Scandinavian and Japanese interiors are coveted around the world by many property owners and developers, which is why the two widespread themes joined forces to introduce Japandi – a fusion of clean, Scandi minimalism and the zen tranquility of East Asian culture.
The Japandi Theme:
Think everything Scandinavian – light woody notes, soft lines and contrasting materials – and combine with the Japanese love for uncluttered, natural living. With these two themes intertwining, the result is beautiful, harmonious and textural, exploring understated contrasts, tranquility and the idea of ‘bringing the outdoors in’ – a common characteristic in Japanese lifestyles, also known as the practice of Kanso.
The Japandi Colours:
Japandi homes are all about naturalism, from soft wood to perfect greenery. By incorporating the calm themes of Scandinavia with the beneficial elements of Japanese architecture, Japandi not only enhances the space but delivers certified improvements on the state of health and wellbeing, particularly by house plants which is proven to 1) improve your mood, 2) lower anxiety levels, 3) reduce fatigue and 4) boost the immune system. With this, you should focus on incorporating plenty of light to radiate the space which can be offset by using either light or dark contrasts throughout, whether you opt for a deep earthy tone that’s enhanced by soft wood or a light base that allows colours such as matte black to diffuse the space. Of course, greenery can be added to suit your preference and in the Japandi theme, there’s no such thing as too many house plants. This calming contrast of colours creates a spa-grade aesthetic to the space, allowing a room of serenity and escapism from the everyday stresses of life.
The Japandi Textures:
Texture is a hallmark of Japanese architecture and with woody blends also profound within Scandi homes, the importance of texture in this trend is highly significant and can be used as an explorative way of decorating, finding ways that opposing textures and tones of wood can complement each other. Once you have your woody notes, find your textures that are really going to enhance the wood, such as matte black brassware, deep grey plant pots or lampshades. It’s a way to beautifully mismatch without appearing mismatched.
The Japandi Functionality:
One thing the Japanese culture is in favour of is complete functionality, which is why some of the world’s most innovative inventions derive from Japan. Unlike many interiors where unnecessary objects perform as part of the decor, Japandi ensures that each element serves practicality, from wood vanity units hosting generous storage to your house plants performing as mood boosters, not one piece of furniture should appear as useless. This mantra is why Japanese homes may appear much cleaner and uncluttered than most British ones, because functionality is key.
No design project is complete without a checklist, which is why we’ve created the ultimate Japandi interior checklist, ensuring you will tick all the boxes in both Japanese and Scandinavian decor…
Check out some of our client projects below, each of which has demonstrated perfect use of the Japandi trend.
For more design inspiration and decor tips, keep an eye out on the Lusso blog. You may also want to visit our Help & Advice centre for tips on purchasing products, the cleaning of products and any FAQs you may need answering.
