Scandinavian farmhouse style — think rustic charm meets modern, simple, and sleek decor.

As a master interior designer, I can tell you that minimalist furniture is the current hype and is here to stay. The Scandinavian style brings Nordic designs with a practical feel, while the American farmhouse brings in raw materials to exude a down-to-earth, country-warmth simplicity.

If you want to be surrounded by beautiful and functional spaces, this design is for you.

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What Does the Farmhouse Style in Scandinavia Look Like?

Scandinavian-style farmhouse combines Scandinavian and farmhouse decor and focuses on minimalism. These two iconic designs are fused to create a striking contrast between the timeless style of farmhouse decor and the brilliant white spaces and distinct elements that can be seen in modern Scandinavian design.

Less is more, with streamlined furniture taking precedence over visual clutter.

How To Decorate In the Scandinavian-Style Farmhouse

To decorate in the Scandinavian style, choose simple furnishings that focuses on practicality, incorporate wood accents, and use minimal personalized accessories. Create coziness with minimal aesthetics, have clutter-free spaces that are open and clean, and use blends of texture and soft hues. This gives your space a sleek and modern feel.

If you'd like to try farmhouse style in your home, here are some tips:

Tip #1: Include natural woods in home design.

An example of this is having exposed wooden beams or pillars. Large windows with wooden frames are also perfect for bringing farmhouse style into a space. You can also consider wood flooring with thick planks, wooden wall art and chairs in your dining room, and perhaps even simple sliding barn doors to your kitchen.

Tip #2: Think light and bright.

Nordic design is about crisp, clean colors like white, pale grays, light blues, and creams. A trademark for the Scandinavian farmhouse style is monochrome natural colors and is known for its clean lines and muted hues.

Tip #3: Never clutter.

Choose furniture for its build and function as well as its practicality. A lounge may be wonderfully upholstered in good-quality material, but it could also be functional, with built-in storage, and doubles as a bed in the family room. Choosing furniture with highly useful features reduces the number of things you require, resulting in a cleaner look.

Tip #4: Add some contrast.

For the master bedroom, think a black metal bed frame against a white wall, or in the kitchen, white cabinets with brass drawer pulls and knobs, or a farmhouse sink. It's easy to achieve an architect-design look simply by checking online for inspiration.

Tip #5: Take advantage of natural light.

When you think of playing with natural light in your Scandinavian home, it's not just about large modern farmhouse windows in your living space. You can give a room an airy feel by choosing colors that reflect light. Strategically hung, mirrors can also bounce light around. A popular idea is hanging a large mirror above dining chairs in the dining area.

Scandinavian versus Rustic Style: Main Differences

If you're looking to mix rustic living room ideas with the minimalist design element in simple furniture like Arne Jacobsen's chairs, first know the difference between these designs.

Scandinavian Design

The Scandinavian modern design really puts minimalist aesthetics and functionality first. It's trendy and clean and will always be a popular choice of interior decorators.

Its Key Elements:

1. Contrary to its "less is more" approach, greenery is important.

Foliage plants are the best choice as they match the decor style of no-clutter. Plantlife also brightens spaces.

2. Wall decor, floor coverings, and decorations are kept to a bare minimum.

No loud wall decor or flooring designs are ever used to keep with the clutter-free theme. Rooms are rarely carpeted. Wooden floors are the best choice throughout the home.

Textures add a stylish flair; however, there aren't many embellishments. Rooms should have a unified, consistent, and light feel to them.

3. Solid pieces.

You'll find more solid and simple pieces of furniture, with modern and clean lines. There also won't be much ornate or excessive detailing.

Rustic Style

Rustic styling uses woods and other natural materials in a free-form organic look. It embraces primitive natural imperfections.

Its Key Elements:

1. Lots of natural, raw materials.

The defining characteristics of this style are the use of woods and stone. Whether it's furniture, the countertops in your bathroom, or added to the interior build, you'll find a lot of organic elements in their most natural state. There's always a feel of roughness to the room.

2. Avoid metal, plastic, and synthetics in build and decor.

Even though the modern farmhouse style fits this category, the rustic style doesn't use contemporary, flashy, or geometric designs. It sticks to earthy and heavier aesthetics.

3. Color palette is heavily neutral.

Imagine a classic farmhouse with bold, earthy tones, raw fabrics, and animal hide. Rustic style favors the warmth of browns, greys, and darker greens where nothing is sheen or shiny.

Frequently Asked Questions

If this is a style you're considering for your home, make sure to check out our answered frequently asked questions about Scandinavian and farmhouse design.

Why is it called Scandinavian farmhouse design?

It's the combination of two individually great styles. Modern Nordic decor's cool, clean, and functional elements are made warm and cozy with farmhouse details.

How was Scandinavian design invented?

It was greatly influenced by the harsh, short winter days of the five Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, and a desire for comfortable yet light rooms. Because of the real issues they faced, influences and ideas evolved into the styling we have today, with a preference for lighter colors, a minimalistic principle, and open-plan areas.

What is special about the Scandinavian design?

It perfectly combines functionality and beauty. It's simple and elegant and has a timeless aesthetic that won't date your home.

Is there a difference between the farmhouse and rustic styles?

Farmhouse and rustic styles use similar elements. They are both influenced by natural materials, like wood and stone, but rustic stylings prefer to keep their appearances raw. Farmhouse designs lean towards refining their beauty, but rustic designs like keeping things organic. It uses roughness and imperfections as visual impact.

More Helpful Articles to Read

Choosing the right interior designs and furniture for your home can be tricky. It's important to pick a suitable style for your needs and preferences. With so many options out there, you may need some help deciding.

  1. Mid-century modern living room furniture is perfect for the Scandinavian farmhouse look. They're highly popular contemporary designs.
  2. If you love damask florals, linen, and glamor inspired by 18th and 19th-century designs, then traditional home decor is for you.
  3. Who doesn't like trendy and current fashions? Give your space a makeover and add the best modern living room furniture to a personalized feel.

Conclusion

Scandinavian-style farmhouse are about fresh simplicity and minimalist furniture that are as practical as they are beautiful. Using Scandinavian decor in your home is easy and perfect for those that love uncluttered interior designs.