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Design Tips from Real Scandinavian Kitchens
Infuse your cook space with the authentic Nordic look for that hemtrevliga (homely) and ombonade (snuggly) appeal
Chiquit Brammall
10 December 2021
Design journalist and freelance editor. Dollhouse architect. Serial renter.
With a reputation as foodies to uphold, more and more Singaporeans are spending time in their kitchens whipping up Instagram-worthy dishes.
This means the kitchen has to be a functional, comfortable and pleasing space to be in. And what’s the most popular go-to for functionality, comfort and style than the Scandinavian aesthetic?
This means the kitchen has to be a functional, comfortable and pleasing space to be in. And what’s the most popular go-to for functionality, comfort and style than the Scandinavian aesthetic?
There’s no escaping the ever-popular Scandinavian style of pale, pared-back and almost-monochromatic interiors accented with clean-lined furniture and natural materials. Particularly as we learn more and more that urban Scandinavians make do with the same limited footprint in their apartments that we have, almost every other design brief is ‘Scandi-style’.
In fact, it’s not just in Singapore that homeowners emulate the Nordic look. Scroll through the numbered images and try to identify which apartment kitchens are truly from the Nordics, and which are simply Scandi-style. And no cheating by clicking on each photo!
In fact, it’s not just in Singapore that homeowners emulate the Nordic look. Scroll through the numbered images and try to identify which apartment kitchens are truly from the Nordics, and which are simply Scandi-style. And no cheating by clicking on each photo!
5.
8.
13.
14. (a)
14. (b)
15. (a)
15. (b)
Did you note down which numbers you thought were from a Nordic country? Here are their actual locations:
1. Hamburg, Germany
2. Barcelona, Spain
3. Vancouver, Canada
4. London, England
5. Stockholm, Sweden
6. St. Petersburg, Russia
7. Moscow, Russia
8. Gothenburg, Sweden
9. Melbourne, Australia
10. Spain
11. Paris, France
12. Moscow, Russia
13. Copenhagen, Denmark
14. Moscow, Russia
15. Gothenburg, Sweden
1. Hamburg, Germany
2. Barcelona, Spain
3. Vancouver, Canada
4. London, England
5. Stockholm, Sweden
6. St. Petersburg, Russia
7. Moscow, Russia
8. Gothenburg, Sweden
9. Melbourne, Australia
10. Spain
11. Paris, France
12. Moscow, Russia
13. Copenhagen, Denmark
14. Moscow, Russia
15. Gothenburg, Sweden
We’re not the only ones who are enamoured with the clean, minimalist-yet-cosy style of the Scandinavians! In fact, the Scandinavian style is so popular on Houzz that there are 11,515 photos (and increasing daily) of kitchens alone in this style, globally.
Now did you take a second look through the photos again to identify what gives the actual Scandinavian kitchens their distinctive look?
Here are five elements:
Now did you take a second look through the photos again to identify what gives the actual Scandinavian kitchens their distinctive look?
Here are five elements:
Location: Stockholm
1. Palette: White, pale grey and accents of black
The kitchen can be a busy place, whether you’re rushing to prepare a meal or sitting down to enjoy it with family or friends. So a visually restful palette of white and grey with black accents is a must.
10 ideas borrowed from Scandi-style kitchens
1. Palette: White, pale grey and accents of black
The kitchen can be a busy place, whether you’re rushing to prepare a meal or sitting down to enjoy it with family or friends. So a visually restful palette of white and grey with black accents is a must.
10 ideas borrowed from Scandi-style kitchens
Location: Malmo
2. Sunlight, and lots of it
Scandinavians don’t have the round-the-year sunny (and warm) weather that we do, so they seize as much sunlight as they can. Windows are not obstructed by shades, curtains or complicated window dressing to let in as much natural light as possible. Also, the space nearest the window is considered prime real estate in terms of furniture placement.
2. Sunlight, and lots of it
Scandinavians don’t have the round-the-year sunny (and warm) weather that we do, so they seize as much sunlight as they can. Windows are not obstructed by shades, curtains or complicated window dressing to let in as much natural light as possible. Also, the space nearest the window is considered prime real estate in terms of furniture placement.
Location: Stockholm
3. Cool light warmed by wood and plants
Because the daylight that Scandinavians receive in their hemisphere is cool and soft (unlike our hot, glaring light), they visually warm up the interiors with wood floors or furniture and indoor plants.
Tip: Mimic cool, soft daylight with sheer curtains during the day and cool-temperature bulbs at night.
3. Cool light warmed by wood and plants
Because the daylight that Scandinavians receive in their hemisphere is cool and soft (unlike our hot, glaring light), they visually warm up the interiors with wood floors or furniture and indoor plants.
Tip: Mimic cool, soft daylight with sheer curtains during the day and cool-temperature bulbs at night.
Location: Stockholm
4. Minimalist lines are softened with a piece of artwork or a rug
… and make sure that these items blend in rather than contrast with the pale palette of your interiors.
Scandi-styling tips for your kitchen
4. Minimalist lines are softened with a piece of artwork or a rug
… and make sure that these items blend in rather than contrast with the pale palette of your interiors.
Scandi-styling tips for your kitchen
Location: Gothenburg
5. Include the fika factor
As you would have noticed, these Scandinavian cook spaces are all eat-in kitchens. Fika (loosely translated as a coffee break) is important in the Scandinavian lifestyle, and drawing the dining space into the kitchen makes for that truly convivial atmosphere that fika is all about.
TELL US
What’s your ideal kitchen style? Let us know in the Comments below if you’re looking for a particular look to emulate for your kitchen, and what you’d like to read more about.
MORE
Browse Scandinavian-style kitchens
5. Include the fika factor
As you would have noticed, these Scandinavian cook spaces are all eat-in kitchens. Fika (loosely translated as a coffee break) is important in the Scandinavian lifestyle, and drawing the dining space into the kitchen makes for that truly convivial atmosphere that fika is all about.
TELL US
What’s your ideal kitchen style? Let us know in the Comments below if you’re looking for a particular look to emulate for your kitchen, and what you’d like to read more about.
MORE
Browse Scandinavian-style kitchens
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