Looking For a Japandi Style Home Feel and Look
If you ever browse Pinterest or Instagram for home interior design ideas, you most probably have come across Japandi style because it has become one of the most popular interior design aesthetics. In fact, there has been a 1,217% increase in searches for Japandi design in 2021 alone.
What Is Japandi Style?
Japandi style combines the soft cozy neutral tones associated with Scandinavian or Nordic design with the clean minimalist lines found in Japanese design. This unique blend of earthy tones creates a relaxed and calming atmosphere that evokes a sense of tranquility. Furniture and accessories are typically crafted from natural materials such as wood, rattan, leather, and bamboo. These items are usually neutral hues like brown, grey, black, and white. However, there are times when designers mix up the colors and use brighter shades like yellow, orange, and red.
The goal is to achieve a balance between simplicity and comfort. A lot of thought goes into how each piece of furniture or accessory looks and feels. For example, some pieces feature intricate detailing while others are simple and sleek. There is no one way to do it because every space is different. In fact, you could even say that Japandi style isn't really about a single look. Instead, it's a feeling that can be achieved by mixing styles and textures together.
How To Achieve Japandi Style At Home
Japandi style is a Japanese aesthetic that combines uncluttered space minimalism with nature. It embraces simplicity, and it emphasizes texture over color. This trend has been around since the 1970s, but recently it has gained popularity among millennials.
To achieve this look, you'll want to declutter and store away any unused items. Go through each room and see what pieces are taking up space. If there are too many things, consider getting rid of some of them. You don't necessarily have to sell everything; just make sure that anything you do keep needs to be used regularly.
Next, choose a very soft neutral paint that won't clash or compete with any design elements of the room. We recommend Benjamin Moore's “Coral Reef.” Apply this to the walls, ceilings, and trim. Once it dries, add textures like throw blankets, cushions, pillows, and ceramic pots filled with flowers. Add wood accents such as coffee tables, sideboards, shelves, and decorative knickknacks. Finish off the look with accessories like woven baskets and vases.
Carefully Curate Everything
The Japanese word “danshi,” meaning “simple living,” is one that many people associate with minimalism. It's about being free of clutter and having a minimalist lifestyle where nothing is forced upon you; rather, you choose what you want to keep and discard the rest.
But while simplicity is often associated with minimalism, it doesn't mean there are no rules. In fact, it's quite the opposite. There are certain things you shouldn't do, like putting too much emphasis on design elements and decorating every inch of space in your home.
In Japan, the term “danshi” refers to the idea of simplifying life, and it applies to both interior spaces and fashion. Just because something is simple, however, doesn't necessarily make it beautiful. A simple room can still look cluttered, and a simple outfit can look boring.
So how does a minimalist approach translate into interior design? For starters, you don't need to buy expensive furniture or accessories. You don't need to go out and shop for unique pieces either. Instead, focus on carefully selecting items that fit your style and personality.
For instance, if you're looking for a small dining table for your kitchen, don't just pick up any old piece off the shelf. Choose something that fits your needs and personal taste. If you're interested in creating a modern vibe in your bedroom, don't immediately think of buying a bed frame with exposed wood beams. Rather, choose a bed that complements your existing décor.
You might find that some of the most stylish homes in Japan aren't filled with lots of stuff. They simply feature clean lines and simple colors. This is true even in places such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
If you're wondering what makes a house feel spacious, it's really about choosing furniture that allows light to come in naturally. When designing a space, consider the flow of natural light and avoid placing objects that obstruct it. Also, try to ensure that rooms are well-lit, since dark spaces tend to make us feel claustrophobic.
Pick Warm Light Colors
Scandinavian and Japanese interiors both love white. But while the Scandinavian interior tends to lean towards neutral colors, the Japanese interior uses bright whites, yellows, and oranges—even reds and pinks. Why do they like white so much? Because it maximizes natural light. In Japan, there are no windows that face north, so most homes don't have enough daylight coming in during the winter months. To compensate, many homes turn their living rooms into one huge window. This allows for plenty of sunlight, even in the dead of winter.
If you want to maximize the amount of natural light in your home, start by picking a warm white base color. Then, go ahead and play around with different shades of yellow, orange, and red. You'll find that adding some variation to your palette makes your space feel less monotonous.
Add Soft Wall Textures
In traditional Japanese interiors, you might find walls covered in bamboo or cedar paneling. These materials lend themselves well to creating a warm, earthy feel, and provide beauty in imperfection. They are also easy to work with, especially since they come pre-cut into long strips. If you want to go even further, you could try adding some wood slats to your walls. You don’t necessarily have to stick to horizontal slats either—you can make them vertically oriented too.
If you’re looking for something minimalist, there’s no better option than a plain white wall. But sometimes, it doesn’t hurt to add a little color to a room. And what better way to do that than with wallpaper?
The best part about a japandi wall is that you can easily customize it. You can choose from different colors and patterns, and you can even mix and match those colors. For example, I love how the green and black combination looks together.
If you’re thinking about adding bold colors to your Japandi home, take note: it’s probably not what you want to do. You see, there’s a reason why the typical Japandi interior features very little color.
That doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate some bolder hues into your space, however. In fact, one of the easiest ways to inject a splash of color into your living room is simply by adding a colorful houseplant.
The idea behind incorporating plants into your interiors is pretty straightforward: they bring life to a space. They provide oxygen and help purify the air while giving off a pleasant scent. And since they don’t require much maintenance, you can easily keep them alive throughout the entire year.
Further down in the post I link to all the most popular traditional Japandi patterns, which could be incorporated well into a japandi design.
Free-flowing Design Space
The Japanese concept of japandi—a term used to describe minimalist interiors where every surface is designed to work together harmoniously—is one that resonates strongly with me. I love how cleanly defined spaces feel, and I think that having a free-flowing interior is something we often take for granted. But, it’s important to remember that a well-designed home needs to be both functional and comfortable. So, here are some tips to help you achieve a japandi look for your home.
Try To Design With Organic and Natural Materials
Japandi style is about creating a warm and homely environment with a minimalistic design. Natural materials like timber, bamboo, paper, leather, linens, etc. are important elements of the style. These materials give you an opportunity to bring nature inside without compromising comfort.
Japandi rooms are spaces where we feel comfortable and relaxed. This is why it’s important to use natural materials like wood, bamboo, stone, ceramics, etc. These materials help us connect with our surroundings and make us feel closer to nature. In addition, they give off a warm and cozy vibe.
Japandi style is a Japanese term that describes a modern lifestyle characterized by clean lines, simple shapes, and a minimalist approach to interior design. This type of design is often associated with Japanese culture because Japan was once known for its beautiful gardens and architecture. Today, however, many homes throughout the world incorporate this style into their interiors.
Although there are no set guidelines for creating a Japandi-style home, most experts agree that the following characteristics must be included:
Natural materials – Use wood, bamboo, stone, glass, and other naturally occurring materials whenever possible. These materials tend to be lighter than manmade alternatives, and they're usually more environmentally friendly.
Large windows – Maximize light and views through large windows. Windows should be placed strategically to allow plenty of sunlight to enter the room.
Open plan living areas – Create open spaces where family members can interact easily. Try to avoid closed-off rooms, especially bedrooms.
Wooden floors – Wood flooring adds warmth and character to any space. Choose hardwood over laminate or carpeted options.
Bamboo furniture – Bamboo furniture is lightweight and durable. Choose solid wooden pieces instead of rattan or wicker.
Stone walls – Wall surfaces made out of stone add texture and visual interest. They work well in small spaces, and they're great at blocking sound.
If you'd like to create a Japandi-style home, try incorporating these features into your own home. Remember, though, that not everyone enjoys the same aesthetic preferences. So feel free to mix and match different styles and materials to achieve the look that works best for you.
If you want to change your home’s interior design and decide to go with the Japandi style, you can gradually do so with accessories. You can start by looking for self-adhesive wallpapers with minimalist designs, but here are other simple ways to accessorize for a Japandi-style home.
The core philosophy of the Japandi aesthetic is “less is more.” Though they have very different cultures, Scandinavia and Japan both share the same core design principles: an appreciation for functionality and simplicity, which also translates to quality over quantity. Go for a minimalist style and clean design.
So before you add new accessories, you need to declutter your home first. Try to keep only items that serve a purpose, and items that have great sentimental value. To properly store items that you can’t let go of, you can try to maximize the under-utilized spaces in your home by turning them into storage spaces, like the empty space under your stairs or under your bed.
You would be surprised at how the freed-up spaces can bring a great sense of calm and lightness to your home.
Choose Natural Materials
Natural and eco-friendly materials are very much a standard of Japandi style. According to experts, there is a mutual understanding and respect in both Scandinavia and Japan for the use of natural materials in design and architecture.
Natural and eco-friendly materials are very much a standard of Japandi style. According to experts, there is a mutual understanding and respect in both Scandinavia and Japan for the use of natural materials in design and architecture.
Natural and eco-friendly materials are very much a standard of Japandi style. According to experts, there is a mutual understanding and respect in both Scandinavia and Japan for the use of natural materials in design and architecture.
So using natural materials, mainly wood and reeds is integral. The Japanese use a lot of darker-toned woods, like cedar, red pine, and cypress, while the Scandinavians mostly use lighter-toned woods, like oak, mahogany, pine, and teak.
Using accessories made out of these materials will help you instantly achieve the Japandi aesthetics in your home.
Moreover, the combination of dark and light wood tones will bring both texture and depth to the space. Just remember to limit the use of wooden tones. There should be no more than three wood tones and textures in order to create a balanced and cohesive look.
One quick and easy way to add natural elements is by hanging natural wooden frames on the walls. You can also choose bigger accessories like rattan ottomans or a wooden coffee table.
Use Textured Pieces
To add some interest to the minimalist approach of the Japandi style, try incorporating some textured pieces in your design styles. Ultimately, by the end of the whole redesign, your interior should mostly feature a warm, neutral palette.
According to design experts, the Japandi style combines the Scandinavian aesthetic of all-white or monochrome schemes and the Japanese style’s use of soft, warm, earthy, and natural tones. This can be seen as boring or linear, so adding textured items and accessories in neutral hues is important.
You can start with pillow covers, throws, or blankets in cotton or wool. You can also add rugs made out of rattan, faux fur, or bamboo. These pieces will bring warmth to the space.
Use Dark Colors for Contrast
Another way to provide great interest to your space is by adding darker tones. Though the Japandi style heavily uses natural and neutral colors, the addition of dark woods really makes the space pop.
Dark colors like black, indigo blue, browns, plums, or forest greens can bring dramatic contrast and visual interest to the rooms. It is best to just add two big pieces in these colors, like a chair or a console, or a few small items here and there, like a slim lamp, vases, and art pieces.
Keep in mind that the focus should always be on creating balance, so use natural elements and neutral colors to ground the space, and bring in the darker colors in small amounts.
Balance The Lighting
Another way you can incorporate Japandi style into your interior design trend is through accessories that bring light into, or balance the light in, your spaces. The Japanese element in Japandi means that you can add some task-style lighting in certain areas of the room where it’s all about function, like your reading lamps and spotlights over work surfaces.
Make sure that these accessories are in neutral colors, like white or black. Meanwhile, the Scandinavian element should bring out soft lighting that provides a nurturing atmosphere, so it is best to have natural lighting in wider spaces, such as the living room.
Avoid adding harsh lighting in these spaces. To achieve balance, you can add a skylight or replace your existing windows with larger ones made of glass.
Intentional Use of Indoor Plants
One theme that strongly connects both Japanese and Scandinavian design principles is the importance of nature and bringing the outdoors in. So potted plants are often seen in Japandi interiors as they naturally elicit a sense of calm and a return to nature. The principle of nature plays a big part in the style, so ensure you bring a connection to nature into your home. This style also brings timeless elegance.
Green plants such as bamboo palm, lemon button fern, and pothos would be a welcome addition to any tranquil space. These plants not only bring pops of color into the space; but they can also help improve the air quality in your home. You can place several green plants in different spaces in your home, like the living room, the bedroom, and even the bathroom.
They can be placed in cement or wooden pots, or placed in wicker plant holders to enhance the natural feel of your spaces.
You can start incorporating the Japandi style in your home by adding the right accessories. Decluttering, using textured and natural pieces, adding dark colors for contrast, balancing the light, and adding green plants will help you achieve a calm, clean, and cozy ambiance for your home.
Choosing Japandi Furniture
Furniture pieces will form every room of your home. Choose wisely from wooden furniture, minimal furniture and low-profile furniture. Keep it to a minimum to avoid clutter.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you have a japandi style home, you should definitely accessorize it. This will give your space a unique look and feel that's sure to impress guests.
