Designing Your Home Office, The Scandinavian Style
Scandinavian design is a Nordic style that is used to describe a form of interior design that includes textiles, furniture, and lighting. It is characterized by a clean, minimalistic approach focusing on light spaces. The Scandinavian design removes anything unnecessary and showcases essential elements.
The design emerged in the early 20th century, and it was very popular in Nordic countries. It didn’t reach International popularity until the 1950s when the Lunning Prize was awarded to several Scandinavian designers between 1951 and 1970.
Within a home, Scandinavian design is important because it establishes harmony between the environment and things built to last. Minimalism and cleanliness can also help promote a warm, comfortable environment.
Designing the Workspace
When designing your home office space in the Scandinavian style, there are several elements you want to keep in mind.
Neutral Tones
Scandinavian design often incorporated neutral tones with small accents of pastel colors. Their walls were normally neutral colors like beige and gray, which can promote a feeling of calm, a feeling you may want to achieve in your home office space. You can use neutral tones on your walls and include soft colors in modern design furniture.
Houseplants
Nordic countries have a great love of the outdoors, which is why nature is a crucial element of their design. Not only are plants a great way to bring soft colors into your home office, but plants are known to have a positive impact on well-being and physical and mental health. Studies have shown that actively interacting with indoor plants can reduce stress.
Add nature into your home office by scattering potted plants; you can even add hanging plants to save office space. Options like the snake plant, jade plant, bromeliads, and succulents are easy to take care of.
Furniture
When choosing furniture for your home office, you want to choose carefully. Within the Scandinavian style is a focus on form over function. When this style emerged during the 20th century, Scandinavian homes were built much smaller than they are now. Because of this, there was no space for excess furniture or decorations, which meant every piece in their home had to serve a purpose. In your home office, you should do the same; don’t incorporate unnecessary pieces that are just going to take up valuable space.
There are solid wood desks that are pieced together with vertical shelves to help save space, and Scandinavian sideboards can be included in your home office to both serve as a drink station and table unit. There are many mid-century office furniture pieces available, and you can easily find Scandinavian office furniture online.
Textiles and Materials
Within Nordic interior design, there is an emphasis on wood and natural materials, like fur, wool, cotton, and linen. Introduce wood into your office space with Scandinavian-style furniture, like solid wood desks. Not only is Scandinavian furniture functional, but it will also bring a sense of warmth into your home office.
In Scandinavian design, there is a term commonly used, “hygge.” This means a sense of comfort, and it is a big part of Scandinavian design. This sense of comfort can be achieved in any room, even your home office; up the room with a large rug or soft, sheepskin throws.
Lighting
Lighting is a crucial element of this style. In many Scandinavian countries, it’s dark and cold for most of the year, which is why there is such an emphasis on natural lights within the design. Compared to artificial light typically used in offices, natural lighting can help your mental well-being and productivity. You can make the most out of natural light by placing a solid oak wood office desk against a window so that your work is illuminated.
If you’re worried about your privacy being invaded, there are curtain options that are light enough to allow in most light but also help protect your privacy.
Benefits of a Scandinavian Office
There are several benefits to having an office styled with Scandinavian interior design.
- Productivity: Because Scandinavian offices are designed to incorporate more natural, comforting light and fewer distractions from decorations, it helps encourage work productivity.
- Sleek and Organized: A Scandinavian styled office is not only functional and organized but very appealing to the eye.
- Light: The light from the room can help keep you alert and focused on your work.
- Comfortable: The warmth from the furniture and simple designs help keep you calm and comfortable while working.
There is no singular way to design your home office in the Scandinavian style. The elements of this style of design are easy to achieve, and they pair well with solid oak office furniture. The Scandinavian style is also fairly versatile and works well with other styles, like mid-century office furniture online.