Simple, fine, and functional. We are talking about the Scandinavian style. An exhibition of the Nordic perspective for a good life, the style will never be out of fashion. You can find everything you need to know for a modern Scandinavian-style balcony decoration in this text.
The Scandinavian style initially emerged in the early 20th century in Northern European countries: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Finland. The designers from this part of the world primarily designed household goods and prioritized minimalism, simplicity, functionality, comfort, and naturality in their works. Providing a healthy, clean environment for a relaxed and pleasing life is the mentality behind the style. Since the 1950s, Scandinavian design has been on the rise throughout the world, becoming known by more and more people.
The Scandinavian style emphasizes naturality, suggesting using natural light, light colors, natural textiles, and textures. This way, it evokes feelings of coziness and comfort, which is one of the most important reasons it is preferred widely.
ABC of the Scandinavian style
A cozy Scandinavian-style balcony is to go for those who want to have a laid-back atmosphere to relax after tiring workdays. One of the most significant advantages of decorating your balcony or patio with this style is that it will always look timeless. This is a big plus because sometimes we pay a lot to redecorate a space that bothers us with its outdatedness. So, here are the ABC of decorating a Scandinavian-style balcony.
Accent neutral and natural colors
When you go up to your balcony, you should be able to ease your stress and focus on your inner voice. Scandinavians found the perfect solution for a rested mind: neutral colors and natural tones.
Hues of whites can give your available space a calming ambiance. To match whites, you can opt for black, gray, or brown shades, but remember not to choose very bright tones that could blind your eyes. You don’t need to run away from color, though. Sage green, shades of mauve or ivory can work perfectly in small details.
Bring a combination of different materials
Scandinavian design welcomes a mixture of materials. When shopping for your furniture and decorative items, always try to mix and match. For example, a metal coffee table with wooden chairs, concrete flowerpots, and a fuzzy rug on the floor makes the perfect design.
The idea behind such a fusion is to bring balance to the design. Just concrete and metal feels cold, whereas wood and textiles alone could be sloppy. But Scandinavian design aims at minimalism, which can be interpreted as not overusing a particular design element.
Clutters no, tidiness yes
Suppose you don’t have enough storage areas in your house. In that case, the balcony will inevitably start carrying some of the burdens at some point. However, messiness may give your mind uneasiness. Nordic people seem to know it well, so they always go for a clean and tidy environment that would help boost imagination and productivity.
What you should do is to start throwing away the unnecessary bits and pieces and consider reorganizing the remaining by increasing your storage. The less stuff you have scattered around, the more comfortable you will start to feel. This way, you can truly enjoy your balcony.
Decorated but simplistically
Minimalism does not mean refusing decoration! On the contrary, in minimalistic styles, every piece of furniture is part of the decoration. While deciding on your balcony pieces, always keep this frame of reference in mind.
For instance, decorative hanging lights can be a nice touch without adding much complexity to the over design. They can provide a cozy balcony ambiance at night. Similarly, you can use throws and pillows with geometrical shapes to add visual and tactile depth to the sitting set arrangement.
Emphasize the space
Spaciousness is maybe the number one characteristic of an ideal Scandinavian living area. Your daily life should not be overwhelming; moving around your house must be easy and comfortable. The “less is more” motto applies to every design aspect.
So, we suggest you not overdecorate your balcony with items that can block any movement. Moreover, you should consider choosing smaller and less bulky items to abstain from furniture suffocation. For example, if you have a tiny balcony, you can prefer seating cushions or foldable mattresses.
Focus on coziness
As you must have realized until now, Scandinavian design is all about creating the perfect cozy space. With the smooth colors, the absence of decoration, avoidance from clutters, your mind goes into relaxation mode. Coziness is most needed if you have a stressful job and live in a chaotic city.
While focusing on increasing the coziness of your balcony, consider things that make you comfortable. They can be soft cushions and warm blankets or candles for soft lighting. It is up to you to manage the coziness rate according to your wishes. Do not hesitate to consult this article when you feel stuck; it is always alright to get help.
Greens are important
Scandinavians are very engaged with the nature around them. As a result of this culture, the Nordic design almost always has used natural materials. But also, live plants are a big part of a Scandinavian balcony.
There are many good reasons for this. They provide a soothing ambiance, and they are the most functional decorative items you can find. Their maintenance can be an excellent hobby: a tiny pink flower can give you so much joy. The most outstanding function of a plant is that it allows connecting with the lifecycle of other living things. Taking care of a plant may increase your mindfulness. So, celebrate life and let your plants profit from the direct sunshine on your balcony!