Japandi style, the hottest trend in interior design (2024)

The Japandi style, a delicate fusion of Japanese and Nordic designs, is the hottest trend taking the interior design world by storm. This trend combines elements from Japanese and Scandinavian designs to create a unique, modern look. In this post, we discuss the basics of Japandi interior design and give you some tips on incorporating this look into your home.

The natural harmony found in the Japandi style owes a lot to the long-held cultural ties between Denmark and Japan. It's a relationship of influence that began over 150 years ago, when Danish architects, artists and designers began traveling to Japan searching for new inspiration.

Elements of Japandi design

So what exactly is the Japandi style? As we mentioned, it is a mix of the cozy and warm simplicity of Scandinavian hygge with the natural cleanliness of Japanese minimalism. This combination creates an artful blend of colors, lines and techniques of both styles that you can easily introduce into your home.

The typical Japandi home features clean lines, simple shapes and a minimalistic aesthetic. Think simplicity, functionality and organization. However, unlike pure Scandinavian design, there is a focus on natural materials such as bamboo, wood and stone and traditional Japanese joinery techniques.

While both styles have shared complementary design styles, Japandi balances the excesses of both. Japanese interiors may be sleek and elegant, but they can appear clinical. The Scandinavian concept of "hygge," which centers around comfort and coziness, helps to compensate for this with a natural, pared-back (simple and functional) aesthetic.

The Japandi color palette

Japandi’s fusion also extends into its color palette. Think neutral, muted colors that are not too jarring or flashy, like taupe, beige and oatmeal. Create contrast by using darker, natural colors like black, charcoal, rust and brown as accents. You can also introduce soft, pastel shades like pale pink, blue and green.

As this trend focuses on a calm, harmonious atmosphere, you can add warmth by using natural fiber rugs, wooden furniture and woven baskets. Bringing nature inside the house is also a great way to add texture, color and harmony. Potted plants and greenery are great for creating a relaxing atmosphere. They are also natural purifiers for your home.

Japandi decor style

Both Japanese and Scandinavian styles favor craftsmanship and simplicity. While Scandinavian furniture leans more towards natural woods and clean, simple lines, Japanese furniture has more curved shapes and painted woods. Mixing the two is a great way to create visual interest.

Well-made and low-rise furniture, like benches, armchairs and coffee tables, are a way to say close to earth while creating a clean and open space. Adding soft cushions and throws is another excellent way to soften the minimalistic look with the softness of hygge.

Popular Japandi materials include jute, bamboo, rattan and paper mixed with ceramics, silks and wood. Incorporating folding paper lamps, braided pouf ottomans, woven rugs and mixing textures and fabrics are great for adding warmth and coziness to any room.

What makes Japandi so popular?

Japandi first appeared around 2016 and has been growing in popularity ever since. This trend's simple, natural and functional aesthetic is part of what makes consumers so enamored with it. Japandi also emphasizes sustainability, making it an excellent choice for consumers looking for an eco-friendly aesthetic.

If you're looking for a way to make your home a relaxing and welcoming sanctuary, this trend is a great way to achieve that. Scandinavian and Japanese designs also rely on natural elements, making it easy and affordable to introduce Japandi into your home.

The Japandi aesthetic can also be appealing if you’re looking for ways to reduce clutter and create more spacious interiors. To do that, focus on furniture that is functional and practical. For example, a coffee table with built-in cupboards and/or ottomans that can be used for seating, like side tables and footstools, are multifunctional pieces to look for while furnishing your home.

Create your Japandi home with Planner 5D

We hope this post has demystified the Japandi style and showed you how to incorporate it into your home. Now all you have to do is go and try it out. Not sure where to start? Check out the Japandi interiors created by our users and get inspired.

You can even try our home design software for yourself. Create your ideal Japandi-style room and decorate it using our extensive product library. Don't forget to show off your design skills in our weekly Design Battle competition.