The Rise of Japandi: A fusion of design traditions from Japan and Scandinavia
Japandi interior design is a modern, soothing style that’s gaining popularity for its fresh and harmonious aesthetic. Explore the rise of Japandi style and how you can incorporate it into every room of your home.
What is Japandi?
Japandi style is the fusion of traditional Scandinavian and Japanese design, combining simplicity, natural elements, and comfort. With its rising popularity and timeless appeal, Japandi style is definitely here to stay.
What is the history of Japandi Interior Design?
The rich history of Japandi style began 150 years ago, when Danish designers started travelling to Japan, seeking fresh inspiration. The two countries’ cultural ties were formed through the shared design principles of incorporating natural elements, quality craftsmanship and an appreciation for simplicity in design. Japandi interior design combines the Scandinavian design principle of ‘hygge’, the idea that your home should be designed around comfort and wellbeing, with the Japanese aesthetic concept of ‘wabi-sabi’, which prioritises the beauty of simplicity and understated natural forms in interior design.
Elements of Japandi Style
A core element of Japandi interior design is its neutral colour palette, centred around whites, greys, and earth tones. Simplicity is key, pick one or two main hues and stick with them, avoiding bold colours that might disrupt the overall calm aesthetic. Clean lines throughout are another key element of Japandi style, and choosing furniture with clean lines helps to create a calm, less distracting environment. A clutter-free space is integral for creating the Japandi style within your home, as it helps promote rest and relaxation. Japandi interior design prioritises natural light for a bright, airy atmosphere, helping to create a tranquil and welcoming atmosphere. Japandi style places a strong emphasis on sustainability, prioritising quality, long-lasting pieces and the use of natural and sustainable materials wherever possible. Minimalism is a key element of Japandi interior design, favouring functionality and simplicity of design in every aspect.
How to Add Japandi To Your Home
Create a Japandi Kitchen with a Neutral Palette
To truly embody the Japandi style in your kitchen, embrace natural materials such as light wood or stone countertops. Even small touches, like adding houseplants, can help incorporate natural elements into your kitchen. Minimalism is key to creating a Japandi kitchen, blending functionality and design. Adding a kitchen island is a great way to increase the functionality and efficient flow of your kitchen and is a feature in many Japandi style kitchens. For effective and functional lighting for an island, kitchen pendant lights are a great choice to create focused illumination in one area.
Minimalist Living Rooms
To create a Japandi living room, it’s key to maintain a minimalist look to achieve the calm, zen-like atmosphere that defines Japandi interiors. Simple, neutral colour palettes without much variation are perfect to embody the minimalism of Japandi style. Try working with one main neutral tone for larger pieces of furniture, like white or cream sofas and darker earthy tones for any accent pieces. While differing colours should be kept to a minimum, layering lots of different textures can be perfect for accentuating the cosy feel of Scandinavian design. Soft textures are ideal for rugs and throws and experimenting with textured fabrics for furniture, such as boucle, can add dimension without overwhelming the space. Carefully chosen, timeless ornaments and accessories can be a great way to incorporate some colour and embrace natural materials too. Try using live plants, ceramic, wood or earthenware accessories.
Have a Calm and Relaxing Bedroom
Embrace a sense of tranquillity and calm in your home by creating a Japandi bedroom. Choose a wooden bed frame made of light, natural wood to embrace natural materials. Avoid bulky headboards and opt for one with clean lines or even no headboard for a truly minimalist look. Rooted in Japanese tradition, low bed frames lower your centre of gravity, helping reduce anxiety and promote calm, making them the ideal choice of a Japandi bedroom. Functional bedroom furniture pieces that can aid in reducing clutter such as storage benches for the end of the bed or bedside tables with storage are perfect for keeping the space feeling minimalist. The Danish term ‘hygge’ is a principle of Scandinavian design centred around well-being, comfort and cosiness being represented in your living space. Layering lots of luxury bedding adds a cosy feel and warmth and can be a good way to incorporate some colour to cut through the stark, neutral palette.
Japandi Bathroom Retreat
Combine Japanese minimalism (known as wabi-sabi) and Scandinavian style warmth or hygge to transform your bathroom into a Japandi style retreat. Neutral colours paired with dark accents is ideal for creating a Japandi bathroom. Try pairing a light, natural wood vanity with a dark stone or marble countertop or sink to seamlessly blend neutral tones with striking dark colours and incorporate natural materials. Indirect bathroom lighting can help to give a calm and relaxed feel, try using concealed LED strip lighting under counters to create a soft, minimalist glow or wall lights for more of a statement piece. For bathroom accessories, soft, luxury towels are the ideal addition to keep that cosy feel.