Over the last few years, we’ve prioritised home comforts and transformed our spaces into multi-purpose places, where we spend a large portion of our days. Because of this, we’ve embraced trends that inspire us to keep rooms clutter-free, to help separate work life from home life, and to feel well rested. One of these trends which keeps growing in popularity is Japandi: the popular blend of Japanese calm with Scandinavian comfort.
What is Japandi and why is it so popular?
Copenhagen bed | Copenhagen bedside table | Copenhagen tallboy | Copenhagen chest | Copenhagen blanket box
In short, it combines Japanese and Scandinavian styles to create the fusion of Japandi, and can also be referred to as Japanordic or Scandenese. Japandi style is the perfect trend for those that love a sense of order and calm. It prioritises comfort and simplicity, transforming the home into a safe haven of sorts for all and any occasion.
What influenced the Japandi trend?
Detroit dining set | Detroit sideboard
Japandi emerged as a response to the bold, bright, maximalist trends that rose to fame in recent years. Japandi brings together the hygge (hue-guh) aesthetic from Scandinavia and the wabi-sabi (wah-bee-sah-bee) philosophy from Japan.
What is wabi-sabi?
The Japanese wabi-sabi combines wabi, which roughly means ‘the elegant beauty of humble simplicity’, with sabi, ‘the passing of time and subsequent deterioration’, to create a philosophy that focuses on finding the beauty in the imperfections of nature.
This translates into interior design through the use of minimalist decor, natural materials and the colourful addition of house plants, with a focus on sustainability and preserving the longevity of furnishings.
What is hygge?
Copenhagen chest of drawers | @renovating_wynd_house
The Scandinavian hygge trend is, in contrast, defined more by a feeling of comfort and cosiness than by aesthetics. With its focus on wellness and contentment, hygge encourages a clean, simple, and clutter-free home that promotes an air of serenity.
How you choose to decorate is mostly down to you – hygge embraces the unique and understands that calm looks different to everyone – but the understated harmony of the trend often tends towards functional minimalism, leaning into the tidy hive, tidy mind philosophy.
How to make Japandi work for your home
Copenhagen chest of drawers | @beech_road_days
If you want to make Japandi style a feature in your home, there are some core design principles that form the main characteristics of this trend:
- Start with decluttering. Less is more with this trend, so opt for pieces that are minimalist, multi-functional or help hideaway clutter
- Quality over quantity. Focus on quality craftsmanship and choose pieces that are built to last
- Choose neutral colours for walls to help reflect daylight throughout the space
- Add wall texture and tactile fabrics to add warmth
- Incorporate wood finishes into your furniture or flooring
- Embrace light oak tones with minimalist shapes to keep a neutral foundation or incorporate darker woods to create contrast
- Blur the lines between indoors and outdoors and bring nature into the room
- Add plants, branches, dried flowers in stone, wicker or rattan pots to enhance the natural textures
Don’t be afraid to include a pop of colour if you want to spin your own take on the trend, but be sure to make it intentional. As per the functionality of ‘hygge’, everything Japandi serves a purpose. Prioritise clever storage solutions such as sideboards and bookcases to keep your space clean and clutter free.
What colours work for the Japandi trend?
Parquet chest of drawers | @home _of_roberts
Pair neutral shades like tan, beige, and taupe with rich wood tone furnishings and houseplants to stay true to the Japandi trend. If you’re looking to branch out by adding hints of colour, keep it small and simplistic with lamps, cushions, or a rug. We love the following palettes:
Layer airy greys and off whites with a charcoal blue accent
Pair rich chocolate brown with pale muted pinks
Combine tan with pops of burnt orange
Complement warm beige with baby blue shades
Embrace cooler tones with taupe and forest green
Keep it subtle with slate grey and hints of royal blue
Let us know if you try to incorporate the Japandi trend into your home decor by tagging us in your photos and following us on Instagram, where you can keep up to date with future and long-lasting decor trends!
