Guide to Japandi Interior Design

The Japandi design ethos embraces various attractive qualities that help soften the chaos of modern life. With a focus on comfort, harmony and simplicity, it’s an increasingly popular interior style that can bring a lot to your home. 

What is Japandi Style? 

The term Japandi comes from a combination of ‘Japanese’ and ‘Scandi/Scandinavian’, referring to a blending of interior styles and concepts from these locales. It is rooted in combining Scandinavian functionality with Japanese minimalism, resulting in not only an effortlessly elegant interior aesthetic but also a particular lifestyle and way of thinking about your surroundings. 

Hygge and wabi-sabi are key philosophies that provide the starting point for many qualities inherent to a Japandi look. 

Hygge in Interior Design

Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian practice that promotes valuing life’s small joys. It’s all about embracing cosiness, comfort and collective contentment. In interior design, this often manifests in earthy tones, natural furniture, simple shapes and a warm ambience. 

Wabi-Sabi in Interior Design

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese philosophy that embraces accepting transience and appreciating the beauty in imperfection. It is very prevalent in Japanese interior design and other art forms, often being reflected by the inclusion of natural materials, plants, neutral colours, a more rustic/unpolished feel and clutter-free spaces. 

There are various things you can do to incorporate the Japandi style into your home. Here are some of our favourite methods for achieving the look.

1. Neutral Colour Palettes 

One of the easiest places to start is by paring back your colour scheme. Japandi interiors often use white, beige, brown, grey and muted green tones, creating a tranquil and airy atmosphere. 

This enhances the minimal, uncluttered feel that is at the style’s core. Whether it's a colour for your wall, sofa or accessories, think about how you can combine neutrals for a relaxing, comfortable space. Lighter tones also reflect daylight more effectively to provide a sense of openness. 

Pictured: The simple elegance of the Amaya Rattan & Iron Sideboard is bolstered by a soothing, neutral colour palette to showcase the natural rattan and light wood. 

2. Natural Materials 

Often, a good way to bring neutral colours into your rooms is with natural materials; think wood, bamboo, rattan, linen, stone and metal highlights. Furniture and decor made out of things like this often have a raw simplicity, harking back to the wabi-sabi notion of embracing that which is imperfect. 

Opting for a range of natural materials and handcrafted pieces also encourages you to prioritise sustainable design choices. Investing in things that are made to last reflects an appreciation of our environment and is an excellent way to capture another key aspect of the Japandi ethos. 

Pictured: The Erabar Acacia and Cane Coffee Table blends the warm tones of acacia wood and woven cane for a stunning piece that makes the most of these natural materials.

3. Layering Various Textures 

Whether it's through textiles like rugs, blankets and pillows or a range of different wood textures and houseplants, introducing lots of layers and textures is a must. 

This will allow you to incorporate various colours and tones as well as adding to your spaces’ cosy factor. Some might worry about Japandi minimalism feeling cold, but layering rich textures is an easy way to make your interiors feel more dynamic, warm and inviting. 

Pictured: The caning on this Saharsa Cane & Mango Wood Bed frame pairs wonderfully with textured bedding and rough-hewn materials for a peaceful yet visually-rich space. 

4. Clean & Simple Lines 

Opt for Scandi furniture and decor that showcases clean, simple lines and pleasing silhouettes. Often, sofas, chairs and coffee tables that are low to the ground work well because they can make the room seem more open and create a sense of free-flowing harmony. 

Rounded, organic shapes and very intentional angles also work well to add to this visual harmony. 

Pictured: The Bloomingville Mariana Pine And Rattan Wardrobe provides a moment of simple structure to bring balance and functionality to a room. 

5. Natural light & Warm Ambience 

When it comes to lighting, making the most of natural sunlight is best. Your colour scheme can do a lot to help reflect light around the space and provide that calming glow. Strategically placed statement wall mirrors also work brilliantly in this regard. 

When evening descends, or if your space doesn’t see much natural light, the right light fixtures will make all the difference. Keep artificial lighting soft and warm-toned to create a cosy, relaxing atmosphere. Table lamps and elegant floor lamps are ideal because they won’t overwhelm the space, allowing you to layer different sources of low, soothing light. 

Pictured: The organic shape and transparent material of the Lena Mesh Floor Lamp help create an intimate, cosy ambience to add another layer of comfort to the space. 

6. No Clutter

Embracing a minimalist style is less about getting rid of everything and more about prioritising the things that have a purpose or bring you the most joy. Keep surfaces tidy and clutter to a minimum where possible, displaying only a few of your favourite pieces to add an element of personality and meaning. 

At their core, Japandi styles favour simplicity. Designing a space with this in mind provides a good opportunity to reconsider your interiors and how well they serve your functional and aesthetic needs. 

Pictured: The HKliving White Speckled Circle Vase presents an excellent example of home decor that is minimal and functional while being a piece of art in its own right. 

7. Functionality 

Going hand in hand with a minimalist philosophy is the importance of functionality. Both Japanese and Scandinavian designs have a focus on creating functional living spaces, which can be seen reflected in the layout, furniture, smart storage solutions and overall feel of these interiors.  

Stunning furniture that doubles up as being incredibly practical can do a lot of the heavy lifting when creating a Japadi look. Sleek shelving units, cabinets and futons with hidden storage combine elements of everyday comfort and visual appeal with intention and functionality. 

Pictured: Slender cabinets like the Woood Basu Slim Pine Cabinet bring elegance to a space without being too imposing. They offer a more stylish storage solution, perfectly capturing a blend of practicality and sleek, minimal design. 

If you’re seeking comfort and harmony from your interiors, Japandi is certainly the way to go! By incorporating just a few of these key concepts into your space, you’ll soon start to see what a difference it can make. 

For even more inspiration, check out our Scandi furniture ideas for your home.