Written By: Lavanya Chopra
Having experienced waves of continued popularity in the industry over the years, Japandi design personifies a harmonious blend of ease-driven simplicity and functionality.
The word ‘Japandi’ stems from combining Japanese and Scandinavian influences. Each style also focuses on slow and mindful living, such as the ideals of wabi-sabi and hygge concepts, respectively.
Japandi design is characterised by a few overarching elements that unite clean-lined forms, functional elegance, warmth, an inclination for natural materials, and minimalism. Inspired to channel this style within your spaces?
Let our design experts decode this for you.
Less is strictly More
The first integral rule of incorporating Japandi design is to start with a pared-down canvas. In any space, begin with a thorough decluttering exercise, retaining pieces and objects of utmost value! Ensure that the treatment of your ceilings, walls, and floors is limited to a bare minimum as they form the core shell of any space.
Stick to warm neutrals in colours and finishes like warm white, light beige, or soft greys for floors. Ensure that your portals of light, like windows, are unobstructed, as umpteen daylight plays a crucial role.
2. Lean into a Natural Palette
The Japandi style expresses a strong and enduring penchant for natural, sustainable materials and finishes. The prevalence of natural materials instantly grounds a space, making it feel like an extension of nature.
Materials like jute, rattan, bamboo, cotton, hemp and select metals are frontrunners in most Japandi-inspired spaces, creating a tactile and texture-heavy environment. In keeping with the muted aesthetic, hues like warm whites, taupe, sand, oatmeal, and light greys dominate the visual palette of spaces, iterating the feeling of serenity.
3. The Furniture Edit
Japandi design focuses passionately on the importance of artisanship and painstakingly handcrafted pieces in the furniture realm.
The overarching theme seen in Japandi furniture constitutes clean-lined geometry (a blend of linear and curved forms), materials derived from nature (preserved in their original state as much as possible), and muted hues to create an unobtrusive visual within the home’s interiors. Pieces are often crafted in reclaimed wood, woven rattan, and natural stone. In addition, furniture is usually upholstered in natural fibres like cotton, linen, and muslin to assure comfort.
4. Decorate with Restraint
Decor assumes an intentional spotlight while channelling the Japandi style. Since the sensibilities focus on zero clutter, the trick is to invest in select pieces that can stand the test of time and strengthen the design scheme!
Indoor plants are a big part of the Japandi aesthetic, inviting nature indoors and adding an element of life to the home’s interior. Other elements like wall mirrors, artisanal frames, minimalist art, oversized table lamps, sculptural (monochrome) vases, accent end tables, and textured rugs are popular picks while incorporating the style.
5. The Texture Talk
Texture is integral to the Japandi design language, layering one’s experience of spaces! A quick and budget-friendly way to bring this forth is through soft furnishings over large pieces of furniture like sofas, armchairs, beds, and window furnishings.
Invest in light-toned cushions, runners, throws, and upholstery to make a corner instantly welcoming and cosy: both qualities being intrinsically linked to Japandi aesthetics. Scout for large-scaled and textured rugs in rooms like bedrooms, lounges, and living spaces for that additional layer of texture to elevate the ambience of spaces. Work with sheer and light drapes while layering windows to filter maximised daylight.
Nailing That Japandi Design Style
Nothing spells zen and comfort like Japandi design! The underlying inspiration while emulating this style is to look to nature for inspiration, bringing its presence into a home through versatile, natural materials.
The style marries the strengths of its parent influences, namely Japanese and Scandinavian, getting to the world a novel amalgamation that strikes the chord across many homes!
Is a calmness-steeped sanctuary topping your list of home goals at the moment?
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