Ten elegant living rooms featuring Japandi interior design (2024)

The minimalist styles and natural materials used in both Japan and Scandinavia come together in this lookbook, containing 10living rooms that have been decorated with Japandi interior design.

"Japandi" has become the denomination for interiors where Japanese minimalism meets Scandinavian functionality. Simple, pared-back designs and natural materials are some of the key characteristics of the style.

Bare branches and dried flowers add an organic touch to the interiors, which also tend to feature an abundance of wood – a material used in both Japanese and Scandinavian interiors.

This is the latestlookbook in a series providing visual inspiration for interior designers and design lovers. Previous lookbooks in the series have showcased plant-filled offices, calm living rooms and interiors made from biomaterials.

Montreal House, Canada, by Talo Studio

A historic Montreal house was given a contemporary update by design studio Talo Studio, which played with textures to create the home's minimalist aesthetic.

"A thick rounded sofa is combined with a low linear slatted coffee table and nubby rug with a subtle swirl, reminiscent of a Japanese garden," studio founder Tiina Vahtola told Dezeen.

An angular Hans Wegner lounge chair with a sheepskin throw nods to the Scandinavian influence.

Find out more about Montreal House ›

The Audo, Denmark, by Norm Architects and Menu

Danish design brand Menu and architecture studio Norm Architects collaborated on the design of The Audo, a hotel in Copenhagen's Nordhavn area.

A coffee table in veiny Carrara marble adds pattern interest to the room's muted design, while a woven rug and rock-like ceramic sculpture stand out against the bare walls. The room's beige sofa with a wooden frame evokes functional Japanese furniture.

Find out more about The Audo ›

Biscuit Loft apartment, USA, by OWIU Studio

Japanese design elements were added to this industrial loft space in Brooklyn, New York, such as a raised platform that can double as a bed frame. In the living room, a classic white Eames lounge chair sits next to a sculptural side table in dark wood.

Dried flowers and grass and a selection of ceramic jugs and vases make for a living room design that feels more Scandinavian or Japanese than American. A traditional Scandinavian-style tasseled rug makes the room feel more homely.

Find out more about Biscuit Loft apartment ›

Powerscroft Road, UK, by Daytrip

This London home combines a pared-down interior design with interesting tactile touches such as a fluffy rug with a geometric pattern.

A rough-hewn wooden side table is reminiscent of traditional Japanese joinery, while the vintage Cleopatra daybed by Dutch designer Dick Cordemeyer for Auping adds a northern European design piece that perfectly matches the home's Asian influences.

Find out more about Powerscroft Road ›

Azabu Residence, Japan, by Norm Architects and Keiji Ashizawa Design

Norm Architects and Keiji Ashizawa Design have collaborated on a number of projects, including this Japandi interior design for a home in Tokyo.

The triangular pendant lamp is by Norm Architects for Karimoku Case Study and is made from traditional Japanese washi paper. Its geometric shape is picked up by the abstract sculptures on one of the walls and complements the armless modular sofa.

Find out more about Azabu Residence ›

Margin House, Japan, by Kohei Yukawa

Margin House was designed by architect Kohei Yukawa for himself and his family. Flexible living spaces are arranged around an atrium that features a living tree in the middle of the room.

The use of pale wood throughout adds a Scandinavian touch to the room, which has a welcoming feel and is flooded with natural light.

Find out more about Margin House ›

Ca l'Amo, Spain, by Marià Castelló

Architecture studio Marià Castelló designed this retreat in Ibiza using cross-laminated timber (CLT) to keep the volumes lightweight.

The delicate feel of the architecture with its wooden detailing is echoed in the furniture and decorations chosen for the interior, including a classic Pierre Paulin Butterfly Chair.

Slender tree branches are used for decoration, mirroring the trees in the building's courtyard.

Find out more about Ca l'Amo ›

Kinuta Terrace, Japan by Keiji Ashizawa Design and Norm Architects

The Kinuta Terrace in Tokyo has a muted, discrete colour palette of beige walls and curtains that match the wooden floor in the living room. Here, a grey stone table with a wooden frame complements a wooden sofa with grey cushions.

A decorative vases and round sculptures on the table mirror a large pot that holds a money tree (Pachira aquatica).

Find out more about Kinuta Terrace ›

Edinburgh apartment, Scotland, by Luke McClelland Design

A British take on Japandi interior design can be seen in this living room in an apartment in Edinburgh. Simple and functional, the design nonetheless feels interesting because of the small touches, such as the dark-wood foldable side table and the classic rice lamp.

Artworks decorate the walls and the room's fireplace has been painted black, matching the graphic slender black floor lamps. The wooden floor has been left mostly bare, with just a small grey rug for decoration.

Find out more about Edinburgh apartment ›

A Quiet Reflection, Sweden, by Ariake

Japanese furniture producer Ariake created an installation at Stockholm Design Week in 2018 to show its first collection. The range included these wooden sofas, whose strict lines and warm wooden frames perfectly encompass the meeting between Scandinavian and Japanese style.

A triangular white lamp and small sculptural side table are a fun addition to the room, which also features a weathered wooden floor and walls where the peeling paint has become a decorative feature in itself.

Find out more about A Quiet Reflection ›

This is the latestlookbook in a series providing visual inspiration for interior designers and design lovers. Previous lookbooks in the series have showcased plant-filled offices, calm living rooms and interiors made from biomaterials.

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  • Interiors
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Ten elegant living rooms featuring Japandi interior design (2024)

FAQs

What is Japandi interior design style? ›

Japandi is an interior design style that is a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian minimalist design. The word “Japandi” is a portmanteau of “Japanese” and “Scandi.” Japandi design focuses on clean lines, natural elements, bright spaces, and neutral colors to create calming and welcoming living spaces.

Is Japandi style expensive? ›

While pieces of Japandi style furniture can be expensive, you can find items of varying budgets. The minimalist aesthetic also means fewer pieces need to be purchased, creating an all-around more affordable space.

What is the difference between Japandi and Wabi-Sabi? ›

Wabi-Sabi embraces the imperfect and transient aspects of life, creating a serene and calming environment. Japandi, on the other hand, combines the minimalism of Japanese design with the coziness of Scandinavian design, resulting in a functional and visually appealing space.

What colors are used in Japandi style? ›

Use browns and neutrals for the foundation, then add greys and blacks for drama. Complement natural wood or highlight particular areas of the room with muted pinks, blues and greens. Browns are a beautiful earthy grounding colour. They vary in tone and shade and can be dark or light.

What's the difference between Scandinavian and Japandi? ›

Japandi design incorporates more elements of traditional Japanese design and a warmer, more muted colour palette, while a Scandinavian design has a lighter, cooler colour palette and a more minimalist aesthetic.

What style is similar to Japandi? ›

Incorporating mid-century furniture and decor into Japandi-inspired spaces adds a retro flair while maintaining a sense of harmony and simplicity. Mid-century pieces, in particular, resonate with Japandi style, as they share a similar emphasis on clean lines, functional design, and a minimalist aesthetic.

Why is Japandi so popular? ›

Japandi home style is the perfect blend of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian functionality, creating serene and aesthetically pleasing living spaces. This style has gained immense popularity in recent years, particularly among those who appreciate simplicity, functionality, and a connection to nature.

What is hygge interior design? ›

Hygge decor is minimalistic and focuses on making your home cosier and warmer. Your home decor should use neutral colours and earthy tones that will bring a sense of belonging with nature and evoke positive emotions.

What color is wabi-sabi? ›

The colours of wabi-sabi rooms are the colours of the earth.

Revel in muted tones, such as earthy greens, greys, and browns.

What is the difference between minimalist and Japandi? ›

Minimalism and Japandi are two design philosophies that have gained popularity in recent years. Minimalism emphasizes simplicity, decluttering, and the removal of unnecessary elements, while Japandi is a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian design, featuring natural materials, warm tones, and minimalistic aesthetics.

What is the Japandi theory? ›

It's simple, Japadi is a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian design philosophy. Japandi isn't just a fusion, it's a harmonious balance. Clean lines and natural materials from Scandinavia meet the warmth of wood and the timeless simplicity of Wabi-Sabi from Japan.

Is Japandi style trending? ›

Japandi style is the must-have interiors trend that is a hybrid of Japanese and Scandinavian design esthetics. The look is minimal, functional, warm and calming, with touches of wabi-sabi enthused imperfection. We've compiled some tips to help you work Japandi interior design style into your home.

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