Scandinavian poster and pastel palette, the soothing combination
How do you combine Scandinavian posters and pastels in your decor? Sage, powder pink, ochre. Our Brunelia guide.
Key points
- 58 posters in the Flower posters collection, the 20 from this article in the table below.
- From 19,95 € in A4, up to 69,95 € in A0, 5 sizes for each poster.
- Printed in Europe on demand, free delivery from 59 €.
The table
The 20 posters at a glance
Scandinavian style and pastels, two sides of the same softness
Pastel is the natural color language of Scandinavian style. Instead of saturated colors, the look is built on half-tones, shades washed out by northern light. Here is how to put together a Scandinavian poster with a cohesive pastel palette.
Pastel pairings that work
Sage and washed-out terracotta
Sage green paired with a very pale terracotta (almost pinkish) gives a restrained warmth. Ideal for a botanical poster or a soft landscape.
Powder pink and pale ochre
Powder pink (never candy pink) with an ochre leaning toward sand creates an understated Scandinavian femininity. It works well with a floral poster or a pared-back female figure.
Glacier blue and sand beige
A very pale, almost faded blue with a very neutral sand beige. A Nordic seaside effect, perfect for a coastal landscape.
Pastels to avoid
Avoid neon mauve, flashy pink and lemon yellow. Scandinavian pastel always stays slightly grayed, as if passed through the filter of time. If the color looks candy-bright, it is too saturated for this style.
The right frame
Light wood (oak, birch, maple) and a generous off-white mat. Avoid any metal or gilding, which would break the palette.
Going further
This article complements our guide to Scandinavian posters, part of our guide to poster styles by decor.
The Scandinavian poster in a pastel combination
Authentic Scandinavian style generally avoids pastels in favor of muted tones. But a warmer variation, known as Scandinavian-pastel, blends ivory, sage green and pale terracotta pink. It is the sub-style that works in bedrooms and kids’ rooms.
Acceptable pastels in Scandinavian style
Pale sage green, very light terracotta pink, straw ochre, pearl gray. Avoid baby pink, which belongs to another world, and saturated pastels that clash with the Nordic spirit.
Subjects that suit pastels
Delicate botanicals, dried flowers, watercolor birds, soft landscapes. A pastel palette works with subjects that are themselves soft.
Size and frame
A3 or A4 posters, aligned, in light wood frames (oak, beech). Slim molding of 1 to 2 cm. An ivory or very pale terracotta pink mat to reinforce the palette.
Rooms that suit Scandinavian-pastel
Calm adult bedrooms, kids’ rooms that grow with the child, bathrooms. Avoid the living room (too lukewarm) and the office (too scattered).
Pitfalls to avoid
Pastel over-saturation (too much). Mixing with bright colors (inconsistent). Gilded frames, which belong to Art Deco.
Our pastel selection: Pink peony poster as a botanical plate, Climbing rose poster as a botanical engraving, Red cardinal and wildflowers poster. Also discover our flower collection.
For Scandinavian style in general, see our Scandinavian guide.
Also in the journal: Scandinavian guide, Scandinavian style in the bedroom, 10 codes of Scandinavian style.
Build this wall
3 posters from this article, at true scale
All 3 posters: 99,85 €
Frequently asked questions
You often ask us
Which pastels work in Scandinavian style?
Pale sage green, very light terracotta pink, straw ochre, pearl gray. Avoid baby pink and saturated pastels.
Which subjects suit Scandinavian pastel?
Delicate botanicals, dried flowers, watercolor birds, soft landscapes.
Which size suits Scandinavian pastel?
A3 or A4 posters, aligned, in light wood frames with a slim 1 to 2 cm molding.
Which rooms suit Scandinavian pastel?
Calm bedrooms, kids’ rooms that grow with the child, bathrooms. Avoid the living room and office.
What pitfalls should I avoid with Scandinavian pastel?
Pastel over-saturation. Mixing with bright colors. Gilded frames.
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