Scandinavian Simplicity: Minimalist Mirror Frame Inspirations

If you had to pick one design style to guide your decorating choices, Scandinavian might be a good place to start. This functional, simple, comfy, and durable approach to design fits well with the times.

Its emphasis on clean lines, practicality, and careful use of space makes it a sensible choice for modern families, who don't generally have time for a lot of fussing and tidying. Its flexibility in incorporating many styles and sourcing globally gives it sophistication and a wide appeal. Its connectedness to nature is healthy and soothing.

Here are a few unique features of Scandinavian decor:

• Maximizing natural light with white walls, blonde wood, sheer curtains, and clever use of mirrors.
• Restrained style that chooses quality, functional furniture and only allows the most beloved art and accessories into a space to keep a clean, uncluttered look.
• A strong modernist influence, with clean lines, mostly modern furniture, sleek storage solutions, and sparing use of color, often muted.

 

Scandinavian Design: Popular but Timeless

Scandinavian house design developed early last century, influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement with its emphasis on natural materials and beautiful, durable design. It matured after the Second World War, incorporating new industrial techniques and reimagining design from a modernist perspective that valued simplicity, clean lines, and function. Its elegance and restraint make it a sophisticated choice that won't go out of style.

 

The Art of Minimalism in Scandinavian Decor

Scandinavian design delivers a light, spacious, harmonious ambiance that's instantly appealing. Its clean lines and muted tones are calming. The use of organic materials like wood, stone, metal, leather, and sheepskin gives a connection to the outdoors that enhances our well-being. While the use of objects is spare, there's attention to comfort in the layering of cotton and linens on beds, thoughtfully placed cushions and throws, and woven wool rugs.

While white is the most common backdrop, the style also embraces contrasts of black or navy, neutrals like gray, beige or muted green, and occasional bursts of color in furniture, art, or accessories.

 

Evolution of Mirror Frames in Nordic Design

Art and design in the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland have an interesting evolution, beginning with the intricate Old Norse patterns of the Vikings with their animal motifs, intertwining lines, and elaborate borders cast in metal or carved in wood and stone.

Around the tenth century, the influence of Christianity brought Christian symbolism into Norse art, as well as the influence of Romanesque design. While today's sleek lines and sophisticated interiors may not seem anything like these ancient forms, there is a persistent theme of seeing everyday objects also as art objects, of making them beautiful and durable as well as useful.

Other historical elements still present in Scandi design are the use of natural materials and the thoughtfulness given to placement of everything in the home.

Mirrors are a vital element in Scandinavian decor because they reflect light and make spaces appear larger. Mirrors help in maximizing and dispersing light, a fundamental element in Scandinavian interiors.

The intricate carvings of mirror frames may be a thing of the past, but attention to design and quality remains.

 

Essential Characteristics of Scandinavian-Inspired Mirror Frames

Now clean lines and sleek design without the distraction of frills is the goal. The simplicity of the style amplifies the importance of function, making Scandinavian design perfect for bathrooms.

Extensive use of wood reflects the Nordic love for nature, and another popular choice is metal, either black to dramatically contrast with pale woods and walls, or gold to provide a warm balance.

 

Curated Selections from MirrorMate

MirrorMate has an extensive collection of quality bathroom mirror frame kits that attach to wall-mounted mirrors, giving you a resource for turning a builder-grade mirror into a design feature.

Here are some examples showcasing frames that personify Scandinavian simplicity:

Big Sur Sand Dune Frame

The natural, sun-bleached wood grain of the Big Sur Sand Dune frame is reminiscent of windswept sand dunes, adding brightness and warmth to a space. The tan and white colorways add glints of light, while the sleek profile matches the clean aesthetic of Scandinavian design.

Cherokee French White Oak

Natural materials are at the heart of Scandinavian design. This oak-style frame puts the finishing touch on a nature-inspired bathroom. Like oak flooring and furniture, the Cherokee French White Oak frame features natural variations in the wood grain. Pair it with cream, white, or gray colors in the bath for a minimalist look.

Cherokee Montauk Sand Frame

The wispy color variations in the Cherokee Montauk Sand frame will have you dreaming of a beach stroll on a bright, sunny day. The classic profile finds a perfect home in coastal-inspired or minimalistic, Scandinavian-style bathrooms. For a slimmer frame, opt for the Cherokee Montauk Sand Slim frame.

Tuscany Travertine Frame

The Tuscany Travertine frame adds just the right touch of European flair while preserving a minimalist aesthetic. The subtle stone-look mirror adds texture to the room without overwhelming the senses. It’s a great choice for a monochrome color scheme.

Cherokee Farmhouse Frame

Light wood grain is typical in Scandinavian design, but darker hues are also used to represent Nordic landscapes. The Cherokee Farmhouse frame has a darker wood grain with clean lines—perfect for a Scandinavian-inspired space. Pair this frame with simple furnishings to complete the look. 

Highlight Bright White Slim Frame

Brighten up a small bathroom with the Highline Bright White Slim frame. The clean, simple lines are consistent with Nordic style, adding an air of breeziness to the space. It’s the perfect complement to a white vanity or light color scheme in the bath.

 

Beyond Mirrors: Other Scandinavian Decor Essentials

One of the endearing qualities of Scandinavian decor is the emphasis on comfort. It might be minimal in the sense of avoiding clutter, but not ascetic. As you design and decorate your bathroom, think about what will give you a sense of well-being:

• If you love spending time in the bath, consider a rustic side stool next to a free-standing bath that's comfortable to sit in.
• Choose high-quality towels of organic cotton that feel good against your skin.
• Use wicker baskets or wooden trays to store items on shelves for a neat, natural look.
• If you have space, buy a chair for your vanity or dressing area in a classic Scandinavian design, such as a Danish dining chair in European Ash wood or sleek cognac leather.
• A little fur throw or rug for your feet could add a touch of luxury and softness to your morning routine.
• A broad range of tile choices fit the aesthetic, so decide whether square, rectangular, hexagonal, or other geometric shapes are most pleasing to the eye. A geometric tile pattern on a floor or backsplash could add interest in a predominantly white space.
• Scandinavian lighting choices can bridge several styles, with clean, rounded shapes dominating.

Minimalist mirror frames pair well with so many Scandinavian decor elements. Over half of MirrorMate's extensive collection features the simple, elegant designs characteristic of Scandinavian decor.