Written by Georgia Lockstone

How to work the Japandi trend at home

Japandi is the harmonious marriage of Scandinavian cosiness and clean lines, with the elegant simplicity of the typically nature-focused elements of Japanese design. Here’s how to get the Japandi home decor look…

Lead image: Ilona Ilyés from Pixabay
This feature may include affiliate links, from which we earn a commission

The Japandi trend is showing some staying power, with Pinterest searches for the modern home decor trend increasing by 100% in the past year.

All about evoking warmth and peace in your home environment, the Japandi home decor trend feels particularly appropriate for the present moment. Here’s how to go about curating your very own zen den…

Curate – don’t clutter

Head of Design at Christy, Lucy Ackroyd, says: ‘Combining the content and cosy feel of Scandinavian hygge, with the Japanese foundations of feng shui and minimalism, this trend strikes the perfect balance between cosy, home comforts and fresh, modern style.’

It’s crucial to consider the purpose of your pieces, so when choosing furniture, embrace the simple, utilitarian nature of Scandinavian style, combined with the focus on elegant but understated craftsmanship found in Japanese culture.

red japanese inspired bedding on wicker bed - japandi interiors trend - goodhomesmagazine.com

Photo: Riva Japandi Bedding, Dunelm

Embrace neutrals and nature

When choosing your colour palette, opt for mostly muted tones, and focus on natural materials such as unfinished woods, bamboo pieces and hints of rattan.

Lucy adds: ‘This trend feels very relevant again now, as we all need to bring some calm and mindfulness into our immediate environment. There’s no better time than a new year to focus on carving out a little slice of zen for ourselves as we head towards the spring.’

Be meaningful with the addition of any brighter colours, and opt for botanical and nature-focused patterns that evoke a sense of peace and calm.

rattan bedside table - japandi interiors trend - goodhomesmagazine.com

Photo: Franco Side Table, Dunelm

Bring the outdoors in

A signature element to Japandi styling is the light and airy feeling it brings inside. Japandi perfectly blurs the lines of an inside, outside look. Styling signature Japanese indoor plants brings a sense of tranquillity into the space, and perfectly complements a neutral colour palette, bringing together the muted scheme.

Some artificial and effortless indoor plants you could choose to bring the Japandi aesthetic together inside include, Blooming Artificial’s delicate podocarpus bonsai plant (below, £32) or the statement japanese bamboo plant (£170).

Be intentional with textures

Juxtapose simplistic and elegant furniture choices with the cosy nature of Scandi ‘hygge’ culture by layering softer pieces, such as cushions, throws, and rugs. This variance in texture wouldn’t be found in typical Japanese decor, but is a crucial element of the mindful Japandi style.

Lucy adds: ‘Contrast is a key element of this trend, try mixing a simple Japanese-style bed in a light wood, with bountiful throw pillows and cosy blankets to combine these two styles in a 2021-appropriate way.’