Scandinavian design only continues to grow in popularity around the world. As it does so, people are realizing that Scandinavian design isn’t just one aesthetic. In fact, there are many design aesthetics that incorporate Scandinavian design. This is perhaps most visible in the kitchen, where the Scandinavian paradigm of functionality and form is essential to not only each individual part of the room, but to the overall design layout.
There are many ways to have a “Scandinavian design kitchen.” Let’s explore the styles, from minimalist to industrial to colorful.
Here are the types of Scandinavian kitchens that will inspire you, and how to get the look for each one:
Minimalist Style Kitchens
White, white, and more white…right? Not necessarily. Minimalism doesn’t have to be boring, and it can be just as much about how you display items in your kitchen as it is about creating a blank-looking space. It’s true that Scandinavian minimalism relies heavily on white walls, but this is also related to creating an environment filled with light.
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Industrial Style Scandinavian Kitchens
It can feel intimidating to incorporate industrial style into a non-industrial space, because it typically requires a great deal of light and square footage to make it work. But it’s possible to bring industrial elements into your kitchen design without making it feel like a warehouse.
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There are several ways to incorporate industrial elements into your kitchen design, such as adding concrete countertops, installing metal pendant lights, or showcasing exposed brick.
Not sure if industrial style is typical in Scandinavia? It’s something you’re more likely to see in commercial or office spaces, rather than residential ones. When used sparingly, or combined with minimalist design, industrial style can fit beautifully into any home.
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Colorful Scandinavian Kitchens
It may seem like the opposite of “the Scandinavian aesthetic,” but using color is actually very popular in a Scandinavian context. It’s about how much color is used, and in what combinations. Wallpaper, painted trim, and colorful cupboard fronts are all great ways to incorporate color into your kitchen.
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Historically, Scandinavian kitchens have been quite colorful. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the homes of Scandinavian farmers and fishermen were decorated with bright colors, patterns, and textiles to reflect their cultural heritage and the natural world around them.
This love of color and craft has returned to Scandinavian design, with some designers and homeowners abandoning the minimalist, neutral tones of the past. Instead, they opt for bold hues to add warmth, texture, and depth to their interiors, including the kitchen.
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Natural Material Scandinavian Kitchens
Kitchens are a great place to mix and match materials, especially natural ones that will age well over time. Wood and stone in particular can really make your kitchen pop. Additional material choices like textiles (window dressing and kitchen cloth, for example) and leather (pulls on drawers or trays) can add some depth and texture.
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It’s important to have a kitchen that’s not only functional, but durable. Natural materials tend to gain patina over time, so they look used – but that’s the beauty!
Natural materials in the kitchen are often left in their raw, natural state to showcase their unique texture, in keeping with the simplicity and functionality of the Scandinavian design aesthetic.
The end result is a timeless and functional space that feels welcoming, making it the perfect place for cooking, eating, and socializing.
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Summer-House Style Scandinavian Kitchen
Ah, the most charming of all: the summer house kitchen. It should be noted that “summer houses” in the Scandinavian context are typically cottages, used as a place to connect with nature on the weekends throughout the year, or sometimes only during the summer months.
Wonky walls, patinated wood, and quirky ceramics are all part and parcel of the ideal summer house kitchen. It’s the place where you lazily make your coffee while sunlight streams in through the windows, where you pack sandwiches before heading to the beach, and where you sit by a cozy fire on a dark winter night.
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Danish Kitchen Brands to Know
Reform | Reform started out making cabinet fronts for IKEA kitchens so that you could hack your conventional kitchen into something more aesthetically pleasing. Today, Reform works with some of the top designers and architects around the world to create their own kitchen collections spanning a range of styles, from industrial to colorful. They work on a modular basis, so you can create a kitchen you love easily, regardless of the space. |
Garde Hvalsøe | When you see a Garde Hvalsøe kitchen, there’s no denying the quality. These handcrafted kitchens are beautiful, timeless, and durable. They’re made at the Garde Hvalsøe joinery in Denmark from top-quality wood that is ethically sourced in Europe. They are pricey, but they will not only last a lifetime, they continue to get better with age. These kitchens are regarded as “design objects”, so highly valued that homeowners have been known to take them with them when they move properties. |
Kvik | This kitchen brand has a series of collections you can choose for your own space, as well as cabinets and modular options for closets or bathrooms. They’re sleek, simple. and look good in a number of design styles. |
Vipp | Known for their moody, minimalist everyday design items like bathroom rubbish bins and soap dispensers, Vipp also has two kitchen collections available: V1 and V2. V1 has an industrial, sleek look, while V2 is a warm wood collection. Both are beautifully designed, highly functional, and high-end design for the home. It’s not an inexpensive option, but Vipp is a great choice for a real showpiece kitchen. |
POSSI | Billing themselves as “flexible, modern kitchen,” POSSI makes modular furniture to be used in the kitchen space. Made with simple joints that make them easy to assemble or take apart, POSSI’s modular pieces have a number of elements that can be rearranged to create your ideal kitchen. They’re colorful and playful, for a fun kitchen look. |
&SHUFL | Already have an IKEA kitchen, but want a visual update? &SHUFL offers cabinets and fronts in a variety of styles and modular options that can be attached to your IKEA kitchen. The fronts come in wood and laminate, as well as number of painted colors. Add wooden inserts and drawers for additional functionality. |
Swedish Kitchen Brands to Know
IKEA | For affordable and accessible kitchen design, it’s hard to beat IKEA! The Swedish furniture giant not only provides the fittings, fronts, and appliances for the kitche; they can help you design it, too! In most IKEA stores, you can speak with a kitchen consultant who will help you with a computer-generated plan. As a bonus, IKEA now has so many hacker brands that if you decide on an IKEA kitchen and then want to upgrade it visually years later, it’s easy and fairly affordable to do so. |
Marbodal | Launched in Tidaholm in 1924, Marbodal says that they help create “the kitchen of your dreams.” The profile is high-quality, luxury bespoke kitchens. They’re owned by Nobia, a Swedish kitchen manufacturing company that produces cabinets as well as other kitchen components. Marbodal kitchen styles go from classic to modern and playful. They work with Swedish paint company Toniton so that there’s a huge array of color options, as well as silhouettes. |
Ballingslöv | Founded in 1929, Ballingslöv was founded as part of the wave of functionalism that was sweeping Scandinavia at the time. Though their production and aesthetics may have changed slightly over time, ultimately they do what they’ve always done: create high-quality, functional, and classic kitchens. They also make other interior fittings such as bathrooms and cabinetry. |
Kvänum | Known for their custom kitchens, Kvänum has been producing incredible craftsmanship since 1923. They have a small number of collection styles to choose from, and many colors and finishes to make your kitchen feel unique. They also create bathroom and storage furniture, all with the same customization and care. |
Rosthults | Outdoor kitchens have different requirements than indoor ones, and Rosthults exists to make sure those outdoor kitchens are the most beautiful and functional around. Not everyone needs (or can afford) an outdoor kitchen, but those who do want the highest quality, plus an unobtrusive design style. |
Nordiska Kök | Similar to Danish brand Reform, Nordiska Kök helps you design your own bespoke kitchen at an accessible price point, and with top quality materials. The kitchen collections are classic and quite minimalist, including styles called “Frame” and “Shake,” highlighting excellent craftsmanship. Nordiska Kök also offers countertops and kitchen accessories such as draw inserts to make your kitchen as functional as possible. |
Finnish Kitchen Brands to Know
Puustelli | Looking for the absolute best in sustainably-made kitchens? Puustelli is the way to go. Their collection Puustelli Miinus, has every element of the kitchen calculated so that you know it’s exact ecological footprint. It is also durable, recyclable, and non-toxic; the whole idea is that anything harmful from the production of the kitchen has been “misused.” Miinus, sa well as the rest of the Puustelli collection, is made in Harjavalta, Finland. With a number of styles and materials, as well as colors, this Finnish brand can create the high-quality and functional kitchen of your dreams. |
Kitchen images are via Reform.
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