How to Design Any Space in Japandi Style

How to Design Any Space in Japandi Style

What is a Japandi Interior Design Style and Why Is It So Popular?

Before you get to know more details about this course, you need to understand the essence of Japandi style. What is Japandi interior design style and what makes it so attractive in the recent years? Japandi is a style characterized by a mixture of elements from the minimalistic outlines of Scandinavian and traditional Japanese interior design. What makes this style so attractive and easy to integrate in multiple interior projects are its features of simplicity, elegance, and eco-friendly approach, combined together. Everyone knows that the modern tendency of minimalism tries to reach more people with the requirement of clean and decluttered homes. Japandi also uses this trend of minimalistic ideas in interior design but it adds more individual and specific Japanese flavor.

What Is the Concept of Simplicity and How Important are Simple Homes in Our Lives?

The concept of simplicity has been affirmed since ancient times in China and Japan. The well-known teacher from China Lao Tzu asserts in the Tao Te Ching “Simplicity, patience, compassion, these three are your greatest treasures. Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being.” Another great teacher, Confucius says “Life is really simple, but we insist to make it complicated.” The famous Italian genius, engineer, painter and astrologer Leonardo Da Vinci says: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”. The fabulous fashion designer and writer Coco Shanel’s words are well known as well: “Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.” All these statements are popular for one reason – because we all need to incorporate and follow the principle of simplicity in our lives and homes.


De-cluttered and Clean Homes

We all can understand why our homes need to be eco-friendlier and freer of clutter. In the recent years there has been a strong raise in the society of consumption, easy and fast profits, supply and demand. But gradually the principle of consumption created a lost a greedy society, feeling of isolation and deprived souls, which is unable to taste the simple joy of life and live in harmony with the nature of our planet.

Why Do Our Homes Need to be Clutter Free?

If you imagine that your home is projection of your mind, then you will understand the importance of this question. The minimalistic elements in Japandi style also reflect this need of cleanness, symmetry and being clutter free – because the clutter in your home is a reflection of the clutter in your mind. Therefore, this is one of the main reasons how the interior style Japandi has been so appealing for many interior designers in the last year. We realize that as humans we have long lost the important connection with nature and all natural elements – which is our essence. So, integration of nature, plants, flowers and trees are some of the basic trends in the recent years in Minimalism and Japandi style, and this will remain a constant trend in the future.


How the Use of Natural Colors Creates a Feeling of Tranquility?

Creating a clean, clutter-free and relaxing atmosphere at home are very important aspects of our every-day life. Why is it so? Because of the big pressure we all experience in our fast-speed lives, we are always busy with work, we live on speed, we travel and almost everyone is overloaded with multiple tasks and responsibilities. This is why our busy schedules lead to restless mind, experience of fatigue, depression and anxiety, and this tendency became a norm in modern world. Therefore, we all feel the need to create a safe escape, a harbor from this business, and this harbor is our home space. If you return to your home with cluttered mind and you need to rest and relax, but you find so many items, clutter or dark walls and absence of light – that will have negative impact on your mind and body. On the contrary, the light colors, minimal space, and the “emptiness” in the room, will create enough space for your mind to relax and feel free. The latest researches on health and holistic life show that mind and body are totally intertwined in each human. Thus, everything that affects your mind, will also affect your body and your emotions.

Accordingly, the light and neutral palette of colors on the walls will create feeling of vastness, free mind and tranquility, which is well proven. The neutral and pastel colors like white, cream, pastel green, pastel yellow, soft pink have very positive, calming, and uplifting effect on your mind. This is why they are well used in Japandi style, which focuses on the soothing atmosphere and harmony. Japandi as an individual style and trend, focuses on integration of simplicity, nature, elegance and color in all interior spaces and teaches us how to be live healthier and more sustainable life.

The Japandi Interior Design Course at Home Design Institute

Japandi interior design is a style that is gaining popularity in many types of scenarios. Whether it is a home, an office, or a commercial space, this style is a unique type of design with many advantages. This interior design course is a three-month learning period that will go into the general and specific details of what Japandi style is, how it functions best, and how we can implement it into interior design projects. There are 24 sessions of three hours each, totaling to 72 hours of lessons given by an expert in the field. During this time, students will be working with dynamic lesson plans and extra resources to become skilled designers in the area of Japandi interior design.

The course sessions are divided into lessons and practical project sessions. During the first part, there will be three sections of theory explaining everything there is to know about Japandi design. First, we will cover the basics of Japandi design history and evolution, color palettes, materials, layout schemes, and more. Once a solid foundation is set with an understanding of Japandi’s main principles and design philosophy we will move onto design elements such as furniture, lighting, vegetation, and statement pieces. Students will learn about what characteristics to look for when placing these elements and how to design and create custom pieces. The third section will have sessions focused on specific spaces. We will look at Japandi design specifically for bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms, terraces, offices, and commercial spaces. In these sessions we will tie in everything learned since the beginning of the course and prepare for the next portion of practical project sessions.

The last eight sessions of the Japandi interior design course will be dedicated to working on creating four distinct projects using SketchUp and other design programs. Previous experience with this software is recommended but not required as we will begin with a simple project and will increase in complexity with each project. First, students will design a living room with mood boards, sketches, color palettes, and a 3D model. Once completed, everyone will present their projects and will receive feedback from the course instructors. Next, students will design a small office for a graphic design studio. Using SketchUp and other programs, students will create a presentation with all the renders, floorplans, diagrams, and other images to explain the project. The third project will be a terrace for which a base SketchUp model will be provided to work with. Lastly, students will design a studio apartment and will also create renders, diagrams, etc. to present to the group. These four projects will wrap up the course, solidifying the theoretical content learned and using it in design scenarios with practical applications. Altogether, these three months of lessons and work sessions will result in giving students the practice and expertise to handle any type of Japandi interior design project.

Credits from the training:

35 credits

Art skills

35 credits

Digital skills

30 credits

Freelance skills


Course syllabus:

Duration: 15 hours

The aim of this module is to teach you the fundamental points of Japandi design; how it originated, what it looks to achieve in interior spaces, how to design in that style, the general color palette, materials, layouts, etc. After completing it you will be provided a strong basis and will be able to go forward into designing Japandi spaces.


Duration: 9 hours

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the most specific elements of Japandi design. After it you will know how to use original elements as furniture, lighting, plants, and decoration pieces in order to give clients a personalized experience of functionality and comfort in japandi style.


Duration: 21 hours

The aim of this module is to introduce you to specific rooms, starting with the bedroom, kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Considering everything covered in previous modules, you will apply them into specific scenarios. In addition to the home spaces, you will look at Japandi design in terraces, offices, and commercial spaces. After this knowledge you will be ready to start designing your japandi interior design project.


Duration: 6 hours

The aim of this module is to teach you how to design a n interior design project in Japandi style and to develop you software skills. After completing this module you will be taught how to create a mood board, schematic drawings, and color and material palettes for a Japandi style living room using SketchUp.


Duration: 6 hours

The aim of this module is to teach you how to remodel an office in Japandi style. You will work on a project about a graphic design studio which space must be remodeled in the Japandi style. After this module you will know how to transform any office space in Japandi interior design style.


Duration: 6 hours

The aim of this module is to develop your knowledge about Japandi interior design style working on a project about terrace for small events. You will be provided with SketchUp file that must be developed by you. After completing this module you will be taught how to design and make drawings of places for small events in SketchUp.


Duration: 6 hours

The aim of this module is to teach you how to design an apartment in Japandi style. You will be working on a project about a small studio apartment. The task will be to model the space with a Japandi style kitchen, bedroom, small living room and eating area. After this module you will have knowledge how to design not only a single room, but how to design every room in the home.


Duration: 3 hours

The aim of this module is to test all you have learned about Japandi style. All students must defend their individual projects. After successful completion of the course you will have the knowledge and the skills to design any Japandi interior design project.


Course price

Real-time online course

You must have a profile created on the site to be able to participate in the training.

1290.00 EUR
for the entire course

Frequently asked questions:

The Japandi Interior Design course is with duration of 3 months. Classes are 24 study hours per month (3 study hours two times a week). One study hour is 45 min. The whole course consists of 72 study hours.

If you want to enrol in our course, you need to register in order to create an account at our website. Then log in to your account and go to the course page. Click the button "Enrol now" and follow the steps. Once you have registered, our representative will contact you to confirm your order and send you a completed training contract, which you must sign and send back by email.

All students must have completed secondary education. Fluent English and basic computer skills are must.

During the training, theoretical knowledge is introduced with the help of interactive methods and presentations, such as role-playing games, videos and reports, interactive presentations. The practical part of the training is studied by the method of "learning by doing", and each student should perform a number of practical tasks for the exercise of theoretical training. At the end of the training, each student realizes a complete project, covering everything learned during the course.

The assessment of students is carried out through knowledge control questionnaires (QCM), tests, reports and practical tasks. At the end of the course students sit online test and practical exam. The test consists of multiple correct/wrong answers. You must have a minimum of 50% correct answers in order to pass the test. Additionally, you must successfully defend your individual project as well. All students that pass both the exams successfully will receive a certificate from Home Design Institute.

We accept all students with disabilities who can adapt and go through the learning process, trying to approach each case individually. To discuss how we can include you in the training, please contact us.

The final deadline in which you can join the course and sign your training contract is 15 days before the beginning of the course.

At the beginning of each training, the lecturer gets acquainted with each student and specifies with him the purpose of training and his knowledge in the field. The lecturer is obliged to adapt the learning process to each individual case, according to the level of knowledge of each student, and at the end of the training each student creates an individual project according to his needs and desired direction for professional development.

Reviews from students:

  • STUDENT: SUSANE GROCH
    12.07.2022

    The Japandi online course is amazing! It provides a great overview of the Japanese and Nordic design styles, and the interior design project I made during the course was really fun and challenging. I learned a lot and am so proud of the result. Thank you, HDI team, for creating this amazing course!

  • STUDENT: IVANA FRANC
    08.07.2022

    I love the Japandi online course! It's so much fun and I've learned a lot. The lessons are really well made and easy to follow. I recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn Japanese!

  • STUDENT: TERRY MCGOPER
    13.06.2022

    The Japandi online course is a fantastic resource for learning about Japanese and Scandinavian design. The lessons are well-organised and easy to follow, and the videos are engaging and informative. I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in learning more about these two cultures and their design aesthetics.

  • STUDENT: CANDY
    12.06.2022

    The Japandi online course is fantastic! The teachers are so knowledgeable and the content is very well structured. I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in learning Japanese!

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