Minimalism and Christmas decorations: make the Scandinavian style work in your home this festive season
@thosefarmhouseideas, @ahousewebuilt Instagram
There is something magical about the so-called Scandinavian style/decor, especially during the Christmas season. With its minimalist but welcoming aesthetic, this style can transform any room into a haven of calm and warmth. If you want of create an elegant and relaxing Christmas atmosphere, the secret lies in the use of all-natural materials, neutral colors and details designed to evoke the sense of "hygge" ("hygge" can be defined as being a sense of coziness, comfort, and contentment, often associated with enjoying the simple pleasures of life).
In this article, you will find some simple suggestions on how to decorate your home in a Scandinavian style, which will bring a touch of Nordic magic to your Christmas.
1. The basics
Farmhouse Decor Ideas (@thosefarmhouseideas/Instagram)
The Scandinavian style focuses on basic lines and shapes, elemental colors (with a preference for black and white), and the natural tones of wood and plants. As shown here, a whitewashed Christmas tree (without ornaments), and a garland of branches from the same tree/plant draped over the fireplace mantelpiece, is all you really need.
2. Little, white houses
A House We Built (@ahousewebuilt/Instagram)
Very cute and elegant, white, ceramic model houses are decorative pieces that can be used in a thousand ways: pictured here, they have been grouped together as a "Christmassy village" to serve as an attractive dining table centerpiece.
Suly Villarreal (@suly_home_lifestyle)
These white, ceramic houses will also look good on your shelves, as you can see in this example. This simple addition will help to spread "Christmas cheer" throughout your home. Put them on shelves around your workstation, the bathroom or the bedroom. And they'll look even better when used in conjunction with some fir tree branches (or similar).
3. Firs, cedars and lightly-colored wood
Katie Buffington (@kathrynannedesignco/Instagram)
When choosing greenery to enhance a Scandinavian decor at Christmastime, the foliage of conifers (such as firs or cedars) is the preferred choice. That said, any plants with dark green or silver foliage will work well (like Thuja, for example) but avoid using plants with expansive leaves.
Other decorations and ornaments used are typically made from lightly-colored wood (pine, for example), but you can also use regular household items made from wicker and other all-natural materials as decorative pieces.
4. How about some ivy too?
Simply Scandi (@simplyscandimag)
In this example, a Christmas dinner table has been crowned with a "sober", hanging decoration made up of just ivy cuttings and simple, glass lanterns - a perfect compliment to your Scandinavian-styled Christmas!
5. Paper decorations
Nordic Nest | Scandinavian Interior Design (@nordicnest/Instagram)
Low environmental impact - this is also a key, defining concern and feature of the Scandinavian style. So, no plastics or synthetics, but rather the extensive use of wood, metals and paper instead. And there are lots of decorations made from these materials that you can buy or make yourself to decorate your home with at Christmas (and some can even be illuminated, as shown here)!
6. Simple shapes for ornaments
Millie's Ceramics (@millies.ceramics/Instagram)
Scandinavian minimalism also extends to the Christmas tree's ornaments, as can be seen with the cute, stylized tree ornaments shown here.
7. Not just #scandi but also #hygge
BeanDaikon Macrame (@beandaikon/Instagram)
Whilst the "pure" Scandinavian style focuses on minimalism, you can add a touch of warmth by paying homage to the so-called "hygge" philosophy: "hygging" can be described as setting up a warm atmosphere in the home and enjoying the good things in life with good people: sitting next to a roaring fire, sharing a dinner with friends or relaxing under a blanket and a good book epitomise the core tenets of hygge.
Lechlade Craft Barn (@lechladecraftbarn/instagram)
How about making your decorations a little more "hyggey" too by adding a bit more color to them (as shown in this example)?
Beatrice (@em_bea_roidery)
Will you be enjoying a Scandinavian-styled/decorated home this Christmas?
