All About Japandi Design, a Mix of Japanese and Scandinavian Design (2024)

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Japandi style (Japanese and Scandi) refers to a fusion of traditional Japanese and Scandinavian styles, both of which are centered around simplicity, natural elements, and comfort. Below, you will learn more about Japandi design's origins and key characteristics, so that you can introduce this increasingly popular aesthetic into your own home.

What Is Japandi Design?

Japandi design combines the light, bright, and functional aspects of Scandinavian design with the warm, sophisticated elements of Japanese design. As a result, Japandi is minimalist, earthy, and organic.

What Are the Elements of Japandi?

The perfect fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian, Japandi design focuses on minimalist designs that are aesthetically pleasing yet highly functional.

"The biggest focus is to stay with subtleness," says Julee Wray, founder of Truss Interiors. "Less is more!"

Japandi styles feature beautiful craftsmanship with a focus on quality and handmade pieces over throwaway, cheap structures.

You'll also see a lot of neutral colors and paint choices to complement Japandi furniture and accessories. Calming, tranquil, and peaceful palettes are typically chosen, and when brighter colors are incorporated, they are done so meaningfully and subtly.

Additionally, Japandi styles often emphasize sustainability. The prevalence of natural materials and simple designs makes it a great green decor style. With more and more consumers looking toward eco-friendly aesthetics, Japandi's popularity is no surprise.

History of Japandi Design

Japandi design came to fruition when Scandinavian designers began traveling to Japan roughly 150 years ago, once borders became open and the country became accessible to tourists.

How Japanese and Scandinavian Styles Work Together

If you're familiar with Scandi design, you're sure to have come across the notion of "hygge." This is the Scandinavian concept of coziness in design and has found increasing popularity in the United States over the past few years. Basically, hygge means that your home should be your sanctuary and provide a feeling of comfort every time you walk in the front door.

Now, fuse that idea with the Japanese notion of "wabi-sabi," or the idea that there is beauty in imperfection, and you create the design marriage that is Japandi. Japanese and Scandinavian design styles work so well together because they are both rooted in minimalism and comfort. The shared aesthetics of the two come together to create a style that is both easygoing and sophisticated.

And where the two approaches diverge, their differences actually complement each other. Where Japanese interiors are sleek, Nordic ones are rustic. The richer (but still neutral) colors of Japanese design help to keep the stark, crisp palettes of Scandinavian homes from feeling clinical or cold.

"By combining the two, we are elevating Scandinavian design and making Japanese design more accessible," explains MarkCravotta, the founder of ofCravotta Interiors.

How Can I Decorate in Japandi Style?

It's easy to incorporate Japandi style in your own home. Below are a few designer-approved ways to get started.

Incorporate Natural Materials

Focus on natural materials such as unfinished woods or bamboo pieces that bring in the feeling of nature and simplistic beauty. Leni Calas, the founder of Ward 5 Design, recommends using muted colors with hints of pale green or bringing plants and greenery into your home to give it a sense of outdoor living. Wooden pieces also fit well in Japandi style spaces, says Eilla Adi, the founder of Eilla Adi Design, who recommends oak wood furniture in particular.

Cut the Clutter

Reducing clutter is also key to achieving the Japandi style. This design aesthetic focuses on clean lines and open spaces. But if you have an active household, Calas suggests trying "faux minimalism" with natural containers such as boxes and baskets, built-ins, or folding screens to hide excess stuff and keep your space feeling clutter-free.

Use Lots of Texture

To get the best of both worlds, draw on the coziness of Scandi design with warm textures and soft pieces while maintaining the elegance of Japanese decor. Adi advises decorating with boucle fabric and ceramic accents. While both styles have a focus on the utilitarian, it's important to maintain a Zen-like sense of calm in your space. With Japandi style, there is "an emphasis on creating a cozy atmosphere," Adi says.

Keep Color Variation to a Minimum

Now is not the time to go all in with various color combinations.

"The simplicity of a mostly monochromatic palette is key," Truss says. She advises selecting one lead color and one accent color but not expanding beyond those two hues.

Invest in Quality Items

Because Japandi design is focused on craftsmanship, it's not meant to be throwaway. Look for pieces that will stand the test of time and work with your decor for years to come. It's a clear antidote to the one-time-use culture we have embraced for so long. Instead, focus on pieces that are sustainable and safe for our planet.