The Nordic style of decorating is gaining more and more admirers. These are the essential elements to achieve it in your home.

The Nordic style has conquered more and more admirers. Those who identify it as cold, too minimalist, and uncomfortable are wrong. In fact, elegance and simplicity are watchwords found in each of its pieces.

For all those who aspire to a Nordic ambience, it is important to have some of these elements as a basis.

Scenery construction
Interestingly, during these days I had the opportunity to take a trip where I visited several Nordic cities. The goal was one-take a Nordic design injection. In fact, more and more I have clients who point to this style as their favorite. With this I had to study it, absorb it, and feel comfortable talking about it. But more importantly, developing it and using it! Usually when I try to evolve in something in my field I start with a fairly simple exercise. I take spaces apart. I dismantle images. And during this process I ask myself what I like. I try to understand what elements welcome and embrace the space, what relativizes it and at the same time fills it and identifies it.

And it’s curious, because do you know what I have concluded on this journey? Although we see a very elegant and minimalist furniture design, it takes shape through an environment absorbed in textures that ends up enveloping it.

Here we return once again to the importance of walls and ceilings. It is interesting to realize that for the most part the use of wood, exposed concrete, dumb brick, white tile or resin works beautifully in exercises of this character.

Colors like white and gray on the walls and ceilings are also sure-fire kicks for creating one of these scenarios.

Natural light
The existence and affirmation of large windows is also important, for the passage of natural light. A great suggestion, namely for small spaces, is the use of glass structures with thin frames (ok! This is an architect’s detail, but I remind you that it’s in the details that we make the difference). These will serve as space dividers. The use of this element capable of organizing and separating private from common areas will give a wider image, avoiding our traditional wall to the ceiling.

Furniture
No less important is the selection and choice of pieces, whether tables, chairs or even sofas.

Although the tables and chairs are always based on a simplistic image, the funny part is that it is possible to play with different woods, i.e. the table being in a darker wood and the chairs lighter. I confess that the Italian style uses and abuses of this game. But it was interesting to realize that the Nordic style also does it without losing its identity. The following images show just that.

Still, we live in a world full of alternatives. So white or gray lacquered tables are also valid.

An important detail is the table’s feet. Regardless of its material its feet should be thin and elegant. One thing I have noticed is that in some cases the legs of tables and chairs are made of metal. In this way, the piece gains more lightness and transpires a more subtle image.

The same applies to the sofas. Although many of them are made of velvet, the fact that they are lifted off the floor by means of iron structures makes the piece stand up. I think the secret is to have a set of elements all supported and raised by thin and elegant structures. Coffee tables, dining tables, sofas, armchairs, chairs, all should follow this rule.

The same applies to sofas. Although many of them are even made of velvet, the fact that they are raised from the floor by means of iron structures makes the piece stand up. I think the secret is to have a set of elements all supported and raised by thin and elegant structures. Coffee tables, dining tables, sofas, armchairs, chairs, all should follow this rule.

Lighting
Lighting is another interesting element. It usually always consists of a wire that ends with a very simple pendant. Its image can, however, be more industrial or minimalist.

In essence, these are environments characterized by the stripping of ornamentation where functionality and simplification go hand in hand. Although the elements that compose it are quite simple and controlled, the structure that embraces them is rich and dense.

I confess that I surrendered to this style and to all the people I met on this trip who opened the doors of their homes to me and proudly displayed their spaces, private and public.