Vibrant Scandinavian Design Schemes Demonstrating That It's Beyond Minimalist, White Interiors
Creating a Colorful Scandinavian Interior: A Guide to Vibrant yet Calm Spaces
In the world of interior design, Scandinavian style continues to captivate with its clean, minimalist aesthetic. But what if you want to add a dash of colour to this timeless design without overwhelming the space? Here's a guide to creating a colorful Scandinavian interior that exudes warmth, personality, and a touch of vibrancy.
Embrace Soft Pastels and Earthy Tones
The key to a colorful Scandinavian interior lies in the clever use of soft pastels, earthy tones, and selective bold accents. Shades like pink, light blue, muted greens, and warm terracotta bring a sense of calm while adding visual interest to the typically neutral Scandinavian base.
Balancing Bold Colors
To prevent the space from feeling too busy, balance bolder colors by adding concentrated pops of saturated hues like cobalt blue, mustard yellow, or deep green. These can be found in accent chairs, curtains, wall art, or smaller décor pieces. Use these sparingly to enliven the space without overwhelming it.
Mixing Patterns and Textures
Subtly mix patterns and textures with patterned wallpapers or textiles inspired by Scandinavian designers like Josef Frank, combining organic florals or geometric prints for added vibrancy and contrast.
Adding Cozy Textures and Hygge Elements
Complement the colours with cozy textures and hygge elements such as sheepskin rugs, knitted throws, and textured fabrics like linen and wool. These add warmth and tactile comfort to the space.
Maintaining Minimalism
Remember to keep the overall space minimal and uncluttered. Maintain clean lines and simple furniture to uphold Scandinavian design’s core principles, allowing colours to stand out as intentional highlights rather than distractions.
Bringing in Natural Light and Greenery
Natural light and greenery are essential elements in any Scandinavian design. Plants bring life and additional colour to the interior, reinforcing the connection to nature that is central to Nordic design.
Colour on the Cabinetry and Painted Ceilings
Using colour on the cabinetry rather than the walls allows the joinery to become a design feature, while painted ceilings offer an opportunity to add atmosphere, especially in bathrooms.
A Monochrome Palette and Art as the Starting Point
A monochrome palette consisting of one base colour in different shades can be used to create a cozy and intimate space, while a colorful painting can take center stage and become the starting point for the colour palette in some designs.
Art and Creativity
Art plays a pivotal role in informing the design narrative for many projects, and in spaces designed for creativity or study, blue is an excellent anchor color.
Inspiring Examples
Mia Karlsson, the creative force behind a global team of designers, architects, and creatives, brings her signature Scandinavian sensibilities to life in her projects. Karoline Nygaard Petersen, the creative lead of Montana Furniture, loves decorating with many different hues and feels happier when surrounded by colour.
In conclusion, the 2025 Scandinavian colour trends present a palette of soft pastels, warm earthy tones, and a few well-placed richer colours used in a carefully layered and minimalistic setting that feels cozy, inviting, and fresh. This approach updates the classic Scandinavian style into a more colourful but still serene living environment.
- In the domain of interior design, the Scandinavian style, known for its minimalist aesthetic, can be made colorful without losing its charm.
- To achieve a colorful Scandinavian interior, soft pastels, earthy tones, and selective bold accents should be used in a calculated manner.
- The balancing act of bold colors can be done by adding concentrated pops of saturated hues like cobalt blue, mustard yellow, or deep green.
- To maintain a sense of harmony, mix patterns and textures subtly with patterned wallpapers or textiles inspired by Scandinavian designers.
- Cozy textures and hygge elements like sheepskin rugs, knitted throws, and textured fabrics like linen and wool should be used to complement the colors.
- Maintaining minimalism and clean lines in furniture is crucial to preserve Scandinavian design’s core principles, allowing colors to stand out as intentional highlights.
- Natural light and greenery are essential elements to bring life and additional color to the interior, reinforcing the connection to nature that is central to Nordic design.
- In some designs, a monochrome palette consisting of one base color in different shades can create a cozy and intimate space, while art can take center stage and become the starting point for the color palette.
