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DESIGN 101
Japandi Style Guide
When redesigning your private spaces, you can’t go wrong with the timeless and practical aesthetics embodied in the interior design style of Japandi. It’s a style that’s been around for over a century and has yet to lose its charm. Today, you can find examples of Japandi design in famous magazines, design stores, and across social media.
What Is Japandi Style?
Japandi embodies the harmonious combination of traditional Scandinavian and Japanese designs. What sets this particular fusion apart is the unique way that earthy and artistic Japanese elements naturally enhance the straight lines and neutral palettes of Scandinavian design.
Japandi is the kind of style you can incorporate into virtually any room in your home or office. It’s meant to immediately evoke a feeling of natural comfort by seamlessly incorporating functionality, minimalism, and nature into your living spaces.
Select individual pieces with the aesthetic flow of the entire space in mind. Focus on geometric and natural shapes, patterns, and textures. Neutral color palettes are a must. When selecting pieces, your overall goal is to create a space that is streamlined for functionality and infused with a naturally cozy atmosphere.
Examples include:
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Solid, straightforward tables made of pale woods like oak and birch.
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Storage containers made from wood or natural woven fibers.
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Traditional Japanese screens for a combination of art and clutter-masking efficiency.
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Displays of practical objects like teapots and intricate wooden cutting boards.
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Seating that’s comfortably upholstered in natural fabrics and neutral tones.
The History of Japandi Interior Design
Japandi’s origins date back to the mid-1800s when Scandinavian seafarers first encountered Japanese culture and design. Following the end of Japan’s closed border policies, the island nation’s style quickly permeated the Western imagination. This cultural infusion led to a variety of combinations including Japandi and Japonisme, a comparable fusion of French and Japanese aesthetics.
Over time, Japandi developed into a specifically constructed design style based on the broad philosophies of hygge and wabi-sabi.
Hygge is a Scandinavian concept that addresses ideas of comfort, warmth, and hominess. Wabi-sabi is embodied by the Japanese emphasis on beauty in imperfection. Its focus is on the value of rustic lifestyles and aged pieces. Both philosophies harmonize over the importance of functional, earthen simplicity.
Elements of Japandi Style
To incorporate a Japandi style into your space, start with ideas that focus on lasting craftsmanship instead of momentary trends. Sometimes this means spending a little more on a single piece. You can justify the splurge with the fact that the Japandi style is dependent on fewer pieces that are meant to last. This translates to fewer items to budget for both immediately and in the years to come.
As a bonus, accumulated imperfections in materials and signs of aging are considered an added feature. Such changes are simply the result of natural processes that you should embrace within your space.
Other key aspects of Japandi style include patterns and textures pulled straight from the natural world. These include ideas of open spaces and positive uses of sunlight, the use of natural materials, and a mixture of light and earthy tones.
What are the rules of Japandi Style?
Although not strict mandates, these are some helpful hints for you to follow when integrating the Japandi style.
First, be sure to stick to a monochromatic color scheme. Neutral colors are a must for the majority of pieces and paints. Then select one lead color and one accent color to complement your neutral themes. Various shades of green are a common choice among Japandi experts due to the color’s calming evocation of nature.
Next, aim for subtlety and intention when applying your colorful pieces. Overly bright colors interfere with the natural Japandi ambiance. So make sure that you find your color choices calming before bringing them home.
A second rule of thumb is to prioritize minimalism. The Japandi style allows you to reduce excess by carefully selecting for function. Stick to clear-cut functions and workflows within your space. To subconsciously incorporate a minimalist feel, try straight lines and basic geometric shapes.
For example, you’ll wake up to clean, wholesome space by selecting a Japandi bedroom set made of solid wood in simple shapes.
You should also focus on practical incorporations of storage spaces. This way you can keep all the clutter from your busy life near you, but out of sight.
A final significant Japandi edict is to design your space with the Earth in mind. Infusing your space with natural colors, patterns, and light supports a healthy mindset. In addition, a focus on lasting, renewable materials is good for the entire planet.
As a bonus, accumulated imperfections in materials and signs of aging are considered an added feature. Such changes are simply the result of natural processes that you should embrace within your space.
Other key aspects of Japandi style include patterns and textures pulled straight from the natural world. These include ideas of open spaces and positive uses of sunlight, the use of natural materials, and a mixture of light and earthy tones.
What’s the Difference Between Japandi and Scandinavian Style?
Traditional Scandinavian style is at the heart of Japandi design. The main difference is that Japandi also includes the artistry and darker, earthier elements traditionally found throughout Japan.
Scandinavian design emphasizes pale neutral colors and styles that are borderline austere and sterile. The incorporation of Japanese elements livens up the atmosphere and reunites the Scandinavian lines and angles with the natural world.
How To Incorporate Japandi Style Into Your Home Decor
The best use of the Japandi style comes from optimizing your space as a whole. But there are plenty of little things you can do throughout a room to begin your design transformation. This includes considering the functionality of each piece of furniture and each knick-knack that you currently possess.
Re-organize and dispose of the unneeded. Then choose new pieces of furniture, art, and accessories to enhance the principles of the Japandi style. Choose with intention, purpose, and nature in mind.
Even small choices like soft blankets made of natural materials can go a long way towards enhancing the cozy but practical comfort of your space.
Transform Your Home Into a Practical, Homey Space with Japandi Style
The flow and simplicity of this style has transformative potential for your daily living. It’s a combination of ancient design practices that works across time and space.
Since Japandi isn’t going out of style any time soon, shop by style to find the fitting furniture and accessories to transform your life.