Embrace Simplicity with Fresh and Functional Scandi-Inspired Kitchen Design
Scandinavian kitchens are sleek, smart, and stylish—here’s how a Scandi design expert recommends embracing the aesthetic in your home.
Ali Harper
With its clean lines, fresh color schemes, and functional features, Scandinavian design has made a global name for itself. Although the aesthetic works in every room of the house, the kitchen may be the to implement Scandi design principles, from painting the walls to stocking the pantry. Perfect for those who feel their kitchen has become a bit too cluttered, a Scandi scheme elevates any space and makes for a cozy yet classy place to grill, grub, and gather.
Niki Brantmark provides interior design guidance to clients online and blogs about Scandi-inspired design daily. We spoke to Brantmark about the principles behind a true Scandi kitchen, and she shared her top tips for achieving the Scandi look right at home.
Meet Our Expert
Niki Brantmark is the author of Scandinavian design books Lagom: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life; The Scandinavian Home: Interiors Inspired by Light; and Njuta: The Swedish Art of Savoring the Moment, which comes out in December 2023.
How to Channel Scandi-Inspired Kitchen Design
Whether you’re ready to go all-in with the Scandinavian style or looking for ways to give your kitchen a quick refresh for the season, there are a few main principles to keep in mind—the materials you use, how to fill your cupboards, and more. Here’s all you need to know about achieve a Scandi kitchen.
Related: Tour This Blue Scandi-Style Kitchen That Expertly Blends Old and New
Lincoln Barbour
Focus on Functionality
The name of the Scandinavian design game is functionality—in every sense. Even though the aesthetic is clean-cut and nice to look at, it rests on the idea that “form should never compromise functionality,” Brantmark says.
Scandi kitchens are minimalistic, and every item has a purpose. This goes for functional kitchen items like appliances and utensils and for the design choices. You should even select the color scheme with intention and purpose.
"The beauty is in the simplicity," Brantmark says.
If you're designing your kitchen from scratch, think carefully about your regular kitchen use and go from there—make sure every task has a designated place that makes sense to you. If you’re just tweaking your space a bit, don’t be afraid to rearrange. If you have unused, awkward, or cluttered places in your kitchen, now’s the time to set them straight—it’s the Scandi way.
Related: 75 Kitchen Ideas for Every Layout and Style
Bring the Outdoors In
When it comes to which colors and materials to go with, just look outside. Scandinavian design relies heavily on natural elements: muted colors and patterns, repurposed wood, and touches of green throughout.
“Scandinavians are drawn to nature and like to use natural materials such as wood, stone, and linen, as well as earthy tones, which draw nature indoors,” Brantmark says.
Related: The 15 Best Outdoor Dinnerware Sets of 2024
Add houseplants, but take it one step further by using natural elements in every nook and cranny—wooden cabinets and islands, bamboo kitchen equipment, and woven light fixtures and placemats will make your Scandi kitchen shine.
Minimize the Clutter
To master Scandi design’s simplistic nature, you need to take the clutter down a notch, Brantmark says. This way, you minimize waste and keep the kitchen as efficient as possible.
“Have a good declutter so you can more easily see and find the cooking essentials and food items you have so that nothing goes to waste,” she says.
The long-term solution to clutter isn’t simply getting rid of things, though. Instead, minimize your clutter while installing smart storage solutions—display what brings you joy and hide the messier items. Simplicity is the goal.
"“Work with natural, well-made materials that will stand the test of time and create a mix of open and closed storage to ensure a perfect balance between clutter-free and relaxed.""
Niki Brantmark
Light Up the Space
Your kitchen won’t be fully functional if you’re struggling to see—and though radiant, natural lighting is ideal in a Scandi kitchen, it isn’t always reality. If you didn't luck out with floor-to-ceiling windows, adequate task lighting will make your time in the kitchen more pleasant.
Related: The 9 Best Under-Cabinet Lighting Options of 2024 to Illuminate Your Kitchen Countertops
“Ensure good task lighting for a highly functional kitchen no matter the season and time of day,” Brantmark says.
Experiment with a mixture of standing lamps and overhead lighting to ensure every part of your kitchen is well-lit year round. When those dim winter evenings come around, you’ll be glad for the extra brightness.
Related: 32 Before-and-After Kitchen Remodel Ideas for Your Renovation
Stock the Pantry Mindfully
Scandi-style mindfulness and practicality don’t stop at your cooking space—they extend to the pantry as well. Just as you want to channel functionality in every surface, appliance, and material you introduce to your Scandi kitchen, be intentional with how you stock the cupboards too.
“Work with in-season, locally-produced food to create dishes that are full of flavor and fill your kitchen with the scents of the season,” Brantmark says.
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