The kitchen is the busiest room in a lot of homes. It’s where you cook meals and, often, where the family comes to eat. The ideal kitchen is functional above everything else, but it’s also important to create an environment you actually enjoy spending time in.
Changing the kitchen in your home is easily one of the projects with the biggest impact in your home, partly because the work itself is so disruptive, but mainly because an outdated or barely functional kitchen is so difficult to deal with. Once it’s brand new and ready to go, you can’t help but notice the change.
What is the Scandi-Style?
Scandi-style design features are very recognizable once you know what you’re looking for. They also work really well for kitchens and other areas of your house where you don’t want clutter.
Unsurprisingly, Scandi design conventions originate in Scandinavia, but it’s increasingly popular in other parts of the world. The focus is on purposeful design. Everything has a place and a purpose, and this philosophy can help you create a kitchen that’s very functional, but also warm and timeless.
Scandinavian kitchens often have white walls and natural wooden materials for the flooring, cupboards, and other standing furniture. Because it’s a relatively simple design, it’s very functional. Here are some things to consider when looking for Scandi-inspired kitchen ideas.
The Appeal of Scandi Minimalism
Minimalism doesn’t have to mean a room is empty and boring. It’s uncluttered and undistracting, but importantly, it’s still pleasing to the eye. Scandi minimalism isn’t the same as brutalism or classic minimalism, where you only have the essentials to think of. There’s still room for beauty.
Instead, you want to think about harmony and functionality. Furniture has clean lines and not too much detail, but it flows nicely. Everything is perfectly designed for its purpose, but there’s still the idea that a room is lived in.
This works for kitchens because it’s such a highly functional room. You don’t want to feel like you work in a commercial kitchen, but you also don’t want to have to deal with clutter or a bad layout.
Warm, Natural Materials
One good example of how Scandi-designs find a balance between minimalism and comfort is the use of natural materials. Wood plays a heavy role in Scandi-style, and is often used for flooring and furniture.
You’ll also find other natural materials like wool, leather, and linen, which add more texture and authenticity to a room. This is what makes it feel like part of a home, rather than a soulless commercial space. It’s inviting and works well in summer and winter.
Finishing Touches
As well as the kitchen itself, it’s also important to make the room feel coherent with some Scandi-style finishing touches. This includes Scandi wall art that will go perfectly with the rest of the room.
Make sure to also add some other decorative pieces, like a vase of flowers. Don’t go overboard; you want the room to flow comfortably without feeling overly cluttered. A few key pieces work well.
