The Demand For Scandinavian Design In The Pandemic Era

Known for its simplicity, functionality and craftsmanship, Scandinavian design was first introduced to the United States in the 1950s, yet it has become increasingly popular over the last decade. Scandinavian design intersects with mid-century modern design and the Bauhaus movement, both influenced by industrialization. 

It’s no wonder that many designers keep coming back to Scandinavian design in both architecture and interior design, as people seek more serene and minimalistic sanctuaries to come home to that might even keep us less stressed, especially as we spend more time in our home due to the pandemic.

Scandinavian design elements typically include neutral colors, like beiges, grays and pastels; light wood, like oak or birch; natural materials, like travertine, raw stones and woods with grains in them; and textures, like linen. Visual elements like clean lines and white space are important design principles, as are airy spaces, tactile fabrics, multifunctional designs, artwork as focal points and greenery. 

Amanda Gunawan, founding partner of Los Angeles-based OWIU Studio, has a signature design style blending Japanese and Scandinavian minimalist design.

“Scandinavian design is appealing because it’s versatile,” she tells Forbes. “It combines both functionality and beauty and is always trying to harmonize a space. It’s all about design that will last a lifetime and not go out of style easily. It also emphasizes good craftsmanship.”

She completed a project called Biscuit Loft, a Japanese- and Scandinavian-inspired apartment in Downtown Los Angeles. This urban zen hideaway features a neutral color palette full of beautiful, natural materials and textures. Design features like wood fluting and neutral tones add a calmness to the space. Like many Scandinavian spaces, it is clean and crisp. You won’t see hanging computer cords or lamp cords anywhere.

“People are starting to appreciate their homes as a sanctuary, and their spaces should evoke a feeling of calm,” Gunawan says. “It should be a place where you can escape the pressures of the modern world, which is very much what Scandinavian design stands for.”

This is very much true in cities as well, like New York. Förena, located in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village neighborhood, is a luxury condo building with Scandinavian-inspired interiors. Morris Adjmi Architects built the luxury residential building, and residences feature soothing colors, natural materials and plenty of light. Highlights include white oak flooring, high ceilings and private outdoor terraces within select residences.

“The location is very busy, and I felt like the architecture should respond to that,” Morris Adjmi tells Forbes. “Once you come inside, it should provide a tranquil place to be in. We’ve been moving more and more into that space, and I think it’s been accelerated by the pandemic. People want to create homes that have a sense of respite, relaxation and tranquility. At Förena, I tried to blend those things together.” 

Adjmi says that Scandinavian design embraces nature, but also has a distinctly modern appeal. Not only does Scandinavian design feel warm, but it feels clean and modern. Amenities like the Zen garden, an inside courtyard and fitness center were crucial to the relaxing, calming vibe that Adjmi was aiming for.

“The tiered building enabled us to create outdoor spaces, like terraces and outdoor gardens, that weren’t just balconies,” he says. “In this building, you benefit from the location, as well as private and communal outdoor spaces.”

Förena is exclusively listed with Swedish broker Fredrik Eklund of Douglas Elliman, star of Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing New York and Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles. 

Stockholm-born Eklund is excited to create an urban sanctuary for New Yorkers to enjoy. 

“We felt like the Scandinavian design was exactly what buyers want,” Eklund says. “New Yorkers are nonstop, the city never sleeps, and there are a lot of people everywhere. You want to come home and have a space that allows you to relax and recharge.”

Materials and high-quality craftsmanship are also very important in Scandinavian design.

“Scandinavian design is the antithesis to mass-consumerism, it’s about building it once and building it well, so as to not to be replaced for a long time,” Gunawan says.

Eklund says many of the materials used are those you’d see in expensive, custom homes, and that Adjmi’s team put a lot of thought and craftsmanship into Förena’s development both inside and out.

“We spent a lot of time detailing the outside,” Adjmi says. “The brick we chose and the details of the brick and the way the façade goes back is very special. Our detailed material selections continued on the inside, with fluted wood panels, natural stone and beautiful hand-finished marble. The color palette is neutral but there is a very rich palette.”

It’s safe to say that Scandinavian design won’t be going away anytime soon.