The Scandinavian style has been one of the most frequently chosen design directions for years. Bright, spacious interiors, natural materials and minimalism without austerity work well in both apartments and single-family houses. The Scandinavian-style floor plays a key role in this aesthetic: it is responsible for the brightness of the interior, introduces the warmth of wood and provides a calm background for furniture and accessories.
What makes the Scandinavian style unique?
Scandinavian aesthetics arose from the need to make the most of daylight in countries with short days. Hence the dominance of white, light gray and natural wood, as well as a sparse number of items and simple, functional forms of furniture.
The most important features of the style are:
- light, subdued color palette - white, off-white, beige and light gray
- natural materials - wood, linen, wool, ceramics
- functionality - furniture with simple lines and a limited number of decorations
- coziness - soft fabrics and warm light, described by the Scandinavian concept of hygge
What flooring for a Scandinavian-style interior?
The floor occupies the largest area in the interior, so it largely determines whether the space will be bright and light. Wood decors in light, natural shades, with calm grains and a matte finish work best in the Scandinavian style. All VinCore floors have a matte polyurethane coating that well reflects the natural character of the wood.
Light, natural oak - the basis of a scandi interior
Light oak is the most classic choice for Scandinavian interiors. It warms up the whiteness of the walls without darkening the room. The VinCore offer includes the decors PERUGIA from the WOOD collection, BARI and PALERMO from the WOOD+ collection and NORMANDY and PROVENCE from the HERRINGBONE collection. Their natural, subdued shades combine with white furniture, light fabrics and wooden accessories.
Light gray - a modern variation of style
A more minimalist, modern effect is created by decors in cool, light gray shades. They work well in combination with white, black and concrete accents. This role is played by AMALFI from the WOOD collection and TORINO from the WOOD+ collection, the lightest decor in a board format, with a gray-white shade.
Light herringbone - an elegant accent in a scandi interior
Herringbone in a light shade gives the Scandinavian interior a more decorative character, without disturbing its peace. It looks especially good in living rooms, halls and bedrooms. STRASBOURG, the brightest decor of the HERRINGBONE collection, as well as GRENOBLE and NICE from the HERRINGBONE+. collection, suit scandi interiors.
Board or herringbone in the Scandinavian style?
A classic board in the 180 × 1220 mm format (WOOD and WOOD+ collections) is the solution most consistent with the minimalist nature of the style. Long boards visually lengthen the room and create a calm, uniform surface. Herringbone in the 125 × 625 mm format (HERRINGBONE and HERRINGBONE+ collections) introduces more rhythm and works well where the floor is to be one of the main elements of the arrangement.
In smaller interiors, a board placed along a longer wall or in the direction of the light usually works better. In larger, representative spaces, the herringbone emphasizes classic proportions and adds elegance to the interior.
How to combine the floor with the rest of the interior?
Walls and furniture
A light floor works best with walls in shades of white, off-white or light beige. The furniture can be white, light wood or delicate gray. It is worth avoiding furniture in the same shade as the floor, because a slight contrast better highlights the form of the furniture and the structure of the wood.
Fabrics and accessories
The character of a Scandinavian interior is created by natural fabrics: linen curtains, woolen rugs and thick-weave carpets. Ceramics, plants and single black accents, such as picture frames or lighting fixtures, are good complements.
Light
The Scandinavian style is based on maximum use of daylight, which is why windows are usually left uncovered or covered with light fabrics. This is important when choosing a floor: VinCore decors have proven resistance to UV rays, which reduces the risk of fading in large glazing areas.
Scandinavian flooring in individual rooms
Living room and dining room
In the open living area, one bright decor placed throughout the space organizes the interior and visually enlarges it. In high-traffic areas, such as the entrance area or dining room, it is worth considering the WOOD+ or HERRINGBONE+ collections with a 0.55 mm wear layer.
Kitchen and bathroom
VinCore floors have a hard SPC core and are fully waterproof, so the bright decor can also be continued in the kitchen and bathroom. This allows you to maintain the consistency of the entire interior without changing the material at the border of the rooms.
Bedroom
In the bedroom, a light floor enhances the impression of peace and lightness. The integrated IXPE foam underlay reduces impact sounds by 19 dB, which improves acoustic comfort in the relaxation area.
The most common mistakes when choosing a floor for a Scandi interior
- Too cool a palette throughout the interior - a combination of gray floors, white walls and gray furniture without warm accents can create a sterile effect
- The floor is in the same shade as the furniture - the lack of contrast flattens the interior
- Too many different floors - in the Scandinavian style, one decor works best in the entire living area
- The choice of decor should be based solely on the photo - the shade should be assessed on a sample, in daylight and artificial light
Frequently asked questions
What floor color suits the Scandinavian style?
The most frequently chosen are light, natural shades of oak and light gray. Both directions illuminate the interior and harmonize well with the white walls. Light oak gives a warmer effect, while gray gives a more modern and minimalist effect.
Does herringbone fit into a Scandinavian interior?
Yes, as long as it is light and has a calm grain. Herringbone in a light shade introduces a decorative element, but does not dominate the rest of the arrangement.
Will a light vinyl floor work well in the entrance area?
Yes. However, in rooms with heavy traffic, it is worth choosing a collection with a thicker wearing layer of 0.55 mm, i.e. WOOD+ or HERRINGBONE+, with a usability class of 23/33.
Summary
A Scandinavian-style floor should be bright, natural and calm. The most classic choice is light oak, for example PERUGIA, BARI or PALERMO. A modern character is provided by light grays AMALFI and TORINO, and a more decorative effect is provided by light herringbone STRASBOURG, GRENOBLE or NICE. Since the colors on the screen may differ from the real ones, it is worth viewing the selected decors in the showroom before purchasing.
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