Embracing the Art of Living: A Home in Japandi Style

Now that we have looked into the characteristics of Japandi style interiors, we will try to answer the question, "How do you furnish a Japanese style home?"

We will start with the Japandi style bedroom, which more than anything accentuates the pursuit of well-being, serenity and hospitality, found in both Japanese and Scandinavian style interiors. Here, the essential design element is undoubtedly the use of wood. If, until a few years ago, natural wood materials were the only option for those attempting to style this space in observance of the aesthetic canon, today this no longer remains the case.

In terms of aesthetic quality, wood-effect porcelain tile solutions are on a par with natural wood floors and coverings. Indeed, different varieties of precious woods, even the hard to source types of oriental origin, are available.  At the same time, the technical performance of stone tiles is superior to that of any natural material in all respects, including their resistance, stability, durability and sustainability.

As an example, the Bio Attitude collection was designed to bring a touch of authentic naturalness, and to bear a resemblance to the special charm of oak floors. This has been achieved by the pairing together of dark and off-white woodgrains, typically found in woods treated with natural waxes, such as traditional the Japanese ones. The natural look of the collection is enhanced by the microstructure of the surfaces, which perfectly matches their high-resolution graphics.  This results in a refined rustic finish with an exceptional visual balance.

As for the use of colour, the predominant shades for bedrooms in the Japandi style are neutral, soft, and pastel hues. The only intense colours to be used here are midnight blue, dark grey and also, at times, some black.  Additionally, given the numerous plants positioned around a Japandi style interior, using an intense green can also add emphasis to the room.

To establish the right atmosphere in your sleeping area, natural light should fill the room through large windows. This effect can be enhanced by using more white in the bed linens, curtains, and walls.

When selecting furniture, focus on essential pieces that adhere to a streamlined and minimalist design.  Traditional Japanese pieces of furniture that are low to the ground, such as Tatami mats and Futons, and decorative objects, such as Shoji (paper screens) and Ikebana (flower arrangements), can be seamlessly integrated with Scandinavian style elements. So we could use, for example, armchairs with wooden structures and comfortable textile padding, successfully blending these two cultures into a sophisticated and inviting style.

The contemporary Japanese style home: an ode to refined simplicity

In Japandi style homes, every element—from wall coverings to furniture—is dedicated to simplicity and functionality. This is a fundamental aspect, because it is exactly this characteristic that unites the lifestyle ethos of these two cultures.  Overly ornate decorations and maximalism are eschewed in favour of minimalism, where every item is essential and purposeful. Left to the mind’s eye, this Japanese Scandinavian lifestyle could almost be perceived as a refined minimal aesthetic that feels warm and lively through the use of colours and materials.

The colour palette naturally leans towards earthy tones—greys, beiges, and browns—that inspire calmness and a connection to nature. However, there still remains some freedom in the planning of these colours, which arises, above all, from the Scandinavian side along with more recent changes drawn from the oriental influence.

Keeping a distance from traditional Japanese culture, the use of darker and deeper tones is permissible, specifically for countering colder colours, such as the greens and blues. The end result is a more stylish take on Japandi style.

Materials such as wood are predominant, typically in its lighter shades, though darker ones are not excluded either. It is important that it is never painted, but always an expression of natural colours. Among the fabrics, linen and jute strongly highlight the materiality of the raw textile fibre, as do furniture accessories woven from bamboo or wicker. Paper, so prevalent in traditional Japanese decor, also finds its place in light fixtures to create soft and diffused lighting.

To summarise some of the essential characteristics of Japanese and Japandi style interiors:

  • Minimalism:  Spaces are clearly and methodically organized, with each item fulfilling a specific decorative and functional purpose. The design favours clean, simple lines that promote a sense of sophisticated calm.
  • Neutral colours:  The palette is dominated by neutral tones such as white, gray, black, and beige, fostering a tranquil atmosphere.
  • Natural materials:  Using nature-inspired materials like wood, bamboo, linen, and ceramics adds an organic touch to interiors.
  • Natural light:  Large windows, sheer curtains, and open vistas allow natural light to shape indoor spaces dynamically, according to the weather.
  • Harmony between nature and design:  The ultimate design goal is to harmonize indoor and outdoor spaces, seamlessly blending these environments.

Creating zen atmospheres in Japandi Style Bedrooms

Now that we have looked into the characteristics of Japandi style interiors, we will try to answer the question, "How do you furnish a Japanese style home?"

We will start with the Japandi style bedroom, which more than anything accentuates the pursuit of well-being, serenity and hospitality, found in both Japanese and Scandinavian style interiors. Here, the essential design element is undoubtedly the use of wood. If, until a few years ago, natural wood materials were the only option for those attempting to style this space in observance of the aesthetic canon, today this no longer remains the case.

In terms of aesthetic quality, wood-effect porcelain tile solutions are on a par with natural wood floors and coverings. Indeed, different varieties of precious woods, even the hard to source types of oriental origin, are available.  At the same time, the technical performance of stone tiles is superior to that of any natural material in all respects, including their resistance, stability, durability and sustainability.

As an example, the Bio Attitude collection was designed to bring a touch of authentic naturalness, and to bear a resemblance to the special charm of oak floors. This has been achieved by the pairing together of dark and off-white woodgrains, typically found in woods treated with natural waxes, such as traditional the Japanese ones. The natural look of the collection is enhanced by the microstructure of the surfaces, which perfectly matches their high-resolution graphics.  This results in a refined rustic finish with an exceptional visual balance.

As for the use of colour, the predominant shades for bedrooms in the Japandi style are neutral, soft, and pastel hues. The only intense colours to be used here are midnight blue, dark grey and also, at times, some black.  Additionally, given the numerous plants positioned around a Japandi style interior, using an intense green can also add emphasis to the room.

To establish the right atmosphere in your sleeping area, natural light should fill the room through large windows. This effect can be enhanced by using more white in the bed linens, curtains, and walls.

When selecting furniture, focus on essential pieces that adhere to a streamlined and minimalist design.  Traditional Japanese pieces of furniture that are low to the ground, such as Tatami mats and Futons, and decorative objects, such as Shoji (paper screens) and Ikebana (flower arrangements), can be seamlessly integrated with Scandinavian style elements. So we could use, for example, armchairs with wooden structures and comfortable textile padding, successfully blending these two cultures into a sophisticated and inviting style.

Solutions for creating a minimal and elegant Japanese style living room

The Japandi style living area, a space dedicated to hospitality and relaxation, must strike a balance, both in terms of furnishings and the colour scheme of its coverings. In fact, the first element to consider when designing a Japandi living room is colour.  Neutral and warm tones —beige, dove grey, cream, and ivory—best reflect this design ethos, ideally matched with white.

Also in this area, wood-effect entirely predominates every type of surface, and is used to the full for both furniture and the floor coverings.  Parquet flooring is actually perfect for a Japandi style living room.  Nevertheless, this is not the only possible solution.

To recreate the immediate feeling of authenticity that this style strives to evoke, you can also make full use the captivating effect of stone, as seen in the Waterfall collection. These stone tiles reproduce the iridescence so typical of sedimentary rock, embodying the natural transformation process of stone, as it continually changes in appearance.  This way, you can create a surface that is not only captivating and full of character, but is also entirely consistent with Zen philosophy, which inspires the Japandi lifestyle.

Not too many pieces of furniture should be used, and then, only the essentials, which should be defined by clean lines and made with materials of explicit tactile interest.  The space should accommodate low-height sofas and armchairs, reminiscent of those typically found in Japanese homes, and padded with comfortable seats, typical of the colder areas of Northern Europe.

Suspended furniture is also permitted, even if this should be low-hanging, as are sideboards and low-height tables. Indeed, the choice of low-height furniture, according to Japanese tradition, fosters a human connection with plant roots and the Earth. As a general design rule, each piece must reflect the ideals of serenity and nature, and also have the potential to harmonize with the rest of the space.

 

 

The must-haves of the Japandi style kitchen

Even for a Japandi style kitchen, the starting point will still be the influence of wood.  Here it is used as a neutral base for the whole environment, on which other colours and materials can then be brought in, but always discreetly.  As an example, black and yellow ochre could be used as emphasize colours, which combine well into the natural pale-coloured wood scheme, offering a suggestion, but not a visual intrusion.

The qualities of porcelain stone tiles, which are resistant to impact, liquids and temperature changes, make them an essential resource for kitchen use, as is the high level of hygiene they guarantee. They also provide perfect solutions, for example, for recreating a wood-effect kitchen worktop or a parquet floor that is much more resistant than a natural one.

This is also the case with floors created in the Bio Select collection.  These exquisitely and faithfully interpret the essential traits of classic woods, offered in contemporary and balanced colours. Alongside the more natural textures, Bio Select offers a collection brimming with innovative decor, which can be laid down in all the everyday places your home life takes you, making them quite unique.

What is more, an essential in Japandi style kitchens is the use of sliding or pocket doors, which can be used to hide your electrical appliances.  Visually, this means that you will be able to obtain a visually tidier and cleaner space.

To bring the environment even more in line with this aesthetic, it is possible to add lampshades made of rice paper, clay vases, wicker chairs, ceramics and plants.  Finally, to complete your overall look, you can display some of your ingredients, such as fruit and vegetables, which also make excellent decorative objects.

Chiudi