Top Two trendy Interior Design Styles - Japandi And Minimalism

31.08.2021 Admin 1984
Minimalism and Japandi are two design styles that have been gaining popularity in recent years. They come from very different places, but there are still a few similarities between the two. In this blog post we will explore what they both entail and how you can make your home more minimalist or Japanese-inspired with some simple changes.

"Japandi", which stems from "Japanese" combined with "Scandinavian" is a new and innovative design movement that fuses the natural beauty and rustic minimalism of Japanese materials with Scandinavian functionality and simplicity to create sleek, understated spaces.  This blend creates an understated elegance with an emphasis on sleek interiors made from authentic natural products such as wood and stone in addition to simple but sophisticated colour schemes like neutral tones or pale shades clean lines, and bright spaces.  All these elements merging to create this tranquil atmosphere without sacrificing its function or style for aesthetic purposes alone.

On the other hand, the principles of minimalist interior design are similar to modern, with the goal being a simple and uncluttered space. Items in this type of environment will typically have clean lines and simplistic shapes while employing whites, greys, taupe, or other neutral colours throughout for an airy feel. Minimalist interiors may include open floor plans that employs lots of natural light pouring through large windows as well as functional furniture. If you want to know more about Interior design, you can sign up for the Free Interior Design course, organized by Home Design Institute

The Japandi Colour Palette


When creating the perfect Japanese style room, you should find a color palette. The perfect Japandi room uses a palette of warm neutrals like cream, brown and beige.  When looking to create the perfect balance between styles, consider adding pops of color through accessories instead of on walls. For example, if you have an all-beige living room, add some warm orange throw pillows for contrast.  Add in pops of accenting colours from shades of pink, purple, muted blue and green or even warm oranges.  The focus should always be about balance.  The use natural elements to cut down the space and bring in brighter or darker colours for contrast in smaller amounts. This creates a sense of balance between both bright and dark shades with contrasting tones, giving your room an exciting look.

Japanese and Scandinavian interior design both give preference to cool colours, so a base of pale greys or off whites make an excellent starting point for minimalist Japandi styles.  Keeping this in mind, when you compose a Japandi colour scheme, start with pale greys as your base and then layer it equally with deeper blues, burnt oranges, and shadowy mauves with flat charcoal tones to add some subtle contrast.  Japandi colour palette also incorporates muted greens, watered-down greys, pale ochres, and delicate eggshell tones.

Having a design style that is Scandinavian-inspired, Japandi's interior spaces have been known to maximize natural light sources and create warmth with its muted colours. The rustic feel of the home only enhances this aspect even more due to the warm tones in addition to earthy shades you won't find anywhere else.  Maximizing access into natural daylight while also providing accenting color from other components such as furniture or paint are key aspects of Japanese minimalism based on Scandinavian values.
Contrary to what one may expect from pure minimalist designs, these homes don't lack life; rather there is an additional layer present through alluring colours like dusky greys, pale blues and soft pinks which blend ever so perfectly among richer darker hues.

Traditional Ukiyo-e art


Japan is an ancient culture that has always been in awe of the power of nature, which influenced their everyday life as they believed gods inhabited natural landscapes.
In Japanese, the word ukiyo-e translates to "pictures of a floating world," which is indicative not only of its subject matter but also in how it was produced. The paintings were created by recreating scenes from daily life with such detail and precision that they would be easily recognizable for most people living at the time period.  This type of art which features landscapes depicting flora or fauna while also showing influence from traditional culture that believed gods inhabited natural landscapes or had domain over all-natural phenomenon daily life.

The Japanese style of art, Ukiyo-e found its way to Europe and America with the opening up trade between countries. The Western influence they had after this exposure was even known as Japonism by one's interest in aesthetics that would go on to profoundly affect many artists and movements such as Impressionism, Art Nouveau, and Modernist movement.

Today, Ukiyo-e art is a popular Japanese style that has been used in various mediums, including painting and woodblock prints. It's usually characterized by bright colours with an emphasis on the subject matter of everyday life like landscapes or people engaged in common activities.  This type of artwork can be used to set the atmosphere for Japandi interior designs by providing inspiration in colours schemes; and can be integrated as a wall feature accessory because of its decorative oriental vibe.

Japandi Furniture style


The Japanese have long been known for their use of space. Their culture is built around doing more with less.  Japandi furniture is multifunctional and flexible, often folding into a smaller size when not in use or doubling as storage.  This can be seen in the way they live, eat on tatami mats, beds that are folded up for easy space-saving during off time, shoji screens which can be moved to define different areas within the home's living quarters, or heated tables (called kotatsu) at the centre of most homes.  It's no wonder that when it comes to interior design, a minimalist approach still reigns supreme.  
Since this type of furniture lends itself so well to Japandi style decorating despite its inherent flexibility and mobility it makes perfect sense why origami inspired foldable pieces is perfectly appropriate in Japandi interiors.

Both Scandinavian and Japanese furniture features clean lines, functionality, and a light color palette. However, there are some differences: Nordic furniture is usually lighter in shade whereas the dark wood of Japanese pieces often shows off more elegant shapes. Mixing both styles will create an interesting space with not only different colours but also various textures like curves versus straight lines to keep it visually stimulating.

Japandi furniture is all about sleek, modern silhouettes and low profiles. Swedish hygge branches out a little more into cosy textures, chunky wool knits, and bobbly finishes in its design scheme.  This is one reason why these styles are the perfect match made in heaven. You can create a Japandi interior design concept mixing textured natural rugs with soft furnishing while using statement pieces of furniture and adding some simple low-slung shelving to create some to bring some interest to your space. 

Japandi Craft work


Japandi is an appreciation of high-quality craft skills made by hand, with care.  The natural environment also contributes to creating a sense of respect for the material as well as understanding nature's significance on how people live comfortably. Furthermore, within the shared values of Japanese and Scandinavian philosophy lies sophistication in their craft work, which offers calm and warmth when combined with wood, from greyish blues or greens color schemes.

Japandi is one such design trend aimed at creating eco-friendly homes without sacrificing comfort or convenience for those who reside there.  These days, many people want to live their lives with a minimal impact on nature and we are seeing an increasing number of houses that incorporate this type of sustainable interior design into them.  These environmentally friendly styles offer a simpler way of living by emphasizing natural materials in their craftsmanship focusing on simplicity without sacrificing quality or creativity.

The Japanese term "wabi-sabi" refers to finding beauty in imperfect and humble things.  By using natural materials and masterful craftsmanship, Japandi is able to create beauty in the simple and raw things.  Their pieces are full of elegance, charm and an organic life force which will make their work stand out in any space with its humble splendour.

A love of craftsmanship, minimalism, and comfort - these are just some of Japandi’s hallmarks. In Japandi quality is paramount with expert techniques in natural materials that create long-lasting furniture while discouraging the throwaway culture. Authentic crafts made by artisanal makers hold a sense of nostalgia for those who appreciate them.

Textures and fabrics within Japandi design


With the Japandi style, natural fibres and sustainable materials are key elements. So, for furnishings you can't go wrong with wood; Scandinavian pieces made of clean, simple lines work well while in Japan curved shapes or painted woods might be more common but don't let that stop you from mixing it up to increase visual interest. Bamboo, rattan paper makes great furniture as they're both durable and organic so try incorporating them into your home design too if possible.

The Japanese are known for their love of details and patterns, and they have a way of adding intricate and exquisite patterns to their décor.  Cushions and curtains are a good place to start with an eye on textures like silk, velvet or cashmere fabrics which can be indulgent in themselves but also have pattern potential. For more rustic spaces you could add some finer detail such as intricate embroidery or appliqué work - adding just enough vibrancy without breaking your hygge vibe.

Japandi style is all about blending textures to make the room feel inviting. Using indulgent and subtle patterns creates cosiness which just adds to this Japanese-style that incorporates natural elements such as wood, cotton, or silk.  Linen has always been a popular choice for this kind of aesthetic because it's easy on your wallet, made from sustainable materials, and can be found in an array of colours that will suit any space or mood you're looking to set. Terracotta offers earthy warmth; you can also use shapes and textures in Japandi style with accessories. Mirrors, picture frames, table lamps, vases and even carefully curated artwork are just some of the items that you might want to include when creating your own Japandi unique look for a room.

Japandi Flower Arrangement


The art of Japanese flower arrangements is beautiful and simple. The arrangement emphasizes the concept that less can be more, as this work involved using bare branches, stems, and twigs in a harmonious composition where blank spaces are just as important as filled shapes.

The Japandi style is characterized by the use of plants.  They're cost-effective, easy to maintain and can bring nature into even the most minimalist of rooms.  In most Japandi homes plants serve two purposes: They emulate nature while also helping create an inviting atmosphere by improving air quality indoors via reducing carbon dioxide levels as well as dust particles through transpiration. To make your home all the more authentically Nordic you could mix pot varieties together or go traditional with some bonsai tree or Ikebana flower arrangement for a more authentic Japandi feel.

A minimalist flower arrangement can be a work of art in and of itself. They typically involve a combination of different flowers these arrangements are simple but special because they combine nature's beauty with beautiful design to create one-of-a kind pieces for your Japandi style interior.  Another element in a Japandi style flower arrangement is the art of combining biophilic design principles with the ancient art technique of steam bending. If you want to know more about Japandi, you may like reading the article “Ideas for your Home in Japandi Style”. 

Ikebana is a traditional Japanese art form of arranging flowers in a way that makes them last longer.  This type of flower arrangement focuses on shapes and lines rather than combinations of colourful flowers.  Finally, ikebana is all about simplicity. This art form uses just three or four blossoms and a simple vase to create the most striking arrangements.

Minimalism Colour Palette


A minimalist home is a place of refuge and comfort. Simplicity, modern lines, pared down silhouettes are all key to achieving this look in your own house. Keep it clean with white walls and sparse decorations or add warmth by layering textures such as soft furnishings for texture, warm and rich color tones.

Creating a concise color palette is the key to creating an aesthetically pleasing, modern and minimalist home. These colours can include whites, creams, blacks, or greys for grounding neutrals that are easy to work with in your house.

While neutrals are the usual backdrop for the minimalist style interiors since it adds to the calming effect of this design style.  Nowadays, minimalist decorating trends put a twist on that; a rich accent hue is always a part of the palette for this style.  Vibrant colours are placed in areas such as painting whole walls with an accent color or using rich tones like reds and burnt oranges to add pops of flare throughout your space.  Minimalists can be bold with their favourites.
For an even more creative approach to minimalism decorating your home try out these tips: use only two contrasting colours for both furniture pieces and textiles; keep all furnishings off-white so they are seen as muted undertones of pastel shades rather than taking over their own hue entirely.

When it comes to minimalist decor, opt for a clean and simple approach. This is best achieved by using complementary colours with ample negative space between the patterns on printed mediums such as fabric or wallpaper. Are you curious to know more about Minimalist style? Consider enrolling in the Minimalist Interior Design course created by Home Design Institute. 

Minimalism Furniture style


The minimalist design philosophy is one of the most popular and iconic styles in modern interior decorating. The focus on functionality, practicality, bold statements with clean lines creates a space that emphasises individuality while maintaining simplicity. Minimalist spaces are defined by flat surfaces and strong shapes which eliminate ornamentation.

Minimalist furniture and accessories are all about the purpose of things in your home.  What you will not find is a heavily patterned sofa, or detailed decorations for that matter. Instead, its bare and simple shapes help to create an atmosphere of pureness.  Furniture are designed to have clean lines and a sense of style; while the focus is on minimalism, there's still an aesthetic beauty in simplicity.

The key to pulling off a successful minimalist interior design is with thoughtful and considered furnishings that will build a well-balanced space. Do invest in quality pieces because it's important for each piece to stand on its own without attracting negative attention due to low-quality materials or construction even though the approach itself is simple and uncomplicated.
Avoid trendy pieces are not always the best option because they will soon become tiresome or dated with time.  Instead, invest in classic pieces that people from all walks of life could enjoy looking at today such as an old leather armchair which would look great and can last for generations while still being comfortable enough to use on a daily basis.

Minimalism Textures and Fabrics


A monochromatic colour palette can be broken up by incorporating and combining different shades and textures. For example, linen wallpaper mixed with soft wool fabrics or rugs in the bedroom is a soothing way to bring warmth to a space.  The same goes for texture on tiles which are mixed together yet offers visual interest without sacrificing neutrality of colours.  Wood accessories soften stark elements like white walls and plain furniture.

Incorporate textiles in your design scheme.  The feel and warmth of a home can be greatly enhanced with the addition of texture, dimension, and color.  Textiles such as curtain fabrics or bedding in varying textures like wool, linen or cotton will add not only style but comfort to your space while maintaining an elegant simplicity.
A modern minimalist interior design concept should feature an array of accents of textiles and fabrications for quiet visual plays that will add warmth to the space.  To create a beautiful yet inviting home for those who love simple living spaces, it's important to include light touches throughout the room with items such as quilts and throws in rich colours or patterns. 

For a more interesting take on minimalist interior design, stick to three or four colours from the same color family and incorporate complementary fabric textures. For example, include animal prints in neutral tones with deep rich patterns that lend balance against white walls without clashing too much.

Elements of Minimalism


Minimalists are always searching for ways to simplify their life, eliminate unnecessary items and spend more time focusing on what's important. The main mantra in minimalist home decor is simplicity, keep it spare, tone down the decorations and accessorize sparingly.

Minimalist design is not only about looking stylish and making your space appear larger. It's also a great way to focus on the beauty of what you really need, by having less clutter around! A minimalist interior will never go out of style when done with care as it shows off refined elegance that can be appreciated for years to come in any home.
Find beauty in simplicity with a minimalist home design. Unlike other styles, this type of interior is all about getting rid of any unnecessary clutter to make the space feel clean and open.

Minimalist design is all about bare-boned beauty of your own home's architectural details; incorporate your designs around them rather than concealing them.
The minimalist aesthetic of a home is one that follows the mantra "simplicity and need go hand in hand." One does not outweigh the other, in order for everything that exists feels justified.

Declutter as much as possible. Invest in stylish storage to keep the space clutter-free and devise quick daily cleaning routes for a more minimalist lifestyle! Practice less is more by following these simple steps: decluttering your home will make it easier to clean up; invest in furniture that fits your style needs while still being practical; use creative ways of storing items such as labelling bins with their contents or using vertical wall shelving.

The Common Elements of Minimalism and Japandi


Some people choose Japandi because of its very down-to-earth, minimalistic design; while for others prefers minimalism due to its clean lines, reductive, uncluttered, monochromatic, simplicity, "less is more" approach.

Here are the common elements of Japandi and Minimalism:

The interior design in each style is in the openness and simplicity. An open plan layout with light, form, and beautiful materials keeps things from becoming too heavy or cluttered while creating that sense of tranquillity.
There is a need for substantial number of windows to fill the room with enough light.
The color scheme is created using the game of halftones with calming, tranquil and peaceful neutral palettes.
Materials used in both design style are chrome steel, glass, plastic, ceramics, artificial and natural stone, textured wood.
Table, sofa, furniture, and chandeliers in both styles have a simple geometric shape, clean lines, minimalist designs and very functional.
Each piece of furniture has emphasis on proportions and high-quality craftmanship and natural materials.
Emphasis on sustainability – eco-friendly aesthetics
One of the most significant design features of Japandi and Minimalism is that it has a lot of reflective surfaces.  The main goal for these was to make use out of natural light as much as possible in order to save on electricity costs, so they are mostly glass and metal which will reflect any incoming sunlight.
Intricate decor and ornaments are not a choice. Decorate walls with a pair of minimalistic paintings.

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