The Complete Guide To Scandi Bathroom Design
Discover everything you need to know about the Scandi design trend that's making its way into our bathrooms. Let's get started...
What is Scandi Design?
Scandinavian (Scandi) design is characterised by its minimal approach, combined with functionality and practicality, taking inspiration from nature to create simple and light spaces - free from clutter.
Originally beginning as a design movement in the early 20th century, throughout the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Iceland, reaching its popularity in the mid 20th century.
An exhibition created by the Brooklyn Museum in 1954, titled "Design in Scandinavia', showcased the works by designers from the Nordic countries and helped to bring the movement to America. Eventually, the design also became a popular in the rest of Europe.
Modern Scandi Design
The modern Scandinavian design trend has shown a resurgence within the last decade. According to Google, 'Scandi style' began to rise in popularity in 2015 and again more recently, since the beginning of 2020.
The design trend is also made famous by the Swedish furniture company IKEA, who's products take heavy inspiration from the Scandi design philosophy.
Now, Scandi design has started to make its way into our bathrooms. Inspiring more and more minimal, natural designs to help create a sense of calm and connection with nature.
How To Create A Scandi Bathroom Design
It's clear that Scandi design is quickly becoming a popular bathroom design trend in the UK. We're starting to see more bathroom manufacturers creating new products which take inspiration from this style. But how do you create a Scandinavian bathroom design?
Scandi Bathroom Colours
Scandinavian design has the benefit of helping to brighten up a room through the use of light hues and colours. This could also significantly improve the quality of light in your bathroom, particularly if your bathroom is small or has limited natural light.
Lighter colours can help the natural light (or artificial light) bounce off each wall. Whereas with a dark colour, the light is more easily absorbed and isn't reflected as well.
Not only can natural colours help to brighten your bathroom, but can also have a positive psychological affect. Brighter atmospheres tend to help in increasing positivity and improving your mood and overall wellbeing.
Best Colours For A Scandi Bathroom
Scandinavian bathrooms usually consist of bright and natural colours: white, off-white, beige, cream and light grey. Accent colours can be added to create contrast, such as pastel tones or black tones to create drama within the space.
Minimalist Scandi Bathroom Design
Scandinavian design is mostly known for its simple and minimalist, yet extremely practically designed, products. You will rarely see any clutter or bathroom amenities left in the open within a Scandi themed bathroom!
Using sleek hidden storage furniture options to hide those unsightly items (like your half empty shower gel bottle and the emergency toilet roll) can make your bathroom feel much larger. The less clutter that fills your bathroom, the less there is to distract the eye, which tricks our brain into thinking that the room is bigger than it really is.
Another trick to help expand the perceived space of your bathroom is to opt for wall hung furniture - commonly used within Scandinavian bathroom designs due to their ability to showcase more of the floor - creating a more freeing and open-plan space.
Top Scandi Bathroom Style Tips
- Add Wooden Design. Choose light, natural oak colours.
- Incorporate Nature. Use indoor plants and flowers to add colourful décor.
- Keep It Simple. Minimalism is very much associated with Scandi design. Choose wall-hung and integrated storage furniture.
- Brighten Up The Place. Natural and bright colours help to improve the amount of light and your overall mood.
Scandi-Style Bathroom Products
Now that you know all about the Scandinavian bathroom design trend, it's time to begin creating your very own themed bathroom!
Scandi Bath Tubs
The most common type of bath in Scandinavian themed bathrooms is the luxurious freestanding bath. Perhaps it's because the freestanding bath has a sleek design, which works perfectly in a minimalist environment.
Scandi Basins
There are two popular basin types found within Scandi inspired bathrooms: countertop basins and inset basins. These basin types are commonly chosen because they work extremely well with vanity units, which allow for more colour (mostly oak and wooden textured finishes) within the space, while also expanding on storage.
Another benefit of opting for a vanity unit is that they come in wall-mounted options, which reduces the amount of wasted floor space, creating the sense of a larger bathroom. This emphasises the minimal Scandi aesthetic.
Scandi Toilets
As with the previous products, Scandi design is synonymous with minimalism and space-saving efficiency. Therefore, the ideal type of toilet for a Scandi themed bathroom would be a wall hung design. This helps to create a simple and clean aesthetic by hiding the pipework behind a wall or WC unit.
Scandi Bathroom Furniture & Accessories
Just because the Scandi trend is about de-cluttering your space, doesn't mean that you can't have a few bathroom accessories! Some items might even lend themselves to the Scandi design, such as a slim framed mirror cabinet, as these keep to the minimal design while also being a practical addition to the room.
Other Scandi inspired accessories may include bamboo products, keeping the room themed with natural colours and materials. As an added benefit, our range of Oak and Bamboo bathroom accessories are made from sustainably sourced materials.
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We hope that this guide has helped you to learn all you need to know about the Scandi bathrooms design trend.
Feel free to share this blog with others, perhaps you know someone who would love to be inspired by a Scandi bathroom design, too!