You can recognize Scandinavian design by form that follows functionality, a lot of light, and clean lines. It is established more than a century ago and, although adapted to modern life, it still follows the tradition.
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Tradition plays an important role in Scandinavian countries and that clearly reflects on design. For example, many Swedish homes feature Kakelugn, a tiled stove, in the corner of the room. That tradition dates back to neo-renaissance era of the 1880s and that stove found its place not just in the kitchen when it was used for heating but also in other rooms because it eventually overgrown its original purpose and became a focal point of the space, a kind of "Let's sit in front of it" element. As many other Scandinavian furniture elements, it is usually white.
White is a color of choice when it come to design in Scandinavia. Along with natural color of wood used, it is combined with clean lines without many decorative elements. That has its roots in craftsmen's simple approach: Long before the industrial revolution they used only pieces that are essential to the final product, without using unnecessary decoration. "Functionality and beauty" is a motto that reflects in the Scandinavian design even today. All elements, although very nicely designed, are following functionality.
Pine, spruce, aspen, birch, and alder are wood species widely used in design and they are used together with the white color to connect the inside space with the nature. Wood is used in natural, raw stated, and if there is some finish on the element it is in white or very light color. White floor is something you can see in numerous Scandinavian houses, while the natural color of wood is creating a contrast. Other furniture elements are preferably made of natural materials, combined together to reflect the nature of the home's surrounding.
Scandinavian design is very light-oriented style. Homes are built to catch as much sunlight as possible, rooms are spacious and it's not unusual to combine several functions into one. That has its roots in efforts by government actions, promoting natural materials, efficient layouts, and low-cost production. So, don't be surprised if you see a kitchen connected with the living room and bedroom. Such space is lightly divided but still forms one large and functional part of the home. Glass is a material of choice while creating such connected spaces.
Since light is the center of Scandinavian interiors, if there is a space with lot of dark wood, an attic for example, it will be redesigned with addition of lighter materials such as light floor and white or light colors on the walls. The point is to keep the natural color as untouched as possible and open the space as much as possible. This is a kind of minimalism but not in a Japanese meaning. There are details, there are elements, but they are subtle and they all have their place in the overall look. ■
