What is Scandinavian Style?

Scandinavian style has certainly risen in popularity over the last decade, not only stores like Ikea but also boutiques that specialize in this area have been making waves in the furniture & design industry. This influential design aesthetic has stuck around, even though many others have come and gone, making it one of the most prominent in recent years, and there are many reasons why it’s so popular.

Originating in the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Norway & Sweden, this celebrated style cleverly combines classic minimalism, with that cozy feeling you get when sitting by the fire on a winters evening. It is also often a preferred surrounding for those with busy lifestyles. Having a clean home with no clutter is incredibly relaxing after a busy day. Not only is this design style extremely aesthetically pleasing, but it’s also incredibly practical. Think about it, less clutter, less surface area to clean!

There are so many interesting elements to true Scandinavian design, and it’s not only about interiors but about embracing a way of life. Obviously it’s always best to purchase from skilled artists or craftsmen when creating something authentic, However, with its ‘no fuss’ attitude, this design influence is incredibly easy to create a version of on a budget.

Color & Texture

Using Colors that occur in nature is a big must when it comes to designing your Scandinavian influenced bedroom. With warm colors and inviting textures, clean white surrounds are combined with feature pieces and pops of deep browns and beiges. Another essential is to accessorize (all be it, minimally) with plush throws and sometimes rugs made from natural materials.

Part of the Scandinavian way of life is to spend a lot of time outdoors enjoying the beautiful nature & surroundings. The use of natural wood & live plants are also a must to bring the serenity of nature into your home. This is not only aesthetically appealing, but it’s also good for your health! Think about that oxygen!





Storage

Sometimes, obtaining a minimalistic way of life can be tough. Not only do we all have essentials, but many of us have keepsakes that we want to hold on to despite not having any use for them. Obviously the idea is that we get rid of everything we don’t ‘need’ but we have a few ideas for you if you would like to hold on to the odd sentimental item.

Storage is a very important part of keeping the aesthetic of your Scandinavian inspired room true to design. There are of course endless options out there for storage but one of our favorite ideas is simply keeping your things organized and under your bed. Under bed storage is widely available both online and in stores and can be a clever way to hide your clutter or clothes.

In addition to Under bed storage it is also important to keep both your closets and drawers organized, this is essential in maintaining the feeling of your minimal home, truly helping you to declutter your mind as well as your bedroom.

Color Palette

In every purchase or design choice you make, you should carefully consider the color palette. It’s a good idea to plan out the colors you wish to choose before you go shopping. Mood boards can really help with both inspiration and also to help you stay on the right track.

We recommend sticking to neutral colors for your walls and using your furniture or accessories with sophisticated color as accents. This will not only help to add depth and size to your room but will also make it easy to switch up your style if you are someone who likes to change things around a lot. You can easily purchase affordable paint & painting necessities either online or in stores.

Bed/Bedding

It’s so important to keep things minimal when it comes to your bedding. Your bed is probably the largest and most prominent piece of furniture in your room after all! We recommend sticking to white bed sheets or a comforter to keep things simple. In addition to this, we think its always nice to accessorize a bit. Using natural materials such as cotton, and linen is a good way to go when it comes to throws and cushions whilst keeping the bed looking cozy but neutral.

As for the bed itself, if you are decorating on a budget, we understand you may not be able to spend the money replacing your existing bed. We have a few ideas for you if that’s the case. If you have an unsightly or off-theme headboard you may be able to use a muted color throw over the top to hide what is there and bring it back in keeping with the new style of the rest of your room.

Don’t underestimate the power of a lick of paint! Most bed frames are either made from wood or metal, both of which can be painted or stained so there is no need for a whole new set up. Luckily, Scandinavian design often incorporates both dark & light wood as well as black metal, so you should be set if you utilize our other ideas anyway!

Plants

Dependent on the natural light you have available to you, a simple shelf with a plant or even a floor plant for that matter can make a huge difference. Plants are not only a way to add a pop of color but they are a great source of air purification and just general feel-good vibes. We have listed a few of our favorite plant types here:

Plant Name Properties Peace Lillies Large

Easy-Care

Flowers

Shiny Leaves

Dark Green Ivy Small

Easy-Care

Little watering required

Hanging plant

Fiddle Leaf Fig Large

High Maintenance

Likes Shade

Likes Humidity Aloe Vera Various Sizes

Low Maintenance

Likes Sunlight





Although most of these are easy-care, you might find that you are just not gifted in the gardening department. Not to worry though, there are plenty of very realistic options out there if you would prefer to have a faux plant in your bedroom (they may just require dusting every so often).

Your plant pots are also another great way to incorporate the natural materials we were talking about previously. There are so many options for woven plant pots that fit perfectly into the Scandinavian design. These are most often made from seagrass or wicker materials.

Accessories

There are endless possibilities when it comes to accessorizing your Scandinavian bedroom but it’s important to keep the minimal design in mind and not go overboard. Photographs sticking to the color palette of your room, surrounded by minimal frames are a good way to go. We love the simple poster frames pictured here. The magnetic frame easily fits around any sized picture and is minimal in design.

Another option commonly seen in Scandinavian inspired bedrooms is a minimal version of a pinboard. These can easily be DIY’d and purchased online at an affordable price. They are a great way to hang up those odd items in an organized manner, whilst not taking away from your target aesthetic.

We all have different styles when it comes to interior design, If you are looking for some inspiration when designing a more vibrant space, we loved Lazy Penguin’s take on creating a bold and vibrant bedroom. We have also put together a great guide on how to decorate a small bedroom!

We hope we have given you all of the info & inspiration you need to start on your journey to creating the best Scandinavian inspired bedroom on a budget. If you still need some more info, please feel free to check out some of the links below to some articles that may help you out!

The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Care

The Ultimate Feng Shui Guide For Your Home

15 Bedroom Storage Ideas and Hacks | More Space, More Style