Chiana Dickson
A modern mix of Scandinavian design with bright yet soothing colours, Danish pastel has taken over social media.
Becoming a popular choice of young women and VSCO girls, the Danish pastel aesthetic has taken TikTok and Instagram by storm. So what exactly is it? And how can you achieve it?
What is Danish Pastel?
Although not strictly ‘Danish’ by any means, the influence of Scandinavian design more generally has influenced this design subculture. By combining the smooth simplicity of Scandinavian design with the bright, soret colours creates a fun and energetic space.
Characterised by pale colours such as sky blues, peachy pinks, and seafoam greens, the style is both soothing and optimistic – the perfect environment to recharge. Funky elements like checkerboard and gingham patterns add a youthful freshness whilst asymmetric decor elements add an almost kitschy feel without taking it too far.
What makes the style so impressive is how easy it is to achieve. With the affordability and accessibility of Scandinavian furniture giant IKEA, and the emphasis on mix-matched decor items, anyone could achieve this look with a lick of paint and a few trips to a charity shop.
How to incorporate it into your home
Decide where to incorporate colour
Colour can be brought in through either furniture or the room itself – or both! If you choose to have bright furniture, keep the walls white to keep the scandi vibe, conversely use bright walls and rugs and pare back the furniture to prevent over stimulation.
Alternatively, you can carry the colour through the walls and the furniture, but stick to a colour scheme. Carry similar colours throughout the room and try not to use too many.
Perfect colours include pale and pastel blues, pinks, purples and greens with lots of white to break it up. Black could be used in accents but is largely ignored in this trend.
Add some asymmetric shapes through funky decor
Combine the balanced proportions and soft lines of Scandi furniture with asymmetric shapes to add an eccentric vibe. Asymmetric mirrors like those from H&M dominate the trend.
Also consider funky, brightly coloured candles or decor with motifs like heart, flowers and butterflies. Abstract prints in a gallery wall can create a cool feature wall whilst also adding cohesion.
This bubble planter from H&M creates a modernist touch, drawing from the trends roots in Modernist art.
Soften up the space
Emphasise elements of hygge with plenty of soft furnishings in sorbet colours. Deep pile rugs or rugs with checkerboard patterns, a plethora of fuzzy or patterned cushions, and knit throws add a cosiness and accentuates the femininity of the trend. The blush pink astrology pillow from H&M incoporates pastel colours, motif patterns and a feminine vibe.
When adding furniture, consider curved pieces rather than harsh corners to feature a statement silhouette.
Use pale woods
The heavy woods of more traditional styles have no place in the pastel trend. Light woods like beech, ash, or pine, or even painted white wood keeps the space light and maintains the Scandinavian vibe.
Bring the outdoors in
Dried bouquets or fresh flowers like hydrangeas bring the outside in and continue the calming atmosphere. Use the blooms to introduce fashionable vases in crazy shapes and interesting textures.
Featured image courtesy of 5460160 via Pixabay. Image licence found here. No changes were made to this image.
Chiana
Chiana is a third-year English Literature student at Lancaster University who also has a passion for interior design. She aspires to one-day work full time as a content editor for one of her favourite home magazines.