What Is Japandi Interior Design? A Complete Guide

Japandi style combines the simplicity and natural elements of both traditional Japanese and Scandinavian designs, focusing on comfort and minimalism. This unique blend has become increasingly popular, with its emphasis on clean lines, functionality, and natural materials. Understanding Japandi design’s origins and key features can help you incorporate this aesthetic seamlessly into your home.

What Is Japandi Design?

Japandi design combines light, bright, and functional aspects of Scandinavian design with warm, sophisticated elements of Japanese design. As a result, Japandi is minimalist, earthy, and organic.

What Are the Elements of Japandi?

The perfect fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian, Japandi design focuses on aesthetically pleasing and highly functional minimalist designs.

“The biggest focus is to stay with subtleness,” says Julee Wray, founder of Truss Interiors. “Less is more!”

Japandi styles feature beautiful craftsmanship focusing on quality and handmade pieces over throwaway, cheap structures.

You’ll also see a lot of neutral colors and paint choices to complement Japandi furniture and accessories. Calming, tranquil, and peaceful palettes are typically chosen, and when brighter colors are incorporated, they are done so meaningfully and subtly.

Japandi styles often emphasize sustainability. The prevalence of natural materials and simple designs makes it a great green decor style. With more and more consumers looking toward eco-friendly aesthetics, Japandi’s popularity is no surprise.

History of Japandi Design

Japandi design came to fruition when Scandinavian designers began traveling to Japan roughly 150 years ago, once borders became open and the country became accessible to tourists. The two countries share similar principles (simplicity, an appreciation for the handmade and natural), and this realization and fascination with the other culture evolved into an east-west design fusion maintained over time.

Today, the movement is featured in interior design magazines, design stores, and popular design blogs. Prominent Japandi designers include Norm Architects, Keiji Design, and Daytrip.

How Japanese and Scandinavian Styles Work Together

If you’re familiar with Scandi design, you likely have come across the notion of “hygge.” This is the Scandinavian concept of coziness in design and has found increasing popularity in the United States over the past few years. Hygge means that your home should be your sanctuary and provide a feeling of comfort every time you walk in the front door.

Now, fuse that idea with the Japanese notion of “wabi-sabi,” or the idea that there is beauty in imperfection, and you create the design marriage that is Japandi. Japanese and Scandinavian design styles work well together because they are rooted in minimalism and comfort. The shared aesthetics of the two create a style that is easygoing and sophisticated.

And where the two approaches diverge, their differences complement each other. Where Japanese interiors are sleek, Nordic ones are rustic. The richer (but still neutral) colors of Japanese design help keep the stark, crisp palettes of Scandinavian homes from feeling clinical or cold.

“By combining the two, we are elevating Scandinavian design and making Japanese design more accessible,” explains Mark Cravotta, the founder of Cravotta Interiors.

How Can I Decorate in Japandi Style?

It’s easy to incorporate Japandi style in your own home. Below are a few designer-approved ways to get started.

Incorporate Natural Materials

Focus on natural materials such as unfinished wood or bamboo pieces that bring in the feeling of nature and simplistic beauty. Leni Calas, the founder of Ward 5 Design, recommends using muted colors with hints of pale green or bringing plants and greenery into your home to give it a sense of outdoor living. Wooden pieces also fit well in Japandi-style spaces, says Eilla Adi, the founder of Eilla Adi Design, who recommends oak wood furniture in particular.

Cut the Clutter

Reducing clutter is also key to achieving the Japandi style. This design aesthetic focuses on clean lines and open spaces. But if you have an active household, Calas suggests trying “faux minimalism” with natural containers such as boxes and baskets, built-ins, or folding screens to hide excess stuff and keep your space feeling clutter-free.

Use Lots of Texture

To get the best of both worlds, draw on the coziness of Scandi design with warm textures and soft pieces while maintaining the elegance of Japanese decor. Adi advises decorating with boucle fabric and ceramic accents. While both styles focus on the utilitarian, it’s important to maintain a Zen-like sense of calm in your space. With Japandi style, there is “an emphasis on creating a cozy atmosphere,” Adi says.

Keep Color Variation to a Minimum

Now is not the time to go all in with various color combinations.

“The simplicity of a mostly monochromatic palette is key,” Truss says. She advises selecting one lead color and one accent color and not expanding beyond those two hues.

Invest in Quality Items

Japandi design is focused on craftsmanship. Look for pieces that will work with your decor and stand the test of time. It’s a clear antidote to the present disposable culture. Instead, focus on pieces that are sustainable and safe for our planet.