Home interiors that sport muted tones, clean lines, and minimalistic designs yet exude warmth, a serene ambience, and soft textures, and establish a connection with nature are all the craze right now. Almost every homeowner’s mood boards and inspo pages are filled with similar layouts and ideas without knowing there is a term for this type of styling. An amalgamation of both these aesthetics–minimalism with functionality–is known as Japandi.
Before jumping on the bandwagon to style your home similarly, it is important to understand Japandi as a design philosophy to truly achieve the result. Japandi is drawn from Japanese and Scandinavian interior design styles, a combination of the words Japanese and Scandi. The style is influenced by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which loosely means finding beauty in imperfection and simplicity. It is also shaped by the Scandinavian practice of hygge, which emphasises comfort and cosiness. This design style is for those looking to replicate these concepts in their home.
Here are a few tips for recreating the Japandi style in your home:
Bring nature indoors through furniture and furnishings like wood, cotton, stone, rattan, and linen for a more grounded feel at home. In addition to using furniture pieces, place a few decor items made of bamboo or oak to lend a natural warmth to the space while also using it for aesthetics. It is important to note that focusing on natural materials not only increases the aesthetic appeal, but is also a great way to introduce rich textures that one can touch and feel, allowing you to connect with nature through every element of your home.
Using neutral tones for the walls and panels helps tie up the place. Choose from a neutral colour palette consisting of greys, muted earth tones, soft shades of white, and beiges for this look. Using light tones helps create a serene, bright, and airy space while darker muted, or earthy tones can be used to introduce depth, warmth, and a sense of cosiness to the home. But essentially, it allows the furniture, textures, and design elements to be the main focus and brings it centre stage.
Use functional furniture pieces with straight lines and devoid of excessive ornamentation. The Japandi design philosophy is all about simplicity, using pieces with minimalistic design but optimal functionality. Multifunctional storage solutions that maximise the use of space and ensure a more clutter-free environment is the way to go. This approach to interior design may leave you running the risk of feeling impersonal if monotony is maintained. Incorporate soft elements like wool throws, linen curtains, and plush cushions to help to counterbalance the simplicity by adding the elements of warmth and comfort, ensuring the space remains inviting and lived-in.
People looking to foster a close connection with nature should include indoor plants such as Jade Plants, Sword Ferns, Snake Plants, Pothos, and so on. These plants will add a sense of calm while also improving the air quality of the space. Landscaped gardens on the other hand, whether seen through large windows or incorporated into outdoor patios, help draw a connection between outdoor and indoor living. These dedicated green spaces bring simplicity and harmony to the space while promoting relaxation and mindfulness. Adding greenery into and around your home will reinforce the Japandi concept. One can also use natural elements like stones for an indoor fountain or driftwood for stunning furniture pieces that can be the focal point of the room, like a table made using driftwood.
An uncluttered space translates to an uncluttered mind. The essence of the Japandi design philosophy is simplicity, so avoid consuming the space with decor, rather, choose a few statement pieces that speak to the natural yet functional elements of the design. Keep in mind that every item should have a purpose. This approach will help you to maintain a clutter-free space.
Implementing the Japandi style in your home helps create a peaceful retreat that nurtures both the body and mind while maintaining an elegant style.
