Scandinavian interior for the kitchen: creating a comfortable space design

Characteristic features of the style

When recreating a Scandinavian interior, you should adhere to the following design features:

• Light colors, shades that visually expand the space, and dark details.
• Natural materials.
• Visual lightness of furniture, simplicity and strictness of lines.
• Practicality, ergonomics, and a small amount of decor.

The photo shows a light kitchen with snow-white furniture and wood trim.

Scandinavian style is suitable for both spacious and small kitchens, as well as for rooms with an asymmetrical layout.

Choosing the right colors

The Scandinavian style was formed under the influence of the climatic conditions of Sweden, so the colors used in the interior are close to natural. The basis is light colors: white, gray, beige. Black, graphite and brown are used as accents.

The photo shows a gray kitchen in Scandinavian style with the addition of black and white details.

Pure colors are almost never used: dusty blue, pistachio, mint and pale lemon are appropriate. Dark blue tones often serve as a background for a white set, but can also be used in decor. Depending on the amount of natural light, both warm and cold shades are used.

In the photo, the blue walls in the kitchen interior harmonize with white furniture and a brown floor.

What finishes and materials are suitable?

Scandinavian style kitchen design involves the use of environmentally friendly materials in both furniture and finishing. The Scandi style reflects the features of a rustic lifestyle, so plastic is rarely found in interiors.

Traditionally, the floor is covered with wood: for example, a board. But it is difficult to take care of, so all sorts of imitations come to the fore – high-quality laminate and linoleum, which are difficult to distinguish from wood.

The most practical covering for a Scandinavian kitchen remains ceramic tiles. Light coverings are more preferable, since splashes are less noticeable on them. For comfortable use, a heated floor is laid under the tiles.

The photo shows a kitchen with a wooden floor treated with a special white wax.

There are no strict requirements for finishing the walls of a Scandinavian-style kitchen: wallpaper, paint, and brickwork are used. In a small kitchen, it is recommended to avoid active prints. The most advantageous option is plain wallpaper, light washable paint, or plaster.

The main requirement for ceiling – conciseness and white color. Scandinavian interior does not tolerate clutter: a multi-tiered plasterboard structure will look inorganic. It is worth choosing a simple finish: painting, whitewashing or a matte stretch ceiling.

When decorating an apron, the main thing is to remember about practicality. The space between the cabinets and wall units should be easy to clean, but have an attractive appearance. Glass, imitation wood and ceramic tiles are suitable. The apron can be contrasting, in the same tone as the kitchen unit or the floor.

Kitchen set

The design of the cabinets and cupboards is laconic: the facades are most often chosen white, and the countertop “under the tree” adds warmth and coziness to the set. The color scheme of the kitchen set is usually in light wood shades, smoky and sand tones. Since the Scandi style strives for naturalness, gloss is rarely used for facades.

Accessories without unnecessary details and decorations can merge with the facades or contrast with them. An alternative to smooth doors in the Scandinavian style are milling and moldings, but they are used sparingly.

A small kitchen is usually arranged according to a linear (straight) layout, when furniture and appliances are placed in one row. It takes up little space, but is not always convenient for cooking, as it violates the rule of the working triangle.

A more practical option is a corner layout: such kitchens are made to order. With an L-shaped layout, even in a narrow room there is still room for a dining area. If the kitchen is large, the kitchen set can occupy three walls: this layout is called U-shaped.

The photo shows a corner kitchen in Scandinavian style with white facades and a wooden countertop.

With a two-row arrangement, the kitchen unit is placed along opposite walls. This solution is for those who cook a lot and have a separate dining room, or a square-shaped room allows you to fit a dining table between the work areas.

The most advantageous option for a spacious kitchen is an island layout. The island cabinet in the center of the room can serve as a dining table, a bar counter, additional storage space and a work surface.

Deciding on furniture and kitchen appliances

Furniture found in the Scandinavian style is characterized by functionality, clear lines and natural materials.

Dining group

Table in the dining area, as a rule, made of wood: in Scandinavia, the most popular material for making furniture is pine. It is not considered expensive and has a distinct texture. Its shape depends on the size of the room: long rectangular or round tables will fit into a spacious kitchen, square or folding items – into a small one.

Sofas and soft corners are extremely rare in Scandinavian kitchens. Comfortable wooden chairs on thin legs, decorated with pillows, and the famous designer chairs Eames Wood are used. The restored retro chairs add a special charm to the interior: a collection of different models looks homely and cozy.

The photo shows a spacious kitchen with a balcony, the dining area of which is decorated with a round table and elegant retro chairs.

Storage Systems

To make the kitchen as convenient as possible, Scandinavians use a variety of ideas: they hang cabinets up to the ceiling, increasing the usable area; they install rails with hanging baskets so that the items needed for cooking are always at hand. Open shelves are also a controversial but interesting solution: they add coziness and space.

The photo shows a Scandinavian kitchen with open shelves, the contents of which serve as a kind of decor.

Household appliances

Built-in appliances look the most harmonious in a Scandinavian interior. If this option is not suitable, it is worth choosing chrome products. Smeg refrigerators with a 1950s design are especially popular in modern kitchens.

Choosing curtains and decor

Using textiles in the kitchen is a way to make a laconic interior more homely. Curtains for the kitchen are chosen from natural materials: cotton and linen, but may be absent altogether. An alternative to curtains, which add coziness but absorb natural light from the windows, are blinds, roller blinds and Roman blinds.

House plants, posters, and chalkboards serve as decoration. The main thing is not to overdo it with decorative elements, since both tiles on the apron and original dishes on the shelves can serve as a bright accent.

The photo shows classic Scandinavian decor – a collection of posters, and soft pillows and a rug in the form of a skin fill the kitchen style with coziness.

What lamps are suitable?

Natural light is especially valued in northern Scandinavia, and its lack forces residents of the countries to use as many electrical appliances as possible. Chandeliers, wall sconces, and pendant lights above the dining table are suitable for lighting a Scandinavian-style kitchen.

Light sources help to zone the kitchen-living room or studio apartment. To create a more cozy and hygge feeling, Scandinavians hang garlands with warm light and place candles.

Photo in the kitchen interior

Designed, it would seem, in the same style, the rooms can look different. To save on repairs, you can combine it with loft elements, adding concrete textures, aged wood and leaving the communications open.

In the photo, the Scandinavian style in the interior of a light kitchen is harmoniously combined with loft elements.

Natural boards or log walls will look great in the interior of a summer house: the Scandinavian style easily harmonizes with country.

Glass inserts on facades and moldings make the Scandi style more elegant, slightly bringing it closer to the classics.

Fans of Scandinavian interiors can adjust the distinctive features of the style to suit yourself: the main thing is that the kitchen is functional, cozy and full of light.

The photo shows a bright interior with an accent wall of turquoise color and an abundance of plants.

Nordic design is loved by many because of its ergonomics, lightness and calm atmosphere, in addition, the Scandinavian style is equally beautiful in the interiors of kitchens of any size.