Walking into a JAPANDI home, you’ll immediately be greeted by the calming ambiance brought on by the clean lines, neutral colors, soft lighting, and an overall feeling of spaciousness.
But how do we recreate that feeling? Well, let’s take a look!
What is Japandi?
Japandi style living rooms blend Scandinavian coziness with Japanese simplicity. They feature low furniture, natural materials like wood and bamboo, and a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces.
With minimalist décor and a mix of warm and cool colors, Japandi living rooms create a cozy yet elegant atmosphere.
If you want to give your home a touch of Japandi style, check out some of my favorite Japandi living room styles that will inspire you to create your own cozy retreat.
1. Combine Minimalism with Comfort
Japandi style is like the perfect fusion of Scandinavian design and Japanese minimalism. Even though these two cultures are pretty different, they actually share a lot of the same design values. Think functionality, simplicity, and a deep love for nature and craftsmanship.
What makes Japandi so appealing is how it blends the coziness of Scandinavian “hygge” with the Japanese concept of “wabi-sabi” , which celebrates imperfection.
In Japandi, you’ll find low-to-the-ground furniture, a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, and a preference for natural materials like wood and bamboo. Scandinavian influence brings in simple shapes and minimalist decor, allowing light to flow freely and creating a cozy vibe.
Soft, warm colors mixed with cool pastels complete the look, making Japandi style a harmonious blend of comfort and elegance.
2. Perfect Japandi Color Palette
Japandi style brings together the best of Scandinavian and Japanese color palettes. While Scandinavian design favors light neutrals and pastels, Japanese design leans towards warmer, earthier tones and darker woods.
In Japandi, these palettes blend to form a serene base of neutrals like beige, cream, and soft blues, complemented by touches of plum, mint, and emerald green for added softness. To create contrast, add accents of indigo blues, dark greys, black, and brown.
Specially, When using black, think of it like a stroke of ink in a Japanese painting, adding excitement to the room. Also avoid using bright pops of color in Japanese spaces; instead, focus on natural elements like vibrant plants. Both Scandinavian and Japanese interiors emphasize simplicity and natural beauty.
3. Plants and Greenery
Enhancing your Japandi style living room with plants and greenery brings nature’s beauty indoors, a hallmark of this aesthetic. By incorporating plants, you infuse color and vitality into your space, creating a harmonious blend of the outside world with your interior decor.
In Japandi style, the emphasis is on selecting a few carefully chosen plants that complement the calm and simple ambiance. Opt for easy-to-care-for varieties like small bamboo, peace lilies, or snake plants, which not only thrive indoors but also contribute to better indoor air quality.
Choose pots in natural tones such as white, gray, or brown to seamlessly integrate with your décor, ensuring your plants become an integral part of your home’s aesthetic without overpowering the space.
4. Simple Furniture
A defining feature of Japandi style living rooms is the incorporation of low-profile furniture. This choice not only reflects simplicity but also fosters a sense of tranquility and closeness to nature.
Opting for clean-lined furniture, preferably crafted from wood, contributes to the serene ambiance of your Japanese-inspired space. Avoid overly embellished or ornate pieces, as they can detract from the minimalist aesthetic.
5. Natural Flooring
In your Japandi style living room, consider natural wood flooring to enhance the ambiance of your space. Whether you prefer a dark stain or the natural pale oak finish, it depends on your personal taste.
To add visual interest and texture, layer different textured rugs in warm neutrals on your flooring. This creates a cozy and tranquil atmosphere, perfect for relaxing and unwinding.
6. Textures & Material
In crafting your Japandi style living room, pay attention to texture and materials to achieve its distinctive charm. Natural wood, in varying tones, takes center stage in furniture, flooring, wall treatments, and architectural details.
Additionally, incorporate materials like bamboo, rattan, paper, iron, marble, stone, and leather to add depth and character to the space.
For decorative elements such as cushions, throws, and bedding, opt for textured linens, brushed cotton, velvet, chunky wool knits, jute, and hemp in warm, earthy neutrals. This layering of textures and materials creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere in your Japandi-inspired space.
7. Natural Lights & Lighting
In creating your Japandi style living room, prioritize natural light and thoughtful lighting choices. Windows play a crucial role, flooding the space with natural light and creating an expansive feel. Embrace simplicity in window treatments, opting for light curtains or minimal coverings to maximize the light flow.
When selecting light fixtures, choose understated designs in natural hues, such as plain floor lamps or subtle ceiling lights, to emit a warm and soft glow. Enhance the ambiance with candles or small lamps to create cozy nooks within your home.
Remember, it’s not about quantity but about selecting the right lighting elements that enhance the atmosphere of your space. Harnessing natural light and strategic lighting can transform your home, infusing it with a sense of freshness and vitality during the day and a warm, inviting glow at night, perfectly capturing the essence of Japandi style living.
8. Arts & Mirrors
In a Japandi style living room, every piece of art is carefully chosen to reflect intentionality and minimalism. Expect to find artwork featuring simple shapes, watercolor prints, and sculptural or abstract designs.
These pieces are often displayed in slim wooden frames or left unframed to maintain a clean aesthetic. Additionally, large mirrors in round, half-moon, or asymmetrical shapes are strategically positioned to reflect the lush greenery and plants, enhancing the play of light and shadow within the space.
9 Keep Décor Minimal
In crafting your Japandi style living room, prioritize minimalism and a clutter-free environment. Drawing inspiration from both Japanese and Scandinavian design principles, characterized by clean lines and simplicity, this approach aims to cultivate a calm and tranquil atmosphere.
By opting for fewer items, you can focus on quality and thoughtful design. Consider incorporating decor such as simple vases, soft-colored cushions, or sleek table lamps, each serving a practical or calming purpose.
In Japandi style, every item is chosen with care to ensure it complements the space and serves a meaningful function, resulting in a room that feels open, serene, and inviting.
And there you have it, Japandi style merges Scandinavian coziness with Japanese minimalism, creating a tranquil living space.
By using minimalistic furniture, a balanced color palette, natural materials, and thoughtful lighting, you can craft a serene environment that blends indoor and outdoor living seamlessly.
Let these ideas inspire you to create your own cozy retreat with a touch of calm and minimalistic beauty!