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Looking For a Japandi Style Home Feel and Look
If you ever browse Pinterest or Instagram for home interior design ideas, you most probably have come across Japandi style because it has become one of the most popular interior design aesthetics. In fact, there has been a 1,217% increase in searches for Japandi design in 2021 alone.
Japandi is a minimalistic style that is a cross between Japanese design’s focus on nature and the simplicity of Scandinavian design. This design approach has become popular because of the cozy and calm environment it creates in the home.
If you want to change your home’s interior design and decide to go with Japandi style, you can gradually do so with accessories. You can start by looking for self-adhesive wallpapers with minimalist designs, but here are other simple ways to accessorize for a Japandi style home.
Declutter First
The core philosophy of the Japandi aesthetic is “less is more.” Though they have very different cultures, Scandinavia and Japan both share the same core design principles: an appreciation for functionality and simplicity, which also translates to quality over quantity.
So before you add new accessories, you need to declutter your home first. Try to keep only items that serve a purpose, and items that have great sentimental value. To properly store items that you can’t let go of, you can try to maximize the under-utilized spaces in your home by turning them into storage spaces, like the empty space under your stairs or under your bed.
You would be surprised at how the freed-up spaces can bring a great sense of calm and lightness to your home.
Choose Natural Materials
Natural and eco-friendly materials are very much a standard of Japandi style. According to experts, there is a mutual understanding and respect in both Scandinavia and Japan for the use of natural materials in design and architecture.
So using natural materials, mainly wood and reeds, is integral. The Japanese use a lot of darker-toned woods, like cedar, red pine, and cypress, while the Scandinavians mostly use lighter-toned woods, like oak, mahogany, pine, and teak.
Using accessories made out of these materials will help you instantly achieve the Japandi aesthetics in your home.
Moreover, the combination of the dark and light wood tones will bring both texture and depth to the space. Just remember to limit the use of wooden tones. There should be no more than three wood tones and textures in order to create a balanced and cohesive look.
One quick and easy way to add natural elements is by hanging natural wooden frames on the walls. You can also choose bigger accessories like rattan ottomans or a wooden coffee table.
Use Textured Pieces
To add some interest to the minimalist approach of Japandi style, try incorporating some textured pieces in your design scheme. Ultimately, by the end of the whole redesign, your interior should mostly feature a warm, neutral palette.
According to design experts, Japandi style combines the Scandinavian aesthetic of all white or monochrome schemes and the Japanese style’s use of soft, warm, earthy, and natural tones. This can be seen as boring or linear, so adding textured items and accessories in neutral hues is important.
You can start with pillow covers, throws, or blankets in cotton or wool. You can also add rugs made out of rattan, faux fur, or bamboo. These pieces will bring warmth to the space.
Use Dark Colors for Contrast
Another way to provide great interest to your space is by adding contrast. Though Japandi style heavily uses natural and neutral colors, the addition of dark colors really makes the space pop.
Dark colors like black, indigo blue, browns, plums, or forest greens can bring dramatic contrast and visual interest to the rooms. It is best to just add two big pieces in these colors, like a chair or a console, or a few small items here and there, like a slim lamp, vases, and art pieces.
Keep in mind that the focus should always be on creating balance, so use natural elements and neutral colors to ground the space, and bring in the darker colors in small amounts.
Balance The Lighting
Another way you can incorporate Japandi style into your interior design is through accessories that bring light into, or balance the light in, your spaces. The Japanese element in Japandi means that you can add some task-style lighting in certain areas of the room where it’s all about function, like your reading lamps and spotlights over work surfaces.
Make sure that these accessories are in neutral colors, like white or black. Meanwhile, the Scandinavian element should bring out soft lighting that provides a nurturing atmosphere, so it is best to have natural lighting in wider spaces, such as the living room.
Avoid adding harsh lighting in these spaces. To achieve balance, you can add a skylight or replace your existing windows with larger ones made of glass.
Intentional Use of Plants
One theme that strongly connects both Japanese and Scandi design principles is the importance of nature and bringing the outdoors in. So plants are often seen in Japandi interiors as they naturally elicit a sense of calm and a return to nature.
Green plants such as bamboo palm, lemon button fern, and pothos would be a welcome addition to any tranquil space. These plants not only bring pops of color in the space; they can also help improve the air quality in your home. You can place several green plants in different spaces in your home, like the living room, the bedroom, and even the bathroom.
They can be placed in cement or wooden pots, or placed in wicker plant holders to enhance the natural feel of your spaces.
You can start incorporating Japandi style in your home by adding the right accessories. Decluttering, using textured and natural pieces, adding dark colors for contrast, balancing the light, and adding green plants will help you achieve a calm, clean, and cozy ambiance for your home.
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