Ngumpi.com – Scandinavian interior design takes inspiration from Nordic countries like Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. The cuisine varies from sourdough rye breads to traditional salmon, and the decor reflects the rich heritage of these countries’ farming past. The aim is to create a homey feel with light furnishings and textures, rather than an exaggerated sense of importance. Scandinavian interior design may seem very simple in its minimalist approach, but the end result leaves a room full of texture, interest and luxury – with little pretence for style.
Neutral Colors are Ideal for a Scandinavian Dining Room
Start off with a clean palette. Clean, neutral tones such as white, cream and beige are ideal for a Scandinavian dining room. This colour palette will contribute to the overall feel of lightness and airiness, without giving way to any heavy or gaudy colors. Bring in the opposite, warmer hue to achieve a warm and inviting atmosphere: a palette comprising rich reds, purples and yellows, complemented with crisp white walls and furniture in earthy tones, would be ideal for a warm and cosy interior.
The main item of furniture in a Scandinavian dining room should have a simple, basic shape. Wooden chairs in wood tone with matching cushions, or padded seats with silk fringe can work extremely well. Folding chairs with straight backs are another great pick. If you want to break up the lines, add in some oversized flower vases filled with delectable dried flowers, or a pair of glazed ceramic pots. For a fun and funky feel, try using striped painted white tiles on walls; alternatively, paint tiles in pastel pink or blue.
Choosing the Right Scandinavian Dining Room Floor
When choosing flooring for your Scandinavian dining room, be sure to avoid synthetic materials as these will give an impersonal feel. A far better choice is to use hardwood such as oak, walnut, birch, cherry or maple. These timbers have timeless classic qualities that lend themselves perfectly to Scandinavian design. If you have the money, you could even go for extremely high quality mahogany hardwoods. These floors will add a touch of class to any room, but they’ll look extremely elegant with their painted white walls and wooden furniture in black and white.
Wicker furniture is the ideal choice for your kitchen, especially if you have a traditional Scandinavian design theme. The best choices for wicker dining room chairs will be those made from hardwoods such as oak or maple. These materials are highly durable, which means that your chairs won’t easily wear out over the years. Wicker chairs can also be left outdoors for a longer period of time, although you should make sure they’re properly protected to prevent any insects getting to them. You can buy wicker dining room chairs in a wide variety of styles, so it’s easy to match your current dining room decor perfectly.
Scandinavian Interior Design Natural Elements
Scandinavian interior design also makes use of natural elements a lot, such as stone and glass. Stone is a great way to add a unique character to a room as well as being highly functional. If you prefer a Scandinavian style that is minimalist, then you’ll want to choose simple, functional tables and chairs made from granite, marble or wood. If you want a more eclectic look with lots of texture and personality, then go for items made from dark porcelain, dark hardwoods or dark steel. These will be very durable and will hold up well to the elements.
The dining area is another place where you’ll want to pay special attention. In a traditional Scandinavian style, the dining area is meant to be spacious, open and free of clutter. The dining table is the centerpiece, so it’s important that it is properly proportioned so it doesn’t create an overwhelming effect. It’s also a good idea to match the style of the chair to the table to enhance the look and feel of the entire room. For instance, a dark, deep-seated wooden dining chair would not be appropriate for a light-colored table, and a leather chair would not work well in a medium-colored room.
Adding some new touches to the dining room can make it even more inviting. One thing you can do is install some new, fresh flowers on the tables to give a warm, inviting appeal. When people come over you can tell them that there are fresh flowers sitting on the table and they immediately feel more at home. If you don’t like flowers, you can always put up a picture of a serene mountain or a gloved hand holding a fresh flower next to the table. Creating a cozy atmosphere can instantly make your place a more exciting place to be.
