If you have a soft spot for Northern European atmospheres, a Scandinavian-style bathroom is definitely one of your goals. After all, there's a reason the sauna originated in Finland: welcoming, relaxing, and cuddly atmospheres. All the warmth of natural materials in a home where you can find refuge from the winter cold!
Sure, decorating a Scandinavian-style bathroom can seem a bit complicated. But don't worry, we'll help you: here's an A to Z guide to flawlessly decorating a Nordic bathroom!
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We'll start with colors and materials, then move on to furniture and, finally, accessories. To decorate a bathroom with a Northern European atmosphere, keep the general rules of Scandinavian-style decor in mind and you'll be on the safe side!
Maybe you're designing a room from scratch, or you want to refresh a tired space: either way, here you'll find tons of ideas for decorating your Scandinavian bathroom. Happy reading!
The Scandinavian-style bathroom palette? White, gray, wood!
Imagine a winter landscape in Sweden or Norway: what color comes to mind first? Definitely snow white: pure, bright, immaculate! And in a Scandinavian bathroom, white takes pride of place.
Choose it without hesitation for ceramic tiles and plaster walls. Opt for a warm tone, like milky white: it's the secret to creating a space that's not sterile and bare, but welcoming and hospitable.
Then think of a forest, like the many that dot the lands of Northern Europe. Exactly: wood is a fundamental element in furnishing a Scandinavian-style bathroom! Start with the flooring, which, in our ideal bathroom, is parquet: choose a light wood like oak, ash, or—for a more rustic look—pine. Don't worry: parquet floors are now more than capable of withstanding humid environments like the bathroom!
Alternatively (or in addition), choose wood for furnishings: cabinets, shelves, and small closets (we'll return to the choice of furniture later).
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Finally, imagine the shades of the North Sea in winter: all shades of gray and beige, with a few touches of dark, desaturated blue like aviator blue or whale blue. These colors will complete the perfect palette for your Scandinavian bathroom.
Choose them for the tiles, the vanity top, the shower, or to highlight a single wall: paired with white and wood, they look great and bring great harmony to the room.
The most suitable materials for a Scandinavian bathroom: which ones to choose?
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Now let's move on to the materials. A Scandinavian bathroom worthy of the name, as we've seen, favors natural, untreated wood, which can be used without hesitation for floors and furniture. Remember: oak and ash for a softer look, pine for a more rustic effect.
And for the rest of the room? For example: which tiles are best for decorating a Scandinavian-style bathroom? The key words are texture and warmth. A stone or concrete effect, borrowed from the industrial style, could be a good idea.
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Subway tiles are also very suitable, as they will give movement and three-dimensionality to the room even without adding color.
Looking for a more distinctive look for your Nordic bathroom? Go for hexagonal cement tiles: whether monochromatic or patterned, they will certainly add a touch of class to the space.
But textiles are also part of bathroom decor! Which ones should you choose for a Scandinavian-inspired bathroom? To maintain a pleasantly relaxed atmosphere, always choose fabrics that aren't too refined: linen curtains, a bouclé wool armchair or bench, and woven fiber rugs.
How to furnish your Scandinavian bathroom: choose wall-mounted furniture!
Now let's move on to the actual furnishing of your Scandinavian bathroom! Nordic style, as we've seen, primarily means "wood": alternate it with white to avoid overpowering the room, and the color balance will be perfect.
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A common feature of Nordic-inspired furniture is the presence of outward-facing legs: if you need a bathroom cabinet, choose one!
If you're looking for a beautiful piece of furniture to place under the sink, we have a tip for you: opt for a wall-mounted piece to bring a sense of lightness to the space.
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You can opt for a floating cabinet, like the one above, or (for a more unique effect) choose a long wooden shelf, even better if paired with a beautiful bowl faucet. You'll see the effect: the room will look like it's straight out of a magazine!
In short, Scandinavian bathroom decor should be designed so as not to overwhelm the space: simple, organic lines are always the best choice.
Scandinavian bathroom accessories: plants and minimal decorations
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We've seen that the key to decorating a Scandinavian bathroom is "simplicity." And this also applies to accessories: use a few but well-chosen ones to give the space the comfortable and relaxed feel you're looking for.
For this reason, the best Nordic-style bathroom accessories are not only beautiful, but also useful and functional. A wooden box to hold your beauty products, a woven fiber basket for towels, a geometric-patterned bathmat... The possibilities are endless!
But even decoration for its own sake is welcome, as long as we don't overdo it: a hanging vase with a green plant or a minimalist print (choose the simplest frame possible!) will fit perfectly in your Scandinavian-style bathroom without overpowering it.
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Let's not forget the faucets: here too, simple is better. Chromed steel is always a good idea, but if you want a more distinctive touch, go with black. The effect—try it and believe it—is stunning! In this case, all you need to do is pick up the color with a small accessory, like a stool or a lamp, to create harmony. And speaking of lamps...
Scandinavian bathroom lighting: how to create the right atmosphere!
Yes, let's not forget the lighting! A Scandinavian-style bathroom should have a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. So, banish all neon lights: the key is warm white, meaning a temperature between 3000 and 3500 K.
Make sure the entire room is well-lit and free of shadows: pair the chandelier (ceiling lights are perfect) with one or two spotlights near the bathroom mirror, perhaps suspended. For even more atmosphere, if you have enough space, add a Scandinavian-style floor lamp.
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Finally, if you want to add that touch of hygge that pairs perfectly with Nordic decor, use candles (even better if scented) to create a wonderful spa atmosphere in your Scandinavian bathroom!
With these tips, your Scandinavian-inspired bathroom will truly have everything you need: now it's perfect!
