I am someone who gets bored of things way too fast.Seriously, if my attention span were a person, it would be that friend who leaves a party after 15 minutes.
For my last aesthetic exploration, I went all in on Kolam Aesthetic—introducing something new to people here through my blog. But now?!Moving on. Sticking to the same aesthetic feels like wearing the same outfit every day. I always want to switch things up and explore something fresh.
So here I was, staring at my blank canvas of a mind, waiting for a new idea to magically appear. But instead, I got hit with a classic modern-day problem TOO MANY OPTIONS. Every idea seemed great until I saw another one, and boom! Back to square one.
How I Accidentally Found My Upcycling Aesthetic:
One fine evening, after coming back from my part-time job, exhausted and ready to procrastinate, I passed by a mystical little dumping zone in my apartment complex. It’s this tiny space where people leave stuff they don’t need when they move out—things that might be useful to others.
Naturally, I slowed down (because free stuff, duh).And that’s when I saw it—a sad, abandoned lampshade, covered in dust.
Did I take it? Nope. My brain immediately went: “Ew, it’s dusty.” But then another part of my brain whispered: “But… it could look cute in your room.”
So I left it there (for now) but kept thinking about it. That night, instead of deciding on a project (as if I didn’t already have enough ideas!), I found myself scrolling through design inspiration and stumbled upon these gorgeous, colorful, Scandinavian-inspired interiors.
Scandinavian Interior Aesthetic – My New Obsession:
The more I scrolled, the more I realized—this aesthetic is EVERYWHERE now.And honestly? I was hooked.
Back home in Chennai, India,this style isn’t that common. We love coordination. If we pick dark wood furniture, everything else better match it. The lights? Warm-toned.The decor? Minimal and wood-based. Pops of color? Maybe a beige cushion if we’re feeling adventurous.
But this Scandinavian interior aesthetic? It’s cozy, colorful, and feels alive. I’ve started seeing glimpses of it in trendy cafés, modern office spaces, and boutique stores,but in homes? Not so much.That’s when I realized—this aesthetic is exactly what I’ve been unknowingly creating in my own tiny dorm space.
My Room: A Happy Accident of Scandinavian Aesthetic
As an international student, I share my room with a roommate. And you know how that goes—space is limited, creativity is key. Over the last semester, I kept picking up little things for my side of the room.
Now, when I take a step back, I see it—it’s Scandinavian chaos, but in the best way.
- Colorful accents
- Wooden textures
- Soft, cozy decor
- A mix of everything, but somehow, it works
It wasn’t intentional, but my space already looked like a mood board for this aesthetic. So naturally, my next move was clear—I needed to bring that abandoned lamp back to life and make it the statement piece of my room.
What’s Hot in Scandinavian Interior Design in 2024?
Scandinavian design has evolved from the all-white, minimalist look to something a lot more vibrant and fun. In 2024, it’s all about:
- Flowing, organic designs– No more stiff, straight lines. Think curvy, cozy furniture that hugs you.
- MORE COLOR!– Reds, blues, and deep earthy tones are taking over neutral spaces.
- Dark wood accents– A shift from the lighter tones of the past.
- Mix & (Not) Match – Gone are the days of making everything perfectly coordinated. The key is to “make it personal.”
- Multifunctional furniture– Because we all need furniture that works as hard as we do.
My Final Plan: Giving the Abandoned Lamp a New Life
Now, back to the dusty, rejected lamp. I had to move fast—I was convinced some other DIY enthusiast might claim it before me. So I rushed back the next day to check. Luckily, it was still there!
My plan? Turn it into a statement piece that embodies this whole aesthetic. This lamp is about to go from forgotten trash to Scandinavian treasure.
A Nervous but Exciting Start:
Since I’m not an art student and come from an engineering background, hands-on projects make me a little nervous.But I’m hyped to see how this turns out!
Maybe this is the start of my new upcycling journey.Or maybe I’ll end up covered in glue and regretting all my life choices. Either way—I’m doing it.
If anyone has any words of encouragement so I don’t mess this up), drop them below! Would love to hear from you all!
Scandinavian Interior Inspiration:
Because if I’m going down this aesthetic rabbit hole, I’m taking you with me!
https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/style/scandinavian-eclectic-new-interiors-style-a4429661.html
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/ideas/styles/scandinavian/
https://www.thenordroom.com/colorful-scandinavian-interiors/
2 Comments. Leave new
Hi Andrea,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response! I absolutely relate to analysis paralysis—it’s so easy to get stuck in the endless loop of possibilities, especially when there are so many exciting directions to explore. Your Netflix analogy is spot on!
I really appreciate your advice on setting clear intent before diving into solutions. It’s something I’ll keep in mind as I refine my ideas, both for this project and beyond. The double diamond design process sounds fascinating, and I love the idea of separating the “doing the right things” phase from the “doing things right” phase. I’ll definitely check out the link—it seems like a great framework to avoid getting lost in the brainstorming phase.
Also, Joyful sounds like exactly the kind of book I’d enjoy! I’ve been curious about why certain design elements resonate so strongly with people, and it sounds like it could provide some great insights as I develop this project further. Adding it to my reading list now!
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and resources—I really appreciate it!
Shreya, what a great story and I can very much relate to the feeling of overwhelm when you have so many ideas but no where to start. Are you familiar with the concept of analysis paralysis? This is essentially what happens when you throw on netflix and think “Omg there is nothing I want to watch” despite literally thousands and thousands of options. We can loose sight of our desires when we are presented with too many options and a lack of intent on what we truly want.
If you do encounter this as you continue your academic and professional career, something I have found which is helpful to myself, and my engineers, is being very clear on the intent of a project before exploring the solution space. Trading solutions can sometimes get us off track if we do not have a clear idea of what it is we are trying to solve. Additionally, something I have been recently using is called the “double diamond design process” (https://www.thefountaininstitute.com/blog/what-is-the-double-diamond-design-process). In summary, this is a process which ensures you first are “doing the right things” and then “doing things right.” In other words, you first discover and define the problem using divergent and convergent research, and then you develop and deliver the design through divergent ideation and converging implementation. It’s a fantastic process to overcome that analysis paralysis and efficiently arrive at a solution.
Finally, I really like your aesthetic selection and agree it is popping up more and more around us. If you have not read the book “Joyful” I HIGHLY recommend. It describes the underlying neural and psychological processes which draw us to the design features of that new Scandinavian aesthetic such as pops of colors, large shapes, and varying materials. If you have not read it I think it would be extremely helpful as you mature this concept and refine your ideas for your final project.
Thanks!
Andrea