Scandinavian design

Scandinavian design is a way of building and decorating a home or other building that uses light colors, natural elements, and a minimalist style with an emphasis on function. It is based on the style of construction and decor popular in the Scandinavian countries of Europe. The design style was first recognized outside of Scandinavia in the early twentieth century, when it was exhibited in America and other countries.

Background

Scandinavia is a name used for a collection of neighboring northern European countries that are on or near the Scandinavian Peninsula. The peninsula reaches from the Baltic Sea in the south to the Arctic Circle in the north. It was home to the earliest people in Europe. The countries of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and sometimes Greenland are considered Scandinavian countries.

The area is harsher in climate than some areas of Europe, and its northern location means that there are long stretches of the year where it is dark and there is little natural light. In addition, the cost of dwellings in the area is higher than in many areas, which results in many people living in smaller homes. These factors, combined with a preference for little clutter and a natural look, led to the Scandinavian design aesthetic.

Scandinavian design originated at the beginning of the twentieth century. People moved away from the ornate, dark design that was typical of the late nineteenth century and began incorporating light colors, sleeker lines, and lighter woods into home decor. The Scandinavians had a longstanding preference for utilitarian decor that was driven partly by the harsh climate and the challenges of procuring resources in the area. Designers using this style began to be noticed. Some of the architects and designers who had a strong influence on the origins of Scandinavian design include Alvar Aalto, Eero Arnio, Arne Jacobsen, and Hans Wegner. Swedish entrepreneur Ingvar Kamprad, who founded the furniture company IKEA when he was seventeen years old, also helped popularize Scandinavian design by making affordable items in that style readily available.

The trend toward light-colored design and clean furniture lines began to grow in the days following World War II (1939–1945). A number of postwar conferences where held in Scandinavian countries where the world took notice of the decor. The design style became associated with modernist designs, an association that was strengthened by the establishment of the Lunning Prize for Scandinavian design in 1951. Named after Frederik Lunning, a Danish-born New York importer, the prize was awarded annually for about twenty years to two promising designers who worked with the Scandinavian style. The cash prize given with the award helped promote Scandinavian design by supporting careers and providing recognition to new designers.

The Scandinavian style gained popularity in North America after it was featured in a traveling exhibition that spent three years touring the continent in the late 1950s. After a dip in popularity between the 1960s and 1980s, a renewed interest in minimalism, bright interiors, and sustainability revived attention on the design style. In the early part of the twenty-first century, furniture, household accessories, and other elements of Scandinavian design once again had a strong influence on home decor and design.

Overview

Scandinavian design focuses on light, bright spaces with minimal clutter. The long, dark stretches of the year in the Scandinavian countries are made more bearable by having the walls and other surfaces inside reflect as much light as possible. Walls, ceilings, and furniture are often white, though other colors such as soft greens or pinks may also be used. However, the design aesthetic is not pale or stark. Instead, contrasting colors such as black and brown are often used in bold graphic patterns on pillows and other design pieces. Windows are often left uncovered to allow in as much natural light as possible, and there is special emphasis on the design of the light fixtures that are so important to brightening homes in areas without much natural light. Candles are also often featured in Scandinavian design as a way of increasing warmth and light in the inside environment.

Furniture is often made with simple lines and fashioned from light-colored woods that are left unpainted. Floors, too, are often made of wood and left bare except for throw rugs intended to add coziness to certain areas. Scandinavian-designed furniture also emphasizes function. Functional elements might include using coffee tables with storage and choosing throws that add patterns or color to the space while also providing warmth.

The use of wood is in keeping with the Scandinavian preference for natural materials and eco-friendly design. Scandinavian people generally enjoy outdoor activities and like to bring the outdoors into their homes through plants and other natural design elements. The area is also known for its interest in energy efficiency and being environmentally friendly, so cluttering the home with many pieces of furniture and belongings is not part of Scandinavian style. Instead, pieces are chosen to serve a purpose or multiple purposes. They are selected with an eye toward being in the home for many years.

The overall mission of Scandinavian design is making life better for the people who are spending time in the building. The emphasis on adding brightness to dark areas, using textures and patterns to add interest, and including functional pieces of furniture that require little upkeep are key design elements. All are intended to inspire the Danish ideal of hygge (pronounced hoo-gah), a cozy mind-state that results from living in an area that is clean and uncluttered but made cozy with lighting and soft furniture.

Bibliography

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