With the turn of season and the ongoing social distancing, there has never been a better time to give your home an easy makeover. If you’re ready to revamp your space but are seeking for some inspiration, you might want to take inspiration from the Japanese-Scandinavian home decor trend, Japandi.  

The Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi stands for finding beauty in imperfection (“wabi” means simplicity, “sabi” translates to the beauty of age and wear”), while the Danish principle of hygge is defined as “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being”. Japandi is the confluence of these philosophies. It hybridises the minimalism of Japanese style with the rustic warmth of the Nordic design. Think plenty of natural light, de-cluttered spaces, use of natural materials, pretty pastels contrasted with neutral colours, and statement pieces.  

Below, we list four easy ways to incorporate Japandi into your home:

Use natural materials

A deep respect for nature, propelled by the extreme weather conditions, is one of the key pillars for both Japan and Denmark’s design aesthetics. Sustainable materials like wood, bamboo, rattan, and paper are the primary elements in Japandi style. Add a mix of light and dark wood to your furniture, get bamboo wallpaper, or use semi translucent paper screens to update your space. 

Choose a contrasting color palette

The juxtaposition of the two regions’ color scheme is one of the starkest indicators of this design trend. While Scandi design calls for neutral colors with pastel accents, Japanese design leans towards richer hues. To mix and match, use a neutral palette with hues such as light beige, off-white, or pale pink for the base, and incorporate rich-hued accents of blue, green, plum, brown, or black. 

Add one or two statement pieces

When we think of accessories, we usually think of the add-ons to the essentials. However, functional minimalism is one of the key features of Japandi. You want to make sure that your statement pieces serve some kind of purpose, and that your space doesn’t have too much going on. Vases, tableware, lamps, pillows, and blankets make for some popular candidates for your ‘it’ accessory.  

Accessories with elegant plantation

Not only does incorporating plants into an indoor space bring your home alive, it also gives you an active opportunity to nurture and cultivate life, and is known to reduce stress levels. Rarely will you come across colorful flower arrangements in Japanese or Danish homes. Bonsai, bamboo, and hanging planters—in the right amounts—should be your go-to choices when it comes to adding greenery to your space.