Interior design trends come and go. Over the past few years, we've seen the rise and fall of cottage-core, all-gray minimalism, green kitchen cabinetry, and, of course, rattan.
However, some design directions — like the Japanese Kanso and Scandinavian minimalism — never go out of fashion. Instead, they endure, transform, or blend with other styles, to create looks that will remain relevant, fashionable, and sought-after for decades to come.
Are you thinking of updating your home in 2023? Do you want to do it in a way that will stand the test of time while looking stylish and feeling cozy? If that's the case, you might consider taking inspiration from Japandi.
What Is Japandi Design?
The simplest way to describe Japandi is to say that it's a blend of two seemingly different interior design styles.
On the one hand, there's the well-known Scandi style, with its light-colored tones, simple shapes, and cozy ambiance (which is, by now, known all over the world as "hygge").
On the other hand, the Japanese wabi-sabi direction values well-loved objects (flaws included) for their usefulness, natural materials, and the mix of clean lines with rough textures.
The result may sound unexpected or strange. Yet, it is anything but. Japandi is a beautiful stylistic direction that brings life, sophistication, and function into minimalist interiors. Moreover, it allows for almost infinite creativity for those willing to experiment.
The Elements of Japandi
Though they may seem exotic in theory, Japandi interiors are built using only a few simple elements. And by getting every single one of these elements right, you can ensure that your home looks sophisticated and stylish without sacrificing its coziness or functionality.
Plus, if you do a bit of work to properly incorporate the design principles of Japandi in your home (or office), you'll find that it's easy to get right. Even if you're making design changes without consulting an interior designer or working with a not-so-generous budget.
Natural materials
One of the main principles of Japandi is that it relies on natural and organic materials to bring texture into your home. So, to achieve the desired effect, give yourself the freedom to play around with different woods.
Unlike Scandinavian interior designs, darker shades are more than welcome in Japandi homes, as they provide richness, texture, and contrast. Alternatively, incorporate bamboo in your living spaces.
Don't forget to choose natural materials for the rest of your furnishings. For the furniture you bring into your house — choose organic, untreated, and eco-friendly materials. This will instantly elevate the look and feel of your home without having to make drastic changes.
Neutral and muted colors
The Scandi part of the Japandi interior design trend dictates the use of neutral and muted colors. And though this may not allow you to play around with some of the bolder trends of 2023, it will give you an opportunity to create a solid base that you can slowly build on.
Of course, this doesn't mean you shouldn't explore ways to elevate the look and feel of your interiors with color. But be aware that, for you to achieve the Japandi look, these instances shouldn't feel overpowering. Instead, they should only be peppered through your home.
For example, you can do this with cozy cushions made with a rich green velvet fabric or a piece of art that brings a breath of color into your home.
Clean lines
With Japandi interiors, there's not much room for the bells and whistles of contemporary furnishings. So say goodbye to your ultra-modern computer chair, your 100-inch curved-edge TV, and that fiberglass coffee table. Instead, what you'll have to do to achieve the recognizable Japandi look is seek more curated pieces for your home.
The good news is that this is super easy to do if you're on a budget. After all, used and loved furnishings — even if they're showing signs of wear — fit perfectly into this interior design style.
Give yourself the green light to seek inspiring pieces that will turn your house into a home. Just make sure you avoid using too much, as this design direction heavily relies on the absence of clutter. So definitely think carefully about your mattress size, whether a couch will fit, and anything else that takes up a lot of space.
Greenery
Finally, as you explore ways to decorate in the Japandi style, don't forget that the easiest way to elevate a room is with some well-chosen pieces of greenery.
Ideally, display plants like a well-cared-for bonsai, a fully-grown Fiddle-Leaf Fig, or an easy-to-maintain Peace Lily.
With this design direction, you shouldn't go for that jungle-inspired look that's been trending over the past couple of years. But know that adding some indoor plants into your space will help you achieve that calming, cohesive Japandi look while improving your well-being along the way.
