The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house, because here the process of preparing a variety of dishes is constantly boiling, family dinners and meetings of guests are held. The space must be carefully planned, the necessary functional areas should be placed, and at the same time, the space and comfort of the hearth should be preserved. To make your kitchen just like that, we advise you to pay attention to the Scandinavian style. It is perfect for rooms of any size, giving them a special, incomparable atmosphere, conducive to measured cooking and eating.
Features of the Scandinavian style
Scandinavian style can be called perhaps the most modest. Simple aesthetics in combination with light colors, natural materials, minimal decor and many local light sources emphasize the originality and orderliness of the situation. Norway and Finland are considered to be the geographic homeland of the direction, although many features were transferred here from the Swedish traditional interior. Although the Scandinavian style has developed over the centuries, its official recognition took place only in 1954 in America at one of the design exhibitions.
The presence of the majority of white walls, warm carpets and wooden furniture is due to special environmental conditions, where the harsh climate forced the population to quickly build warm cozy dwellings. Many light sources in the form of chandeliers, sconces, floor lamps, massive candelabra provide a sufficient level of illumination, which the northern peoples badly needed. The desire for a bright interior is also emphasized by the often open layout, where the kitchen flows smoothly into the dining room and then into the living room, and a large number of windows fill the atmosphere with maximum daylight.
Luxurious decorative details are not welcome here, but the Scandinavian-style kitchen always looks cozy due to the large amount of wood present in the furniture and decoration.
Colors for the kitchen
The main feature in the direction is a light background with contrasting details. The Scandinavian interior is dominated by white colors, providing a lot of light and free space. In addition to the snow-white color, here you can find the color of ivory, baked milk, vanilla cream, light sand, whitened shades of gray, green and blue tones. An accent share is made by such colors as black (asphalt, graphite), yellow, green and, of course, brown as the main shade of wood.
If you are a categorical opponent of natural white design, you can try experimenting with a combination of wall tones and a headset. For example, pick up sets of muted blue shade against light ash walls or, on the contrary, install white furniture against the background of blue wall surfaces. They do the same with other shades - if you want to make the kitchen color, it is important that there is at least a slight contrast between the lining and the set.
Decoration Materials
When choosing finishing materials for the kitchen, it is necessary to take into account that this room has a special microclimate, where high humidity reigns, so a persistent lining is required. Frequent contamination is also possible here, including greasy drops, soot, so it is necessary to choose materials that wash well, without losing their original appearance.
Floor
The design of the floor surface is largely dominated by a wooden board, which is often painted white.Replace the material with a moisture resistant laminate or linoleum imitating wood. In studio apartments, Scandinavians prefer to cover the floor with the same material over the entire area, which gives the width to the space.
On the territory of the working area, you can apply ceramic tiles, which are more practical and easy to clean. It can be perfectly white, have a shade or, again, imitate a wood surface.
Partial design with patchwork tiles, which will add a touch of cheerful mood, looks beautiful. In the area of the dining table, a warm floor mat with ethnic patterns made of natural materials does not hurt.
Walls
The Scandinavian-style kitchen walls are decorated in white, light gray, and cool beige. Finishing should be as simple as possible, without glitter of gloss and bright patterns.
The ideal option for the direction would be painting or whitewashing, you can use washable wallpaper in the dining area. For a change, you can borrow loft paintings that mimic brickwork. PVC panels and ceramic tiles are also actively used - the best options for walls in the working area.
The apron above the countertop deserves special attention. Often it acts as a bright decorative element, so here you can dream up with multi-colored skinal, patterned tiles or make it in the form of a black slate plane, which will add depth to the space.
Ceiling
The ceiling in Scandinavian kitchens is painted, pasted over with wallpaper or decorated with matte stretch linens. The color is preferably white, as it significantly increases the volume of the entire room. There is no place for complex drywall constructions, unless you decide to diversify the interior with imitation of ceiling beam ceilings that emphasize the style direction. If the kitchen is in a private wooden house, it is better to leave the beams in sight.
Kitchen furniture and appliances
Scandinavian cuisines are inherent in solid furniture made of light wood. Often, it is additionally opened with a layer of whitish paint to make the interior brighter. Matte surfaces are preferred, although glossy ones are also found in the contemporary design of small kitchens. So that the room does not seem cluttered, the most necessary elements of furniture are used here.
The upper tier of the kitchen set can be made in the form of open shelves or have glass doors, which visually facilitates the space. A light set against the background of the same walls can create a boring atmosphere, which can be relieved by the original design of the countertop in dark colors or with a metal (stone) surface. As for the dining area, a massive wooden table with a varnished surface or a wide bar counter is appropriate here.
In the kitchen, you can’t do without technology, the main thing is to choose it in such a way as not to violate the identity of modern technology. It is better to resort to the option of devices built into the headset that will not distract attention with their metallic luster and glossy surfaces. The refrigerator is a significant element of the decor, which should look no less soundly than furniture. Usually it has quite solid dimensions and is installed closer to the window. In modern technology production, products have begun to be adapted to different styles, and it is quite possible to find a refrigerator that matches the Nordic character.
Lighting and decor
In the harsh northern conditions, the Scandinavians are used to using many different lighting devices to fill their homes with the maximum amount of light and heat. In the kitchen, at the same time, a variety of lighting points can be present: a central chandelier, pendant lights above the bar or dining table, a spotlight system above the working area, a sconce, and even a floor lamp with high legs.Often, the lamps themselves are magnificent decor elements, having non-standard geometric shapes.
Textile elements help to decorate the atmosphere and bring comfort to the cold tones of design: chair covers, soft decorative pillows, tablecloths, towels, floor mats with ethnic ornaments. On window sills and tables you can place live flowerpots or vases with flowers, bright clay dishes with fruits. On the walls hang photographs in wooden frames, posters or open shelves for cookbooks.
Scandinavian style kitchen interior design - photo
Scandinavian style is endowed with freedom and purity, restraint and, at the same time, incomparable comfort. It is perfect for small interiors, as well as for spacious kitchen-dining rooms, as we suggest you to be convinced by the examples of photos from our gallery. Here are many successful projects that will not leave indifferent even the most picky esthete. Enjoy watching!
Video: Scandinavian-style cuisine 2019