Get the Look: Scandinavian Style Kitchen Design

Clean lines, decluttered spaces, and simple styling are what is resonating in interiors today. Add in light, warm wood tones, a neutral color palette, and functional furnishings and you have the modern, yet warm hallmarks of a space that embraces Scandinavian design (also known as Scandi style).

The History of Scandinavian Design

During the 1930s five Nordic countries started to re-shape interior design with a new take on minimalist styling that focused on simple living and comfort. These countries included Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland. It wasn’t until the mid-1950s until this style grabbed the attention of the International design world and coined its name, “Scandinavian” design style from a traveling interior design exhibit.

From 1954 to 1957, the Brooklyn Museum started a traveling show called “Design in Scandinavia” that made its way through the USA and Canada making a lasting impression on the design industry. The intriguing event featured several innovative Nordic designers that focused their designs around a minimalistic philosophy. Designs were built around simplifying the daily lifestyle while embracing clean lines, and textures inspired by nature. But Scandi style was not only about clean styling and lifestyle but also had a strong focus on sustainability, solid craftsmanship, and eco-friendly products. This show and many exhibits that followed played a leading role in the influence of Scandinavian style around the world. Scandinavian style has continued to evolve over the years becoming a modern look that’s also a timeless classic.

The Brooklyn Museum‘s 1954 “Design in Scandinavia” exhibition launched “Scandinavian Modern” furniture on the American market.

The Scandinavian Style Color Palette

The color palette should be dominated by whites and natural-toned woods, the addition of dark blue, dark green, icy blues, and moss green bring the colors of nature indoors.

A 3 panel slab door style with a textured, rustic lodge oak material paired with a white paint sample.

This Scandi style mood board features Dura Supreme’s Dash door style in Lodge Oak Textured TFL.

The Scandinavian design almost always showcases interiors that use white as the dominating color in the color palette. The white brightens the space which is so important when being cooped up inside during the long dark winters that Nordic countries are known for.

A close up of the shiplap slab door style from Dura Supreme in an off-white/light gray painted finish.

Dura Supreme Cabinetry shown in the Linea door style in a Pearl paint finish.

But all white is not always the case. Instead of opting for the all-white palette, this Scandinavian kitchen adds a dose of deep blue. The warm wood accent and the minimal styling makes this kitchen a shining example of the elegant simplicity of Scandinavian style.

Photo by Nicolaj Bo™

Incorporate accents of natural wood or lightly stained wood tones into the design to add texture and warmth to the room. Often you’ll see white painted cabinetry and walls, with natural wood floors, a lightly stained wood kitchen island or table, and small splashes of subtle greens and blues throughout the decor.

This Scandinavian-inspired kitchen located in the heart of Minnesota is full of delightful design details like an X kitchen island end cap, a tapered modern wood hood, and shiplap-like cabinet doors to name a few. The cabinetry in this kitchen features Dura Supreme’s Linea door style in Pearl paint combined with the Camden door style in a Cashew stain on Maple. The open floating shelves use Dura Supreme’s Caraway stain on Cherry.

Dura Supreme kitchen design featuring the Linea door style by Dura Supreme.

Selecting Scandinavian Style Cabinetry

In the Scandinavian-inspired kitchen, the door style should be simple, a slab or flat panel door without ornamentation. Accent cabinet doors might feature a contrasting color or material to add interest or have a glass door, or modern aluminum framed cabinet door. Many times Scandi design will mix in some simple metal elements to complement the design.

Cabinet construction is typically frameless (full-access) cabinetry not only because it’s a prominent cabinetry style in Europe, but also because of its ability to house additional internal storage space and its minimalistic appearance.

Bria Cabinetry by Dura Supreme features Frameless (Full-Access) construction.

Design Elements of a Scandi Style Kitchen

Keep accents to a minimum for a clean and uncluttered feel. Add texture by using natural elements such as greenery and natural wood grains to bring the outdoors in.

Tile by Fireclay Tile shown in the Feldspar 2″ x 6″ Tile | Design by Reserve Home

The design should be highly functional and focused on practical storage, comfort, and clutter-free environment. Floating shelves and open shelving are commonly used in replacement of wall cabinets in areas of Scandi kitchen designs to open up the space and create casual storage for every day used items like plates, bowls, cups, and other frequently used items.

Tile by Fireclay Tile shown in the Chaine Homme White Wash Tile | Design by Mark Davis Design | Photo by Luis Costadone

Furniture and cabinetry that feature clean lines and decor with smooth rounded edges help capture the look of Scandinavian style. While products that are made from natural and/or sustainable materials represent the ideology of Scandinavian design and the vision of simplistic living.

Tile by Fireclay Tile shown in the Feldspar 2″ x 6″ tile | Design by Reserve Home

Tile that stretched from floor to ceiling is a common feature. Tiles are generally used to add subtle texture. Many Scandi style kitchens feature traditional subway-tiles, historic-like brick walls, or minimalistic geometric patterns.

A Scandinavian style kitchen design with light oak floating shelves and pastel blue subway tile backsplash.

Tile by Fireclay Tile shown in the Mist 4″ x 8″ tile | Design by EJ Interior Design | Photo by Brad Knipstein.

A white on white kitchen with Scandinavian style featuring white painted cabinets and white tile backsplash with light wood floating shelves above the kitchen sink.

Dura Supreme Cabinetry design by 123 Remodeling in Chicago, Illinois. Photography by James Vitullo.

Touches of rustic decor and design elements are often added sparingly to soften and warm the bright and modern elements.

A living room with rustic Scandinavian decor and furniture.

A light blue Scandinavian Style kitchen with cabinet doors and rustic wood accents and floating shelf.

Dura Supreme Cabinetry design by DCI Home Resource, Charlotte, North Carolina.

Textiles are typically neutral or feature subtle blue and green hues. They are all about simplicity and casual comfort and may feature handwoven materials or simple geometric prints. Window treatments are typically limited or basic focusing on letting as much sunlight into the room as possible. Since most Nordic homes only enjoy daylight as little as seven hours a day, natural lighting is a prominent feature in many Scandi style homes.

A dining room with simple window treatments to let lots of sunlight in. | Design & Photo by Anastasiia Andreichenko

Is Scandinavian (Scandi) Your Interior Design Style?

A Scandinavian styled kitchen with a shiplap wood hood, sky blue subway tile backsplash, and a blue kitchen island.

Dura Supreme Cabinetry design by Anneke Huisman of Standale Home Studio, Grand Rapids, Michigan. New Construction by Curt Morgan Builders. Photography by Leigh Ann Cobb Photography.

Design & Photo by Anastasiia Andreichenko featuring Acrylic cabinets in a Scandinavian style kitchen.

A black and white Scandinavian style kitchen and dining room with vaulted ceilings.

Dura Supreme Cabinetry design by Erin Havard of Modern Mountain Cabinetry & Co, California. Photography by Chantel Elder of Eleakis & Elder Photography.