It’s difficult not to fall in love with Japandi style. Each detail is filled with zen philosophy and harmony that we are seeking the most nowadays. The look is minimal, functional, warm and calming with touches of wabi-sabi enthused imperfection.
Wabi-sabi is a Japanese philosophical concept that shows the beauty of the fleeting, changeable, and imperfect nature of the world around us. We used to think that beauty means perfection, ideality, integrity. However, Japanese wisdom teaches us to take a fresh look at flawed, incomplete things. And they are the place, where the real beauty, which we are constantly seeking for, is often hidden.
image by @japandi.interior
The interest in Japanese culture is getting more and more popular because of its simplicity, free-space and elegance. Today we want to explore how it’s integrated into our western life.
In fact, a clash of western and eastern design movements creates a new interior style called Japandi. It carries the features of both cultures which help to make a clean, calm and harmonious living space.
Despite the fact, that Japan seems so far away, it has in common values with Scandinavia. Both nations prefer natural materials, functional simplicity, neutral and warm colours and balanced lightning.
Close to nature
Creating Japandi style, we have to focus on the natural materials as a key feature. Walls, doors, screen grids and frames are all made of natural wood.
In order to maintain the light and colour balance, it’s recommended to use light woods such as beech, ash, pine, and light oak. These woods help to make not only hygge vibe (Scandinavian designation of cosiness and feeling of contentment), but also will be a material, which will keep your home warm during cold winters.
Warmth and comfort will be complemented also by adding to the interior such natural fabrics, as cotton and wool, which could be used as curtains, blankets or decorative pillows.
Functional Simplicity
Japanese style is featured by minimalism and elegant emptiness. It doesn’t overload eye with too many pieces of decoration or furniture, focusing only on a couple of details. In fact, the Japanese used to have only one accent in the living space interior.
It can be something that will set a certain atmosphere for the home and please the eye. In every Japanese home you can find tokonoma - an alcove where inhabitants place the most valuable and beautiful decorations they have. In fact, minimalistic design frees from unnecessary excess and fills your home with sophistication, peace and purity.
As an example, you can create a natural accent without adding any extra pieces. Use colours! You can make a harmonious contrast of Japanese light colours with the Scandinavian neutral dark tones.
1. O&O Standing Clothes Rack, Large + Small ; 2. Array Highboard ; 3. Bois Table Lamp £599; 4. Nopp Barstool ; 5. Nopp Dining Chairs ; 6. Eivissa Round Jute Rug; 7. Piezas Dining Table 140cm; 8. Piezas Square Dining Table 85cm; 9. Rombo Runner 75x200cm; 10. Rombo Rug 90x140cm; 11. Array Sideboard.
Beauty is not about gold, shining and bulky decorations. It’s about harmony, Zen and natura.
Open Space and Lights
Natural light is another Japandic key element. Large, extensive windows are the perfect way to make light balance at your home. The combination of natural outside light with Japandic colours (the browns of wooden elements, the greens of plants, flooring wooden or grey etc.) will harmonise palette and refresh your living space.
In fact, the prioritised colours are natural wooden and different shades of green. Green is associated with zen and meditation. This colour has a beneficial eye-effect: it brings calm and a sense of peace.
- Aiko Jute Soumak Rug, 2. Level Daybed in Moss Green Leather and Natural Oak , 3. Hugo Footstool in Khaki Linen , 4. Hugo 3-Seater Sofa in Khaki Linen, 5. Rombo Rug
Go Low and Simple
The Japanese are famous for their respect for the roots and continuity of generations. That is why even now traditional Japanese furniture is at the peak of popularity. It’s featured by lowness to the ground (comes from tea ceremonies) and simple designs.
A low plank table with floor cushions is particularly beloved by westerns. It spices up living space and adds needed authenticity.
- Level Daybed in Cognac Leather and Natural Oak - The Danish designed Level Daybed is made of supple leather and sturdy wood components. Crafted with care from long lasting materials and intended to fit into the informal contemporary interior while communicating stability, comfort and craft.
- Mod King Size Bed - If any piece of furniture in our home should reflect our personal style, it should be the bed. The Mod Bed has a character inspired by mid-century designs and comes with solid wood structure dressed in soft fabric.
- Kurly Super King Size Bed - Squared upholstered headboard gives the Kurly bed a minimalistic air. Dark oak wood provides a contrast to the cushioned headboard covered in quality grey linen.
- Baenk Bench - Baenk is a multifunctional bench made of clean minimalistic lines inspired by Nordic traditions. By adding to the bench a shelf and a seat, it can be used in multiple contexts. The circular shaped hole on the side can be used for an umbrella or plant with the middle section upholstered to provide increased comfort.
- Level Daybed in Cognac Leather and Black Oak - The Danish designed Level Daybed is made of supple leather and sturdy wood components. Crafted with care from long lasting materials and intended to fit into the informal contemporary interior while communicating stability, comfort and craft.
“Less is more” - the key concept of Japandic interior design. Focusing on that and following the trends you can create your own sanctuary which will bring you calmness, joy and happiness and save you from the outside fuss and worries.
Bring Outdoor Indoors
In Japandi colour palettes, typically, pale woods and naturally pale grey and beige shades with earthy greens are borrowed from Japanese aesthetics.
Both Scandinavian and Japanese styles pay homage to nature. Bring elements of nature indoors by adding a substantial amount of plants into your interior (if you are indeed a green thumb). Opt out for leafy green plants instead of vased flowers.
Explore the selection of our favourite plant spots around online and offline:
- Patch - great online recourse for a great variety of plants and useful tips and information to help the new plant parents and long-time green thumbs.
- Grace & Thorn - East London based florists well-known for their beautiful flower arrangements often seen in the windows of fashion stores that have a beautiful selection of plants and flowers, all available for home delivery.
- Crocus - online recourse with a wide selection of plants and bulbs, to turn your home into green heaven inside and outside.
- Visit Columbia Road Flower market on Sundays to feel the hustle and bustle of east London with a great variety of potted plants and flowers directly from flower sellers. Everything from bedding plants to 10 foot banana trees are up for grabs.
- Kill The Closest Snake hidden away at Hackney Downs Studios
- Conservatory Archives in Hackney/Clapton is a worth stopping by if you are lost in East London to feel lost in the tropical jungle just as soon as you step off the street. Famous for supplying stores, fashion shoots and spaces in need of green haven.
Simple shapes, light colours, space full of light, natural elements such as wood and traditional plants create the very atmosphere which has been treasured for centuries.