Japandi: how to bring the biggest interiors trend into your own home

Homes all over the world are taking inspiration from Japan and blending it with the best of Scandinavian design to create Japandi.

They both host beautiful natural materials: the Scandi side favours a rustic twang while the Japanese element makes use of dark woods and sleek shapes.

Both styles are timeless and highlight the less-is-more approach to sustainability. Here’s how to Japandi your home this year…

Keep it Neutral

Neutral paint colours are a great place to start your Japandi transformation. Both Japanese and Scandinavian interiors are influenced heavily by nature and the ease and flow that comes with colours inspired by the great outdoors, so work them into your room via your paint palette, fabrics and finishes.

Look at beige tones, soft greys and pale pinks as a starting point. The idea is to keep the interior clean and neutral, but also warm and comforting, these are the pillars to Japandi decor. I am absolutely crushing over bauwerk colours neutral palettes.  

Mix and match textures

Prefer natural materials like wood, bamboo and rattan. Mix Scandi style light wood like pale oak with Japanese style darker timber to add interest. Try jute or hemp carpets, wooden cloth racks or simple straw basket for extra storage space. Add coziness with textiles, preferably in natural materials. Wrinkled linens, cotton and soft pillows and blankets in neutral colors works best with simple style like this.

Furniture

Simplistic certainly needn’t mean dull, and Japandi style highlights how nailing your shapes can turn a space from ‘meh’ to ‘wow’ with just a few key items. Bring in furniture with strong, deliberate outlines – either low to the floor or on legs to help enhance a feeling of space. More sculptural elements, such as an impressive curved floor lamp or a statement line-drawn artwork are then given the space to shine.

Minimal accessories

Keep your accessories minimal. Japandi is all about having zero clutter. Less is more. Invest in a few stunning pieces you love that will stand the test of time. Carefully curated mirrors, picture frames, artwork, wall hangings, table lamps, vases and rugs can transform the feel of a room to make it feel cosier without adding clutter. Plants are a great, natural accessory to use. They are an important element of Japandi design and an easy way to bring nature indoors. They feel welcoming and will soften minimalist interiors. The added benefit is that they improve air quality – perfect for emulating all that healthy Scandinavian air.

Embrace the imperfect

The concept of wabi-sabi, although a Japanese term, as an ethos it refers to the acceptance of imperfection in life, but as a design concept it translates as appreciating the beauty to be found in imperfection.

The style blends the principles of wabi-sabi, valuing the journey of our belongings. When things break, rather than discarding or trying to disguise damage, they are fixed using a gold paste to highlight the chapter in their history, creating something even more unique than before.

Low key lighting

The perfect complement to your minimalistic interior is some sleek and beautiful lighting. Just as every accessory or piece of furniture should be carefully chosen for function and beauty, so should your lighting. Make sure your rooms are softly lit to encourage a peaceful feeling. Incorporate industrial lights to add a Scandinavian vibe to a darker Japanese-inspired colour scheme. Or bring in some handcrafted, retro pendants in pewter or copper colours, to add contrast, warmth and elegance.

Though both Japanese and Scandi decor aren't new, the combination of the two is sure to be a rising trend over the next few years.