Designer Scandinavian Kitchens That Are the Most Organized Spaces You've Ever Seen
House Beautiful March 6, 2025
Seller
House Beautiful March 6, 2025
Seller
Almost no kitchen design ethos has a more fervent following than Scandinavian decor. Known for their minimalist yet cozy appeal, Scandinavian kitchens are all about clean lines, natural materials, and a sense of effortless elegance that permeates how you live life in your home. From light wood tones and sleek surfaces to open shelving that showcases both form and function, Scandi kitchens don’t just look good—they feel good too, embracing the philosophy of hygge, the Danish concept of warmth, comfort, and well-being.
At the heart of Scandinavian kitchen design is a focus on simplicity and practicality. Meaningless clutter is kept to a minimum, and every finish serves a purpose, bringing both beauty and utility into the home. Below, we're rounding up a slew of designer inspiration for creating the Nordic kitchen of your dreams. The biggest takeaway? None of these Scandinavian kitchen designs are too on the nose. Whether you incorporate a Scandi furniture profile as inspiration for your island or take a hint from the color palette in another cook space, the goal is to use the below as a springboard for a calming, functional, and welcoming space that feels like you.
Scandinavian kitchens are known for their calming and serene color palettes, building off a base of white with better-than-neutral shades of blue, gray, and green. This New York beach house designed by Alexander M. Reid bottles all of the above for a relaxing scene that feels like the physical embodiment of an exhale.
A huge hallmark of Scandinavian design is a reverence for the past, which often makes its way into the decor scheme through repurposed antique furniture or lucky vintage finds. Striking out at the flea? Take note of this California kitchen designed by Meta Coleman, which features a quirky shelf that bottles the charm of a vintage find while still being custom-made for the home.
For many, islands are the center of the kitchen, but not every space can carry one—especially if square footage is hard to come by. Instead, take a hint from this Scandi-inspired kitchen by Liz Dutton Interiors, which styles a kitchen table as both a prep and dining space, adding a dose of functionality and café-like charm to the room.
The Scandinavian region is dotted with Mother Nature's most prolific work, from rivers and waterfalls to forests and islands. Because of this, residents have a deep connection to nature and thus, a love for natural materials that makes their way into every room in the home. When considering Scandinavian kitchen designs that translate well, consider working in lots of natural textures, like the raw-hewn wood beams and stone floors in this Texas home by Marie Flanigan.
While much of Scandinavian kitchen design is rooted in airy hues of white and cream, there's still room for hits of color, especially blue. The oceanic shade pairs beautifully with this crisp nature of Nordic design, especially when used in unexpected ways, like the blue stained floors seen here in a home designed by Winsome Interiors Design.
At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how good your kitchen looks if it doesn't function well. The good news? Scandi decor has this on lock, so all you need to do is follow their lead. In this kitchen designed by Caren Rideau, that takes the form of an over-the-sink cutting board that makes prepping (and cleaning) a cinch.
Light and bright is the name of the game when it comes to Scandinavian kitchen design, and that extends to your wood and stain choices. Skip moodier picks like walnut in place of oak that's been stained, white-washed, or pickled. In this streamlined Long Island kitchen, designer Susannah Charbin kept things airy with simple cabinetry profiles in a pale oak finish.
While pattern can be minimal in Nordic kitchens, it doesn't mean it's nonexistent. Look for subtle ways to bring prints and personality into your space by incorporating a whimsical tile backsplash. In this Ontario home, designer Ashley Montgomery installed a vintage-inspired, blue-and-white tile behind open storage for a display that's both beautiful and functional.
If you're looking to cultivate a cozy atmosphere—one where long, candlelit dinners and invigorating conversation are the norm—a soft bit of fabric is a must. Charming café curtains and unique fabric additions are a mainstay in Scandi kitchens, beloved for the warmth and personality they add. In this California kitchen by Meta Coleman, ruched fabric takes the place of cabinet "fronts" for a playful take on a fitted kitchen.
If you know even one thing about Scandinavian culture, it's probably this: They love coffee. And not just the caffeine jolt it gives at the start of the day, but the whole ritual around it; the socialization, the relaxation, the comfort. Creating a Scandi-inspired kitchen is a prime opportunity to embrace coffee culture into your own home with a station dedicated to all things fika. Here, designer Ginger Curtis of Urbanology crafted a standalone cabinet with everything needed to pour a cup of the good stuff.
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