Incorporate Nordic Essentials & an Understated Look For a Stylish Effect
In the past few years, Scandinavian minimalism has been everywhere that it’s kind of overused now. Of course, if you prefer more minimalist home design, feel free to keep it that way, but for those who would love to do something a bit different, there are ways to make it happen, while still maintaining minimalism so characteristic to Scandinavian countries. One of these new trends is called New Nordic which is basically an evolved version of Scandinavian minimalism. Well, if you’re looking to spruce up your home, here are some New Nordic tips that will make your place look effortlessly stylish and laid back at the same time:
Add blue elements
Similar to Scandinavian minimalism, New Nordic also relies on neutral and simple colors, except that now you can add bold blue elements as they will make your home come to life. Besides blue and its variants, you can also incorporate some green elements, but always make sure that they blend well together. Minimalist white is great, but after some time it becomes hollow, so if you’re looking to make your home more vibrant, make sure to add these two colors. Also, blue has a calming and relaxing effect so choosing it for your house is definitely a win-win.
Wooden floors are still in
Having wooden floors is one thing that New Nordic and Scandinavian Minimalism have in common. Keeping your home well-lit means a lot during dark winter period, so it’s always recommended to use bleached hardwood instead of regular wood. Having these types of floors can make your home come to life and make it seem bigger. Similarly, bleached hardwood is a great base if you want to experiment with other colors.
Make sure to declutter
Seeing perfect pictures that depict this type of home decor can be a bit disheartening, since all these places seem so tidy and well-kept. The truth is, decluttering is a necessary step if you want to have a clean looking and stylish home. The problem is, we often treat our homes like storage places and offices which inevitably leads to clutter. If you must keep a big load of paperwork, make sure to neatly place them in folders and keep them somewhere where they won’t cause any visual and physical disturbance. Same can be said for anything you don’t need at the moment, but you don’t feel like giving it away: make sure to get nice-looking containers and vacuum bags so your stuff will be kept in a good condition.
Be careful with accessorizing
Minimalism is great, but even the best-looking minimalist home needs a few accessories in order to look elegant. Yet, if you want a true new Nordic vibe, it’s important to carefully place your embellishments, so they won’t make your place look stuffed. Instead of buying every vase or painting that seems cute, make sure to only place the accessories you truly love, such as priced family heirlooms or pictures of your loved ones.
One of the great ways to tastefully decorate your place is to add classic-looking coastal Hamptons cushions considering they’re often blue which adds great to Nordic home theme. Also, if you prefer gallery wall inside your home, it’s better to use clean frames and minimalist paintings and drawings instead of bright colors and heavy picture frames.
Have fun with different textures and patterns
With New Nordic you can play with various patterns and textures, but unlike with minimalist decor, you need to make sure that these patterns are subtle and cleaner. You can use a wall-to-all carpet and then add a smaller rug that has clean lines and other shapes. But, it’s important to use quality and natural materials and textures, so your home will look comfortable and modern. Additionally, adding some patterns to your home can be a great contrast to an all-white minimalism, so if you still prefer white walls and neutrally-colored furniture, there’s a way to add something different, without having to resort to using flamboyant pieces.
Comfort is the key
Scandinavians are maybe the most practical people on Earth, so it’s no surprise that, even when it comes to home decor, they’re usually oriented on comfort and practicality. So, when choosing furniture and fabrics, it’s crucial to focus on picking comfortable, soft and warm materials such as faux sheep skin, especially if your not good at enduring cold. Also, adding a throw blanket somewhere less likely, such as kitchen, can add a whole new cozy dimension to your home. Similarly, when choosing sofas or dining chair, it’s better to ensure they’re comfortable and simple.
Plants can make everything better
In case you want to decorate your home, but you don’t want to get carried away, then opting for indoor plants is the right thing to do. House plants can be multi beneficial to one’s health and well-being, so if you’re looking to decorate your home, feel free to enrich your space with various greens. If you don’t know which to choose, then philodendron, chain cactus and snake plant are all safe bets since they’re easy to maintain and look good in any corner of your home. Beginners should always opt for low-maintenance plants and in case that turns out good, then you can choose some others that require more care.
New Nordic is perfect for those who aren’t completely sold to Scandinavian minimalism, but still prefer simple decor solutions instead of minimalist design. The first step towards achieving this look is of course, decluttering, but also make sure to stick to natural textures and don’t forget to prioritize your comfort, especially during freezing winter days.
About the author: Lilly Miller is a Sydney-based graphic designer and a passionate writer. Loves everything about home decor, art history and baking. Shares home with two loving dogs and a gecko named Rodney.
“Poetry creates the myth, the prose writer draws his own portrait.”
– Jean – Paul Sartre
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