Maybe you, too, are a fan of the Japandi style—just like we are—or perhaps you’re simply looking for information on this decor trend to broaden your perspective; maybe you’ve come here out of curiosity or even by chance. Either way, the first thing you should know—in our opinion—is that whether you’re defining, embracing, or putting this particular style into practice—or any style, for that matter—you’ll need to be patient.
On the internet, you’ll find plenty of articles and videos discussing the Japandi style—a fusion of Japanese and Scandi (or Nordic) styles—and most of them offer interesting information to help you get started, but you’ll have to figure out the formula on your own, or consult qualified specialists to guide you.
Metal Mango Dining Table, 200x100x76 cm
722.82 €
Mango Dining Table 120x120x76 cm
€499.01
Marble-Top Metal Coffee Table, 80x80x40 cm
643.78 €
Marble-Top Metal Coffee Table, 61 x 61 x 47.5 cm
353.79 €
Marble Coffee Table with Mango Wood, 85 x 85 x 45 cm
449.09 €
Acacia Coffee Table 80x80x38 cm
338.01 €
Mango Coffee Table 90x90x40 cm
516.12 €
Mango Coffee Table 147 x 45 x 76 cm
351.47 €
Coatings
Larger spaces are a good place to start an interior design project if you don’t know
where to begin. One of the first conclusions you might reach if you’re going it alone is that, despite being so new, the Japandi style has its variations, and the line separating it from other styles can easily become blurred.
That said, we’ll choose one of the most common styles to illustrate the Japandi aesthetic. In this style, the space serves as a blank canvas; floors—with the help of rugs and/or carpeting—as well as walls and ceilings are all finished in this shade. Then, if you’d like to add a richer touch, you always have the option of incorporating texture through techniques such as stucco and embossed wallpaper, or leaving the surfaces smooth in the purest Zen style.
It’s common to see wood floors and even microcement, even on walls.
Matte finishes
Spaciousness, cleanliness, and order
Less is more. The essence of the Japandi style is to create minimalist spaces, but the sense of spaciousness—which is a top priority—goes even further thanks to the Japanese culture that shapes it. This style also seeks to ensure the free flow of Qi or Chi—the “flow of vital energy”—by removing obstacles and maintaining continuity between different spaces.
Therefore, open spaces will be the norm, although you can also define spaces using sliding doors, paper screens, natural materials, fabric, or slatted dividers.
Materials
Wood takes center stage. This is especially true for furniture and larger pieces—raw or minimally processed, with rough or very natural finishes. Natural fibers and materials play a significant role in the designs; as a result, we’ll see chairs and furniture made of jute, wicker, rattan, and, occasionally, leather. Upholstery made of linen, cotton, and wool; stone countertops; ceramic and bamboo decorations; glass vases…
The use of metal is not very widespread, but it can be seen in small details such as handles. Handcrafted ceramic pieces influenced by the Wabi-Sabi philosophy—the perfection of imperfection—and the Kintsugi technique—the art of repairing cracks with gold.
Furniture
The Japandi style is the result of two cultures deeply connected to nature and their surroundings, so we’ll see low-profile furniture that fosters a connection to the earth—a hallmark of Japanese culture—and light-colored woods that evoke Nordic winters.
Teak and Leather Stool, 41x53x90 cm, Brown
€322.97
Teak and Leather Stool, 41x53x90 cm, Black
€322.97
Olmo Fibra Chair 57x53x78 cm
234.53 €
Olmo Rattan Chair 57x48x80 cm
223.59 €
Teak and Rattan Chair 51x48x86 cm
269.39 €
Teak Chair, 66x73x77 cm, Light Brown
361.69 €
Teak Chair, 66x73x77 cm, Dark Brown
Price
Teak and Leather Chair, 65x79x70 cm
334.07 €
Beige Fabric 3-Seater Sofa, Living Room, 177x96x93 cm
1,235.01 €
Beige Fabric 4-Seater Sofa, Living Room, 220x96x93 cm
1,567.51 €
Beige Fabric Chaise Longue Sofa, Living Room, 253x160x93 cm
2,080.51 €
Teca Rattan Bench, 120x76x68 cm, Brown
381.09 €
Simplicity and Harmony
In addition to being a hybrid style, as we’ve already mentioned, Japandi is a philosophy connected to nature that shuns the superfluous by avoiding unnecessary objects and decorations. Accessories must be carefully considered and chosen with great care. Their designs feature simple, organic lines that highlight and celebrate artisanal craftsmanship.
Art
We’ll cover the topic of color later, but when it comes to art, we’ll give you a heads-up: abstract art—which doesn’t feature a lot of color—is the preferred choice. You might think that The Great Wave off Kanagawa, the rising sun, or even a geisha or a samurai—if used sparingly—could look great with careful integration, but we’re not so sure. Since this style prioritizes mental and spiritual peace, it will always steer clear of distractions and ideologies.
Erosi Bowl, 3 Legs, Black, 28x26x16 cm
33.31 €
River Stone Plate 32x25x3 cm
21.61 €
Erosi Bleached Bowl 30x30x7 cm
27.01 €
Erosi Bleached Centerpiece, 55x28x12 cm
63.01 €
Erosi Center with Handle, 60x25x30 cm
63.01 €
Kubu Round Rattan Basket with Rope, Set of 3, 40x40x40 cm
117.01 €
Primitive Timor Statue 10x10x100 cm
86.41 €
Seated Primitive Timor Statue, 20x20x160 cm
86.41 €
Primitive Uma Statue, 10x10x100 cm
57.61 €
Primitive Uma Statue, 10x10x100 cm
57.61 €
Erosi Teka Natural Figurine, 17x11x35 cm
19.81 €
Erosi Teka Natural Figurine, 30x16x60 cm
37.81 €
Erosi Tree Trunk Figurine 38x14x54 cm
34.21 €
Stone Horse Figurine 40x5x30 cm
63.01 €
Large Totem Figure, 40x40x200 cm
495.01 €
Neptune Wide Vase, 25x25x25 cm
32.41 €
Neptune Bleached Vase, 25x25x30 cm
39.60 €
Apollo Terracotta Vase, 25x25x30 cm
45.01 €
Apollo Gray Vase, 23x23x30 cm
45.01 €
Large Gray Apollo Vase, 50x50x80 cm
225.01 €
Lighting
Japandi is a fusion that results in bright, timeless spaces with a warmer, more elegant touch thanks to the Scandi influence.
The need for matte finishes can be understood as the absence of shine and distractions in our quest for relaxed atmospheres; the latter, in turn, are more likely to evoke an atmosphere of opulence and luxury.
J/2 Ceiling Lamp 35x35x28 cm
150.49 €
Ceiling Light 33x33x58 cm
126.73 €
Rattan and Metal Floor Lamp, 50x50x128 cm
77.15 €
Rattan and Metal Floor Lamp, 38x38x117 cm
64.57 €
Recycled Wood Floor Lamp 40x34x154 cm
176.02 €
Plants
The ideal choice for this style is to incorporate plants with medium- to large-sized leaves that are tall, simple, and elegant. A ficus or a bamboo palm are good options, as are Adam’s ribs or low-growing shrubs, such as rosemary.
Japanese Ikebana-style floral arrangements made with twigs, herbs, and subtle, simple flowers are the perfect choice whenever you want to add a touch of color. If you want to add more elements of this type, you can opt for dried flowers—there’s a wide variety to choose from—but just make sure to stick to the style’s color palette.
Eco Ficus Tree
139.17 €
Mini Olive Tree, 175 cm
350.76 €
Subtle contrasts
Colors
In general, neutral color palettes with a few pops of color will predominate: beige or light wood tones, whites, grays, and even blacks—as is characteristic of the Nordic or Scandi style. The main accent comes from muted, cool pastel tones in decorative accents and small pieces, such as those in the green and blue spectrum. You can also use shades of red to add a touch of vibrancy, but stick to the softer tones, such as light terracotta and pastel pinks.
Some pieces of furniture, inspired by the decor of the most traditional Japanese homes, can be made in medium and/or dark shades; however, this is much less common.
The color black is very characteristic of the Nordic style, and in the Japandi style, it works great in small touches, accessories, and details such as window frames.
And for those who love color, we recommend letting your passion run wild on a feature wall, an accessory, or a colorful painting—as long as the overall design maintains the simplicity that defines us.
Balance
The overall goal when mixing styles is to strike the perfect balance; therefore, if you find that a space is feeling too Asian, use textiles to balance it out—they’ll add some Scandi warmth.
If you’re looking for a gradual transition, start by updating your small furniture pieces—such as Nordic-style chairs, stools, benches, and armchairs—which are so characteristic of the Nordic style and also blend well with other styles.
