The infusion or a blend of Japanese and Scandinavian styles named as ‘Japandi’ and I will explain achieving 21 ways to Japandi Style. It sometimes also named as ‘Japanordic’ or ‘Scandenese.’ Almost all articles point out that ‘Japandi’ style carries the characteristics of both design trends.
Having said that, this style has the idea of Scandinavian Hygiene-creating warmth/cosiness. It also shows the comfort with the right amount of items- which is the concept of Lagosm- by finding the beauty in the imperfect- which is the philosophy of Wabi-Sabi- which signifies finding beauty -of the Japanese design.
Whilst it is a true view, Japan has the main characteristics of basic design principles and mostly the minimalist design style. So I will compile a list of tips and tricks that will help you achieve a Japandi style for your rooms and your house.
Here are the 21 ways to Japandi Style;
1- Follow the minimalist design principles;
2- Use simple clean lines;
3- De-clutter the spaces,
4- Use of natural materials,
5- Use of wood-usually light oak,
6- Use Natural fabrics,
7- Simple but warm/natural textures,
8- Incorporate (playful) patterns with the (hand-crafted) geometrics,
9- Neutral colours,
10- Add a contrast tone and mix dark contrast with the Scandinavian neutral tones,
11- Advocate for eco-friendly and local, even sustainable materials such as bamboo,
12- Quality of materials,
13- Quality and bespoke craftsmanship,
14- One or two main statement pieces,
15- Elegant plants- the right amount in the space- such a bonsai, bamboo hanging planters,
16- Light materials/products (with a functional purpose)- every piece item has a purpose
17- Go down to earth, such as lowering the height of furniture
18- Create balanced hue lighting and don’t increase a sharp brightens.
19- Prefer to use local ‘Soji, sliding doors and lighting
20- Be aware of the use of symbolism from Japanese design
21- Be modest and be aware of some change of a lifestyle- which is more sustainable
The 21 Ways to Create Japandi Style in Your Home
1- Follow the Minimalist design principles
The infusion of these two styles follows the minimalist design principles. Minimalism is a design and art style that reacts to the excessiveness of the maximalist design and abstract expressionist art. It started with the peak point of the modern movement of the 1950s, whilst there are views that minimalist art and architecture has its roots/inspiration from Japanese architecture.
So no matter what, the basic design principles of minimalism is to take everything to its essential quality and achieve simplicity as Franco Bertoni said in his book Minimalist Architecture.
Take everything to its essential quality and achieve simplicity.
– Franco Bertoni
2- Achieve simple and clean lines
So achieving simple clean lines is the goal in Japandi style. However, this simplicity is a bit different from the one aimed in the modernist manifesto.
Simplicity, which is different from a modernist manifesto of less is more. In modernist simplicity, everybody memorizes the ‘less is more’ manifesto. It is more formal than the philosophy of simplicity Japanese art and architecture- hence Japandi design.
-human needs
In both Japanese and Scandinavian design styles, simplicity is the centre for human needs. Neither of them forgets people’s need.
Hence, modern design is more formal than the Japanese and Scandinavian. If you like to place people in the centre of the design, then go with Japandi style.
Simplicity is the centre for human needs in minimalist design of the ‘Japandi’.
– Dr Hatice Ozhisar
3- Create decluttered spaces
If you follow the minimalism and clean lines, then you eventually make de-clutter spaces, which is another characteristic of this style.
So, Zen- which influenced Japanese architecture- has a moral perception that looks into the nature of truth and reveals the inner qualities and essence of materials and objects.
4- Use natural materials
This is really important and is necessary if you like to create a Japandi style based on the minimalist design principles, because as Bertoni pointed out that minimalism is not a physical aspect of the design.
Hence, it also considers the spiritual and abstract assets such as nature, people, abstract figures, natural light, sky, earth and air. Humans have a connection and dialogue with the surrounding environment.
5- Use wood
In this context, the use of wood- mostly the light oak is one of the favoured material in Japandi design when it comes in relation to the natural material.
Scandinavian Japan have both harsh natural conditions, cold, wind earthquakes may make both cultures aware of the power of nature and. Respect it so that they can both live peacefully. In this view, wood is one of the most significant material since it provides strength and warmth without giving any excess damage and danger.
6- Use Natural fabrics
Make sure you prefer natural fabrics such as cotton and wool for the upholstery, curtains, drapery, cushions and pillows, so that you’re not conflicting with the basic design principles.
7- Prefer simple, warm and natural textures
However, it is not the type of the fabric but the design and texture have a significant impact to create a warm, cosy and natural room.
8- Blend playful patterns with the geometrics
9- Use neutral colours
10- Add a contrast tone
Mix dark contrast with the Scandinavian neutral tones.
11- Advocate eco-friendly and local materials
– even sustainable ones such as bamboo
It is in the concept of the Japandi design naturally.
12- Invest in high-quality furniture
Both the Scandinavian and Japanese designs aim the function and aesthetics of the furniture.
13- Look for quality and bespoke craftsmanship
A Simple design comes to reality with perfect craftsmanship.
The summary of the ‘Wabi-Sabi’ is the simple idea of form executed via the perfect craftsmanship.
14- Focus one or two statement pieces
15- Go with the elegant plants
Prefer elegant plans such a bonsai, bamboo and hanging planters in the right amount
16- Use light and functional materials
In Japandi style every piece of the item has a purpose.
17- Go down to earth
Lower the height of the furniture in your room. Especially, lower the bed better design purpose in your bedroom.
18- Create balanced hue lighting
The spaces in your home should be in harmony and not have sharp bright illuminations and lights
19-Use ‘Shoji’ panels and lighting
20- Be aware of the symbolism in ‘Japandi’
21- Understand the ‘Japandi’ philosophy
Japandi is more of a lifestyle and philosophy rather than a trend or physical design organization.
Conclusion:
The infusion of Japanese and Scandinavian styles is called Japandi that covers the characteristics of both design styles. The warmth and cosiness of the Scandinavian design mix with the comfort and minimalism of Japanese design.
All in all, simple clean lines, de-cluttered spaces, natural materials and textile such as wood are the basic principles of Japandi. The light and low items are used in interiors.
Besides, the geometric shapes and texture on the natural material, neutral colours with dark contrast define the characteristics too. However, the good quality furniture and craftsmanship, eco-friendly and local materials, and modest lifestyle philosophy may be the most intrinsics of this style.
If you want to get more design inspiration, you can read my tips about creating a cosy room from here.
