What is Japandi Style and which are their 4 key characteristics?

Japandi, is a mix of Japanese and Scandinavian styles. It is influenced by the ancient Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, a way of life which values slow-living, contentment, and simplicity, as well as the Scandinavian practice of hygge, which embraces comfort, coziness, and wellbeing.
The cozy cleanliness of Scandinavian interiors and the minimalist beauty of traditional Japanese decor have made them both staples of modern home design.

The main design elements of Japandi design include:

Minimalism: Japandi design promotes simplicity and items in a space are intentional and serve a functional purpose. The lack of clutter encourages open space and clean lines that are either straight or curved.

Neutral colors: Japandi design favors a neutral color scheme mimicking the natural world. Palettes typically include warm neutral tones, such as beige and tan, and cool neutrals, like gray or blue. Natural wood tones, green plants, and décor items with muted pastels can also add natural elements. The colors should convey a feeling of tranquility and calm; bold colors can be an accent.

Natural light: Natural light is essential in Japandi design because it is a way to bring the natural world into the living space. Bouncing sunlight off bright white walls and using large windows to let the light in are ways to incorporate light into the design.

Sustainability: A significant tenet of Japandi design is its focus on sustainability. Typically, furniture pieces are high-quality and display craftsmanship and timelessness. Every piece is intentionally chosen for the space and comprises natural materials, such as wood and bamboo, or natural textiles, such as rattan, linen, and cotton. Decorative items are handcrafted and made with terracotta, ceramic, stone, and glass.

5 Tips of Japandi-Style Interior

To incorporate Japandi style into your home décor, consider the following tips:

Declutter the space: Japandi focuses on minimalism with simple lines and open spaces, so decluttering is essential. Use natural storage situations like wicker baskets or bamboo screens to hide excess clutter.

Use natural materials: Avoid anything made of plastic. Instead, when shopping for furniture and home décor, buy things made of natural elements, such as a wooden dining room table, a decorative pillow made of woven textiles, and wicker baskets for storage.

Furniture and accessories: the style uses a few accessories and only the essential furniture to make the space looks larger. Usually, the typical Japandi furniture remains closer to the ground.

The Style gives the bathroom a spa-like design: Recreate the feeling of a spa. In Japandi the bath tab is at the center of the bathroom, rather than at the side. The showering area and countertops usually are made of stone. For a stunning look complement the bathroom with dark wood mirrors, towels are usually used as decorative objects or exposed over vertical towel racks. Add plants to your space: Plants can brighten a space, clean the air, and provide a decorative accent color.

Bring in natural light: If your space is low on natural light, use mirrors to reflect more light into the area. You can also add floor lamps to provide a cozy, warm glow.

Finally, the main purpose is to reconnect with the essentials of your home: beautiful plants, let the natural light come in, complement with neutral colors and natural fibers keep only your favorites decorative objects will and enjoy the atmosphere of tranquility.

Arq. Laura Farrell