Minimalism and functionality are two key elements that can take a hum-drum, cluttered kitchen and turn it into a beautiful space to cook and entertain in.

As I mentioned in this Scandinavian-style house tour round-up last month, perhaps the greatest feature of Scandi-inspired style is that it can be interpreted and used in so many different ways. White walls, lots of plants, clean lines, and wood finishes certainly show up again and again, but the 26 kitchens above all have their own signature spin on Scandinavian-derived design. And, perhaps a bit surprisingly, many of the homes these kitchens are inside aren’t actually located in Scandinavia!

The kitchen is one of the best places in your home to explore Scandi style. Consider these characteristics when attempting to sprinkle a little Scandinavian inspiration in your own kitchen:

Keep lines clean and surfaces open

One home in this round up that is in Scandinavia is Anette’s Norway house , where she writes: “I like to combine natural elements with modern design pieces while keeping the mood calm and peaceful. I like clean lines and open surfaces and try to steer clear of clutter.”

Combine old and new

Also in Anette’s home, she gives her living space character by combining the old with the new, paying homage to the building’s bones while incorporating both function and aesthetic in her modern decorating choices. Good advice to borrow from a Scandinavian. Combining old with new is definitely another hallmark of this type of style, and again the kitchen makes this an easy task. You can mix rustic wooden cutting boards with state-of-the-art steel cooking appliances and have a beautiful composition that’s at once warm and modern.

Bring nature inside

Morgane , a Montreal resident, has a home that seriously sports some Scandi-inspired style, and she too has a beautiful perspective on this look, writing in her house tour survey: “I like white, clean and airy spaces. For me an apartment is a white canvas, a white wall to life… I also like to bring nature inside, dried flowers in winter, vegetables, fruit on the counter… and summer flowers, flowers and more flowers!

Spark conversation

But to avoid what could be a sterile environment, take another piece of advice from Anette: Fill your home with controlled patterns and unique conversation pieces that fit just-so.