Eyelet Curtains, Interior Design, curtains

Scandinavian Home Inspiration 3 – Kitchens

In Scandinavia, the role of the kitchen is just as important as it would be in the UK and every other land. They like to make the most of the space available and it isn’t uncommon to see open-plan kitchen-dining rooms in Scandinavian design. Light is a key feature – having plenty of natural light increases the sense of space and generally makes the kitchen a cheerier place to be in. We have done some research on kitchen design and decorating to share with you some of the things that make them essentially Scandinavian and to help you get the look back home.

· Green living is something we are learning more and more about each day of the week; the information about green living is all over the media. This is something that is always at the heart of Scandinavian design and the kitchen in no exception. Look into ways to save energy costs with special kitchen fixtures and do take time to organise your recyclable waste. You can now find many new kitchens that come with an assortment of cupboard options to include pull out drawers that will have the capacity to fit several waste containers; this makes recycling a lot easier to stay on top of.

· Island units are on everyone’s wish list right now and are a favourite design for Scandinavian kitchens. The thought is to make life in the kitchen more of a family affair as to a solo workspace. When you choose to have an island, think cleverly about how it will function in your home. Think about the natural flow in the kitchen from food preparation, cooking, eating and cleaning. If for example, you do have a large family or entertain regularly – two sinks are far better than one. Incorporate them into your island unit and have them facing opposite directions so they can be used simultaneously for preparing vegetables and washing up.

· We spoke about the importance of lighting in the kitchen and the Scandinavians can give us a few helpful tips on that front. When using spotlights under the top cabinets, make sure to install them at the outer edge which will spread more light on the task at hand. You can even get drawer lights now for when you need that midnight snack without waking everyone up!

· In terms of textiles, there are not really any rules and just as we would, they tend to change the appearance and functionality of textiles as the seasons change. Curtains are great in kitchens with larger windows at any time of year and café-style eyelet curtains bring a little country charm to smaller windows. Aside from window treatments, floor runners are another great way to bring a splash of colour into the kitchen and to add more warmth. Try the layered look in areas that don’t have so much activity.