What is Japandi style and how can you achieve this look in your home?

8,000 kilometres.

That’s the distance between Japan and Scandinavia. Yet despite the vast geographic and cultural separation, these two relatively small parts of the world have a great deal in common when it comes to remarkable aesthetics and design.

As much a trending interior design style as a meaningful modern philosophy, Japandi is an international fusion of a way of thinking, a look, and an appreciation of beauty. Here, we take a look into this new interiors trend that’s taking the world by storm — and share some tips to help you achieve this look in your own home.

What is the Japandi style?

At its heart, Japandi is the art of functional design, with emphasis on the art. It takes the internationally adored functional Scandinavian style and merges it with the Zen, compact, and immensely artistic Japanese aesthetic.

Unmistakable and striking hallmarks of Japandi design include a penchant for simplicity over decoration, an adoration and respect for artisans and fine craftsmanship, and a clean and minimal yet warm and cosy atmosphere that seamlessly flows from one room to the next. 

After all, Scandinavian style warmly embraces hygge décor, a style devoted to creating a sense of cosiness, whereas Japanese interiors are known for their wabi sabi style, a unique and striking look that finds the beauty in the imperfect and the incomplete.

How to bring Japandi design into your home

1. Strip down to basics

Invite the exquisite and exotic Japandi style into your home with an interior design makeover that celebrates the minimalism, functionality, and artistry of this aesthetic. Begin with a clean slate – remove as much clutter as you can for an open, airy atmosphere, and use clever storage and design to tuck away any untidiness.

In the living room, the Bronte 3 Seat Sofa in Italian white linen promises plush warm comfort with its multi-layered foam, as well as a refined and minimalistic aesthetic with its clean lines and cool white hue.

2. Focus on natural tones

Look for natural materials in natural, toned-down tones, such as beige, white, brown, and raw timber. In particular, include only pieces that are highly functional yet sleek and minimal.

The Stockholm collection sits comfortably in the clutch of the Japandi style. Perfectly functional, absolutely minimalistic, and undoubtedly beautiful, items such as the Stockholm Sideboard fuse Japanese and Scandinavian styles with ease.

3. Add a bold flair with black accents

It wouldn’t be the iconic Japandi style without sleek black accent pieces. Soft furnishing or lustrous hard-wood cabinets, notes of midnight black placed around a room offer a bold nod to traditional Japanese décor.

Consider the black Hugo Leather Armchair, a vision in lines so sleek as to be delicate, and supple black leather so smooth as to be shining. This chair is comfortable and soft while also embodying the functional, minimalistic look of classic Japandi décor.

If a fully black piece of furniture feels too overwhelming for your space, find other ways to weave this deep hue into your interior design. The painted black elm wood with natural hand-woven cane of the Café Dining Chair promises a sleek compromise between black Japanese furniture and light and airy Scandinavian minimalism.

4. Remember: it’s about quality over quantity

To accessorise your Japandi home, focus on artisanal handmade ceramics and glassware, and add touches of colour and interest with plants and books. The Japandi bedroom could incorporate minimalistic floating shelves tiered with favourite novels, whereas the Japandi kitchen typically is adorned with a small herb garden for both beauty and function.

Overall, use Japanese-inspired hues and designs to add vibrancy and life to Scandinavian minimalism, and use Scandinavian ‘hygge’ to add warmth and comfort to Japanese polish and style.

Ready to bring a touch of Japandi style into your home? Browse the Lounge Lovers Japandi collection now.