Scandi Pairings: Shelving Units and Baskets and Boxes

Scandinavian interiors are known for being light, calm and practical, and few combinations capture that better than a simple shelving unit paired with well chosen baskets and boxes. The shelving gives the room structure, while woven and lidded containers hide everyday clutter that open shelves would otherwise put on show. In this guide we look at choosing the shelving unit itself, from pale woods such as birch, ash and light oak to white finishes, clean lines and cube designs that suit containers. We then turn to the baskets and boxes, comparing seagrass, rattan, felt, linen, wood and card, and explaining how colour, size and fit affect the finished look. You will find practical pairing advice, including using lower shelves for storage, alternating storage and display, repeating materials and labelling discreetly. Finally, we show how the pairing works in living rooms, children's rooms, hallways, home offices and bedrooms, and how to keep everything feeling calm....