre" can be noted industrial designer Sixten Sasson, the artist Karl Larsson, the architect Gunnar Asplund. Their work became exemplary for the nascent Swedish style.
The Swedish style is closely connected with the concept of "hügg", which is increasingly savored by modern interior fashion magazines. Although the word is taken from Norwegian and Danish, the state of the Three Crowns is also directly related to it. Neighboring countries have similar cultures, so the concepts of coziness and comfort are not much different.
Features, salient features and characteristic style
The concept of the Swedish style can be expressed in one phrase "moderation in everything." The following features are characteristic of the direction:
Light (mostly white) walls and pastel colors in the interior.
Light wood furniture.
Natural details in the interior (branches, stumps, moss) that are characteristic of the modern version of the Swedish style.
The abundance of light, both artificial and natural.
Laconic decor, which is usually presented by massive floor vases, rugs and small pillows that adorn the surfaces of upholstered furniture.
The lack of dense curtains and curtains. Windows simply close the blinds or hang light curtains from translucent fabrics. By the way, the openings themselves are wide, more like French panoramic ones.
Before planning the design of a room, it is worthwhile to pay attention to the climatic conditions in which the Swedes live. They largely influenced their national character (restrained, severe, alien to familiarity) and the interiors of houses. The weather here also does not favor warmth, as in the vast majority of Russia. Winter is long and harsh. Landscapes are mostly monotonous, the sun rarely looks out, and even then mostly in the summer. Therefore, the interior of the room is equipped in such a way as to let the maximum amount of scarce light into the house.
Materials and methods of decoration
The decoration is used mainly natural materials. The walls are covered with light paint in white or milk shade. They can also be plastered or papered. Combination finishes are also welcome.For example, three walls are covered with plaster, and the fourth is pasted over with textured wallpaper with a "marble" pattern. Since the surface is accented, it is acceptable to use bright colors: cherry, green, blue. The ceiling is also plastered or finished with a stretch fabric with a glossy sheen. It will play the role of an additional reflective surface that refracts light. In the living room, bedroom, children's room and hallway, the floor is covered with a laminate or parquet board made of light wood. The kitchen and bathroom use ceramic tiles. In the latter, walls are also tiled. In a modern variation of the Swedish style, light shades of brickwork are allowed in the interior. Such a design decision, as a rule, is aimed at zoning large or combined rooms. The bedroom and living room use long boards for which deck-laying is ideal. If the apartment is under the roof, then the ceiling is decorated with stucco and gray or brown beams, which alternate with windows. This colorful finish is somewhat reminiscent of the chalet style.
Swedes are “closed” to strangers. They show their character only in the circle of close people. Therefore, the interiors of their houses are designed primarily for comfort for the owners, and in second place is convenience for guests. The Swedish house is truly an impregnable fortress, in which only a select few are allowed.
Color schemes
The basis of the color scheme will be white. Complement it with light shades of brown, which painted wooden surfaces. By the way, they recommend using larch, as its color is perfect for Swedish interiors. The ceiling is traditionally white. The walls are painted either to match his tone, or a couple of shades of pastel are chosen. Gray or tan floors are covered with accent rugs. Bright colors are present in the interiors, but in extremely scarce quantities. Accents are chosen from two to three tones.As a rule, it is blue, blue, lilac, green, purple, turquoise, mint and in rare cases pink, coral. Bright spots are evenly distributed between the decor and furniture.
Lighting
They do not save on lighting in Swedish interiors. For the bedroom, they select a ceiling chandelier and wall sconces, floor / table lamps, which are placed on both sides of the bed. In the living room, lighting equipment is sure to equip every corner. For these purposes, again choose a sconce, lamps with original shades, candles, lanterns. In addition, point sources of light are used, which are placed around the perimeter of the room on the ceiling and on top of the furniture. Accent wall can be illuminated with bulbs. In the kitchen, which is combined with the dining room, instead of the central chandelier, a group of lamps is suspended above the dining area. The lack of light above the worktops is made up for by the bulbs built into the lower shelves. In the bathroom, as in the hallway, mirrors must be decorated with paired sconces. For the rest of the lighting, the ceiling chandelier is of a simple configuration.
Furniture selection and placement rules
The living room has a large sofa with bright upholstery. A wooden coffee table is placed in front of him on the rug. A small fireplace is usually installed in this room, which will add warmth and comfort to the atmosphere. They also separate a small reading corner with book shelves. In the Swedish living rooms, armchairs or ottomans are usually placed in the corners, which can accommodate homework during a holiday. Thus, everyone will gather in one room, but at the same time they will not interfere with each other doing their own business.
The bedroom has a spacious light wood bed. Included with it are two nightstands, symmetrically located on the sides. They put a small couch at the foot, and if there is enough space left, they will replace it with a canapes, a gantry, a river or an ottoman.Any of them will allow you to relax or take a nap behind a book in the bedroom during the day, without bothering with a bed. Complement the interior with a dressing table, chest of drawers or dressing table, painted in white. If the size of the bedroom allows, then here they put a modern wardrobe with a mirrored facade. The kitchen uses a standard furniture set consisting of a dining group (table and chairs) and a kitchen set. The latter is chosen from simple models, where the bottom is represented by cabinets with doors, and the top is an open storage system. In the hallway they also cost a minimum of furniture and decor: a cupboard, canapes, a mirror on the wall and a hanger for outerwear. Everything is done in bright colors. In the bathroom, preference is given to “angular” plumbing with chrome elements. Shower rooms, by the way, are rarely replaced with bathtubs. Of furniture, only one white stand and a couple of open shelves for towels are enough. Upholstery of upholstered furniture is mostly plain. It is allowed to use textiles with a discreet floral pattern.
Lightweight wicker furniture (usually armchairs) is encouraged in the bedroom and living room. They unobtrusively emphasize the “airiness” of the interior and fit into the color composition with light brown notes.
Decor Elements and Accessories
Swedish decor is responsible for the comfort of the room, as the furniture and decoration are selected according to the principles of restraint. You can dilute the interior only with the help of jewelry and stylish things. They do not force the whole room, the accents are evenly distributed over its area, so that not a single corner remains “forgotten”. The floors are decorated with carpets: bright, plain, patterned, with a long pile or in the form of animal skins. One or two paintings with pictures of picturesque landscapes are hung on the walls or decorated with groups of family photos. Vases of unusual shapes, beautiful bottles, plates with unobtrusive painting are placed on countertops. On the shelves place books interspersed with candlesticks, photos on supplies, for hours.The floor is decorated with lamps or massive vases. We must not forget about the "green touches" in the form of houseplants. Armchairs, sofas, beds are covered with warm rugs and decorated with groups of brightly colored pillows to match the secondary color scheme. The use of knitted parts is welcome. The windows are traditionally fixed blinds. Thin organza curtains are used in the bedroom, where textile curtains give a special cosiness.
Conclusion
The “Swedish footprint” in interior design is not limited to furniture and decor from Ikea. Although, if you ask a question about the associations that this country causes, every second one will come to this particular conglomerate. The Swedish style was formed a long time ago, but only the last 10-20 years began to appear outside the homeland. The reason for this demand was the popularization of minimalism. Concise, simple, but clearly calibrated interiors, in which there is harmony between the material and the spiritual, began to be appreciated very highly. Then the world designers turned their attention to the line of styles, which were grouped under the general name "Scandinavian".
Swedish style is part of a large group of ethnic areas. It is not as popular as prim English, laconic Mediterranean (Greek), or romantic Italian. The Swedish style is closely connected with the Scandinavian. Sometimes both of these concepts are even considered as one. In fact, the style is one of the varieties of the Scandinavian, as Sweden is part of the historical and cultural region of the same name along with Denmark and Norway, to which sometimes Iceland is also considered. In this part of Europe, where the harsh northern beauty surrounds the cities, at the mentality level, locals with special trepidation relate to nature and everything natural. This love is reflected in the interiors. To understand how highly the Swedes value the surrounding nature, it is enough to give a clear example. If a tree grows at the place where the construction of a private house is planned, then if possible it will not be cut down, clearing the site, but “surrounded” by a veranda, making it part of the situation. The Swedish style in the interior has become one of the founders of the eco trend. Let's talk about its characteristics and a special role in design.
Content
Style story
The beginning of the history of style has not been lost in the mists of time, as happened with many other ethnic trends. It began to form in the second half of the 18th century. If before this period the interiors of average Swedish houses were created according to the principles of pan-European fashion, then after (through the efforts of national symbolists and modernists) the basic principles of the style that became autonomous were formulated. Many people associate its origin with the German sociologist Max Weber, who proposed the concept of Protestant work ethic to society. It followed that only honest, conscientious work, indestructible faith and restraint in everything (including the "good" of humanity) can become the key to a solid economy and a happy society. The new concept laid the foundation for laconicism and rigor in Swedish interiors, which reflect the national character as much as possible.
The Swedes appreciate a stable position in society, good earnings, but at the same time they do not boast of their achievements and do not equip houses and apartments with luxurious items, which, by default, should be "dusting". Therefore, the Swedish style can be safely called a direct antagonist of Baroque, Rococo, Empire, that is, those areas in which pompous drowned France, Germany and Italy. It was formed on the fragments of classicism, absorbing the bold ideas of impressionism, romanticism and sentimentalism. Above, the concept of direction was slightly seasoned with national traditions. As usual, innovative ideas were picked up not only by designers, but also by poets, artists, sculptors. Among the most famous masters of the "new genre" can be noted industrial designer Sixten Sasson, the artist Karl Larsson, the architect Gunnar Asplund. Their work became exemplary for the nascent Swedish style.
Features, salient features and characteristic style
The concept of the Swedish style can be expressed in one phrase "moderation in everything." The following features are characteristic of the direction:
Before planning the design of a room, it is worthwhile to pay attention to the climatic conditions in which the Swedes live. They largely influenced their national character (restrained, severe, alien to familiarity) and the interiors of houses. The weather here also does not favor warmth, as in the vast majority of Russia. Winter is long and harsh. Landscapes are mostly monotonous, the sun rarely looks out, and even then mostly in the summer. Therefore, the interior of the room is equipped in such a way as to let the maximum amount of scarce light into the house.
Materials and methods of decoration
The decoration is used mainly natural materials. The walls are covered with light paint in white or milk shade. They can also be plastered or papered. Combination finishes are also welcome.For example, three walls are covered with plaster, and the fourth is pasted over with textured wallpaper with a "marble" pattern. Since the surface is accented, it is acceptable to use bright colors: cherry, green, blue. The ceiling is also plastered or finished with a stretch fabric with a glossy sheen. It will play the role of an additional reflective surface that refracts light. In the living room, bedroom, children's room and hallway, the floor is covered with a laminate or parquet board made of light wood. The kitchen and bathroom use ceramic tiles. In the latter, walls are also tiled. In a modern variation of the Swedish style, light shades of brickwork are allowed in the interior. Such a design decision, as a rule, is aimed at zoning large or combined rooms. The bedroom and living room use long boards for which deck-laying is ideal. If the apartment is under the roof, then the ceiling is decorated with stucco and gray or brown beams, which alternate with windows. This colorful finish is somewhat reminiscent of the chalet style.
Color schemes
The basis of the color scheme will be white. Complement it with light shades of brown, which painted wooden surfaces. By the way, they recommend using larch, as its color is perfect for Swedish interiors. The ceiling is traditionally white. The walls are painted either to match his tone, or a couple of shades of pastel are chosen. Gray or tan floors are covered with accent rugs. Bright colors are present in the interiors, but in extremely scarce quantities. Accents are chosen from two to three tones.As a rule, it is blue, blue, lilac, green, purple, turquoise, mint and in rare cases pink, coral. Bright spots are evenly distributed between the decor and furniture.
Lighting
They do not save on lighting in Swedish interiors. For the bedroom, they select a ceiling chandelier and wall sconces, floor / table lamps, which are placed on both sides of the bed. In the living room, lighting equipment is sure to equip every corner. For these purposes, again choose a sconce, lamps with original shades, candles, lanterns. In addition, point sources of light are used, which are placed around the perimeter of the room on the ceiling and on top of the furniture. Accent wall can be illuminated with bulbs. In the kitchen, which is combined with the dining room, instead of the central chandelier, a group of lamps is suspended above the dining area. The lack of light above the worktops is made up for by the bulbs built into the lower shelves. In the bathroom, as in the hallway, mirrors must be decorated with paired sconces. For the rest of the lighting, the ceiling chandelier is of a simple configuration.
Furniture selection and placement rules
The living room has a large sofa with bright upholstery. A wooden coffee table is placed in front of him on the rug. A small fireplace is usually installed in this room, which will add warmth and comfort to the atmosphere. They also separate a small reading corner with book shelves. In the Swedish living rooms, armchairs or ottomans are usually placed in the corners, which can accommodate homework during a holiday. Thus, everyone will gather in one room, but at the same time they will not interfere with each other doing their own business.
The bedroom has a spacious light wood bed. Included with it are two nightstands, symmetrically located on the sides. They put a small couch at the foot, and if there is enough space left, they will replace it with a canapes, a gantry, a river or an ottoman.Any of them will allow you to relax or take a nap behind a book in the bedroom during the day, without bothering with a bed. Complement the interior with a dressing table, chest of drawers or dressing table, painted in white. If the size of the bedroom allows, then here they put a modern wardrobe with a mirrored facade. The kitchen uses a standard furniture set consisting of a dining group (table and chairs) and a kitchen set. The latter is chosen from simple models, where the bottom is represented by cabinets with doors, and the top is an open storage system. In the hallway they also cost a minimum of furniture and decor: a cupboard, canapes, a mirror on the wall and a hanger for outerwear. Everything is done in bright colors. In the bathroom, preference is given to “angular” plumbing with chrome elements. Shower rooms, by the way, are rarely replaced with bathtubs. Of furniture, only one white stand and a couple of open shelves for towels are enough. Upholstery of upholstered furniture is mostly plain. It is allowed to use textiles with a discreet floral pattern.
Decor Elements and Accessories
Swedish decor is responsible for the comfort of the room, as the furniture and decoration are selected according to the principles of restraint. You can dilute the interior only with the help of jewelry and stylish things. They do not force the whole room, the accents are evenly distributed over its area, so that not a single corner remains “forgotten”. The floors are decorated with carpets: bright, plain, patterned, with a long pile or in the form of animal skins. One or two paintings with pictures of picturesque landscapes are hung on the walls or decorated with groups of family photos. Vases of unusual shapes, beautiful bottles, plates with unobtrusive painting are placed on countertops. On the shelves place books interspersed with candlesticks, photos on supplies, for hours.The floor is decorated with lamps or massive vases. We must not forget about the "green touches" in the form of houseplants. Armchairs, sofas, beds are covered with warm rugs and decorated with groups of brightly colored pillows to match the secondary color scheme. The use of knitted parts is welcome. The windows are traditionally fixed blinds. Thin organza curtains are used in the bedroom, where textile curtains give a special cosiness.
Conclusion
The “Swedish footprint” in interior design is not limited to furniture and decor from Ikea. Although, if you ask a question about the associations that this country causes, every second one will come to this particular conglomerate. The Swedish style was formed a long time ago, but only the last 10-20 years began to appear outside the homeland. The reason for this demand was the popularization of minimalism. Concise, simple, but clearly calibrated interiors, in which there is harmony between the material and the spiritual, began to be appreciated very highly. Then the world designers turned their attention to the line of styles, which were grouped under the general name "Scandinavian".