East Meets West: What Is Japandi Interior Design? 5+ Easy Tips to Style It Right (2024)

Understand what is Japandi interior design, what are its features and how to get the look right

In This Article

  • What Is Japandi Interior Design?
  • History of Japandi Style Interior Design
  • Elements of Japandi Interior Design
  • 8 Japandi Interior Design Tips
  • Japandi vs Wabi-Sabi Design Styles
  • How Can Livspace Help You?

So what’s new in the world of interior design? It’s Japandi interior design! Considering the hectic lifestyles most of us lead, everyone craves for some peace. In fact, homeowners are turning to zen and relaxing designs for their homes. Thus, Japandi design, based on principles of simplicity, is the perfect choice.

What Is Japandi Interior Design?

East Meets West: What Is Japandi Interior Design? 5+ Easy Tips to Style It Right (1)

Japandi interior design is the fusion of design styles from two opposite parts of the world – Japan and Scandinavia.

It’s the marriage between Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian functionality. So, when we say Japandi interiors, we’re talking about art, wabi-sabi aesthetics, warmth, hygge philosophy, comfort and natural elements.

East Meets West: What Is Japandi Interior Design? 5+ Easy Tips to Style It Right (2)

Wabi Sabi Interior Design – A design style that focuses on natural dwellings, imperfections and simple aesthetics

East Meets West: What Is Japandi Interior Design? 5+ Easy Tips to Style It Right (3)

Scandinavian Hygge -An interior style that emphasises cosy togetherness, comfort and warmth

History of Japandi Style Interior Design

East Meets West: What Is Japandi Interior Design? 5+ Easy Tips to Style It Right (4)

First of all, it’s important to note that both Japanese and Nordic styles have certain similarities as they feature simplicity and minimalism.

Japan had a closed border policy for more than 200 years. Once they opened their borders, artists and designers from Scandinavia started visiting Japan. They were inspired by the oriental design style that had so many similarities with their own homes. And thus began a new design style, the Japandi design.

Elements of Japandi Interior Design

So how can you recognise this interior design style? Look out for the following elements:

ElementsDescription
Organic and
natural materials
— Wood
— Stone
— Rattan
Neutral colours and
earthy tones
— Brown
— Green
— Beige
Uncluttered spacesRooms with
only basics
Craftsmanship— Ceramic vases
— Teapots
— Books
Hints of greenPlants
Functional decorDecor pieces that
serve some purpose

8 Japandi Interior Design Tips

Now that you understand what’s japandi design, let’s look at some examples and design ideas.

#1: Japandi Living Room With Natural Furniture

East Meets West: What Is Japandi Interior Design? 5+ Easy Tips to Style It Right (5)
  • Layer natural materials like wood with neutral colours like white
  • Additionally, opt for sustainable materials as per Japanese aesthetics
  • Also, don’t forget to choose comfortable furnishings to maintain the comfort of Scandinavian hygge

#2: Go Zen in a Japandi Bedroom

East Meets West: What Is Japandi Interior Design? 5+ Easy Tips to Style It Right (6)
  • Swap curtains for bamboo blinds as a nod to sustainability
  • Moreover, blinds will allow more natural light to flow in
  • In fact, choose a low-legged bed and a tatami mat for your floor

#3: A Japandi Style Living Room With Sustainable Materials

East Meets West: What Is Japandi Interior Design? 5+ Easy Tips to Style It Right (7)
  • Choose materials like wood and bamboo for your flooring and furniture
  • Additionally, try to reuse and recycle as much as possible

#4: Welcome Nature Into Your Home With Japandi Interior Design

East Meets West: What Is Japandi Interior Design? 5+ Easy Tips to Style It Right (8)
  • You can also mix up the neutrals by introducing indoor plants in your home
  • Hanging planters, bonsai and bamboo are good options to match the Japandi decor style. Moreover, you can also opt for artificial plants

#5: Japandi Interiors With Bare Walls

East Meets West: What Is Japandi Interior Design? 5+ Easy Tips to Style It Right (9)
  • For a soothing vibe, opt for neutral colours like white and bare walls
  • In addition, look for sleek and functional furniture

#6: The Right Art for Your Home

East Meets West: What Is Japandi Interior Design? 5+ Easy Tips to Style It Right (10)
  • To add texture and personality, opt for artwork by local artists
  • Additionally, remember to focus on local craftsmanship as that’s important for Japanese styles

#7: Declutter to Create Space

East Meets West: What Is Japandi Interior Design? 5+ Easy Tips to Style It Right (11)
  • Both Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics focus on decluttering
  • Only keep the basics and get rid of anything that you don’t need. Moreover, avoid hoarding

#8: Contrasting Colours in Japandi Interior Design

East Meets West: What Is Japandi Interior Design? 5+ Easy Tips to Style It Right (12)
  • Mix up neutral colours like white, grey and black for a striking look
  • In addition, Shoji window screens instead of curtains will let in natural light

Japandi vs Wabi-Sabi Design Styles

East Meets West: What Is Japandi Interior Design? 5+ Easy Tips to Style It Right (13)

One of the interior design styles that originated in Japan is wabi-sabi. However, is it the same as Japandi interior design? While Japandi home decor does draw inspiration from wabi-sabi, they’re not the same.

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese interior design style that focuses on imperfection, nostalgia and designing with things that hold some special meaning for you. Japandi style interiors, on the other hand, is a mix of Japanese and Scandinavian designs.

So, while wabi-sabi is more traditional, Japandi focuses on combining modernity with minimalism.

How Can Livspace Help You?

  • Our experienced designers can help you get this design style right
  • With 146 quality checks, we also promise high-quality and durable materials
  • In fact, we have delivered over 50,000+ happy homes in different design styles and aesthetics

If you want beautiful interiors for your home, then look no further. Book an online consultation with Livspace today. Also, have any thoughts or suggestions you’d like to share with us? We’re all ears! Drop us a line at editor@livspace.com.

Disclaimer: All contents of the story are specific to the time of publication. Moreover, mentions of costs, budget, materials, finishes, and products from the Livspace catalogue can vary with reference to current rates. Talk to our designer for more details on pricing and availability.

East Meets West: What Is Japandi Interior Design? 5+ Easy Tips to Style It Right (2024)

FAQs

What is Japandi interior design style? ›

What Is Japandi? Japandi is an interior design style that is a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian minimalist design. The word “Japandi” is a portmanteau of “Japanese” and “Scandi.” Japandi design focuses on clean lines, natural elements, bright spaces, and neutral colors to create calming and welcoming living spaces.

Will Japandi go out of style? ›

Because of its deep-seated roots in Scandi style and Japanese design schemes, Japandi is a classic expression of minimalist decor that's unlikely to go out of style.

What is the Japandi theory? ›

Japandi technique fuses simple informal design lines with cozy hygge-like (the quality of being present, comfortable and charmed by simple pleasure) feels to create eclectic spaces that reflect a balance of uniquely minimalist Japanese and Scandinavian cultures.

What are the colors for Japandi style? ›

These colors create a calming and soothing environment, reflecting the simplicity and tranquility of both Japanese and Scandinavian design. Whites, browns, blacks, greys, beiges, taupes, and surrounding variations. All neutrals, due to being easy to look at, commonly symbolize relaxation, neutrality, and tranquility.

What is the difference between wabi-sabi and Japandi? ›

Japandi fuses minimalism and functionality while wabi-sabi embraces natural imperfection, while both promote connection with nature. Other differences include: Approach to Space and Clutter: Japandi design focuses to create a sense of spaciousness by minimizing visual clutter and simplifying the design.

Is Japandi style expensive? ›

Is the Japandi style expensive? Japandi style can be tailored to various budgets. While authentic and high-end materials may incur costs, budget-friendly alternatives and smart choices in decor can create a cost-effective Japandi look.

What style is similar to Japandi? ›

Although Japandi style and Scandinavian style share many similarities, such as their focus on minimalism and use of natural materials, they also have some key differences in their aesthetics.

Does Japandi use glass? ›

Based on the harmony of nature and the foundations of Wabi-sabi, which embraces the perfectly imperfect, Japandi turns to natural materials, such as wood, stone, rattan, bamboo, fabrics such as linen and decorative elements made of ceramic and glass.

Is Grey going out of style in home decor? ›

The answer, it seems, isn't quite black or white. In fact, there's a bit of a gray area... Ultimately the consensus is that gray will never fully be out of style, but in 2024 there's a shift towards using warmer tones in our homes.

What is the difference between Japandi and boho? ›

Boho and japandi interior design styles offer contrasting aesthetics. Boho design is characterized by a free-spirited and eclectic vibe. Japandi design combines Japanese and Scandinavian influences for a minimalist and harmonious aesthetic.

What are elements of Japandi style? ›

Japandi is a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian design, combining minimalism, functionality, and a sense of calmness. The color palette is characterized by calming and serene pastels, creating a tranquil and harmonious atmosphere. Subtle and delicate motifs are used in patterns or designs, adding a touch of elegance.

What is the theme of the Japandi house? ›

Generally, Japandi interior design makes use of neutral colors, high-quality and natural materials, and an emphasis on greenery and nature. “In both Japan and Scandinavia, people love to spend time in nature and bring nature into their home,” Rietbergen says.

What is the difference between Scandi and Japandi? ›

While both styles incorporate natural materials such as wood, Japandi design often includes a warmer, more muted colour palette, compared to Scandi which often features lighter, cooler tones.

What is the difference between Japandi style and wabi-sabi? ›

Japandi fuses minimalism and functionality while wabi-sabi embraces natural imperfection, while both promote connection with nature. Other differences include: Approach to Space and Clutter: Japandi design focuses to create a sense of spaciousness by minimizing visual clutter and simplifying the design.

What is the difference between minimalism and Japandi? ›

Minimalism and Japandi are two design philosophies that have gained popularity in recent years. Minimalism emphasizes simplicity, decluttering, and the removal of unnecessary elements, while Japandi is a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian design, featuring natural materials, warm tones, and minimalistic aesthetics.

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