From the Scandinavian Nordic countries of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The style focuses on a functional, clean, bright design that also captures the Danish sense of ‘hygge’ – cosiness and connection created through quality time spent with good people. Scandi style is about inviting and sociable spaces that maximise light, minimalist shapes and a lack of clutter – everything has a place and a function. Bright airy colours, wood flooring and counter-tops feature, but keep it cosy with layered throws and pillows in rustic, soft fabrics.
A Scandi living room uses neutral colours to keep it bright and clean – whites, creams, beiges, with pops of brown and tan. If opting for anything other than white on the walls, consider trimming with crisp white skirting boards. These natural tones go well with soft blush pinks and cappuccinos. Greys and muted blues also go nicely, reflecting Nordic skies and Fjords. The occasional pop of mustard yellow can add some sunshine to a room and contrasts beautifully with greys and blues.
The Industrial style in interior design is inspired by the Industrial Revolution in the 19th and 20th centuries. The style features a lot of iron, scrubbed wood, concrete and bricks. We also see large, uncluttered spaces to reflect warehouses and machinery rooms. So, for living rooms, this looks like simple shapes, a mix of brick, wood, black metal and steel, with the occasional pops of green and gold, and pendant-hanging light fixings.
Mixing warm natural tones of wood with stark black metal is a really striking combination. It creates contrast and drama that will instantly capture that Industrial style! You can achieve that contrasting look of wood and black by using other warm wood-toned accents along with simple clear glass and black metal. Another colour combination that really screams Industrial vibes with a touch of luxury is combining black wood or metal with green velvet. This also creates a bit of contrast and the velvet adds some texture.
The rustic & farmhouse styles are all about the natural world. Both trends utilise wood and warm-toned colour palettes. Rustic tends to lean more to the rough and more distressed finishes with repurposing and upcycling featuring heavily. Farmhouse is it’s neater, slightly fancier cousin – cleaner, brighter, more polished. Imagine the difference between a log cabin (‘Rustic’) and a French cottage (‘Farmhouse’).
Wood is at the heart of both Rustic and Farmhouse trends. Think wooden coffee tables, side tables or consoles, wooden flooring or wooden shelving. For Rustic style homes, consider a more natural, rougher look: stone, brick, weathered flooring, and neutral colours that allow the wood furniture to stand out. Natural untreated fabrics like jute, hessian and cotton will soften harsh edges.
Farmhouse décor is slightly more refined, clean and fresh. Whilst natural materials are still a huge centre-point, glass metal and marble (faux or otherwise) elements can fit really well. White gloss or glass tables can brighten a room with wooden flooring or wood panelled walls. Incorporate some of those soft natural fabrics and all the pampas grass your heart desires. A farmhouse décor can branch out a bit with the colours and patterns, too.
