Post by: Camila | Source: My Domaine
Is there anything more satisfying than scrolling through beautiful kitchen after beautiful kitchen, dreaming of all the remodeling you'd do if time and budget were no object? While we admit to swooning over kitchens of all styles, there's something about Scandinavian-inspired kitchens that really resonate with us. Maybe it's the clean lines, functional furnishings, and a neutral color palette or the emphasis on texture to add interest, rather than a lot of bells and whistles. Whatever it is, we find that looking at a few Nordic-chic spaces is as relaxing as an hour of our favorite yoga class. Just me?
However, what seems to come so effortlessly to the design-savvy Swedes (and Danes) isn't always as intuitive for us Americans. The less-is-more mentality takes some getting used to, so we're always looking for cool kitchens that remind us to pare down and embrace our inner minimalists. Or at least try to.
Swapping oodles of cabinets for open shelving isn't always easy, but we can all but guarantee the airy vibe achieved by doing so is more than worth any stress that Mari Kondo-ing your kitchen might cause in the meantime.
Here are some of the most serene and sophisticated Scandinavian kitchen ideas I've found lately. Take a look and you'll be feeling calmer (and more inspired!) in minutes, I promise!
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Clean Contrasts
The contrasting-island trend is something we've been seeing for a while, but nowhere is it as striking as in this ultra-sleek, natural wood kitchen. The black granite island brings surprising warmth to the space (and serves as a de facto focal point.)
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Scandi Industrial
A little industrial, a little nordic, and all-around chic, this kitchen makes use of a variety of juxtaposed textures—poured concrete, wood, leather — show off the unique bones of this rustic brick building. I love how the open upper shelving doesn't hide the character of the old stone, but rather frames it as a feature.
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Shades of Greige
This muted kitchen color scheme is nothing short of stunning. Light grey cabinets by Christopher Peacock play off of variegated countertops with veining, subtly stained upper cabinets, and modern shelving. I've never loved this "non-color" so much.
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Black & White & Scandi-Cool
High-contrast black and white spaces always say "Scandi" to me, especially when they're anchored in natural wood flooring. Modern statement pendants bring a funky touch to the island area, while super skinny subway tile puts a fresh spin on a classic backsplash.
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Checkerboard Vibes
Why choose between black marble and white marble when you can have both? This is the dramatic counter, Nordic kitchen of our dreams thanks to its ultra-high-impact juxtaposition.
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Shelf Up
What is it about Scandinavian kitchens that make them look so much more soothing than us, American counterparts? Eliminating upper cabinets. A few open shelves (or even just one ultra-long one) gives a more airy feel to the space.
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Cabin Look
Designer Emily Henderson describes this kitchen's vibe as "rustic-modern-Scandinavian-contemporary-minimalist"...so it's a true multi-hyphenate if there ever was one. And even though it's not located in a mountain house, it does incorporate some rustic elements.
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Open-And-Shut Case
Hardware-less cabinets feel undeniably modern, especially when clad in a smoky shade of light grey. But if you're missing your chance to show off favorite objects with some open storage, don't despair—add open shelving at a lower level on your kitchen island, like this clever design shows.
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Wild Tile
When your whole kitchen is finished in neutral black, white, and light wood, it's okay to go a little crazy on the floor tile. I love the playful touch that this whimsical pattern lends to even a petite kitchen—it's a true lesson in maximizing style in a small space.
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Understated Sophistication
This minimalist kitchen design proves that less really is more. Dark cabinets, sleek flooring, and light wood furniture make this a no-brainer style that will never fade with the times.
