If you’ve been seeing Japandi style on your favorite home influencers’ social media feeds and have fallen in love with the bright, tranquil, and clean-lined look, know that it’s so much more than a home aesthetic. Japandi interiors blend a Japanese design sensibility (think wabi-sabi) with the cozy, practical ethos of Scandinavian hygge for a space that balances both relaxation and practicality. Although Japan and Scandinavia seem worlds apart, their design sentiments have plenty in common: They’re both rich in history and focus on simplicity, sustainability, and neutral color schemes.
Combining the two styles results in minimalist yet functional interiors that invite you to stay in and relax. It’s no surprise that designers are leaning into Japandi style, especially with the rise of slow decorating and the intentionality it encourages. With its sculptural accents and warm wood tones, Japandi style is like a breath of fresh air, and thankfully this look is not difficult to achieve.
“Fusing some of the most sought-after elements of Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics, a Japandi style brings a sense of serenity and harmony to any home,” says the duo behind London design studio Black & Milk. “A Japandi style in design helps to create a spacious feel and calming ambiance, a welcome respite from the chaos of the external world.”
To learn more about this warm, cozy, and balanced aesthetic, read on for our expert guide to Japandi style and how to apply its design principles in your own space.
What Is Japandi Interior Design Style?
Beyond aesthetics, Japandi style emphasizes functionality in your interiors. Home objects shouldn’t be beautifully untouchable; they should be crafted with quality that stands the test of time.
According to Joel Wong and Amanda Gunawan of OWIU Design, these are the pillars of Japandi style:
- Neutral colors: Whites, off-whites, beiges, and taupes set a minimalist palette that allows other design details to stand out.
- Functional pieces with clean details: Dual-purpose furniture (such as a custom futon) maximizes the living space.
- Bright spaces with lots of natural light: Consider where the natural light source is and how to work around it so it’s unobstructed.
- Design decisions that support a healthy, meaningful lifestyle: Prioritize elements that allow you to enjoy your space to the fullest instead of hiding them away.
- Raw materials: The use of wood is a major theme—playing with different types and stains adds tonal interest.
According to Black & Milk, feng shui principles are often used in Japandi interior design: “This ancient and somewhat complicated science aims to bring positive energy into the home. One of the primary principles of feng shui is a separation between different areas of the home, which can be done with black paint.”
How to Decorate in Japandi Style
“We’re seeing the Japandi style manifest in limewash wall finishes and rich midtone woods to bring a sense of calm and ease to balance people’s everyday living,” says Danielle DeBoe Harper, senior creative style manager at Moen.
It’s all about intentionality. Choose organic textures like linen for bedding. Look for furniture that can serve more than one purpose—for example, a stool can double as a side table or a sofa can have built-in storage to eliminate an additional piece of furniture. Prepare to organize your knick-knacks (it’s time to declutter!) and find the beauty in less, so each featured item in your home has a purpose.
Japandi can also be incorporated into homes through touches of nature, such as furniture or decor pieces made of knotty, raw wood.
“To complement the more rustic, earthy nature of the style, homeowners can incorporate modern, refined artwork into spaces to holistically complete the look and add a more contemporary feel to the home,” says Harper “For many, they’ll experiment with Japandi by replacing their cool-hued whites with warmer whites.”
Why Japandi Design Is Trending
There has recently been an increased interest in East-meets-West design that’s occasionally seen in California coastal interiors. But as more designers step away from rigid design aesthetics, Japandi style is more frequently referenced for embracing nature, sleek spaces, and calm.
“I think with the shift toward craftsmanship, Japandi design will continue to be a popular style. Incorporating pieces that are handmade with a bit of imperfection gives spaces gravitas and visual interest,” says designer Heather Hilliard.
Harper agrees, adding that we’ll continue to see Japandi style manifest in limewash wall finishes and rich midtone woods that bring a sense of ease to everyday living. “For years now, wood cabinets and vanities have taken a backseat to white, black, and even color, but we’ll begin to see more wood being leveraged,” she says.
What Makes Japandi Different From Wabi-Sabi and Scandinavian Design
Japandi is a fusion of traditional elements and philosophies from Japanese and Scandinavian design. However, it isn’t a static, rigidly defined look, and it can be very loosely interpreted. For example, Japandi-style interiors are a bit more earthy than Scandinavian spaces.
Hilliard explains, “Japandi design is focused on clean lines and minimalist design, and heavily features natural materials. It incorporates elements of Scandinavian design but tends to be a more rustic, darker look.”
“While both wabi-sabi and Japandi lead to the same result—an environment that feels comfortable and harmonically balanced—wabi-sabi is about creating a perfectly imperfect home in general, not being too precious in your approach to design,” says Harper. “Japandi is more of a design style; a collection of aesthetic choices such midtone woods and layered neutrals.”
When it’s difficult to choose between sticking to the rules or going for a laid-back atmosphere, Japandi truly offers the best of both worlds.
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