The Influence of Danish Pastels on US Interior Design
Photo by alice kang on Unsplash
Danish pastels have influenced interiors and design trends in America over the last few years, offering a unique and memorable take on home decor. This style is characterized by muted hues of pinks, blues, yellows, and greens that evoke a sense of childlike nostalgia. These calming colors provide a soft, comfortable atmosphere to stimulate peace and relaxation.
Molly Pusey, vice president of supply at Fy!, explains why these pastel colors have captured our imagination: “Soft and comforting, the pastel trend allows us to introduce a subtle pop of color to neutral spaces. Mix and match these nostalgic hues from cotton candy pinks to lemon yellow to create a soothing feel.”
Overall, incorporating Danish pastels into your interior design is an excellent way to bring muted yet impactful color into your living space while keeping with the traditional Scandinavian style that has become so popular in recent years.
How Danish pastel design aesthetics are different from traditional Scandinavian influences
The Danish Pastel style is quite distinct from its Scandinavian counterparts. It relies on a much softer and gentler approach, using muted pastel hues that are warm and inviting. This color palette is usually muted, relying on shades of powdery blues, soft greens, and rich blush pinks for a calming presence. “It is Scandinavian design with a serious pastel boost,” explains Drew Kail, Camp Copeland studio’s artist, and owner.
Unlike the more minimalist aesthetic of Scandinavian design, which typically utilizes neutral tones with sleek lines, Danish pastel focuses more on creating comfortable and inviting interiors with curved lines and a cozy atmosphere. Both design styles prioritize minimalism and natural light. However, the Danish pastel aesthetic infuses the space with color and cute rounded shapes that strictly Scandinavian designs tend to avoid.
The principles behind this type of Danish-influenced interior
The use of Danish pastels emerges from a few fundamental principles in Danish and Scandinavian culture. The focus on comfort and cozy living stems from the Danish concept of “Hygge,” while the more minimalistic aspects of this design can be traced back to the Swedish ideology of “Lagom.” This design trend brings wonder and peace to those enjoying it, creating a cute and stress-free living environment. Here are the most prominent influences and principles behind the Danish pastel style:
Hygge
The Danish concept of hygge significantly influences the popular Danish pastel style. Hygge (pronounced hoo-guh) is a feeling of coziness, comfort, and contentment that comes from enjoying simple pleasures in life. It encourages people to slow down, appreciate the present moment and enjoy simple everyday things – like good food and friends or even a few moments spent alone in a comfortable space. This concept has become extremely popular worldwide, as it has been credited with transforming Denmark into one of the happiest countries on Earth.
In terms of interior design, this idea of hygge is reflected through design elements such as soft pastel colors, warm lighting, and natural materials like wood or wicker – all aimed at creating an inviting atmosphere that exudes peacefulness and comfort. Decorations such as cozy blankets, throws, and cushions are also essential to the look.
Lagom
The Swedish concept of lagom is an influential factor in the Danish-inspired pastel style. Lagom, which translates to “just the right amount,” is the idea that one should strive for balance and moderation in all aspects of life. This concept has been incredibly popular in Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Denmark, and Finland for centuries. It emphasizes finding harmony between extreme minimalism and maximalism, balancing colors and textures without going overboard.
Regarding interior design, lagom encourages a subtle but sophisticated look achieved through muted colors or pastels, natural materials such as wood and stone, and moderately sized furniture pieces that harmoniously fit together. In addition, the muted colors create a calming atmosphere that promotes relaxation while providing visual interest.
Wonder and happiness
The Danish pastel interior design style encourages playful and childlike wonder and happiness by embracing comforting yet bright hues. This style often features pastel pink, blue, green, and yellow tones that bring warmth and life to a space. This style’s balance of lightness with elegance brings out feelings reminiscent of childhood playtime while remaining sophisticated enough for adults to appreciate.
The look of this style is reminiscent of a colorful candy shop and cartoons like the Powerpuff girls. It’s a way to inject joy and imagination into any space without being too overbearing. Instead, it conveys a sense of serenity without sacrificing style or personality.
Peace and optimism
Incorporating Danish-inspired pastels and color palettes into your home is to create a space that boosts mental well-being, promotes peace and serenity, and encourages optimism. The pastel colors are designed to be soothing yet uplifting – not dull nor depressing – to provide a sense of harmony in the home.
These gentle color choices have been known to help reduce stress levels by making an environment more tranquil, contributing to overall positive feelings. For example, pastel blues have been linked with improved sleep quality and reduced anxiety.
At the same time, softer shades of green evoke a sense of rejuvenation while offering a tranquil backdrop for relaxation. These colors can also work together to encourage creativity through their association with nature by inspiring outside elements.
How to bring these playful hues and softer palettes into your own space
Whether you want to add subtle pops of color or completely transform an area with a muted palette, introducing these playful hues into your space can be done in several ways. Here are a few tips to help transform your home with Danish pastels:
Maximalist or minimalist?
The best part about this versatile aesthetic is that you don’t have to worry about overcrowding your space to achieve the look, as it works with minimal and maximalist designs. For example, adding just one piece of furniture, such as an armchair in a soft yellow shade, can instantly refresh any room without overwhelming it with too much color.
For those who prefer a maximalist approach, mixing different styles and textures to create an eclectic look rich in visual appeal is entirely possible considering this design style. Quirky elements with curved lines and a pastel color palette are layered to create a whimsical atmosphere. The key is keeping the colors in the same tonal range and allowing them to blend seamlessly.
Go bold with patterns and textures
Going bold with patterns and textures is critical when incorporating the Danish pastel aesthetic into your home. While pastels are often associated with a more muted and demure style, they can also create an eye-catching, dynamic look when combined with bold accents. You can achieve a subtle and striking look by pairing a soft palette of blues, pinks, and grays with graphic patterns and detailed textures like raffia or linen fabrics.
Additionally, by incorporating patterned wallpapers and bold art prints, this trend allows for greater flexibility to experiment with styles without sacrificing the laid-back feel that Danish pastels are known for emulating.
Patterned tiles, either on the floor or as accent pieces in bathrooms and kitchens, can add another layer of texture that will make an area stand out without taking away from the muted color palette. The best thing about pastels is that they all go together and can be mixed and matched in bold patterns or layered textures to create a cohesive look.
Think fun and funky furniture
Incorporating unique, funky furniture pieces is a great way to bring life and personality into the space. Curved furniture items can lend a calming energy to the room, while misshapen and handmade items add character and texture.
Thrifted and repurposed pieces are also a great way to further emphasize this trend by adding unique elements that speak of history and creativity. Funky furniture pieces can also help create an inviting and cheerful atmosphere.
Pieces like round coffee tables and armchairs can help tie a room together with softness while still providing enough visual interest. Additionally, using vintage credenzas, mismatched stools, or vibrant artwork can help break up the monotony of plain walls and minimalistic decorating styles associated with Scandinavian design.
Bring in some accessories
Accessorizing is essential when creating a Danish pastel aesthetic within your home, allowing you to show off the muted tones without overpowering them. This style is all about creating a calming atmosphere full of lightness and fun, and accessorizing with soft-colored pieces will only add to this effect.
Playful glassware such as vases, tumblers, and pitchers can introduce subtle pops of pastel colors throughout the room. Small sculptural elements and wavy-shaped mirrors bring curves and interest to the space, while bold art prints are a great way to contrast with blocks of color.
Throws are another great way to incorporate this aesthetic – blankets, quilts, or afghans in shades of pink, blue, or yellow can bring the cozy vibes often associated with Scandinavian designs.
Accent lights like a table or floor lamps are also ideal for this aesthetic – look for ones with pink bases for a truly subtle feel. Accessorizing is a great way to pull together any room with this trend while allowing flexibility when it comes time for changes.
Finishing the look
Bringing in lots of pastel flowers and candles is a great way to enhance the Danish-inspired interior design trend further. Pastel shades of pink, yellow, lavender and baby blue add a delicate and calming touch to any living space. Placing these delicate blooms around the home will create a gentle atmosphere that makes it feel cozy yet airy and bright.
Adding pastel candles to the mix can also bring a sense of warmth without overwhelming the room. When lit, they provide an intimate ambiance that makes it even more inviting. Additionally, candles in quirky shapes, like bubble candles, can add a playful touch to the space. Incorporating these elements when decorating your home with soft pastels gives off a tranquil vibe that evokes feelings of relaxation while maintaining a modern look.
Shop Kaiyo
At Kaiyo, we offer an extensive range of secondhand furniture to help you achieve the perfect Danish-inspired interior and design trends. Our team comprises experienced professionals who inspect every piece to ensure it meets our quality standards.
Our commitment to sustainability means we plant a tree for every purchase, helping reduce our environmental impact and promoting eco-friendly practices. We strive to reduce carbon emissions from manufacturing by keeping furniture out of landfills and helping conserve natural resources. We want to ensure you get the best quality furniture possible without damaging the environment. Kaiyo strives to make sustainable secondhand shopping easy and stress-free. With unbeatable deals on gently used items, finding the perfect piece has never been easier.
So, shop with us today to bring your interior design style to life!
