Exproperti.com – A typical Scandinavian bathroom is typically all-white: beige, off-white and pale grey, however you can also find black and even black with grey elements. A modern Scandinavian interior mixes bold colours and textures. Wallpapers are often heavily scented and reflect traditional styles of furnishings: nature scenes, landscapes and local wildlife are common wallpaper designs. Some modern Scandinavian interior design focuses on neutral materials as well: tiles are usually made from materials that have a neutral colour base (e.g. tiled mosaic) so as not to clash with any other colours in the room.
Traditional Nordic Bathrooms Design
Traditional Nordic bathrooms are usually cold, barren and technical. For example, white marble walls are combined with dark hardwood floors, with simple lighting designed to highlight the contrast between the two elements. As with other Nordic bathroom designs, the dominant colour in the room is white or a closely related shade; fixtures are normally functional rather than ornate, since contemporary bathrooms are often much smaller than their classic counterparts. The concept of the’Finnish Bath’ above is a clear reference to Nordic toilet facilities; wooden, practical units placed against a backdrop of granite stone are coupled with taps made from natural materials such as birch or elm.
When it comes to designing Scandinavian bathrooms, the colour scheme is far more open than its Nordic neighbours. White and off-white are the most widely used colours, together with warm reds, greens, blues, browns and blacks. Furniture in these rooms can be sparse and simple, with minimal decoration. Instead, intricate carvings, stone carvings, metalwork and glass tiles are typical. Natural stone flooring is common, with bathroom furniture typically based on the functionality of the piece rather than a sense of form or fashion. Scandinavian interior design ideas tend towards functionality rather than ornamentation, and the general interior design theme is one of balance and clean lines.
Essential Characteristic of Scandinavian Interior Design
An essential characteristic of Scandinavian interior design is the use of light. Dark, heavy furniture with glossy finishes is very common in this type of bathroom. While this style can work with wood as long as it is kept to a minimum, using dark woods such as walnut or oak would be the best choice. This design would also be particularly well suited to a minimalistic approach. In terms of flooring, a basic wooden floor with few, if any, additional accessories are the most applicable theme, with mirrors and light fittings taking up much less space than in a heavily furnished bathroom.
Another important element of Scandinavian design is the use of natural lighting. This aims to strike a balance between the different elements of the design, which can become distracting. Natural light should be used to frame the view. In this case, black-painted walls are a better option than white since white painted walls will reflect most of the light. Similarly, the height of a vanity unit is an important factor, as this highlights the overall theme of the bathroom.
Main Features Of Scandinavian Bathroom
A key feature that sets Scandinavian bathrooms apart from their counterparts is the use of a shower. In these bathrooms, the shower curtain is kept to a minimum, with the vanity and shower serving as the only embellishments on the walls. As such, a minimalist approach is adopted, with the general scheme being one of clean lines and minimalism. This makes the bathroom less daunting to guests who may not be used to seeing a bathroom without a shower curtain or with white walls.
As far as the shower area goes, the general guideline for designing a scandinavian-style bathroom is to keep the shower area clear and as open as possible. This requires the use of larger, clear shower pans which prevent steam from building up behind the glass. Similarly, a small bath seat surrounded by a minimalist shower curtain will serve the dual purpose of providing an unobstructed shower area but also of diverting as much steam as possible away from the body. Similarly, in larger bathrooms, a tile shower surround can help reduce the visibility of the shower spray, which can sometimes be an issue in itself. The idea is to keep the shower area as open as possible, without any parts of the room being hidden from guests’ sight.
As well as using these clean lines, many designers have produced what they describe as a “Scandinavian bathroom look” by including large pieces of artwork or framed photos on the walls of the bathroom. Framed photographs are particularly popular, although it is not essential that they be framed in the traditional Scandinavian style. Artwork made from wood, stone or metal is also suitable for use in a bathroom. The key feature is to make sure that the artwork serves to enhance the overall interior, rather than take prominence.
