Move over, Cottagecore. Scandinavian design and folklore is this year. While color isn't absent across Scandinavia, it's secondary to a simple color palette that breathes tranquility. Warm whites, creams, and the softest yellows and beiges are the perfect blanket for interior walls. Charcoal and black finishes add a welcomed contrast against clean, white surfaces and other natural materials. “When it comes to curating a peaceful home environment, paint colors are often center stage in setting the tone for a space,” reminds Interior Designer x BEHR Ambassador Cara Newhart.
She adds, “To embody the Scandinavian style, I love BEHR’s Blank Canvas and Even Better Beige for expressing the more airy elements of the style with beautiful neutrals that feel warm and inviting. This style isn’t all light and airy though, well-placed contrast of a bold color helps ground the space and add a layer of intentionality and personal touch. For this I’m increasingly drawn to BEHR’s Cracked Pepper — a soft black that offers cozy contrast and the perfect balance without overwhelming color.”
Blank Canvas
LRV 84 R 241 G 237 B 225
Still enjoying its reign as a former Color of the Year, Blank Canvas is a hopeful, welcoming white. This neutral color thrives in a room with natural light, even when its sparse, such as it can be in Nordic countries.
Cracked Pepper
LRV 8 R 79 G 81 B 82
A soft black is a muted shade that's ready to make its mark in the most neutral and relaxing way. Unlike other saturated colors, it can elevate your space without creating unwelcome chaos.
Even Better Beige
LRV 60 R 212 G 202 B 186
Offers less gray and more warmth than the aforementioned Tranquil Gray, this Even Better Beige is a versatile neutral to bring warmth to any space.
Adirondack Blue
LRV 23 R 116 G 133 B 143
Pull yourself out of upstate New York and relocate this reassuring slate blue (from the gray color family) to a visionary space you might find in Helsingør or Malmö. Like other blue shades, this soft shade echos calm and sophistication.
Tranquil Gray
LRV 60 R 208 G 203 B 192
BEHR likens Tranquil Gray to a hot stone massage. Delicate and harmonious, a taupe-gray that is peaceful and still... the perfect reflection of any Scandinavian interior.
