Japandi Interior Design: Everything You Need To Know - Emily May (2024)

Japandi Interior Design is growing in popularity, and it’s easy to see why. This versatile aesthetic is a joy to live with, and is perfect for lovers of minimalism and nature. In this article, I’m sharing everything you need to know about Japandi design, and how you can recreate this look in your own home.

What isJapandiInteriorDesign?

It is easy to assume that Scandinavia and Japan are completely different when it comes to homedecorchoices and colour schemes. However, when you look into thedesignelements that each uses, they have more in common than you might first think.

For starters, they both take inspiration from natural elements andsimplicity. Not only that, but they both look for comfort when it comes to how tostylea home.

When you start to dig a little deeper and see exactly what they have in common, it’s easy to see wherethe Japandi interior designstyle has come from, and why it’s starting to become so popular.

Of course, everyone willstyleJapandiin their own way. However, in general, it is a combination ofJapanesestyle (art,simplicity, nature),JapaneseMinimalism, and the functionality thatScandinavianfurnituredesignusually possesses.

It’s about light colour schemes,brightspaces,and clean lines to complete a finished room perfectly. The underlying ideas behindJapandimostly surround muted colour palette and natural material. However, it also has a strong focus on warmth and Hygge, making a room feel just like home.

IsJapandiPopular?

Homedecorand interiorstyletrends are always changing, which allows for styles likeJapandito grow in popularity. One thing we have seen over recent years is people have become much more open to considering sustainablefurnitureand recycled items. This will definitely have helped theJapandidecortrend to grow in popularity.

Although there are many different elements toJapandiinteriordesign, a key factor is using eco-friendly andnaturalmaterials.

TheJapandiaestheticisn’t a new idea. And, in fact, has been talked about and used since 2016. That said, it has grown in popularity over recent years. It’s simple, natural take on homedecoris something that is certainly more popular now.

The fact that it promotes simplisticdesign, clean lines, warmth, natural colour rooms has definitely helped it become a popular choice over the last couple of years. Japanese and Scandinavian homedecortrends are popular in their own right, so it makes sense that combining them would prove popular too.

The Key Elements ofJapandiInteriorDesign

As always, homedecoris all about what you love and what your preferred styles are at home.Japandiinterior design has a number of key elements that define the style.

This is a cleanstyle, one of unclutteredminimalismand natural light. Thespacesthestylecan render are quietly breathtaking—perfect in their minimal detail. Thestylephotographs very well, and vibrant, clean examples can be found easily online and in-homestylemagazines.

It is true that there are quite a few elements needed to make theJapandistyleflow. You will see with a closer look at each element that they can be brought together simply and to great effect. When you research thestyle, you will see the diversity that can come from thestyle’s key elements. Note how the same basicdesigncan be made to look very different when the elements are rearranged.

Exploring this subtlety of thedesignis useful when you are at the detailing stage. If implemented correctly, results in a wonderful flowingspace.

Things that you’ll want to pay particular attention to include:

• The colours that you use
• Thematerialsand textures
• Artificial and natural lighting

Of course, if you are truly followingJapandiinteriordesigntrends to a tee then you’ll also want all of this done in a minimalist way with plenty of natural light

The idea is thatScandinaviandesignandJapanesedesignwork in harmony to create theJapandiinterior design stylein a way that you love. Thinkminimalist designsas well as home comfort. Combine these with your personal touches, and you’re well on your way to creating the perfectJapandi-inspired space within your home.

JapandiColour Scheme

The great news for those interested inJapandi-inspireddecoris that there are lots of different styles and colours that you can incorporate into your room in order to make it perfect for thestylethat you want.

A neutral palette of light and bright natural tones draws its roots from Scandinavian influence. The darker natural tones of Japan’s uniquestyleblend perfectly to complete this look. Black features frame elements or form the feature aspect offurniturestyles and connect them to each other fluidly.

Of course, there is nothing to say that you can’t inject some colour into a room if you wish. After all; your home and your rules. It is, however, a good idea to choose calming colours, such as sage green.

There are plenty of retailers that stock Japan-inspired artwork and homedecoraccessories. Thanks to this, finishing off a room within your chosen colour scheme should not be too much of an issue.

Minimalism

Japandiis naturally a minimaliststyle. Its clean lines and focus on uninterruptedspaceensure a very fresh, yet timeless feel to thedesign.

Natural, light colours andearthy tonesgive definition to thespacescreated. Simplefurniture, created on the same ethos of a simple cleandesign, frames fromnaturalwoodor painted in one of the subtly darker Japanese inspired tones, upholstered with substantial but effortlessly simple clean cushions.

Nature in its vibrant living form has a role to play. The focus onnaturalmaterialsworks well in bringing forth the textures found in nature as it often accentuates aspaceconforming to thestyle.

Of course, the amount of openspaceyou can dedicate toJapandidesignwithin your home will depend very much on thespaceyou have available and the size of your home.

Open-plan rooms are generally popular withJapandidesign choices. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t work within smaller rooms too. The idea is to keep things minimalistic and uncluttered. Some smart choices when it comes to storage and keeping items out of sight will definitely help.

JapandiMaterials

With both Scandinavia and Japan offering the best innaturalmaterials, subtly different hues and textures are used as staples in theJapandistyle.Lightwoodtends to dominate the structural elements, often bathed in a beautiful natural contrasting material like cotton. Unpatterned natural woven fabrics are chosen to fulfill the styles needed for clean, uninterrupted lines.

The influence of theScandinavianstylebrings forth light close-grained hardwoods like Beech and Ash. These woods give the consistent hom*ogeneous finish needed for elements forming the background support structure for bolder, darker colours and woods. These woods can be used to display the natural beauty ofwood, with bold grain structures on show in featured areas.

JapandiTextures

Japandiis a texturalstyle, drawing inspiration from nature and man in its physical surfaces. These interfaces between thespacethestylethrive on and the structural elements that define it. They are often used to project differing scales of the same texture. For example, the straight, tight weave of a fabric used can be brought to a larger scale by the inclusion of basketry or wooden screens. This ethos follows through with the differing grain structure of the woods preferred by thestyle.

If you are someone that doesn’t like the idea of different textures within the same room, thenJapandican still work for you. Minimalistic looks of a room are definitely the order of the day when it comes toJapandidesign, so choose one texture that you like and use this throughout the room. Combine this with something likewooddecoration items and a light-coloured sofa that you love, and you’ll have the perfect combination of everything needed to create aJapandiroom.

JapandiStyleLighting

Japandistyleilluminates a room with indirect soft light emanating through the justearthy tonesof its shades and fittings. Downlighters can be used, often recessed or hidden within thedesign,to cast light on key areas. Shadow is loved and used in this styleto bring cosiness tospacesin the evening.

A wooden slatted or simple basketry shade over an opaque lamp can cast the subtle shadows thestyle’s lighting thrives on. Luminaires are often hung lower in the room; when grouped, differing heights can bring depth and balance to the room’s illumination.

JapandiPattern

The goal ofJapandidesignis always to focus on natural looks andsimplicity, so you don’t have to go too far out there when it comes toJapandipatterns.

Generally, dark black lines that are crisp and neat work well within anyJapandidesign ideas. Once you start to look up room and decoration ideas that are inspired by Japanese and Scandinavian styles, you’ll find that you come across lots of the same ideas.

Geo print patterns that are repeated across rooms are popular within both cultures, and that is why it has proven popular withinJapandistyledesignagain and again too.

However, if you want to mix things up, thenJapandidesignallows for clean pattern lines on the wall and a clash of texture within other home accessory items nearby.This versatile styleallows for experimentation and homedesignthat suits you. You just have to look for inspiration and see what suits you and your decoration needs.

JapandiFurniture

When it comes to Japandifurniture, you will see both the Japanese and Scandinavian nations priding themselves on exemplaryfurnituredesignin modern simple styles. Curves can be used, but minimally and generally only in one area, except for light fittings that can break these guidelines and yet look so in keeping with the styles of other elements. Expect to see open-plan seating or simplewood-framed sofas. Wooden topped tables, sometimes painted, often with thewood sealed and left bare. Simple rectangular cushions finish thepiecesand bring comfort while softening the overall look of afurniturepiece.

JapandiBedroomDesignIdeas

A bedroom, in many ways, is the best room to showcase aJapandi-designedspace. Wherespaceis available, room divider screens can be used to define the sleeping area and keep everything separate. This helps to promote the decluttered and minimalistic feel of any room and is perfect forJapandi-inspired bedrooms.

A minimalistic bedroom is a must if you are going for aJapandi-styleroom. This helps to promote good rest and well-being, which is important to both cultures.

Much like other rooms in your home, some clever storage could well be in order here before you get too far into creating yourJapandi-stylebedroom.

You want to think of clean lines and symmetry. Matching bedside cabinets, bedroom blinds that fit perfectly, and a stool that matches the rest of the room are all great places to start. We know thatJapandidesignenjoys plenty of light so mirrors and lamps should be on your home décor shopping list too.

JapandiLiving RoomDesignIdeas

There are plenty of ideas that you can implement when it comes toJapandiand your living room. If you have thespace then an open-plan layout is always a good idea. This allows you to promote a decluttered and openspacewithin your home.

Once you have your openspacesorted, it is time to consider whatdecorstyleyou want and how this is going to work.

One thing that works well withJapandistyleis plenty of mirrors throughout the room. Mirrors help to promote natural light within a room. This is perfect forJapandibecause it helps to distribute the light throughout the space.

If you don’t have enough natural light in your living room then installing minimalistlamps is a great move and fits in perfectly within aJapandiinspirited living area.

Colour-wise,Japandiin your living room works much the same as the rest of the house.Naturalwood, beige colour schemes and neutralstyledécor all work together perfectly. When you combine this with a room that is clutter free and has plenty of natural light, you’re soon well on your way to the perfectJapandi-styleliving room.

The Best Places to Shop forJapandiFurniture

Although you’ll find home décor items in loads of places that suit theJapandiethos, you might find that you want to shop somewhere that specialises in these items instead – and that is okay.

If you’re on the lookout for high-quality Japan-inspiredfurniture,then you’ll find plenty of online retailers that are able to help. Popular choices include CatchMyDesign, Wayfair andDesignPublic. You might even find that you can seek out homemade décor items on places such as Etsy. If you had more of a Japanese shopping spree in mind then these places might be just what you’re looking for.

Muji

Muji is a well-knownJapanesefurniturebrand with websites and shipping options throughout the world. They’re known for their largerfurnitureitems such as cabinets, tables and even sofas. If you are going for aJapandi-styleroom, then often getting thefurnitureright is the toughest part. Shopping with a retailer such as Muji that specialises in theJapanese aestheticcan be a great start when it comes to designing aJapandispace.

Native & Co

Native & Co is a Japanese homeware shop that can be found in Notting Hill, although they do have an online presence too. They don’t tend to offer largerfurniturepieces.However, for all these little extras that you need to finish the room, they’re perfect. Whether you’re looking for Endo pottery, wooden cups, or artwork to hang on the wall you’ll find a host of items to choose from at Native & Co.

Wagumi

If you are on the lookout for Japanese homeware then Wagumi is well worth a visit too. They stock a range of tangible items that you can add to your home to be able to finish off the look of any room within your home perfectly within theJapandidesign.

Japan Craft

If you want to add a sense of fun to any Japanese room within your home then a look at Japan Craft is a must. You’ll find a range of lucky cats, anime-related accessories and things like puzzle boxes. These are all little things which can help to make any room in your house a little more fun.