Find the Way to Create Japandi Style in Home

Japandi style blends Japanese Wabi-sabi and Scandinavian design. Wabi-sabi, influenced by Zen philosophy, values simplicity and tranquility, while Scandinavian design focuses on clean, functional spaces with simple lines and light colors. Though from different cultures, these styles harmonize, creating Japandi’s serene, natural, and vibrant atmosphere. The fusion emphasizes comfort, functionality, and understated beauty, making it a timeless, peaceful design choice for any space.

Japanese and Scandinavian interior design showcase simplicity and functionality in different ways. Both focus on creating personalized spaces rather than filling them with excessive decoration.

Japanese and Scandinavian interior design aesthetics are distinct, making their fusion both exciting and intriguing. Japanese spaces often feature stylish design details and a sense of warmth, while Scandinavian interiors lean toward neutral tones, minimalism, and sometimes a cool, austere vibe. Combining these elements brings a perfect balance, with the added warmth of Japanese design softening the sometimes stark simplicity of Scandinavian minimalism, creating a harmonious and inviting atmosphere that’s both modern and comforting.

As both styles continue to evolve, Japandi's seemingly paradoxical concept of "finding perfection in imperfection" has become a unique characteristic.

In recent years, Japandi has become globally popular not only for its aesthetic design but also because it reflects the modern desire for a return to simplicity and a more minimalist lifestyle. Japandi represents more than just a design style; it is an attitude toward life, symbolizing a deep connection between the self and nature that many modern people strive for.

Color Palette

Choosing the right color palette is one of the simplest ways to combine the two styles. Japandi's color scheme primarily uses neutral tones and soft hues, with large areas of beige, grey-brown, and oat colors, while deep tones are used in smaller amounts.

Unlike cool white, the white used in the Japanese style typically has a yellow or pink undertone, giving a warm rather than a cold feel. These warm whites reflect natural light, making the space appear larger and brighter.

Gray plays an important role in the Japandi style, ranging from light gray to deep charcoal. Gray adds depth and complexity while maintaining the calm and neutral tone of the space.

Earthy tones, such as brown, beige, and soft greens, are also used, bringing a natural warmth that reflects the colors found in nature.

Although the overall palette is dominated by beige, earth tones, and wood colors, the subtle use of black accents is an important element that adds to the Japanese aesthetic. A clever way to incorporate black elements is to think of black as ink, adding a stroke to the space. This could appear as chair legs, pendant light cords, simple wall sconces, or picture frames.

The color combinations in the Japandi style are not rigid; other soft Scandinavian tones or even deeper shades can be added as accents to introduce more depth and richness. However, these colors will appear in the simplest lines and basic shapes.

Natural Materials

Wood

The use of materials is key. Both Japanese and Scandinavian designs cherish the natural warmth of wood. Wood is one of the most important materials in the Japandi style, appearing everywhere from flooring and furniture to wall decorations. Common woods include cedar, cypress, oak, pine, mahogany, and teak, each with its unique characteristics, colors, and grain patterns, and prized for their durability and strength.

In Japandi style, a mix of light and dark woods is used to add visual harmony and depth.

Stone

If you’re concerned that too much wood might lack texture, you can introduce natural stone in moderation. However, it’s recommended to choose neutral tones to avoid overly bright colors or textures. Materials like marble and granite are favorites in Japandi design, not only highlighting the style’s sophisticated feel but also adding a touch of natural ruggedness to the space. Stone is typically used in high-traffic areas such as kitchen countertops and bathroom walls, bringing a modern touch to the space.

The combination of stone and rattan adds texture and layers to the space.

Bamboo and Rattan

This is a common element in Japandi style. The soft, natural material adds a warm texture to the space. It is natural, eco-friendly, and recyclable, aligning with the modern desire for a healthy and comfortable lifestyle. Rattan weaving features different textures, which are visually appealing. The beauty of texture is a visual form closely related to the material’s tactile qualities. The texture sensation of a visual form, even with the same color and shape, changes depending on the combination of materials with different textures, as well as external factors such as color and lighting, producing unique textural effects.

Applied to furniture design, such as rattan chairs, rattan sofas, and rattan beds, these pieces create a clever contrast with wood and stone. They are not only aesthetically pleasing and functional but also embody the Zen-inspired essence of Japandi. The Japandi solid wood woven rattan chair is a typical example of combining traditional craftsmanship with modern design.

It is also often combined with other materials, such as ceramics and leather, to create innovative decor items and practical products, achieving a fusion of materials and innovative design forms.

Cotton and Linen

In Japandi-style interior decor, cotton and linen fabrics are commonly used for curtains, sofas, bedding, rugs, and throw pillows. These soft elements not only enhance the comfort of the space but also add soft colors and texture to the interior. They typically feature simple patterns or solid colors to maintain a clean and minimalist look in the space.

It also emphasizes functionality. For example, cotton and linen tablecloths and napkins are both aesthetically pleasing and practical, easy to clean and maintain.

Leather

Leather, with its natural texture and warmth, is widely used in Japandi design. It not only enhances the comfort of furniture but also complements the minimalist functionality due to its durability and practicality. Dark-toned leather contrasts beautifully with light wood, enhancing the visual depth. The refined craftsmanship and attention to detail in leather reflect a respect for quality, while its natural grain harmonizes with Japandi’s natural elements. Additionally, leather is used in small decorative accents, adding texture and depth to the space.

Furniture

Clean and simple lines are essential for all furniture in the Japandi style. Japandi furniture is characterized by its simplicity and low profile, focusing on the balance between practicality and form. It emphasizes the removal of unnecessary decoration, returning to the essence of the space.

In terms of furniture, modern Scandinavian design is often utilized, with steam-bent wood technology being a hallmark of Scandinavian style. As a result, this element frequently appears in many pieces of furniture. The wooden panel decorations on the walls are a typical fusion of the two cultures, with the rectangular shapes and dimensions inspired by Japanese tatami, while the slightly curved forms incorporate the Nordic steam-bent wood technique.

The low profile of Japanese furniture is also adopted in the Japandi style. One can choose low cabinets instead of tall ones, or opt for beds or tatami without a bed frame, leaving space above. The low elements create a sense of real space and offer a "calm" feeling. This is another way to enhance the sense of space and simplicity, ensuring there is enough room around and between the furniture.

The signature simplicity of Japandi requires as much blank space as possible in a room, and the presence of wooden storage cabinets is impossible to overlook.

Scandinavian furniture typically features light colors, while Japanese furniture tends to have darker tones and elegant forms. Japandi style blends the light wood tones of Scandinavian design with the wood materials of traditional Japanese design. The contrast of these tones adds depth to the space, with smooth dark wood furniture set against light wood walls.

Lighting

Japandi-style lighting design includes decorative, accent, and task lighting, with these layers of lighting working together to create a warm and relaxing environment. The design of the lighting emphasizes simplicity and functionality, blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern design concepts. Natural materials such as washi paper, linen, and bamboo are used, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail. These light fixtures are not just sources of light; their decorative qualities also add an artistic flair to the interior decor.

Terrazzo lighting fixtures in Japandi style blend tradition with modernity, creating personalized and artistic lighting through their versatility and natural, earthy qualities. These handcrafted light fixtures use eco-friendly materials, emphasizing sustainability, and enhance the space with their unique lighting effects. Their natural tones and textures complement the Japandi color palette, creating a tranquil and refined living environment.

Soft Furnishings

Japanese style typically uses minimalist cotton and linen sofas and cushions, paired with daytime seating cushions and Scandinavian cushions. Similarly, calm neutral tones are often used to highlight the overall sense of harmony in the space.

Inheriting the Scandinavian pursuit of lazy comfort, Japandi places great emphasis on the decoration of bedrooms and lounges, avoiding beautiful but uncomfortable sofas. Comfort is highly prioritized. To add warmth and interest to Japandi interiors, one can use sheepskin rugs, natural wool blankets, and pure cotton knitted throws.

Warm whites and brown-toned fabrics, along with distinctive Japanese prints, add a finishing touch to a space. A gradient blue curtain, showcasing the rich characteristics of Japanese indigo dyeing, creates a striking Japandi style, blending tradition and modernity.

The simple, rustic shapes and textured feel of pottery are essential accents in the Japandi style, adding warmth and character.

In the space, natural plants are the safest color choice. Many beautiful Japandi-style homes often use floor-to-ceiling windows, glass sliding doors, and skylights to blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, bringing the natural scenery from outside into the interior.

Wabi-sabi style creates a light and relaxing atmosphere using reeds, dry branches, and bamboo, while Japandi combines the fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian styles. In addition to selecting broadleaf plants and fresh flowers, Japandi also incorporates dry branches and reeds, without limits, to showcase a more vibrant home style.

Additionally, minimalist artworks are often chosen. This "less is more" aesthetic helps the space feel open and airy.

Japandi excels at freely combining elements from both Eastern and Western styles. Therefore, elements less commonly found in traditional Japanese design, such as mirrored surfaces, leather, and metal pendant lights, also appear in Japanese arrangements. At the same time, you can still find traditional Japanese-style lattice windows, pottery, and antiques, seamlessly blended in, showcasing the free extension of cross-cultural fusion.

Common Pieces

Paper lighting fixtures, with their distinct Eastern aesthetic, are a common item in the Japandi style, and one of the safest choices is the Akari paper lamp series by Isamu Noguchi. Created in the mid-20th century, the Akari lamps are iconic modern artworks known for their unique design and deep cultural significance. First introduced in 1951 in Gifu, Japan, they blend traditional craftsmanship with modern industry. Each lamp is handmade by artisans, using washi paper and bamboo frames, showcasing a fusion of Japanese classical design and modern simplicity. Noguchi incorporated sculptural concepts into the design, using delicate washi paper to create a soft light effect, viewing it as a balance to the industrialized society. Made with sustainable materials, they are environmentally friendly and energy-efficient, while their minimalist design fits various interior decor styles.

The JH3, JH4, and JH5 pendant lights from &Tradition, designed by Spanish artist and designer Jaime Hayon, are inspired by Asian lanterns, showcasing a modern style. These pendant lights are crafted with hand-made washi paper and black oak frames, featuring a modular design with detachable lampshades. They create a warm ambiance with soft lighting, focusing on environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. These lights are suitable for a variety of interior styles, especially Japandi.

The Hashira light series, designed by Norm Architects, draws inspiration from Japanese washi paper lanterns, merging Eastern and Western aesthetics. These handcrafted lights come in diverse shapes, colors, and sizes, highlighting unique craftsmanship. With linen lampshades that diffuse soft light, they offer understated luxury and adapt to various settings. The design emphasizes sustainability, energy efficiency, and versatile elegance.

The Nelson Bubble Lamp series, designed by George Nelson in 1952, was inspired by expensive Swedish silk chandeliers and utilizes a translucent plastic spraying technique. These lights are made with lightweight steel frames and plastic polymers, offering a light, romantic quality that emits soft light, bringing a warm glow to the interior. As a masterpiece of mid-20th-century modern design, its design is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

The Chandigarh Chair, designed by Swiss architect Pierre Jeanneret in the 1950s, is crafted using Burmese teak and rattan weaving techniques, showcasing a fusion of Eastern and Western modernism. Its inverted V-shaped legs are sturdy and durable, embodying the principles of modernist design. Today, the chair has become a sought-after piece in home design, admired by designers and collectors alike.

The Y Chair, also known as the Wishbone Chair, designed by Danish design master Hans J. Wegner in 1949, is a classic piece in modern design. Named for its Y-shaped backrest, the chair draws inspiration from the Chinese Ming-style round chair, blending it with Nordic organic curves to create a light and graceful form. It features steam-bent armrests, and the Y-shaped support structure provides excellent back support. This chair is not only comfortable and durable but also has high aesthetic value, making it one of the key representations of modern Danish design. It is versatile and fits seamlessly into various interior styles.

The Eames Lounge Chair Wood (LCW), designed by Charles and Ray Eames in the 1940s, is a lounge chair made from plywood. Composed of five layers of plywood, the chair is shaped through a process of heat and pressure to create its unique curved legs and spinal support design. The backrest and seat are secured with rubber shock mounts. The LCW chair emphasizes ergonomics, offering a comfortable seating experience and support. Its aesthetic value and design innovation made it a breakthrough in post-war furniture design and had a profound impact on modern furniture design.

Wabi-Sabi vs. Japandi

Similarities in Style

• Both styles emphasize the use of natural materials in furniture selection, with a focus on the beauty of craftsmanship.
• Both styles make use of the aesthetic of "negative space," avoiding excessive decoration and highlighting simplicity and nature.
• Both prefer low-saturation, earthy tones as the main color palette, creating a tranquil atmosphere in the space.

 Differences in Style

• While both styles appreciate the beauty of craftsmanship, Wabi-Sabi focuses more on the beauty of handcraft and the imperfection of natural materials, while Japandi tends to favor modern, clean-lined designs.
• In terms of color choices, Wabi-Sabi tends to prioritize simplicity and modest tones, whereas Japandi may incorporate small pops of color, often complemented by greenery and natural lighting, making the overall feel livelier and more vibrant.