Do you want to know more about this incredible new design trend? This article has a complete introduction, tips and tricks.
There are always new trends and buzzwords around in home decor that come and go. A fancy name for a new paint colour that quickly disappears into the ether. A cool new style that everybody has to have – until they don’t.
There is, however, a new buzzword and design trend that comes around once in a blue moon and you can just tell it’s going to stick. Japandi, is one of those trends. It’s sophisticated, simple and strongly appeals to the sense of zen many of us crave in this hectic world. But what exactly…is it? What does it look like? Is it expensive to incorporate into the home?
Don’t worry, we’ve got all things Japandi covered. From its origins to tips on incorporating it into your home, by the end of this article you’ll be permanently adding this buzzword into your decor vocabulary, and probably wanting a complete redesign of your home too!
Let’s find out about everything Japandi:
So… What IS Japandi?
Japandi, the word, is a literal mixture of Japanese and Scandi. The style itself mixes together something called Wabi-Sabi, which is a specific aspect of Japanese life that can be compared to Hygge, which is sort of the Scandinavian version.
Wabi-Sabi
Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese philosophy that focuses on the beauty of the imperfect, and simple things in nature. It connects deeply to Buddhist thinking and to some degree, it relates to the most natural and unaffected parts of nature. The raw, the lack of westernisation and instead – what is unaffected, flaws and all. With Wabi-Sabi you embrace what is, even if it is not perfect.
Hygge
Hygge is a Danish term of feeling or a general vibe of contentment, cosiness or wellness. The feeling you may get inside when you have that first sip of a hot drink after coming in from the cold. Or the glow you get in your tummy after laughing with friends around a campfire. It’s about illuminating the soul and taking pleasure in the special moments life brings, even if they are simple and stripped back.
Both of these concepts are not ‘things’ but rather concepts and feelings. When it comes to Japandi, these feelings are echoed in the design style, whilst there is also an aesthetic focus on traditional Japanese design, aspects of Japanese flora and fauna, and Scandinavian minimalism.
Both Wabi-Sabi and Hygge have a strong focus on nature and the idea that what is simple and connected to the outside world, is best. This need for stuff and things that we have in our society is rejected. Instead, minimalism is at the core of Japandi, focusing on not how much you have, but choosing very specific pieces and design to serve the purpose of having a full life that does not rely on what you own. Japandi also brings a lot of calm to a space, because of the stripped back aesthetic and the deep connection to nature and all things natural and from the outside world.
How To Incorporate Japandi Into Your Home
If you like the idea of Japandi but you have no idea where to start, first, checkout the following videos. They give you a great visual idea of what the overall design can look like, which you can then use as inspiration to create your own Japandi inspired aesthetic:
Now you’re feeling inspired, let’s take a look at some practical tips to help you get your home thoroughly Japandi’d:
Natural Everything Is Key
Any colours, materials and overall vibe, with Japandi, everything should be very natural, calm and muted. Think stone greys, oatmeal, sand. For materials, think paper, rattan, wicker, cotton. As a general rule, the more natural overall, the better. When colour is introduced it comes in the form of richer wood tones, or some metal. You may also add a splash of colour with things like plants, or even some gentle shades of green, blue or pink. Nothing should jar or clash.
Match Certain Things
Certain things should be matched in Japandi so that the look does not fall away from being coherent. It is OK to have some things that are different, but overall everything needs to work together. So, for example, it is a good idea to keep a leading material such as wood similar in tones throughout the room. The same is for any material that you have a lot of in the room, especially covering large areas like the floor or walls. Keeping things as coherent as possible without being uniform, is really important so that the Japandi look is tied together, to some degree.
Mix The Styles Together
With Scandinavian decor there are differences in the shapes and overall look of different things compared to Japanese style. Furniture, for example, tends to be quite square and geometric, whereas with Japanese style, it is more curved overall. You can mix and match these styles as much as you like, to create the overall Japandi look. The coherence can come from tones and material choices so it is still tied together, but contrasting in a complementary way.
Less Is More
With Japandi the minimalist style is important. No clutter, no extra accessories or ornaments. Everything should be chosen and have a purpose within the space. It can help to place a room’s contents into Storing.com’s cheap self storage and then only add items back in with purpose. Anything else can be kept in cheap self storage at http://www.storing.com or sold, giving you more money to spend on your new Japandi style home instead.
Rugs Are King
With Japandi, rugs are incredibly important. They form a huge part of the design and there should be at least one in every room. They tend to be smaller rugs in this kind of aesthetic rather than a huge piece covering most of the floor. Think a rug by the bed, or a rug runner by the sofa.
Comfort Meets Simplicity
With the Japanese style you may find a lot of things are very stripped back. This could seem to clash a little with the idea of Hygge and making things comfortable and cosy. Actually, it’s a beautiful aspect of Japandi, because you can still have those cosy moments, but in a way that keeps things simple enough so as not to detract from the feeling of well-being itself. A reading corner or cosy bed arrangement can still be loaded with natural blankets and throws. In fact, the Japanese are known for stunning detailed materials, so there’s room for texture play within that too.
Metal & Lighting
Wood is very much a leading texture and material in Scandinavian design and Japandi allows a way in for an industrial element, with metals. This comes in the form of accessories, mostly, including beautiful lighting like lamps or shades. Whilst the lighting should be soft and never harsh, the shades and stands themselves can be a copper or pewter for added warmth, interest and a splash of masculine energy.
Sustainability
Choose pieces for the home that could last a lifetime and try to repurpose pieces you have as not to buy lots of new things for this space. Sustainability is at the core of these kinds of styles because of their connection to minimalism and to nature. If you want some tips on maintaining the simple and sustainable look moving forward without buying into consumerism, look up The Minimalists and consider setting up some strategies to avoid clutter in the future.
How Will You Add Japandi To Your Home?
Japandi is a beautiful, calm, natural style that is perfect for anybody who may want to elevate their minimalist aesthetic at home. Hopefully following our tips and information, you’re feeling inspired to take your home to the next level using this innovative and interesting decor style in 2022.
