13 Scandi kitchen ideas

Open shelving allows you to combine kitchen essentials with decorative elements for a stylish – but still functional – look.

'When it comes to styling my own shelves, I have found that selecting just a few beautiful pieces to display can make the most decorative impact and be the most sentimental,' says Peter Erlandsson, the co-owner of String Furniture.

'Coordinating different colours on your shelves is another simple and effortless way of making these pieces stand out and decoratively tie a room together. Many forget that storage can be part of the interior design scheme and by displaying and styling our objects, we can merge function with decoration.'

Image: Ferm Living Kitchen Rod, Nest

Scandi kitchens aim to be light and airy, with plenty of natural light. An easy way to achieve this is by sticking with a colour palette that makes the most of soft, nature-inspired shades. It's also a colour scheme that matches effortlessly with the natural materials that are essential to the look.

Tash suggests: 'For a Scandi colour palette, I’d always suggest a light colour scheme, such as soft beiges, whites and subtle greens.

'If you do go for a white wall in the kitchen, I’d suggest pairing it with soft woods through the addition of open shelving or wooden cabinets to add to the inviting and cosy feel that the Scandi theme captures.'

Image: Muuto Nerd Bar Stool, Nest

Much like the kitchen itself, opt for items that combine elegant modern design with practicality. This could be coffee cups with a unique silhouette, a quirky pestle and mortar, or, glassware with an intriguing tint.

Choosing items that are as ornamental as they are useful allows you to make the most of open shelving.

Image: Artsy Kitchen Gallery Wall, Desenio

'Darker accents are also very popular for Scandi homes and kitchens, with this interior trend loving a focus on contrast,' notes Tash. 'I’d suggest interrogating a darker accent into your home through fixtures rather than colours on your walls.'

A dark splashback instantly adds depth to your kitchen, while a pendant light draws the eye upwards. Choose your accent pieces sparingly though, as the look should be minimal but impactful.

Image: Case Study Kitchen, Fisher & Paykel

Although Scandi-inspired kitchens stick closely to a neutral colour scheme, there's plenty of room to work in more vibrant colours, especially if they can be found in nature.

Green is an excellent choice and pairs beautifully with wooden tones, metallic finishes and white walls.

Image: Lagos Kitchen, Wood Works Brighton

'When looking to have a Scandi style in your kitchen, you want to focus on warmth,' advises Tash. 'Look to incorporate a warm wood contrasted with a contemporary darker metal feature as this combination instantly gives off a Scandi feel. This can be done through simple additions such as chunky wooden chopping boards and Kilner jars with a black metal clasp, for example.'

Image: Fluted Oak Alloy Splashback, Wilsonart

Letting in plenty of natural light is key to bringing a sense of nature into your home, a cornerstone of any Scandi-inspired room.

If you're renovating your kitchen, choose large windows, and don't block them with heavy blinds or curtains. Instead, choose styles that can easily be pushed back to allow as much light in as possible.

Image: Titan Pendant Lights, Original BTC

If you're planning to go down the minimalist route, not only in terms of colour but design, then it can feel tricky to add interest and decor without it feeling counterintuitive.

This is where houseplants come in. Not only can they serve a practical purpose – whether that's being a delicious herb or an air purifier – they also look great and add colour.

Tall, leafy varieties can fill empty corners, while trailing plants draw the eye upwards to create a sense of space.

Image: Simply Brilliant White, Make My Blinds

'When it comes to Scandinavian design, there’s often a big misconception – minimalism. Although there are parallels, such as the focus on function, clean lines and light colours, Scandinavian design is more than just neat and necessary.

'Equally essential as pure function is beauty that draws inspiration from Nordic nature. A feeling of quiet elegance, no matter the object, material or pattern,' explains Bo Hellberg, CMO at String Furniture.

Image: Bangui Kitchen, Wood Works Brighton