Japandi Interior Design: A Combination of Hygge and Wabi-sabi
Japandi interior design is a combination of Japanese and Scandinavian styles. The words Japan and Scandi form to create “Japandi.”
While you might think there’s a big difference between the Japanese and Scandinavian styles, both focus on simplicity and intentional living. When combined, they create a calming aesthetic that combines form and function.
The History of Japandi Interior Design
Japandi is a newer, trending style that will grow even more prominent in the next few years. The first trace of the Japandi style appeared in Denmark in the 1950s in the form of furniture, accessories, and architecture. The two styles share a similar aesthetic and philosophy, making them easy to fuse.
What is Japandi Interior Design?
Japandia is a play on Scandinavian’s “hygge” style and Japan’s “wabi-sabi.” Here’s an overview of each:
Scandinavian style is a minimal interior design focusing on clean lines, natural elements, and making a home feel cozy. It’s centered around hygge, a term from Danish culture that means developing a sense of coziness, comfort, and well-being.
The difference between Scandinavian and Japandi styles is that Japandi furniture is more sleek and refined than the always-light-colored wood of Scandi style.
Japanese style also focuses on minimalism and natural elements. Many Japanese interior designs encompass wabi-sabi, which means rustic simplicity or understated elegance. Wabi-sabi interiors appreciate the imperfect, focusing on natural beauty.
When you combine Denmark’s hygge and Japan’s wabi-sabi, you get Japandi – a minimal interior design style with a focus on uncluttered spaces, natural materials, and a sense of tranquility.
How to Achieve a Japandi Interior Design Style
If you want to bring the relaxing, calm style of Japandi to your home, here’s how to do it:
Declutter and Opt for Minimalism
Japandi is a minimal interior design style focused on uncluttered space, sparse decor, and natural, handmade elements. While you don’t have to remove all decor from your home, the items you keep should be soft and used sparingly.
To keep your space minimal, remove furniture and personal belongings that don’t serve a purpose in your household.
Go for a Neutral Color Palette
Japandi interior design features white or light, warm walls. Paint palettes and accessories should be soft and neutral.
Decorate with Natural Materials
The best materials are natural ones. Opt for wood, wicker, jute, and bamboo to give your space a sense of nature. Also, bring in living houseplants, where possible.
Go for Simple Furniture with Clean Lines
Japandi combines the sleek furniture of the Japanese style with the rustic furniture of the Scandinavian style. The combination results in furniture with clean lines made of natural materials.
Keep Sustainability at the Top of Mind
Japandi style is the opposite of a “throw-away” culture. Choose high-quality, timeless pieces over mass-manufactured ones. Decorate with one-of-a-kind, handmade items, whether a clay vase your grandmother made or a set of tea cups you bought from a local arts and crafts store.
Examples of Japandi Interiors
If you’re ready to transform your home with the relaxed and tranquil Japandi style, use these examples as inspiration.
Japandi Living Room
This living room captures the Japandi style with its warm color palette, wood floors, minimal decor, and intelligent use of plants. The light fixture is a Japanese lantern, while the light-colored wood floors are an ode to the Scandinavian style.
Japandi Dining Room
Full of natural elements like a rustic wooden table, wicker stools, and stone floors, this Japandi dining room combines rustic and elegant for an eye-catching organic style. Even though the decor in the room is minimal, the design makes a huge statement.
Japandi Bedroom
Japandi bedrooms present the perfect spot to unwind at the end of a long day. While this room is sparse on decor, the floors, warm walls, and accent wood create a natural and calming aesthetic.