We are all familiar with the clean look of Scandinavian kitchen design. It blends a minimalist, modern aesthetic with warm textures and organic layering to create a space that is both attractive and comfortable.
Scandinavian style has become the dominant theme in modern interior design. While this may seem like a new style trend, the Scandinavian design aesthetic goes back decades.
The popularity of the Scandinavian style can be traced back to the rise of modernism in the 50s of the 20th century. There’s no better place to appreciate the Scandinavian look than the kitchen.
It is home to numerous family lives and is the embodiment of Scandinavian comfort.
Scandinavian Kitchen Concept
We’ve collected some Scandinavian-style kitchens, ranging from ultra-minimalist to warm and cozy. Take inspiration from these pictures and find ways to incorporate Scandinavian style into your own kitchen.
Scandinavian Kitchen Cabinets
One of the most prominent features in the kitchen design is the cupboards. Scandinavian kitchens utilize the style of cabinetry to complement the simple yet functional kitchen design.
Their cabinets have a plain appearance and hardly any frills. Use cabinets with flat doors or rocker doors.
Add simple hardware or opt for push-open cabinets. Paint the cabinets in a calming earth tone and incorporate natural wood elements into the cabinet design.
Rustic and Organic Texture
In Scandinavian design, there is a strong focus on materials that blend into the natural world. This includes wood, stone, and glass upholstery.
If your kitchen style leans towards the rustic, then a Scandinavian-style kitchen is the perfect backdrop for you to blend in with the look.
This Scandinavian design kitchen in Minneapolis features a variegated stone backsplash. The gorgeous colors of this Scandinavian kitchen backsplash blend in with the flat white oak cabinetry to create a light, yet warm and textured look.
Earthy Color Palette
The best Scandinavian kitchen designs embody a love for the natural world through the use of colour. These colors can be light and neutral to counteract the reflected light in the room, or these colors may be more saturated. Whichever you prefer, the colors should reflect calming and soothing earth tones.
Pay attention to the colors in this Scandinavian kitchen design. The designers used earthy forest green for the Shaker-style cabinetry and paneled backsplash. They added wood tones to give texture to the design and brushed brass hardware to add a little extra shine to the kitchen.
Warm Layer
Scandinavian kitchen décor should include warm textures, as Scandinavian design prioritizes comfort over style. In the best Scandinavian kitchen design, you can achieve both. In this modern Scandinavian kitchen in Denver, the designers have introduced elements of comfort that look and feel warm. These include fireplaces, sheepskin upholstery and colourful carpets.
Scandinavian Kitchen Lighting
The Nordic countries are located high in the northern hemisphere and have dark and cold winters. Their style makes use of all available light to make the interior bright and comfortable. Use natural and artificial light to enhance the beauty and warmth of your kitchen.
This means keeping curtains to a minimum or removing them completely. Also, add artificial light sources so that the interior can be illuminated when all available natural light is gone.
Minimal Upper Cabinets
The minimalist Scandinavian kitchen design aesthetic has a serene and soothing look. You can achieve this look by eliminating the upper cabinets in the space to minimize visual distractions in the kitchen. To do this, be sure to add enough storage space elsewhere so that your kitchen stays tidy.
The designer added a row of lower kitchen cabinets and an identical style wall cabinet to the opposite wall to ensure ample storage space.
Comfortable Seats
Scandinavian kitchen design incorporates the concept of hygge into the design. It is a Danish word that embodies the idea of comfort and comfortable living.
Give your kitchen a new lease of life by adding space where your family can relax, read, and doze off. This could be a comfy breakfast bench or a cosy window corner.
Dress it up with a plush pillow and a warm lamb’s wool blanket. If you don’t have enough space for these extras, add a Scandinavian dining table with comfortable seating around it where you can gather for dinner and games.
Function over Form
Before thinking about the form, be sure to consider the function of the kitchen first. This means considering layout, storage, and appliances before considering which style looks best.
In this moderately sized Scandinavian kitchen, the designers have ensured a workable kitchen triangle and ample seating to allow this kitchen to function optimally.
Bold Embellishments
Don’t be afraid to add a personal touch and make your kitchen your own. Add a fun personality light or some of your favorite textiles.
This prevents your Scandinavian-style kitchen from looking too plain and lacking in personality. After all, the style should be personal, not look straight out of the magazine.
Vintage and Antique Décor
If you prefer a rustic Scandinavian kitchen to a modern Scandinavian one, consider adding some vintage or antique furniture and décor to your space.
Find a table with scratches and dents to serve as a Scandinavian kitchen island. Alternatively, use it as a central table and mix it with some medieval chairs. This hybrid look creates a more detailed and authentic overall kitchen style.
Black, White and Wood Tones
While earth tones like blue and green don’t look out of place in Scandinavian kitchen design, the core of Scandinavian minimalist kitchen design, including the Danish style, focuses on neutral colors.
Keep most of the color scheme white, including white walls and white cabinetry. Add a pop of black to create a contrast in the room. Warm up these contrasting tones with wood tones in the décor and cabinets.
The Art on Display
Practical style is important in Scandinavian kitchen style. Use small shelves instead of upper cabinets. Display the items you use every day, including plates, glasses, and cutlery.
If you want to create a minimalist style, curate this collection. If you want to create a Scandinavian farmhouse kitchen style, your exposure collection can be more extensive. Colorful artwork, spice jars, and plants are included.
Natural Decoration
Scandinavian design reflects the beauty of the natural world through the use of basic materials such as wood, stone, and natural textiles.
You can warm up your kitchen space by incorporating natural elements, including live plants, branches, pine and nut bowls, fruits, berries, and leaves. Place them on a counter or table, or add them as part of a shelf décor.
Medieval Modern Style
The Scandinavian style matured in the modernist era. So, it makes sense that most Scandinavian kitchen designs have a medieval style. This includes flat cabinetry, mid-century lighting, and sculptural chair design.
Scandinavian Style: Will It Last?
The Scandinavian style does have a more timeless quality because of their use of natural materials throughout their designs, their focus on quality craftsmanship, and the fact that this style pays homage to Nordic history. This style has a classical look, but it is also organic. This means that while Scandinavian kitchens have a certain look, the style is reinventing itself in new ways to keep it fresh and exciting.
An Inexpensive Way to Get a Scandinavian Kitchen Style
The best way to incorporate Scandinavian style into your kitchen is to change the color palette to reflect neutral colors and those that reflect nature, such as earthy blue, green, and brown. This may include painting walls and cabinets and adding new colorful home décor. Add other organic textures like wooden cutting boards, green potted plants, and plant cuttings.
