Suave, Simple, and Sold: Scandinavian Design
by Caitlin Sanfordcaitlin.sanford@interiordesignschoolreview.com
Interior Design School Review Columnist
Ikea, the Swedish furniture company that sells Scandinavian style furniture in flat boxes that people assemble at home, was valued at 14.8 billion euros in 2005, up from 12 billion euros in 2004. If the popularity of Ikea is any indication Scandinavian design styles are in vogue. Learning to create light, sleek, and modern interior decorating arrangements inspired by Scandinavian style can win you major points with interior design clients.
Origins of Scandinavian Design
Scandinavia, the Northern European region including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, is known as the home of the Vikings, dark winters, and as the site where the Nobel Prize is awarded. But Scandinavia is also the birthplace of a unique, tasteful, and modern interior decorating style.After World War II, a new interior decorating style was born in Northern Europe. Scandinavian designers sought an innovative decorating style that reflected modernity and practicality. Scandinavian design was born. Scandinavian interior design style may include:
- Light colored wood
- Finished edges and curved corners
- Exposed support structure or furniture frame
- Use of geometric shapes
- Use of plastics and bold colors
Scandinavian Design and Your Interior Decorating Career
Many people like the Ikea look but want something of higher quality that doesn't require the do-it-yourself assembly. This is where you, the decorator, come in. With a taste for Scandinavian design, you can choose high-quality items that bring the modern, simple, cozy feel that defines Scandinavian design to your client's home.Attending interior decorating school can teach you the details of maximizing space, matching decorating pieces, and creating a harmonious ensemble in a room or home. Combining the skills you learn in decorating school with knowledge of Scandinavian design pieces will give you the skills to offer something truly special to your clients.
Sources:
- Design Dictionary- Scandinavian Design
- Ikea- Facts and Figures
- Linda Hales, Washington Post. "Artistic Interpretation of Sweden, Inside and Out"
Caitlin Sanford is a consultant and freelance writer. She holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Stanford University.
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