27 Japandi Decorating Ideas for Every Room in Your Home

By Interior Designer TRACY SVENDSEN | Published  on June 30, 2023 | Updated on February 07, 2025 |

Are you looking for Japandi decorating ideas to incorporate into your own home? Japandi is a perfect design choice for those who value simplicity, tranquility, and understated elegance. There has been a universal shift to neutrals combined with nature-inspired hues, soft blacks, hints of copper, rounded corners, and cozy textures. 

Although most of my blog posts feature rustic design applications – rustic design has a different context for different people. Today’s rustic is moving towards a more minimal approach characterized by clean lines, simple shapes, and a focus on creating balance and harmony in the space. 

Japandi design is the remedy to a busy and hectic modern life, combining Japanese elegance with Scandinavian earthiness. It’s an aesthetic inspired by a neutral color palette, organic textures, rustic elements, warm wood tones, natural & handmade materials, and minimalism. Here, you’ll find design tips on Japandi kitchen design and decorating ideas for living rooms, dining rooms, bathrooms, and bedrooms.

Serene Los Angeles Japandi Living Room Designed by Shanty Wijaya
Image courtesy of Architectural Digest, Photo credit: Jenna Peffley

1. What is Japandi Design?

Japandi design is known for simplicity, clutter-free spaces, and functionality while maintaining a warm and welcoming feel. Japandi is a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian design styles. Japandi decor is a marriage between Japanese ‘wabi-sabi ‘(the belief that there is beauty in imperfection) and the Scandinavian notion of ‘hygge’ (a Danish and Norwegian term for coziness).

Although Scandinavia and Japan are roughly 8,000 km apart, the design world has plenty of overlap. Japanese and Scandinavian design aesthetics emphasize simplicity, natural elements, comfort, and sustainability. People in both countries love to spend time outdoors and bring nature into their homes. This resonates with the use of combining different shapes and the addition of wood, linen, and natural fibers.

A Serene & Minimalistic Japandi Living Room
Image courtesy of Studio M6 

2. What is the Difference Between Japandi & Scandinavian Design?

Japanese design is characterized by minimalism, simplicity, and functionality. It focuses on creating a sense of calm and tranquility through clean lines, natural materials, and neutral colors.

On the other hand, Scandinavian design emphasizes warmth, coziness, and comfort. It often features natural wood, soft textures, and cool colors to create an inviting and welcoming atmosphere.

While both styles prioritize functional design, they differ in their approach to aesthetics and ambiance. Japandi design typically contains more wooden elements, large plants, and raw materials than the Scandinavian style. You may also see a broader range of textiles and textures, combining the various natural materials used by both styles.

Using Natural Materials
Image courtesy of Anthology 

Japandi Design emphasizes organic and natural materials like wood, stone, paper, cotton, and rattan. The color palette is neutral and leans towards including darker and earthy tones like brown and green. Intentional and often functional decor such as teapots, books, ceramic cups, and vases are incorporated into uncluttered spaces that use natural light.

Scandinavian Design places emphasis on natural materials, particularly light wood. The palette is also neutral, focusing on lighter colors such as cream and white with soft brown wood tones from birch or white oak. As with Japandi design, spaces are uncluttered; lines are clean, and natural light is essential.

When incorporating Japandi into your home, it’s up to the individual how much of each design style will be included in the final look. For example, you may incorporate a darker color palette full of stones and dark wood to embrace a bit more Japanese style or go lighter if you want more Scandinavian flare.

Japandi Living Room Ideas
Image courtesy of Studio M6 

3. Minimalism & Clean Lines

Japandi style favors minimalism and encourages open spaces with clean lines, so decluttering is essential. Clean your space by ensuring items in your home have a specific place where they belong. Use natural storage situations like wicker baskets or bamboo screens to hide excess clutter.

Japandi Style Furniture | Japandi Decorating Ideas
Image credit Arhaus Furniture & Home Decor 

4. Soft Neutrals

The palette of Japandi design is neutral and includes warm tones such as beige, black, tan, and white. Cool neutrals like gray and blue work with the design aesthetic. Natural elements such as warm wood tones and green plants enhance the neutral hues.

Soft shades help cultivate a zen atmosphere and simplify the art of mixing and matching tones, as they harmoniously complement each other. When choosing a neutral shade, opt for cream or warm whites as a starting point—layer in soft beiges, blues, and greys to create an elegant and serene space.

Lovely Neutral Palette | Japandi Decorating Ideas
Image courtesy of Studio M6 

5. Earth Tones

Japandi design values a solid connection to the natural world and uses earthy tones reminiscent of distinct landscapes to reflect this love of nature. Mix in muted taupe, terracotta, and clay in decorating accents like vases, dishware, throw pillows, area rugs, and blankets.

Warm Earth Tones in a Japandi Space
Image courtesy of Keiji Design

6. Green Hues

To further honor the outdoors, layer in shades of green from home décor and accents to plants. Japanese plants like bonsai and more common succulents and ferns add hints of greenery indoors and help strengthen a home’s connection to nature—keep in mind the Japandi principle of minimalism doesn’t overwhelm any space with too many plants.

Using Green in Japandi Design 
Image courtesy of Lucas Design

7. Plants

Plants play a significant role in Japandi design. They are a great way to bring nature indoors and create a sense of calmness and tranquility. Plants can brighten a space, clean the air, and provide warm green tones.

Plants in Japandi Spaces
Image courtesy of Studio M6 

8. Subtle Rustic Elements

Include rustic natural materials with imperfections, like a tabletop made of granite, handmade ceramics, bamboo, rattan, paper, and materials that will gain a patina over time for character.

Rustic Elements Add Texture, Shape & Depth
Image credit Arhaus Furniture & Home Decor 

9. Warm Wood Grain

An abundance of wood used for walls, flooring, furniture, doors, and décor goes hand-in-hand with Japandi design. Be sure to highlight the beauty and texture of the wood, including all its knots and imperfections.

Warm Wood Tones
Image courtesy of Studio M6 

10. Dark Contrast

Japandi design uses dark hues to accent furniture, wall color, interior doors, and kitchen cabinetry to ground the interior.

“Although dark colors may seem counterintuitive to the soft and light aesthetic of Japandi style, like life itself, it’s important to strike a balance—without the darkness, we’d be less attuned to the light.” – Sotheby’s.

Playing with Strong Contrasts
Image credit Arhaus Furniture & Home Decor 

11. Shop Sustainably

Japandi design strongly emphasizes sustainability, focusing on high-quality craftsmanship with timelessness. Individual pieces are intentionally chosen and use natural materials, including cotton, linen, and rattan. Decorative objects, including terracotta, ceramic, stone, and glass, are handcrafted. Timeless pieces that you will use for years to come are key.

Sustainable Materials
Image courtesy of Lucas Design

12. Natural Light

Natural light is essential in Japandi design as it brings the natural world into the living space. Use mirrors to mirrors to reflect as much light as possible into your home. Leave windows bare or make use of lightweight window treatment options.

The Beauty of Natural Light
Image credit Image courtesy of Studio M6 

13. Continue to Evaluate

It’s essential to step back, evaluate the space, and remove anything you don’t find necessary. Japandi style is all about functionality and warmth; removing anything that doesn’t fit well into the space is a good idea.

Japandi Interiors
Image courtesy of Eye Swoon

14. Sculptural Forms

In Japandi spaces, opt for minimalist pieces with organic shapes and clean lines that continue the theme of craftsmanship. Beautifully made ceramic pieces go hand-in-hand in Japandi interiors, such as statement vases, textured bowls, vintage objects, and imperfect pottery that add dimension and visual interest. These items promote a sense of lived-in style and the joy of decorating with items that you love.

Using Sculptural Forms
Image courtesy of Anthology 

15. Wood-Slatted Walls

Natural wood-slat panel walls seamlessly align with the Japandi aesthetic and can be a feature wall or room divider. This type of wall paneling introduces organic beauty and natural materials while showcasing natural textures and intricate detailing. In the bedroom below, warm wood tones provide a soothing and dramatic contrast to a contemporary black-and-white color scheme.

Wood-Slatted Walls in a Bedroom
Image courtesy of Studio M6

16. Minimalist Fireplaces

A fireplace in a Japandi interior focuses on minimalism and functionality and is a design element that fosters relaxation and connection. In the living room below, a charcoal gray fireplace has a calming design that effortlessly blends with the living room’s soothing color scheme. The clean lines let the structure and material speak for themselves.

Japandi Fireplace Design
Image courtesy of Lucas Design

17. Natural Stone

Natural stone is a cornerstone of Japandi design, adding elegance, sophistication, sustainability, and a balance between beauty and functionality. Marble introduces sleek lines and a timelessness to Japandi spaces. For kitchens, countertops made from marble, quartzite, or granite enhance the organic vibe essential to this style.

Natural Stone in Japandi Design
Images courtesy of KES Studio & Nodiskakok

18. Light Wood Cabinetry

Light wood cabinetry is the star of the show in the Japandi kitchen design below. This stunning kitchen boasts a minimalist design, open shelving, a neutral color palette with black accents, integrated appliances, and a beautiful contemporary marble kitchen island. The Japanese aesthetic is present in the focus on harmony, balance, and natural materials, while Scandinavian influences that can be noted are clean lines, light wood finishes, and simple shapes.

Japandi Kitchen with Light Wood Cabinetry
Image courtesy of Lucas Design

19. Bring the Outdoors In

Indoor plants, natural light, and organic shapes define Japandi design and foster a sense of connection to nature. Japandi strives to bring the outdoors in through shape, color, and texture. In the two images below, sculptural and organic branch displays in simple vases bring in hues of green and verticality.

Bring the Outdoors In
Images courtesy of Betsey Brown & Keiji Design

20. Black Accents

The Japandi color palette includes layers of saturated neutral hues, greenery inspired by nature, light wood tones, and black accents. Black has long been known to add strong contrast, visual interest, and personality to a space. In Japandi interiors, black is used in moderation through light fixtures, artwork, decor, highlighting architectural details, and furniture.

Black Accents in a Japandi Kitchen
Image courtesy of Lucas Design

21. Layered Textures

Textures used in Japandi design reflect the principles of Japandi, Wabi-Sabi, and Hygge and include natural organic materials that connect home dwellers to nature through biophilic design. In the living room below, stone accents, rattan, wood, wool, cotton, and linen create a soothing, cozy ambiance in an ocean-side retreat. Incorporate texture through area rugs, window treatments, picture frames, lamps, vases, tableware, and throw pillows.

Layered Textures
Image courtesy of Lucas Design

22. Japandi Living Room Design

Japandi living rooms embrace low-profile sofas that combine soft textiles with natural wood. The furnishings are organic and considered, and they include natural fabrics such as linen, cotton, and wool, which are applied through area rugs, drapery, and throw pillows. Keep furniture and accessories to a minimum to avoid cluttering the space.

Japandi Living Room
Image courtesy of Yodezeen

23. Japandi Kitchen Design Ideas

In a Japandi-style kitchen, interior designer Vanessa Alexander redefines Malibu living in Bonsall Canyon with a harmonious space that incorporates clean lines, natural light, neutral tones, and the use of natural materials. Light natural wood cabinetry creates a perfect balance paired with light gray tile flooring, textured walls, a minimalist approach, and soft lighting.

Japandi Kitchen Design
image courtesy of Vanessa Alexander

24. Japandi Dining Room Design

When one thinks about a dining room design, creating a relaxing and inviting space is a priority – Japandi style takes this one step further. The combination of organic materials, the introduction of nature, and the celebration of natural wood tones create a reflective, peaceful, and serene environment. Scandinavian functionality takes center stage in two dining rooms created by Lucas Design, while warm wood tones, raw materials, and natural fibers pay homage to Japanese culture.

Japandi Dining Room
Image courtesy of Lucas Design

25. Japandi Bedroom Design

In a stunning bedroom by Lucas Design, natural light filters through floor-to-ceiling sheer curtains in a neutral tone. This warm, welcoming space combines warm neutrals, earthy tones, and black accents. Japandi bedrooms typically include pendant lights or rice paper lanterns, timeless furniture, textured area rugs, wood-slatted walls, and natural materials such as wood, stone, cotton, and rattan.

Japandi Bedroom
Image courtesy of Lucas Design

26. Japandi Bathroom Design

A Japandi bathroom promotes wellness, large windows, a neutral color palette, relaxation, and embracing nature. Natural light floods a serene Japanese style bathroom created by Lucas’s design. Warm neutrals, soft beiges, subtle earth tones, and organic shapes celebrate the natural beauty of raw materials and provide a deep connection to the outdoors.

Japandi Bathroom Design
Image courtesy of Lucas Design

27. Japandi Outdoor Spaces

Japandi outdoor spaces include organic materials from wood, wicker, rattan, and bamboo to stone and other natural fibers that bring warmth and tranquility. In an outdoor space created by Lucas Design, luscious vines wrap around pillars while potted plants create an earthy oasis.  

Japandi Bathroom Design
Image courtesy of Lucas Design

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SOURCES

Mclaughlin, Katherine. Japandi Style: Everything You Need to Know About These East-Meets-West Interiors.  A combination of Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics, the look is calm, casual, and organic. Architectural Digest. February 13, 2023

The Colors of Japandi Design.  Sotheby’s. October 21, 2021.