Japandi Style: 4 Key Elements of Japandi Design

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. In the 1850s, Japan began trading with the West, and the exchange of goods inspired Scandanavian and Japanese designers alike. Japandi home design continues to increase in popularity as sustainability becomes more of an emphasis in home décor.

Japandi design combines elements of the Scandinavian concept of hygge, or coziness, with the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which is about finding beauty within imperfection. The main design elements of Japandi design include:

1. 1. Minimalism: Japandi design favors 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.
2. 2. 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.
3. 3. 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.
4. 4. 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.

Elements of Scandanavian design influence Japandi design, but these styles are distinct. Consider the following differences between these interior design trends:

• Colors: Scandinavian design features a cool color palette, while Japandi spaces feature a mix of warm colors, light colors, and dark tones for accents.
• Nature: Japandi focuses on bringing the natural world into the home. Japandi design typically contains more wooden elements, large plants, and raw materials than the Scandinavian style.
• Wood: Light wood tends to be more Nordic in style, while dark wood is a significant part of Japanese interiors. Japandi interior design uses both light wood and dark wood.

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

1. 1. Add plants to your space. Japandi style encourages the use of greenery as décor. Plants can brighten a space, clean the air, and provide a decorative accent color. Houseplants like hanging vines or bonsai trees are excellent décor items.
2. 2. 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.
3. 3. Contrast the colors. Use brown, blue, and green accents to create contrast in a space. You can incorporate new colors with decorative objects and throw pillows.
4. 4. 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.
5. 5. Mix up the furniture. Japandi furniture can feature various materials, textures, and colors. Mix up the space by adding a chair or coffee table in an accent color or placing different kinds of furniture together.
6. 6. Shop sustainably. Instead of placing a large order of furniture from a big-box store, slowly choose a few high-quality, well-made pieces with natural materials that have a specific function in the space. Japandi also focuses on artisanal, handcrafted items, so you can use this opportunity to support local furniture makers. Look for timeless pieces that you will use for years to come.
7. 7. Use natural materials. Avoid anything made of plastic. Instead, when shopping for furniture and home décor, buy things made of natural materials, such as a wooden dining room table, a decorative pillow made of woven textiles, and wicker baskets for storage.

Master everything from color theory to pattern mixing with the MasterClass Annual Membership and exclusive lessons from award-winning interior designers like Corey Damen Jenkins and Kelly Wearstler. From shopping for statement furniture to designing a lighting scheme to choosing the newest member of your plant family, the skills you’ll pick up are sure to make your house, apartment, or condo feel even more like a home.