Scandinese design – sometimes known as Japandi-style or minimalist Zen - is about the delicate fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian cultures, embracing honest authenticity, craftsmanship and pure living. It celebrates form with function and centers on simplicity, subtlety and restrained naturalbeauty.
The key to this minimalist trend is to keep interiors simple but functional. It's derived from a philosophy that turns organisation into a way of thinking and living by clearing the mind, cleaning up, and rearranging the home. This interior design style creates extra space for being creative and enjoying a calmenvironment.
Japanese Design: Clean andMinimal
Japanese interior design is known for its clean lines, minimalist aesthetic, and the use of natural materials. It incorporates traditional Japanese design principles and aesthetics to create a peaceful and sereneatmosphere.
One of the key aspects of Japanese interior design is the use of natural materials such as hardwood flooring, bamboo, and stone. These materials are often left in their natural state or are lightly treated to enhance their natural beauty. This gives the space a warm and organic feel and creates a connection tonature.
Another important feature of Japanese interior design is the use of simple, clean lines. Furniture is often low to the ground and streamlined, with a focus on function and practicality. Spaces are uncluttered and designed to promote a sense of calm andrelaxation.
Japanese interior design also incorporates traditional Japanese art and culture. This can be seen in the use of shoji screens, which are sliding doors made of paper and wood that are used to divide spaces and create a sense of privacy. Tatami mats, which are made of woven straw and are soft to the touch, are often used as flooring in traditional Japanesehomes.
Colour is used sparingly in Japanese interior design, with a preference for neutral colours such as white, beige, and gray. However, accents of bold colour may be used sparingly to create contrast and visualinterest.
Finally, lighting is an important element in Japanese interior design, with a focus on creating a soft, warm glow that enhances the natural materials used in the space. Paper lanterns and other traditional Japanese lighting fixtures are often used to create a peaceful and sereneatmosphere.
Overall, Japanese interior design is a unique and beautiful style that is known for its simplicity, use of natural materials, and emphasis on creating a peaceful and relaxingatmosphere
Scandinavian Design: Simplistic andFunctional
Scandinavian interior design is a design style that originated in the Nordic countries of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. It is characterized by its simplicity, functionality, and emphasis on naturalmaterials.
One of the hallmarks of Scandinavian interior design is the use of a light colour palette. This includes white, grey, and light pastel colours that help to create a bright and airy feel in a space. This is particularly important in the Nordic countries where there are long, darkwinters.
Another key feature of Scandinavian interior design is the use of natural materials such as wood, leather, and wool. These materials create a warm and cosy feel in a space and help to connect the indoors to the natural worldoutside.
Scandinavian interior design also emphasses functionality and practicality. Furniture is designed to be simple and functional, with a focus on clean lines and minimal decoration. This creates a sense of order and calms in aspace.
Lighting is also an important aspect of Scandinavian interior design. Large windows are often used to let in natural light, and light fixtures are designed to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Candles are also often used to add warmth and coziness to aspace.
In terms of decor, Scandinavian interior design favours simple and minimalist pieces. The use of geometric patterns and textures is common, and artwork is often simple andunderstated.
Overall, Scandinavian interior design is a style that emphasises simplicity, functionality, and natural materials. It creates a warm and cosy atmosphere that is perfect for the long winters in the Nordic countries and has become popular around the world for its timeless and elegantaesthetic.
How to achieve thislook
RECREATENATURE
Consider how to bring nature indoors. Add greenery or create designs which can cater to small or large spaces, increasing the benefits ofwellness.
EXPERIMENT WITHLIGHT
Make use of bright surfaces and natural light to provide powerful, curated statements that captivate people within thespace.
THINKSIMPLIFIED
Embrace clean lines and simple silhouettes. Play with decluttered surfaces and use a material's natural beauty for statementpieces.
PLAY WITHCONTRAST
Explore varying colour tones from light to dark woods, to demonstrate how using contrasting hues can add depth to interior spaces and create unexpectedjuxtapositions
How to create a JapandiBedroom
- Colour Palette: The Japandi style often features a muted colour palette with shades of white, grey, beige, and other neutral colours. Consider using these colours on your walls, bedding, and other decoritems.
- Furniture: The furniture in a Japandi style bedroom should be simple, functional, and made of natural materials like wood. Choose a low platform bed with a simple headboard, and add a wooden bedside table or dresser forstorage.
- Textures: Adding textures is essential in the Japandi style. Consider adding a woven rug, a chunky knit throw blanket, and some linen or cotton curtains to create a cosy and warmatmosphere.
- Lighting: Lighting is an important element in Japanese design, so be sure to include warm and soft lighting options such as paper lanterns or warm LED light bulbs. Also, consider adding natural light through large windows orskylights.
- Decor: Choose minimalist decor items such as simple artwork, ceramics, and plants to create a sense of calm and tranquillity in the room. Decorate with items that are both functional and aestheticallypleasing.
- Nature: Japandi style often incorporates natural elements such as plants, rocks, and water features. Adding a small indoor plant or a simple vase with flowers can help bring in natural elements to thespace.
- Decluttering: Keep the room uncluttered and free of unnecessary items. The Japandi style is all about simplicity and minimalism, so only include the essentials in thespace.
How to create a Japandi StyleBathroom
- Colour Palette: The colour palette for a Japandi style bathroom is typically neutral tones and muted, with shades of white, grey, and beige. You can incorporate small pops of colour through bathroom accessories orplants.
- Natural Materials: Natural materials are an essential part of the Japandi style. Incorporate materials such as wood, stone, and bamboo into the bathroom design. This can be achieved through wooden cabinets, stone countertops, or bamboo bathroomaccessories.
- Simple and Functional Design: Japandi style emphasises simplicity and functionality. Keep the design of the bathroom minimal, with clean lines and little decoration. Use open shelving or glass-front cabinets to display simple and functional bathroomitems.
- Lighting: Lighting is an important element in Japanese design. Natural light should be maximized, so consider adding large windows or skylights. Artificial lighting should be warm and soft, with the use of warm LED light bulbs or paperlanterns.
- Minimal Decor: Decorate the bathroom with minimalist decor items, such as simple ceramics, vases, or small plants. Avoid cluttering the space with unnecessaryitems.
- Plants: Plants are an important element in the Japandi style, as they bring a natural and calming feel to the space. Consider adding small potted plants, such as bamboo or bonsai, to thebathroom.
- Textures: Adding textures to the bathroom can help create a cosy and warm atmosphere. Use textured materials, such as woven towels or rugs, to add interest to thespace.
- Japanese Bath: If you have the space and budget, consider adding a Japanese-style bathtub to the bathroom. These deep soaking tubs are typically made of wood and can create a spa-like atmosphere in thebathroom
How to create a Japandi StyleKitchen
- Choose a neutral colour palette: A Japandi kitchen typically features a neutral colour palette with earthy tones and muted colours. Think of colours like white, black, grey, beige, and light woodtones.
- Incorporate natural materials: Japandi design emphasises the use of natural materials like wood, stone, and bamboo. Consider using these materials for flooring, countertops, cabinets, and kitchenaccessories.
- Keep it simple and functional: Both Japanese and Scandinavian design styles value simplicity and functionality. To create a Japandi kitchen, choose simple and functional kitchen cabinets andfurniture.
- Use minimalist lighting: Japandi design uses simple, minimalist lighting fixtures to create a calming atmosphere. Consider using pendant lights or minimalist track lighting to light up yourkitchen.
- Add greenery: Plants are an essential part of Japandi design. Consider adding a few indoor plants to your kitchen to bring in some natural elements and create a peacefulatmosphere.
- Add personal touches: Finally, to make your Japandi kitchen feel like home, add personal touches like artwork or decorative pieces that reflect your personality andstyle.
Key Japandi furniturepieces
Japandi style furniture typically combines the simplicity and functionality of Scandinavian design with the elegance and minimalism of Japanese design. Here are some key furniture items that are commonly found in Japandi styleinteriors:
- Low Platform Beds: Low platform beds with simple lines and natural wood finishes are commonly used in Japandi style bedrooms. These beds create a minimalist and relaxed atmosphere in thespace.
- Tatami Mats: Tatami mats are traditional Japanese mats made of rice straw and woven rush grass. They are often used as flooring in Japandi style interiors, adding a natural and organic feel to thespace.
- Minimalist Dining Tables: Japandi style dining tables are typically simple, with clean lines and natural wood finishes. They are often paired with minimalist chairs orbenches.
- Shoji Screens: Shoji screens are sliding screens made of paper and wood that are commonly used in Japanese interiors. They can be used to divide a space or as a decorative element in Japandi styleinteriors.
- Minimalist Cabinets: Japandi style cabinets are typically simple and functional, with clean lines and natural wood finishes. They often feature open shelving or glass-front doors to display simple and functionalitems.
- Woven Chairs: Woven chairs made of natural materials, such as rattan or bamboo, are commonly found in Japandi style interiors. They add a natural and organic feel to thespace.
- Low Coffee Tables: Low coffee tables with simple lines and natural wood finishes are commonly used in Japandi style living rooms. They create a minimalist and relaxed atmosphere in thespace.
Complete the Japandi Look withJacobsen
Round out your Japandi-style home with the clean and elegant look of Jacobsen's NZ flooring solutions. Contact the team today, and we can help lay the right foundation to build your interiordesign.
Products in thisarticle
