10 Japandi Style Ideas to Make Your Home a Sanctuary

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Japandi is an all-encompassing term that celebrates the fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian interior design. How does this style work? Can you incorporate it into your home? Keep on reading to get the best ideas on how to achieve this revolutionary style.

What is Japandi?

What’s in a name? Japandi is a combination of both the Japanese and Scandinavian design principles. Sometimes referred to as Scandenese or Japanordic, Japandi intersects these two styles’ elements of minimalism, functionality, craftsmanship, and harmony.

It pays homage to “Wabi-sabi”, a Japanese term, which refers to finding and appreciating beauty in imperfections. This manifests with the use of darker earth tones and natural materials. At the same time, Japandi also draws from the Scandinavian concept of “Hygge”, which highlights warmth and coziness in simple design and décor.

Japandi does this through its focus on the use of organic and sustainable materials, clean and simplistic architecture, and handmade furniture. It emphasizes the concept of less is more. Texture, depth, and authenticity also play a huge role. The style embraces imperfections without compromising functionality and comfort. Sounds interesting right? Take a look at these 10 wonderful Japandi ideas to transform your home into your oasis.

10 Japandi Style Ideas to Make Your Home a Sanctuary

1. Choose a Neutral Color Palette

from Spacejoy (@spacejoy) of Unsplash

Choosing the suitable color palette will make or break your Japandi attempt. After all, this is the first step in setting the atmosphere. So, it is important to plan things out before filling up the place with any items. Keep in mind the prime principle of Japandi: to keep things minimal. As both the Scandinavian and Japanese aesthetics aim to achieve peace and harmony through design, neutral colors are your best options to begin.

Neutral colors have the general characteristics of having little colors. They are subdued, muted, and usually come in white, gray, and brown undertones. Specifically, they also include the colors of cream, beige, navy, taupe, and even natural woods. These are all perfect for a Japandi home as they give off a calming aura. From wall paint to furniture and accessories, you can use these colors to either soften the atmosphere or create an accent. Adapt this tip to some neutral accent chairs or a TV stand.

2. Value Comfort and Functionality

from Christopher Jolly (@chris_jolly) of Unsplash

Comfort should always come above all. This is one thing that every homeowner should abide by regardless of preferred design and style. Japandi aims to emphasize the importance of comfort through function. This means that for you to have a general sense of order, every item in your home must be functional. They must all serve a purpose.

Take, for instance, your desk. It should work exactly how it’s supposed to with no added frills. Closets, cabinets, and other storage items must also be able to give you space and more storage options. It is because ensuring their functions do not only save you from stress but can also boost your productivity. As a result, you can revel in your home and make it your sanctuary.

3. Keep it Simple and Natural

from Daniel Chen (@dchestudio) of Unsplash

We established that Japandi uses simplicity and minimalism as an anchor. Hence, the furniture you incorporate in your home must coincide with these principles as well. Lucky for you, there are a lot of natural and sustainable materials that you can choose from!

You can start with choosing natural materials such as wooden furniture or woven and handcrafted storage. Wooden furniture, for instance, comes in various types. There are pine, oak, cedar, and maple, which are usually sturdy and dependable. You can also never go wrong with exquisite reclaimed wood furniture. Using them is not only eco-friendly but can also add character to your home. Have the freedom to do this with the help of a wooden coffee table and multifunctional desk. 

Aside from this, you can also maintain the naturalistic approach with handcrafted storage. It is easy with the help of rattan and seagrass baskets. Not only that, but you can also do it in style with artisanal accessories. Just remember to choose those with less ornamentation and lean on those that exude simplicity instead.

4. Declutter Japandi-Style

from Jorge de Jorge (@jorgendejorge) of Unsplash

We cannot talk about the Japandi style without emphasizing the importance of clean and clutter-free spaces. After all, a messy and disorganized setup equates to a chaotic atmosphere. But no need to worry because you can avoid this with no sweat. Start creating a clutter-free environment with the allotment of open, breathing space. The best way to do this is to invest in organizing storage systems. For example, functional and space-saving cabinets can make your room spacious. Not only that, but their presence makes organizing things easier.

Getting low-lying furniture such as beds and chairs can also do the trick. They create the visual impression of more available space. This also coincides with the Japanese culture of items being closer to the ground.

5. Add Suitable Texture

from Deconovo (@deconovo) of Unsplash

Tired of all things plain? Well, add some texture to spruce them up! Texture can add visual interest, depth, and vibrancy to your home. Through Japandi, you can do this in various ways. For example, you can add some texture to walls by incorporating authentic wooden planks and panels.

Likewise, getting yourself a rustic farmhouse dining table can create depth while also enhancing your dining experience. Consider adding in some wooden cabinets, countertops, and side tables too. Woven baskets like the ones we mentioned before work wonders as well. Through all this, you are not only using organic materials, but you also get to enjoy the natural textures that these woods have.

The good news is that you can do this with other furniture as well. Go for natural linens and fabrics like some velvet throw pillows and quilted blankets. And lastly, don’t forget to rest your feet on some comfy jute rugs.

6. Create Contrast

from Spacejoy (@spacejoy) of Unsplash

Yes, neutral colors are great and all, but you can still spice up your space a little bit more! Japandi design is a mix of the Scandinavian preference of soft, lighter colors and the revered Japanese dark, sleek hues. You can create a perfect blend of these two just by adding some contrasting colors.

Moreover, you can create contrast with the shapes of your furniture. Try to put a round ottoman with a rectangular coffee table, or complement an open, plain area with striking art décor. Installing either light or dark hardwood flooring can create contrast as well.

7. Enliven Your Entryway

from Collov Home Design (@collovhome) of Unsplash

Japandi style can make any area of your home a safe and inviting space. You can make the most of this with your entryway. Create a good impression using accent cabinets that are made of solid wood and a powder-metal base. This addition will be convenient for your storage needs and will also highlight the colors of your interiors. While you’re at it, add some racks for jackets, scarves, and hats too.

Some believe it is best to keep your entryway open and warm, but you can also add darker, earthier tones in this area for texture. Do this with the help of a wooden bench which you can pair up with a small shelf. To further enhance the space’s welcoming appeal, include accessories such as Scandinavian art prints and comfy cotton rugs.

8. Let the Light Flow

from R Architecture (@rarchitecture_melbourne) of Unsplash

Like with the use of natural materials, the Japandi design also gives importance to natural lighting in a both convenient and stylish way – white walls. Put simply, white walls work well with everything. A typical Japanese prefers white as it serves as a canvas for darker tones. Scandinavians, on the other hand, prefer to use white in contrast to the broody feeling of the Nordic cold weather. Both cultures ultimately agree on the same things – white walls have the ability to create an in-between space, with an ideal amount of natural light.

You can do this in your home not just with a pure white wall but also with pale variations of it. Try some beige, vanilla, ivory, and azure. Aside from natural lighting, you can also incorporate lamps and lanterns into the space. These will give your home the balanced illumination that it needs – not too bright nor too dim. What’s more, they can enhance the homey feel and serene atmosphere.

9. Soak Up in Style

from Jared Rice (@jareddrice) of Unsplash

Nothing beats a relaxing soak after a long day at work. One way to unwind in classic Japandi style is to have a luxurious yet minimalist design using contrasting colors. To do this, mix your dark tiles with a pristine white bathtub and ceiling and use dim overhead lighting.

Another way is the exact opposite: swapping your dark-colored tiles with lighter ones and incorporating a rustic bathtub. Further accentuate them with a wooden bench and basin. Also, don’t forget to add texture using either timber or bamboo for paneling and mats. Make the most of your time while soaking up with a bamboo bathtub caddy.

You can also create a more comfortable space for vanity with the use of a timeless round mirror. Match this with neutral wall colors, a clean white countertop, and flooring to create a light and soft approach. Of course, storage systems like floating shelves, racks, and some linen cabinets can do wonders to keep the space clutter-free. Try some of these things so that you can cozy up, scrub the stress away, and get refreshed in true Japandi style.

10. Grace It with Green Plants

from Spacejoy (@spacejoy) of Unsplash

 

Last but not least, bring the beauty of the great outdoors to your home, Japandi style. Adding plants into your spaces will visually enhance them while also cleaning the air. You can do this using both potted and hanging plants.

Potted plants like the Japanese bonsai, bamboo, and succulents can add vibrance to your room without taking up too much space. Likewise, some hanging plants like pothos and a variety of ferns can also be used to shield your space from harsh sunlight. Don’t forget to use organic materials for their planters and containers too. You can use natural fibers, timber, rattan and seagrass baskets, or terracotta clay pots.

Also, remember to keep green plants to a minimum amount to maintain simplicity. Too much of them can overcrowd your home and restrict your breathing space. It is best to position them in areas that are bare of any décor, or at tables and windowsills. Flowers are also great additions for an outdoorsy vibe. They suit any area of your home and look best with geometric, clean-lined vases.

To wrap it up, Japandi is all about having a sense of peace in the home that transcends into daily life. It connects two cultures to find the right balance of serenity. With these points in mind, you can now incorporate the Japandi lifestyle in your home the right way!