Natural materials, clean lines, neutral tones and vibrant greenery combine to create a calm, clean environment.
Combining the clean lines of Japanese design with the understated beauty of Scandi style, Japandi will turn your home into a calming retreat.
Cosy but simplistic, this classic and timeless look encompasses a neutral palette and natural materials, combined with sculptural, sleek shapes and decorative touches celebrating texture and asymmetry. It focuses on simplicity, functionality and fluidity and provides us with a sense of reliability, certainty and comfort in our living space.
'Think of Japandi as Japanese minimalism – simple lines, neutral colours and big leafy houseplants,' says Jules Upton of Oval Interiors and interior designer for North Sands Developments. 'The simplistic, natural elements of both Scandinavian and Japanese décor make this trend an easy one to get right.'
Japandi, also sometimes referred to as Scandinese or Japanordic, is not a new trend, with the interior style garnering interest back in 2017. Despite this, it's been popping up on countless 2021 interior trend lists, which isn't surprising. In many ways, the Japandi aesthetic caters to our desire to create a zen space and a sense of harmony in our homes – which is needed now more than ever, as a result of the pandemic and the unpredictability of the outside world.
In fact, according to IKEA's Life at Home Report 2020, three quarters of us believe that home has been our sanctuary during the pandemic and the number one place where we have felt most secure.
Feeling inspired to bring the Japandi look into your home? Get some inspiration on how to update your interiors...
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Japandi is an effortlessly elegant trend that will work in any room of the house – especially in a large open-plan living space.
'With wood at the heart of the Japandi trend, it’s time to make a feature of the dining table. Pair a solid statement piece with upholstered chairs, in a soft, muted tone and finish off with a Scandi-inspired patterned rug. If space is at a premium, opt for quality over quantity and invest in a wooden console table or storage unit,' says Antonia Wheeler, Design Director at Arighi Bianchi.
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Restraint, functionality and craft are all pillars of both Japanese and Scandi design, and there’s no better place to express this ethos than in the kitchen.
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On-trend materials like marble and polished concrete can feel quite cool, so balance them out with delicate, organic details such as bamboo blinds and rattan furniture.
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Surrounding yourself with natural materials is sure to increase a sense of wellbeing in the home. Jute rugs, pale washed woods and even vessels made from paper are all tactile and visually appealing.
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Contrasting dramatic silhouettes and contemporary designs with softer, washed-out tones and painterly motifs ensures a scheme that’s inviting, but still has a modern edge.
'The simple scheme can be built around a neutral palette and colours seen in nature which will feel grounding and help to ensure the room feels serene,' says Helen Shaw, Benjamin Moore UK Director. 'Consider soft sage hues to add a pop of colour without being overwhelming, as well as warm beige and grey tones which are a great alternative to white.'
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This soft, handcrafted look is characterised by a harmonious palette of earthy hues and natural materials, designed to create a calming and relaxed interior.
Texture is key, adding pattern and depth through tufted textiles and simple, unrefined ceramics, whilst lightweight woven rattan is used across pendant lighting and artisanal steam bent headboards.
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'Keep clutter to a minimum and add interest and texture through soft furnishings to maintain a light and airy feel,' suggests Helen Shaw at Benjamin Moore UK. 'Plants are the perfect finishing touch and will help to pull the pared-back scheme together without it feeling overly done.'
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If you’re working from home, a muted colour palette is sure to keep you feeling calm.
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For a peaceful night’s sleep, keep things that inspire relaxation close to hand: a silk eye mask, lavender oil and, of course, cosy layers of comfortable linens.
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Don't neglect your outdoor space. Whether you have a garden, patio or balcony, choose outdoor plant pots which combine clean lines, texture and structural shapes.
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Screen dividers provide simple, flexible solutions for zoning home spaces.
'Ideal for home workers, screens provide a stylish backdrop for video calls whilst minimising noise levels,' says Rachael Fell, Furniture Buying Manager at Habitat. 'Perforated or woven designs are best to ensure light still flows evenly around the room.'
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It’s all about natural textures, beautiful details and the most delicate of shades to recreate this easy-to-live with Japanese Scandi fusion.
READ MORE: How to make a moodboard: an interior stylist's 6 top tips to help you plan your perfect scheme
