What Is Japandi Style? Interior Designers Explain the Cozy, Minimalist Aesthetic

Get to know this calm-meets-cool design approach.

An ideal home is a cocoon, a place where you can close out the world and breathe a little easier. But more often than not, it’s tough to even attempt that goal. There’s laundry and dishes and a never-ending list of other chores , not to mention reliable stressors like homework and work deadlines. Add screen time into the mix, and well, a home often feels more chaotic than rejuvenating. Perhaps that’s why Japandi style has seemed so appealing lately. Here, designers dive into what exactly the Japandi aesthetic is and how you can get the look in your own home for calming vibes.

Meet Our Expert

• Christina Higham , interior designer of Sun Soul Style Interiors
• Madelaine Mayer , founder and principal ADROIT Architecture and Interior Design

What Does Japandi Mean?

For those who haven’t come across this term—which is understandable, given the list laid out above—Japandi style refers to a combination of Japanese and Scandinavian interior design principles. “It incorporates the Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy of embracing the imperfection of natural elements with Scandinavian hygge, which is a concept that refers to coziness and togetherness. Simplicity, natural elements, and comfort are at its core,” says Christina Higham of Sun Soul Style Interiors.

Hingham notes that while the blended term has only recently gained traction, the layering of Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics is far from new. “Scandinavian designers were visiting Japan in the mid-1800s and were inspired then,” she says. If you’re interested in ways to make this calm-comes-first style a part of your home, read on for three ways to make it happen.

How to Incorporate Japandi Style Into Your Home

Hone In on Natural Elements

Japanese and Scandinavian styles share a love of natural beauty, and Japandi expresses that through a thoughtful palette of no-frills materials. You can take a cue from Higham’s recent project in Hawaii for ways to consider this approach to design.

“Rather than completely rebuilding the house from scratch, we embraced some of its existing elements, such as concrete floors and wood beams, and juxtaposed them with vertical oak slatting,” she says. “We used limewash paint and zellige tile in the kitchen, and then installed large sliding doors to highlight the tropical landscape and make the outdoors feel like part of the interiors.”

Warm woods complemented by earthy clay and smooth stone contrasted with woven materials are common characteristics of a Japandi home, where everything looks like it would be just as cozy in the open air. It’s welcoming, yet sophisticated.

It’s Not Exactly Neutral

Madelaine Mayer, founder and principal ADROIT Architecture and Interior Design, describes Japandi style as one that embraces the “perfectly imperfect” aspects of handmade craftsmanship. And while you may be tempted to highlight those personalizations in a neutral space, you don’t necessarily have to. Sure, Scandinavian and Japanese interiors do prioritize minimalism , but that doesn’t have to automatically translate into white walls. Nature has plenty of color, after all.

“Think of wood in a variety of tones: A forest isn't all one type of tree; your home shouldn't be either,” Mayer says. “Blues, greens, browns, and blacks could be used alongside creams in items like wool rugs, cotton throws, and chenille pillows. Everything should feel relaxing, like it wouldn't be out of place overlooking a natural landscape.”

To create a sense of minimalism, Mayer notes that it is important to think about storage: You don’t have to toss everything you own, but you should have a place for it all. “Generally, when clients are drawn to Japandi style they are looking for a sanctuary,” she says. “The right storage solutions keep things from feeling overwhelming.”

Related: 10 Calming Colors to Paint Your Walls, According to Interior Designers

Steer Clear of Overly Complicated

As you’ve learned by now, Japandi style stays down to earth—which is why anything bold or synthetic will likely feel out of place. “I would avoid anything that’s overtly synthetic or machine-made, like glass or acrylic tables, heavily patterned and overdyed synthetic rugs, tubular chrome chairs, or ornate chandeliers,” Mayer says.

Hingham says that because Japandi style has become so popular, she’s noticed a certain irony in how it’s gone mainstream. “What I find fascinating is how this aesthetic has now become a trend and thus has been reproduced by fast interior brands: things made cheaply with synthetic materials that will eventually end up in a landfill, which is basically the antithesis of the Japandi ethos,” she says. “I realize not everyone can afford to have the most high-quality, high-end materials in their home, so consider how to reuse and repurpose existing elements on a budget.”

Hingham recommends visiting second-hand and vintage stores for pieces, which will help achieve that wabi-sabi style in spades. Pair that with snuggle-ready fabrics and sweater-weather shades, and you can let the relaxation commence.

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