Gina Everett
Dec 6, 2018
Combining the minimalist aesthetic of both Japanese and Scandinavian home design Japandi interiors is a trend that first appeared about a year ago in furniture collections and magazines. It continues to grow in popularity and I still see lots of reference to the trend in new collections so let's take a look at Japandi interiors and how to get the style in your home
The Japandi interiors trend takes the modern simplicity of Nordic design and pairs it together with the beauty and timeless elegance of Japanese style. Whilst the two styles have much in common it is the contrast of their design traditions that create the features of the beautiful rooms that identify with this trend.
Here's how to get the Japandi look in your home
1. Declutter
If you are fan of busy interiors with lots of accessories or bright colours then this is not the trend for you. Think simple minimalist rooms where the form and function are the features. Pieces of well chosen statement furniture are the focus of the room. Accessories are few and well crafted, often traditionally styled or classic design pieces such as traditional ceramics or wooden ornaments.
2. Add some colour to your home
Whilst Scandinavian homes are known for their bright white and neutral interiors accented with natural woods. The Japandi trend brings contrasting colour from a traditional Japanese palette of rich reds, pinks blacks and navy blue.
Image: Mind The Gap featuring Tie Dye wallpaper in indigo - £150 per roll
This wallpaper by Mind The Gap features a traditional Japanese tie-dye technique and looks great paired with a mid-century Scandinavian style armchair
If you are a fan of dark decor but love minimalism the Japandi trend is a way to get the best of both worlds. Using stronger tones of colours on the walls and large furniture such as sofas and chairs adds depth to a room.
Image: Christy featuring the Haruki Bedlinen set in Ochre
Textiles are a great way to add colour and pattern to a large space in a room. Use patterned textiles inspired by traditional Japanese prints, ceramics and fabrics such as kimonos.
3. Well crafted wood
Scandinavian design traditionally uses pale woods in furniture whilst in Japanese furniture we see darker woods and lacquered furniture. In both styles traditional craftsmanship, form and function create beautiful statement pieces. With an emphasis on minimalism, statement pieces of well designed furniture create the focus in the room rather than having many decorative accessories.
As well as furniture wood also features in Japanese homes in bamboo and wicker used for flooring, lampshades, blinds and room dividers which all add a natural warmth to a room.
Another feature is furniture that is low to the ground as it is in traditional Japanese homes
4. Bring nature indoors
Bringing the outdoors in to celebrate natural form is also a common theme. As well as wooden furniture the natural textiles of cotton and wool feature in Japandi interiors.
Image: Cuckooland.com featuring Vox Nature Table £145
Greenery and plants provide a simple way to accessorise in a pared back scheme. Again less is more and single stems and foliage more reminiscent of the Japanese floral art of ikebana work better than bold and bright floral arrangements.
5. Mix and match
Don’t be afraid to mix and match. In this room a Japanese style lamp sits perfectly alongside some classic mid-century Scandinavian Design pieces
Image: Nest.co.uk featuring the Vitra Akari 10a Floor Lamp
If you are working with your existing neutral decor adding richer colours to existing schemes and changing up textiles to add elements of traditional Japanese pattern is easily done.
If you are starting a room from scratch search out a few well crafted statement pieces to be the focus of the room. Overall the enduring design style of this trend is easy to achieve. If you are looking for some more ideas here’s some items to add to your list.
Clockwise from top left:
Akari 16a Suspension Light from Nest.co.uk - £555
Zuiver Travis Drinks Cabinet from Cuckooland.co.uk - £1,479
Vitra DCW Eames Plywood Chair from Nest.co.uk - £1,170
Vitra Noguchi Coffee Table from Nest.co.uk - £2,020
Broste Copenhagen Ceramic Vase in Smoked Pearl from Amara - £45
Fritz Hansen Grand Prix Chair from Nest.co.uk - £518
Tokyo Solid Oak Console Table from Oak Furnitureland - £349