Japandi is an interior design style born out of the fusion of two of my favorite aesthetic styles: Scandinavian and Japanese minimalism. Japandi (the somewhat corny name is a union of Japan and Scandi) carries their common design elements – like their shared love for craftsmanship, minimalism, simplicity, and functionality – while also incorporating several distinct aesthetic characteristics.
The Swedish concept of hygge or warm coziness is infused with the Japanese principle of wabi-sabi, which is all about finding the beauty in imperfection. The result is a home filled with handmade, artisan goods and the showcasing of the beauty of natural materials.
In Japandi, the Swedish love for wood, glass, linen works really well with other materials favored in Japanese interiors, like bamboo, paper, rattan, stone, or clay.
The color palette is natural and earthy, but the emphasis depends on whether you prefer the lighter Scandinavian aesthetic (oak, white, soft grey, beige, muted pink, light blue) or moodier Japanese (olive, jade, yellow, orange, dark blue, rusty).
Decoration is all about minimalism and natural, clean, organic forms and lines. You can play with textures from statement rugs to wood slat walls and with heights like pairing low-profile furniture with taller wood cabinets or elegant floor lamps.
If you’d like to learn more about this decorating style, check out these two videos (1, 2). And for some visual inspiration – just scroll down.
Photo: Hannah Trickett
Photo: Dezeen, Norm Architects
Photo: Coco Lapine Design, Norm Architects
Photo: Ariake, Hasami Porcelain via Simons, These Four Walls
