What is Japandi styling and where has it come from?
This month we are looking at the new Japandi style which is taking hold within the design industry, which is inspired by the traditions of Japanese living and culture.
Japandi has evolved from this Japanese influence and is perfectly fused with the popular Scandi design. Both styles have the same characteristics of functionality, contrast, clean lines, natural materials, simplistic shape and form, mixed with long low designs which arise from old Japanese traditions that furniture only had 3 uses: to sleep or sit, prayer and storage. The floor was often used to sit, eat and sleep, leaving furniture lower in design and closer to the floor.
Using elements of the Japanese notion ‘wabi-sabi’, which is to find beauty within imperfections, you can style your home with hand crafted pots and ceramics with fashionably distressed features or uneven glazes. Another way to use wabi-sabi elements in your home would be to choose sofas with weathered or natural oak legs. To balance this look with the Scandinavian influence of ‘hygge’, you’ll want to focus on creating an atmosphere of warmth and comfort, with feelings of wellness and contentment.
How to create the Japandi style in your home
Use a natural, neutral colour palette which are the tones used in Scandi design for a grounding colour on walls. If a feature wall is required, use nature's rich earthy tones such as dark cherry or browns as these will add warmth and comfort to a generally uncluttered, clean room.
Scandi style homes have a tendency to only use light woods, but to accomplish the Japandi design, don’t be afraid to mix both light woods and dark woods. Look for Japanese furniture with finishes of black lacquer and darker woods.
Choose furniture with clean lines and simple forms. Tapered wooden legs are key in both living and dining room furniture. Depending on the fabric or paint used, ensure that it is finished in neutral palette tones, or apply deep black tones to contrast against a light background. Ladder style shelving units in their linear form will help to showcase and define your well chosen earthen pots and natural ceramic ware.
Use natural materials for rugs, cushions and window treatments such as heavily textured wool, faux fur and raw cut linens. Linen, paper, basket woven or wood style pendant lights will add comfort, warmth and texture, and will harmonise the use of nature's elements in the home. The Japanese influence lets you play with traditional ink styled prints, privacy screens, and Japanese inspired wallpapers or wall panels whilst still keeping the room minimal and organised.
As with any Scandi design, foliage and plants play an important role in the feeling of well-being. Choose large leaf green plants such as money plants as these are known for bringing positivity and luck into your home. Money plants are also known for being one of the best plants to energise the house by filtering and purifying the air. Or why not grow your own Bonsai tree? Pampus, dried grasses, or money plant seed sprays can also be used to soften the room and to help keep a neutral tone, whilst the Japanese love for pretty cherry blossoms can bring added colour and warmth into your living space.
With this being such an easy and adaptable style it seems that this hybrid Japandi styling will be enjoyed in our homes for a long time to come.
