When someone says, “Scandinavian kitchen,” what comes to mind? You will probably think of all the kitchens you have seen in the IKEA catalogue, right? Well, the truth is that a Scandinavian kitchen style can be achieved in a variety of ways.

The basics of a Scandinavian kitchen are that it takes an almost minimalist approach – that is the true Scandii style. You could sum up Scandinavian style as being sleek minimalist with a strong element of warmth.

Even though this may sound contradictory, the Scandinavian style really has a way of making seemingly opposing design elements work in perfect harmony.

How do you design a Scandi style kitchen?

In fact, if you are looking for a modern kitchen, you can’t go far wrong with a design from northern Europe. So, for anyone that wants to completely change their kitchen, or for those of you who just want to add some small amendments, here are some of the ways you can create a Scandinavian style kitchen effective.

What are the right colours for a Scandi kitchen?

A Scandinavian kitchen style is one that makes use of a lot of white, black and grey shades.

However, Scandi style also involves using light blues. These colours can play a big role in achieving the look of a Scandi style kitchen.

How do you use colour to break up white and black in a Scandi kitchen?

For example, using shades such as aqua work really well to break up the often white or black scheme. This can be something really small such as the sides of your replacement kitchen doors or even the themselves. What you want to achieve is not only consistency but also grouping colours together in the same family.

Use Full height cabinets & single shelves

One of the cornerstones of a Scandinavian kitchen design is the single shelf concept, as not only does it look incredibly modern, but it will also give your kitchen that Nordic edge.

Single shelves are ideal for displaying items in the kitchen, and also provide a way for you to access storage easily. Full height cabinets are another great way to emulate northern European design and Scandi style.

They can also give your kitchen a bigger and more spacious feel.

What are the core elements of Scandi design?

Modernity and a minimalist design are trends in Scandinavian kitchens and an important factor of Scandi style.

So creating space – or the illusion of more space – will help you greatly in perfecting this look. Stick to tried and trusted Scandi design principles and you will soon be creating your very own Scandi kitchen.

Should you choose light flooring in a Scandi kitchen?

We often think of the Nordic nations suffering from dark and dreary winters. However, when it comes to Scandinavian style, you should aim for light coloured wooden flooring. Light-toned wooden flooring is a mainstay of the classic Scandi kitchen.

Look at pale shades that provide a crisp and light finish. For example, engineered ash wood flooring is a great way to achieve this effect.

You want to keep the entire kitchen light in colour because it creates the impression of space, in addition to keeping everything bright and cheerful in your Scandi kitchen.

What is true Scandi style?

Also, be sure to avoid features such as a kitchen island. While we might love the idea of a kitchen island here at Kitchen Warehouse, it’s worth remembering that if you want to emulate true Scandi style, a kitchen island is not usually an element of a typical Scandi style kitchen.

Scandi kitchens avoid anything that adds more clutter to the room and fills space. So, a breakfast bar and Scandi kitchen ideas that save space and create extra dining space are utilised.Indeed bar stools and a breakfast bar fit in really well with Scandi design principles and common Scandi kitchen ideas.

Do Scandi kitchens use stripes?

As we keep mentioning – space is key to a Scandinavian kitchen and is at the core of nearly all Scandi style kitchens.

You certainly won’t see many Scandi kitchens that are cluttered. Scandinavian design is all about space and any interior designer will work hard to ensure that a Scandi kitchen has clean lines, a simple colour palette and is bursting with Nordic charm.

How do you make a Scandi kitchen look bigger?

This is where stripes come in to Scandi interior design.

Using stripes is a great way to make a room feel bigger and elongate the space available to you.

A good tip is to use soft furnishings, such as a striped patterned rug, and place it in the centre of the room.

Remember to follow the interior design trend of Scandi kitchens. So, make sure you keep it light and use colours such as blues, reds and whites to make the room feel much larger as a result.

Can you use quirky designs and patterns in Scandi kitchens?

Scandinavian kitchens often also have quirky patterns and design features. You can also incorporate the stripe technique into your walls by painting vertical stripes.

This is particularly useful if you have a low ceiling and not much natural light. It will create a contemporary look that can be accentuated and complemented by pendant lighting and mood lighting.

Add some colourful accessories

The finishing touches are your  Scandinavian kitchen accessories. Even the smallest of items in the kitchen can really add to the overall look and feel.

Accessories are an important element of Scandi kitchen ideas across all Scandinavian countries.

For true Scandinavian kitchen style, you want to add colour to the pale shades that have already been discussed. Strategically placed tea towels, a selection of herbs or even flowers and plants (cacti are very popular), means you can add a hint of colour without being overbearing.

Just remember to try and make everything match up, so we recommend you don’t invest in bright green tea towels when you have a stripy red rug in the room. Be smart about your choices and you will achieve the Scandinavian effect with relative ease.

In Scandi style kitchens, every element – from the wood worktops to the dining table to the glass storage jars or pendant lights you choose will all blend together seamlessly.

A Scandinavian kitchen style

The Nordic nations always seem to have an edge when it comes to home design, and the kitchen is no exception. It doesn’t take a huge amount of effort to create a Scandinavian kitchen style and you can even work to achieve this look in stages if you can’t afford to go all out in one go. Just a few upgrades here and they will work wonders.

Just remember that light colours (although some black and grey is allowed for contrast), creating space, using stylish accessories and also installing pale flooring will set you on the right path to creating the perfect Scandinavian kitchen style.

To discuss this design further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. Contact us today by giving us a call on or emailing us at contact@kitchenwarehouseltd.com.