Scandinavian Kitchens: Af-fjord-able Style for Any Home

Monday, 18th November 4:02pm 2024

Dreamt up in Denmark, hygge (pronounced “hoo-ga”) – a quality of cosiness – has influenced Nordic interior design, loved by many, for 200 years. In the 1950s, however, a Brooklyn Museum promoted Nordic designers’ Scandi furniture, and Scandi kitchens became a truly global phenomenon.

Picture a Swedish kitchen; minimalist cabinets, organic materials, plenty of natural light and a functional layout. These are the hallmarks of a modern Scandi kitchen, which are more popular than ever. What makes this style loved? In short, these kitchens cater for several converging macro-trends.

Fighting consumerism, they helped homeowners who sought practical storage but also minimal furniture, providing somewhere they could cook but also entertain. Somewhere that’s useful but also Instagrammable. The Scandi style had it all so has commandeered public imagination.

Millions covet the look. Even so, many get confused on how to achieve it. Fortunately, at Masterclass, we’ve created thousands of Scandi ranges. Hence, today’s guide will help you execute flawless Scandi design. Read on for question answers, pitfall warnings and tips to attain a superb Nordic-style interior.

What’s the Difference Between Scandinavian and Nordic Décor?

Before we start, it’s worth differentiating “Scandinavian” and “Nordic” descriptors so you know what you’re trying to achieve. So, what’s the difference? Essentially, Scandinavia covers Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Nordic, meanwhile, refers to them, plus Iceland, Finland and Greenland. Scandi design borrows from all those cultures. As a result, we’ll use Nordic and Scandi interchangeably in this article.

Are Scandi Kitchens Always Cold?

It’s commonly misconceived that Scandi kitchens’ minimalistic features and pastel colours make them cold. In reality, though, they’re warm. Indeed, the minimalism is purely practical and, if done right, Scandi kitchen décor should express hygge, creating coziness that can hold off a harsh Nordic winter.

Take these Scandi home interior designs, for example. Showcasing warm tones, natural woods and deeper elements that perfectly capture the mid-century modern kitchen aesthetic, they’re warm and welcoming in spite of their ultra-practical, modern cabinetry.

How to Create a Scandi Kitchen

Now that you understand our terms and end goal for mastering Scandi interior design, it’s time to go deeper. So, let’s start with the fundamental components of a Scandi-style interior:

• Lots of natural light
• A functional layout
• Neutral colour palettes
• Minimalist aesthetics
• High-quality craftsmanship

Can you break the rules? Yes. Swedish homes often sport backsplashes of colourful patchwork tiles, and mid-century kitchens contrast simple Nordic furniture with ornate French architecture. For the time being, though, we recommend understanding the basics before you experiment. And don’t worry if these guidelines are confusing at first. We’ll address each kitchen component from bottom to top.

Scandi-Style Kitchen Flooring

When it comes to flooring, it’s best to keep it wooden and exposed. Pale wood is popular. Darker is fine, as are tiles, but they rarely achieve the same finesse. Click-lock flooring is common but floorboards or parquet blocks will elevate your space if you have the budget. Just remember, never – NEVER – use wall-to-wall carpet.

Importantly, keep walkways clear. Doing so adds to the minimalist vibe that characterises most Scandi kitchens. Integrated kitchen bins are a fantastic way to achieve and maintain this goal.

Flooring with warm brown wood enables you to use white or light grey cabinetry without making the room feel cold. Even then, though, you needn’t contrast in this way. Perhaps add to the natural wood with matching cabinets, or flip the look with wood cabinets and whitewashed wood flooring for the same effect. Just ensure you stick to this colour palette to adhere to true Scandi design principles.

Scandi-Look Kitchen Doors

You’d be mistaken for thinking that all Nordic kitchens feature flat slab or handleless doors. Those features are common, yes, because they match the simple design of a Scandi dining table or armchair. However, classic, Shaker, modern and handleless kitchens can all create a Nordic design.

More important than the style is the finish. As mentioned, natural wood or white-washed cabinetry complement this look. That’s the case whether you want a handleless kitchen or one with farmhouse elements. Whatever you choose, aim for minimal upper cabinetry to maximise light.

Nordic-Style Kitchen Worktops and Handles

As for the fixtures, clean lines are vital. Say you’re looking for the perfect Scandi-inspired kitchen handle. Handleless ridges or chunky wooden affairs with no fussy details are ideal. Likewise, you’d do well with a pattern-free worktop of natural-looking stone.

Once you have those features in place, keeping surfaces clear is necessary to maintain the simplicity. At Masterclass kitchens, we specialise in high-quality kitchen storage and recommend our Hathaway pantry to aspiring Scandi kitchen owners because of its storage versatility and Portland Oak interior.

Scandi Home Décor Ideas

Bringing together the finishing touches of a Nordic interior floorplan that looks cozy isn’t easy but – don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Firstly, let’s start with accessory colours. Pastel-coloured walls are largely a more reliable option than white because they help you avoid a clinical vibe.

When it comes to chairs, the famous moulded plywood variety are a Scandi staple. Industrial pendant lights and chunky wooden bar stools similarly play a large role in achieving this iconic aesthetic.

An Ashbourne Olive and Farringdon Grey range by Moulton Kitchens

If you want to inject some vivid colour into your Nordic-style home décor, modern art sculptures or decorative light shades are easy targets for many modern Scandi kitchen owners. Alternatively, you could use one of our Breakfast Dresser and hang quirky, home-kilned mugs from its mug hooks.

Finally, remember that note about keeping the floor clear? Make an exception for soft furnishings because these are the pillars of hygge and will give your room warmth. Consider a well-place rug, throws, cushions and upholstered armchairs. Interestingly, though, no curtains. Scandinavians prefer blinds or completely naked windows. Don’t’ ask us why. We don’t make the rules.

Need Help Creating a Scandinavian Kitchen?

Feeling inspired to get your own Norwegian, Danish or Swedish kitchen but don’t know where to start? If you need more help, find your nearest Masterclass showroom and book a meeting, or become a Masterclass Insider for free. As Masterclass Kitchens Insider, you’ll get free design guides and tips you can’t get anywhere else.

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