The subdued Japandi design aesthetic, which combines Japanese and Scandinavian styles, is gaining popularity in the United States. This peaceful approach to decor promotes relaxation at home by blending the aesthetics of each region into one look. However, to fully understand Japandi, it helps to know about the main ideas of Japanese design.
Japanese design is based on simplicity and connection with nature. It features clean lines, rough textures, a neutral color palette, natural materials, and a minimalist style. For Keiji Ashizawa, an architect and product designer at Keiji Ashizawa Design in Tokyo, the word that comes to mind is “harmony.” “We’re always working towards harmony. We match the color palette and materials,” says Ashizawa, citing the importance of using complementary colors and textures.
Provided by: Keiji Ashizawa Design
Simplicity is also important, says Tadashi Kaneko of Crafits Design Studio and Ippin Project in Brooklyn, New York. “‘Simple’ is the key word as a basic aesthetic sense related to design, not just interior design, but also architecture, products, fashion, etc.” In contrast to Western design aesthetics, which seem to encourage the addition of interior components, Japanese design encourages less decoration and the removal of distracting elements. In other words, Japanese interior design embraces the idea that less is more.
The concept of “ma” is also used in Japanese design. Ma is defined as negative or empty space. In Japanese culture, ma is not just a design concept, but a concept that focuses on empty space and time where people can stop and breathe. When it comes to design, it’s really about keeping spaces open and not crowding the room. This openness is believed to enable harmony between indoor and outdoor spaces.
These principles are also reflected in the country’s lush gardens and architecture. “It’s a very beautiful culture,” Ashizawa says. The gardens are “as beautiful today as they were 600 years ago.”
Japanese interior design principles
Provided by: Keiji Ashizawa Design
1. Incorporate natural materials and textures
Do you want to express the tranquility of Japanese space? Choose a concise palette of natural materials such as wood and stone. Kaneko advises, “We recommend using bright natural wood with less redness, such as birch or white oak.” In Japanese interiors, both the ceiling and floor are often covered with wooden boards.
Photo provided by: KEIJI ASHAZAWA DESIGN Photo provided by: CRAFITS DESIGN STUDIO
2. Use a neutral color palette
In traditional Japanese interiors, “the walls are white or stucco in a light beige tone,” says Kaneko. His favorite paint colors include Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace, Snowfall White, and “a slightly textured Japanese plaster.” When colors appear, Ashizawa explains, they are inspired by nature and often exhibit subtle gradations. “Rather than using a perfect white, use a nuanced white,” he says. It’s a white that blends in with the floor, so it may have a little brown in it.
ben richards
3. Bring the outdoors indoors
Japanese architecture is known for its fusion of interior and exterior spaces. Add floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors to open your home to the garden and let in fresh air. “Go out on the “veranda” and enjoy the view of the garden. “Enjoy the view from the “yukimi shoji” window and bring nature indoors,” says Kaneko. The view of the lush garden is an active part of the design and acts as an ever-changing piece of art.
If you don’t have a porch or backyard, create an indoor garden by planting succulents and herbs in small pots. Place containers on shelves or end tables to add natural decor.
Provided by: Keiji Ashizawa Design
4. Reduce visual clutter
“Noisy is an important word,” says Ashizawa. “I try to avoid loud things. The world is very noisy now. Even cell phones have to keep responding and there are a lot of loud things in our heads. Design So you’ll feel less noisy and calmer.”His best advice? “Keep it simple.” For Ashizawa, less clutter also means more freedom. “Always stay organized,” he emphasizes.
Minimize clutter by doing a daily or weekly home reset routine, and use baskets and storage containers to organize your belongings. Japanese style emphasizes functionality, so it’s also important to evaluate which of your belongings serve a specific purpose in your daily life. If your needs cannot be met, please consider donating or keeping it.
Provided by: CRAFITS DESIGN STUDIO
5. Accessorize intentionally
In Japan, decorations are done with purpose. “A traditional Japanese-style room has an alcove, which has space to display hanging scrolls and flower arrangements,” says Kaneko. “There aren’t many paintings or decorations on the walls outside of the alcove.” She recommends leaving the walls clear, with the exception of one unique piece, such as a vase or piece of art. “Symbolically, displaying the work of your favorite artisan may enrich your lifestyle.”
Provided by: Keiji Ashizawa Design
6. Choose simple furniture
Tables, chairs, and accessories should match the interior decor, including floors and walls, in both color and material. I prefer natural materials like light-colored wood to keep the overall aesthetic clean and minimal. Mixing and layering similar tones and textures with minimal but intentional contrast creates a sense of harmony.
Also consider the height and shape of the furniture. Japanese furniture is often characterized by clean lines, organic shapes, soft curves, and delicate textures. They also often sit close to the floor.
7. Incorporate Japanese paper
Washi is traditional handmade Japanese paper. In addition to artwork, they are also used for screens called shoji, which act as room dividers, and even for doors and windows. When you shine a light behind a screen covered with washi paper, the washi paper emits a gentle light. Incorporating this calming texture has a soothing effect that promotes rest. “Doors made with washi paper or kumiko are works of art that naturally blend into architecture while simplifying the space,” says Kaneko.
A simple lantern is another way to achieve the soft, inviting glow of illuminated paper. Created by designer Isamu Noguchi in the 1950s, globe-shaped paper pendants and freestanding table lamp-sized lanterns are midcentury modern design elements that will stand the test of time.
Dane Tashima
8. Embrace the dark look
Dark colors for home exteriors are becoming more popular, led by “shosugiban,” a Japanese word meaning wood siding that has been burned to preserve, increase durability, and increase fire, pest, and weather resistance. . This process, usually used on cypress or cedar, has been practiced in Japan since the 18th century and results in a dark wood that is almost jet black. Sho cedar boards used for the exterior of homes have a unique texture and some of the wood grain is visible through them, giving them a dramatic yet natural impression. It somehow manages to stand out and blend in with its surroundings at the same time. You can achieve a similar look by painting your home a dark color with a matte finish.
Traditional Japanese design and modern Japanese design
Both traditional Japanese interior design style and modern Japanese interior design style are characterized by a minimalist aesthetic. Mr. Kaneko points out, “In terms of appearance, old houses were built with exposed wooden pillars and beams.Modern Japanese designs are cleaner.” “If you want to incorporate good old Japanese style while preserving the simplicity of Japan, using dark stained wood for the walls and furniture will create a more casual atmosphere reminiscent of a private home.”
