What is Nordic style?

What is Nordic style?
The Nordic style is a style from Northern Europe, which mainly refers to the artistic design styles of Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland and other countries in northern Europe. The Nordic style is known for its simplicity, and has influenced the minimalism and postmodern styles that have emerged in modern times.

Nordic style kitchen.
Picture credit: @bluewaterglobe (Unsplash)

Why do everyone love Nordic style?
Unlike other formalisms that pursue fashion and commercial value, the Nordic style emphasizes simplicity and practicality. The Nordic style can reflect the respect for tradition, the appreciation of natural materials, the restraint of form and decoration, and the unity of form and function. In terms of interior design, the Nordic style often does not use patterns at all, and only uses lines and color blocks to distinguish embellishments. The Nordic style furniture is also functional and close to nature. Thus, such a low-key but noble Nordic style often makes people feel calming in the busy pace of life.

How much do you know about the characteristics of Nordic style?
The Nordic style generally emphasizes the spaciousness of the interior space, the transparency of the interior and exterior, and the maximum introduction of natural light in the treatment of space. Therefore, whether it is walls, floors, ceilings, furnishings and even lamps and vessels, they are all characterized by simple shapes, pure textures, and fine craftsmanship. The decorative materials commonly used in Nordic style include stone, glass, etc., but they all retain the original texture of these materials. The choice of home colors tends to be light colors such as white, beige, and light wood. White is often the main tone, with bright pure colors as embellishment; or black and white are the main tone, without adding any other colors. The space feels clean and clear, without any sense of clutter.

Nordic style kitchen.
Picture credit: @bluewaterglobe (Unsplash)

What is the difference between different types of Nordic styles?
Although the Nordic style mostly follows the design principles mentioned above, different types of Nordic style interior design can be derived according to different decades and regions.

Nordic pastoral style
In this style, the elements generally include flora and stripes. The decorations are mostly fabric, and the furniture materials are mostly wood such as pine. In the Nordic pastoral-style space, the color matching is still mainly white, and other more natural colors are supplemented to express rural life and natural leisure. In addition, a few small potted plants are also placed to add a sense of pastoralism. White wood grain furniture, small potted plants everywhere, exposed wall tiles with natural textures, and plenty of sunlight outline a peaceful Nordic pastoral scenery.

Calm and welcoming Nordic pastoral style.
Picture credit: @karaeads (Unsplash)

Nordic classic style
The European classical style mainly emphasizes gorgeous decoration and strong colors, thus creating a visual effect of grace and luxury. However, in the Nordic style with functionalism as the first element, the Nordic classic style has found a new balance between function and form. The design is simple and practical, without too much tedious decoration, but with a touch of classic color in the details and finally formed a unique design style. In the Nordic style home where white is always the main melody, if you want it to reveal the classic meaning, you must work hard on furniture and decorations. For example, the log tables and chairs are carved with European classical style patterns, European-style carpets are matched with a simple vertical clock cabinet and small decorative paintings to set off. This combination of old and new demonstrates the simplicity and classics of Northern Europe. The style is enough to move people’s hearts.

Simple, young and fun Nordic style apartment.
Designed by Liink Creation.

Nordic modern style
The Nordic modern style is to add a large area of daylighting glass and modernist steel structure to the space. This is reflected in the interior decoration without excessive modeling decoration, and tends to be simple and fashionable. Large areas of white, primitive wood grain, clear and lively lines, coupled with fashionable decorations, these combine to form a Nordic modern style. The furniture is full of lines at a glance. Round coffee table rugs, square sofas, cabinets and dining tables and chairs, as well as angular murals, make the space full of neat and clear lines, horizontal or vertical, without any clutter, all showing the Nordic modern style.


Picture credit: @ka_idris (Unsplash)

Tips for creating a Nordic style
To create a Nordic space of its own, the colors are mainly light colors: beige, white, light wood, etc.

In terms of materials, natural elements such as wood, rattan, soft and plain gauze and linen products should be used. The materials and colors used should be compatible and the proportions should be properly selected.

It is also necessary to grasp the key points in the decoration changes, use the indispensable natural elements of the Nordic style, add a little bit of other materials such as metal, etc., and then consider whether the color matching is coordinated.

Of course, the easiest way is to tell the interior designer that you want to present the Nordic style and let them directly help you complete it!

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