When we think about Scandinavian interior designs, we think of clean lines, white walls, neutral colors, and warm tones. Scandinavian designs are heavily influenced by the countries in Northern Europe: Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. They reflect their principle of blending simplicity with functionality and warmth.
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So, if you want an elegant and cozy kitchen, this is your go-to design theme! There are tons of ways to add color and pattern to a Scandinavian kitchen. If you’re looking for ideas, we’ve got you! Here are creative Scandinavian kitchen design inspirations to try.
Create A Banquette
Scandinavians are often considered to be very happy people. What’s a better way to reflect this than creating a kitchen where you and your loved ones can gather and share happy memories?
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Create a banquette (relaxed seating area) and throw in lots of cushions and blankets. This is where you can have tea or warm up to your guests while the meal is being prepared.
Combine Monochromatic Designs
McCowan Hill, Wayfair’s resident style advisor, says, “pairing monochromatic elements with neutral, natural materials creates the perfect fusion between practicality and a sleek minimalist look,” and we couldn’t agree more!
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Combining elements with just one color with the existing natural tone of a Scandinavian design creates the perfect harmony. So, throw in a black wooden chair, shelf, fruit bowl, or water jug, and watch the transformation!
Use Cork Kitchen Flooring
We can’t talk about a scandi-kitchen without sustainable flooring. These floors are naturally resistant to water, heat, and mold, making them easy to maintain.
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Cork is also very soft, giving that comfortable and cozy feeling that characterizes Scandinavian designs. It reduces aches when you have to stand for a long time in the kitchen. You can also rely on its cushion for support in case of accidental slips and falls.
Add Exposed Brick to Liven Up Your Kitchen
Brick walls in the kitchen give off a cozy and inviting vibe. They create a contrast to the white lines of the kitchen and highlight other elements.
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Whether it’s exposed brick or a wallpaper equivalent, exposed brick is a kitchen showstopper. It adds warmth to your space on cold days and makes it feel more homely and vibrant!
Clear Clutter With Floor-to-Ceiling Cabinets
Scandinavians believe that less is more, and this applies to how they structure their designs and space. This includes keeping all items in cabinets to create more space for movement.
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Extending your cabinets to the ceiling creates enough storage space for kitchen items. It emphasizes the clean, minimalist designs Scandinavian styles are known for.
Bring the Outdoors in
Scandinavian designs generally embrace nature, and adding “nature” elements to your kitchen is one way to do this. First, welcome natural light by adding large windows. Avoid blocking your windows with thick curtains. Instead, use window styles you can easily push back to let in more light.
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Finally, place house plants in strategic places. Remember, besides adding natural color to your kitchen, they also purify the air.
Feature Everyday Essentials
Highlighting everyday items gives your kitchen a practical and natural feel. So, adopt open-kitchen shelving and display dried goods in glass storage jars.
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You can also display neutral-colored plates on shelves and store fruits and vegetables in hessian baskets. Combining these elements gives your kitchen an effortless and homely outlook.
Use A White Color Palette
Darren Watts, the Design Director of Wren Kitchens, once said, “ A cool light color palette is advised to create a sense of purity and calmness,” and we completely understand why. A white color palette exudes the Scandinavian clean and delicate style.
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If you have a small kitchen, you can add a white color palette to create the illusion of a bigger space. You can also combine wooden and copper accents for a warm, cozy feel.
Create Warmth with Pendant Lighting
Scandinavians create warmth with low-hanging lights for long winter days. Besides the coziness it brings, this is your chance to add a dash of color to your kitchen.
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The pendant lighting is soft enough to create a homely feel but bold enough to highlight specific areas of your kitchen. It establishes a focal point in your kitchen, drawing people’s eyes to what you want them to see!
Use Neutral Colors
Scandi kitchens are mostly in neutral colors, such as taupe, gray, beige, or similar hues. This palette creates the calming, harmonious, and serene atmosphere that characterizes Scandinavian designs.
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So, use neutral-colored kitchen worktops, neutral-colored paintings, or photos for a cozy, timeless outlook. Blend neutral colors with wooden shades for a soothing and warm feel. A good neutral color combination creates a clean and uncluttered look.
Weave-in Natural Materials
Add some warmth and authenticity to your kitchen design by throwing in woven materials and finishes.
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This could be woven chairs, rugs, woven plates, etc. You can also drape a woven blanket on the cabinet or hang woven baskets for an earthy feel. Lastly, textiles like natural fiber rugs add some texture to your space while maintaining the Scandinavian clean and minimalist design.
