Everything you need to know about ‘Danish Pastel’

Scandinavian minimalism with its austere palette and purposely placed lines have long perched atop the throne in the Nordic region, influencing the international interior devotees with its sleek design for decades – the almighty reign of Ikea and its easily digestible design.

But just like the fashion scene is changing in Scandinavia – shifting ever so slightly from sleek monochromatic lines to colourful frills – so is the interior design. As a result, sorbet shades have settled into our collective consciousness, whole-heartedly embraced by a select group of locals. 

Copenhagen-based content creator Simone Noa Hedal is one of the individuals spearheading the pastel charge. “I think there has been a shift within the last couple of years,” she said on the changing aesthetic. “I love to be surrounded by colourful things. The first purchase for my home was a yellow velvet couch. It was the only furniture that my boyfriend and I could agree on – that yellow couch kicked off my colour adventure for sure.” 

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Fellow Dane and colour aficionado Marie Wibe Jedig agrees. “I’m definitely an eclectic decorator and love unexpected decor combinations,” she says. She thinks that the shift in interiors is a scream for diversity and individualism. “I believe pastels have gained popularity, especially during the dark lockdown due to the 1980s connotations. It is a flashback to festive times and a way of escaping or maybe even celebrating the absurdity of the pandemic.”

The trend has quickly picked up internationally. In Munich, Germany, Karoline Herr subconsciously found herself drawn to the aesthetic. “I honestly didn’t know about the term for a very long time,” she says. “I actually always had colours in my home. Starting from my childhood bedroom to my little first apartment during university, and now. The thing is that until recently, it was quite hard to find interiors, especially furniture, that weren't black, white or wood.” In her current apartment, pastels run like a red thread throughout the rooms. “But in my case, that thread isn’t red, but pink, light blue or pale yellow.”

“With Danish Pastel, there is the perfect mix of timeless design, clean shapes, high-end materials and bolder colour choices,” Herr says. “It still is minimalistic when it comes to design.” Noa Hedal uses colourful interiors to brighten up her home. “My apartment is hidden in a backyard, and it’s very dark during the wintertime, so I prefer to bring light colours into my home, and that’s exactly why pastels are a perfect choice.”

One thing seems to be agreed upon, no matter who you talk to: In the last couple of years, interior designers have embraced these soft colours and innovative shapes. Instagram played a big part in creating the trend. “It is so visual, and interior content is so so popular,” Herr points out. “At some point, clean white homes just weren’t interesting enough anymore, I guess. And small Scandi design labels like Ikon København or Gustaf Westman make such fun interior pieces.”

Speaking with buzzy Swedish interior designer Gustaf Westman (known for that curvy mirror on all of our feeds), he says that the move towards more colourful and creative interiors reflects how people live today. “I think the biggest characteristic of Danish fashion is a new way of matching, or perhaps rather not matching,” he says. “It’s a mix of old and new, colours and patterns that may not really fit together but that together create something interesting.” Fashion, as always, is mirrored in our homes, and Westman explains that the choices you make in your home and your style, in general, reflect your personal values. “If there is one thing that feels really out of date right now, it is to be too curated.”

Celebrity-approved Danish brand Ikon København, founded by sisters Amalie and Sarah Thorgaard in 2016, creates the distinct tiled tables that have taken over Instagram – seen in the homes of Swedish supermodel Elsa Hosk, fashion IT-girl Blanca Miró Scrimieri, and incredibly popular content creator/model Caroline Daur. 

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“Even though we still like and grew up surrounded by the traditional minimalistic Scandi interior style, we really enjoy the new fun, playful and colourful interior people are really embracing right now,” the Thorgaard sisters explain. “We think it’s the younger generation’s desire for something new.”

While it may feel daunting to completely transform your space from white-on-white minimalism to Danish Pastel, there are some easy steps to start with. “There are so many ways to mix and match pastel, and almost all the different colours look good when you style them together,” Noa Hedal says. “Take small steps like adding a colourful painting, a cute pink ceramic vase, or a baby blue ceiling lamp. And do it your own way. It can be hard to find a balance; it can easily feel like a lot if you’re not used to living in a colourful home.”

If you’re set on jumping into the colourful interior trend feet first, Hedal suggests painting your walls in a pastel shade is an easy way to make a significant impact with small means. “You can always paint a wall or a door; it’s an easy way to get a new vibe in your home quickly.” 

Don’t be afraid and don’t overthink it is Jedig’s advice. “Buy the items you like, and I promise that these somehow will fit together - because what they have in common is that they are all chosen by you. You don’t have to go totally pastel bananas. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing - just free your mind of overthinking.”

“My tip is to focus on objects,” Westman says. “If you only surround yourself with things you like, it will be a good mix.” The Thorgaard sisters agree. “If you want to stay on the safe side, then opt for basic colours for your investment pieces. Then you can start adding smaller pieces in fun shapes and colours.”

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Herr agrees that it is vital to listen to your own gut. “What I think is very important is not just to try to copy interiors you see on Instagram, but to test colours in your own home, with your room size, your lighting and your other interiors.,” she says. “But the main thing is: Try it! Colours, especially pastel colours, can be so much fun and bring such a light and vibrant atmosphere into your home. Don’t be afraid that it might look childish or not grown up enough – you have to find the right balance for yourself.” 

And, as they all point out, very few things are permanent. You can always repaint a wall or replace a cushion; the important thing is for your home to bring you joy. As Jedig puts it, “Perfectionism kills charm.”