Danish pastels: modern Scandi decorating ideas with soft shades
Posted on 1st April 2023
When you think of Scandinavian style, what do you picture? Clean, simple lines and an overall neutral aesthetic, right? But if you’re looking to create a fun design, why not put a modern twist on this look with help of some pretty pastels?
So, say hello to Danish pastels (often referred to as Scandi pastels) – an interiors trend which introduces a blend of sorbet shades and classic Scandinavian style to your home. This aesthetic is ideal if you are thinking about giving your kitchen, bedroom or bathroom a refresh for spring, but can be just as lovely anytime of the year.
Do you want to know the secret to using Danish pastels? Use white as a base and then sporadically mix in soft hues, such as muted pinks, yellows and greens.
Decorating ideas
So where to begin? In the kitchen start with white walls, but then introduce pastels through colourful units, small appliances, crockery or glassware. To embrace this trend in your bathroom, opt for coloured tiles, painted tubs or bold basins in soft shades of pink and green. Or you can create the essence of Scandi style in your bedroom, with clean lines and minimalist furniture, and use pastel hues as the dominant colours – from paint and wallpaper to bedding and cushions.
This modern style also has quirky elements – think maximalist art, asymmetric décor pieces, organically shaped candles, and funky mirrors. However, Scandi sophistication always brings it back to a grown-up look.
The trend uses a mix of different pastel colours in the same tone. However, it’s best to stick to three or four complimenting shades to achieve a cohesive scheme.
So, if you’ve been looking update your rooms, we’ve collected some of our favourite decorating ideas using soft Danish pastels. Ready to get your moodboard going? Then, let’s take a look…
This scheme by Norsu Interiors shows how you can mix the simplicity of Scandi style with hints of pink.Choose neutral furniture to let the colour of your walls shine. Caversham storage bed in grey, £399.99 for a double, Furniture and Choice.Colourtrend has a wide range of pastel paints, including this pretty pink shade called Lowland, £23.40 per litre of interior matt emulsion.Play with complementing pastel shades to achieve a mood-boosting scheme. Simply Refresh One Coat matt paint in Coral Charm, Willow Tree and Blush Pink, £47.62 for 2.5 litres of each, all from Dulux.Danish pastels sometimes lean into the bold, maximalist style. Get A Wiggle On wallpaper in Candy Floss and Lemon Sherbet, £45, Lust Home.
Danish pastels: Make a splash in the bathroom
Is there anything more luxurious than a bathtub in a bedroom? Make it stand out even more with a paint colour in a durable pastel finish, such as this Skye Hybrid shower bath in Dead Salmon, £2290, Waters Baths of Ashbourne.Add colour in your bathroom with a bold choice such as the Breeze countertop basin in Teresa’s Green, £1020, Waters Baths of Ashbourne.Mix and match pink and green shades for a modern look. Kandi Gumball pattern wall and floor tiles, from £44.95 per sq m, Walls and Floors.Ribbed panelling is a staple in Scandinavian designs and works well with soft pink tiles – bathroom pieces from Crosswater.
Danish pastels: Pops of colour in the kitchen
This project by Sola Kitchens – which appeared on our May 2022 cover – blends pretty pastels with classic Scandi style. Kitchens start from £40,000.Keeping the walls white means that bright pops of colour really stand out, like in this Jasper Doll design by Smile Kitchens, price on application.Love Danish pastels? Then why not opt for small countertop appliances in sorbet shades? Four-slice toaster, £100, and Multi-temp jug kettle, £100, Cuisinart.When designing with Scandi pastels, think about creating a flow throughout the whole space – from the kitchen cabinets to the art on the walls. Blue Pure Eurosmart tap, Grohe from £421Base your new look on one pastel shade, and match the grout to the colour of your cabinets. Marylebone metro tiles, from £23.95 per sq m, Walls and Floors.
