What’s Japandi? Interior Decor Tips For Your Next Home Makeover
It’s More Than Just A Trend, It’s A Lifestyle!
A new season calls for a fresh vibe. Take your home to the next level by giving it a Japandi makeover!
It’s the perfect season for a cozy home makeover. Opting for deep colors, warm neutrals and earthy accents helps create a more welcoming and relaxing space. While you could gravitate towards the classic cottage-core aesthetic, how about experimenting with an interior design trend called “Japandi”?
Japandi is a blend of Japanese and Scandinavian minimalist design aesthetics. Similar to cottage-core, it focuses on cozy settings, natural elements and simple living while staying true to Japanese and Scandinavian philosophies like “wabi-sabi” (finding beauty in imperfection) and “hygge” (comfort and coziness). If you’re passionate about interior design, Japandi is one hot trend to play around with this fall.
Creative Ways To Give Your Home A Japandi Makeover
Remember, to fit the “Japandi” aesthetic, look for items made from natural materials with clean, functional designs. With that in mind, let’s move forward!
Stick To A Warm Neutral Color Palette
© Photo by iStock: onurdongelFrom the color of your sofa to cushions, wallpapers, curtains, bed sheets, rugs and throw blankets, opt for a softer, muted palette like:
- Beige
- Earthy Brown
- Pastels
- Eggshell White
- Taupe
- Grey
- Sage
Softer hues are gentle on the eyes and create a warm ambiance in your home.
Savvy Decor Tip
Adding wall texture can create a refreshing contrast between neutral furniture and artsy wallpapers. How elegant would an accent wall featuring lines, wooden panels and Spanish knife texture look?
Keep It Natural
© Photo by iStock: FollowTheFlowWhen shopping for furniture and home decor, choose pieces made from:
- Oak Wood
- Thin Glass
- Natural Bamboo
- Rattan
- Rustic Stones
- Washi Paper
- Handmade Ceramics
These pieces are not only aesthetically pleasing but also eco-friendly and free from chemicals. Low wooden furniture, sliding shoji doors, warm lighting and items made from natural materials help create a zen-like atmosphere.
Savvy Decor Tip
If you have extra space to spare, add a tiny water feature to your home. Whether you choose a tabletop fountain, an indoor pond or a tetsu bachi (Japanese water basin) with a sleek bamboo dispenser, your home will feel like a haven of peace and tranquility.
Invest In Key Furniture Pieces
© Photo by iStock: FollowTheFlowTo know whether a piece of furniture fits the Japandi aesthetic, it should be functional, stylish and minimalistic. Furniture that’s closer to the ground creates a stronger connection to nature. That means low beds, sofas, coffee tables, shelving units and chairs. Add warmth to your place by opting for woven rugs, lantern lamps, tatami mats and throw cushions.
Savvy Decor Tip
Accent chairs, low sofas and pendant lamps are great ways to add freshness and personality to neutral spaces.
You could also display two or three dainty branches in a vase, a three-wick scented candle or frame a traditional patterned tenugui (decorative towel) for a centerpiece.
Plants Freshen Up Your Home
© Photo by iStock: FollowTheFlowPlants breathe life into monotonous spaces. Decorating your home with indoor plants invites positive energy, improves air quality, enhances mood, reduces stress and balances humidity levels. Even owning a few plants is a fantastic way to connect with nature and bring a sense of the outdoors indoors.
Savvy Decor Tip
Japandi-style plants tend to be more sculptural and big on personality. Think ficus benjamin, bonsai, olive tree, polyscias wing, kokedama plants and monstera. If you do not have the time and energy to care for live plants, you can opt for artificial ones.
Choose Natural Fabrics
© Photo by iStock: Liudmila ChernetskaSure, fabrics like nylon, polyester, rayon and acrylic are less expensive than natural fabrics, but in the long run, they are harmful to your health and the environment. While natural fabrics like cotton, linen, hemp and wool cost more, they are biodegradable, comfortable, durable and sustainable.
Savvy Decor Tip
We’re obsessed with this organic cotton cushion cover, this round reed sitting cushion and this wool carpet.
Select Japanese Patterns
© Photo by iStock: heloviOnce you’ve purchased your natural fabric and decor items, the next step is choosing patterns. Don’t shun away from experimenting; let your creativity flow freely with this one. Japanese patterns like hishi (diamond), same komon (shark skin), seigaiha (blue ocean waves), asanoha (hemp leaf pattern) complement the Japandi aesthetic.
Savvy Decor Tip
Here are some elegant furniture and decor pieces with Japanese patterns that we’ve found: this pottery ware set, this cushion cover and this folkdrakter tablecloth.
Invite Natural Light Into Your Home
© Photo by iStock: Navamin keawmorakotNatural light makes your home look more inviting and lively. South and East-facing homes receive the best sunlight. If your home does not attract enough natural light, fill your space with warm, mood lights. These can cultivate a relaxing, romantic and focused environment.
Savvy Decor Tip
Lamps like this donut lamp, this Japanese paper lantern, this sunset lamp, this washi pendant light and this glass lamp are perfect for setting the vibe.
Add Pops Of Color Sparingly
© Photo by iStock: ume illusWhen decorating your home in a Japandi style, keep statement decor items to a bare minimum. Look for bright art paintings and pieces with simple lines and uncomplicated patterns. Mustard yellow, lemon yellow, olive green, seafoam, pale lavender, mint green and baby pink are easy-to-see colors.
Savvy Decor Tip
Some decor item ideas could be art prints, bowls, decorative plates and table decor.
And, Don’t Forget…
© Photo by iStock: Satoshi-KSpacing and Alignment
Furniture and decor items should be aligned carefully to create a sense of balance and harmony. The spacing need not be perfect since the goal is to give the room a more organic and natural look. Every item on display should serve a purpose, and the space between them must be enough to maintain an airy atmosphere and facilitate easy movement.
To Declutter
Follow Marie Kondo’s method of only keeping things that serve a purpose and bring joy. Developing a less-is-more approach to decluttering can bring positivity and happiness to your home.
Follow The Minimalist Path
The fewer furniture and decor pieces you have, the more spacious the room appears. Creating an obstacle-free layout allows light, positivity and ventilation to flow into your house. Be mindful of your spending habits by purchasing quality goods over quantity. Decluttering your whole house in one go can be an exhausting and overwhelming experience. Space it out into sections. Focus on one room/shelf/cupboard at a time to prevent burnout.
By now, we hope you’re feeling inspired enough to decorate your home for fall. Keep in mind, the core of the Japandi aesthetic is simplicity, minimalism, sustainability and functionality.
Happy designing!
Leave a Reply