Decorating Trend: Japandi Style - How To Create A Calm Home
by Mae Osz on Nov 25, 2025
Have you noticed how a decorating trend can completely shift the atmosphere of a room the moment you walk in?
That instant feeling of calm is exactly what the Japandi style is designed to create. Blending Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian functionalism, it’s so much more than just an aesthetic — it’s a way of living with intention.
For many of us in the UK looking to escape the busyness of everyday life, this thoughtful approach has quickly become a favourite decorating trend. Its focus on mindfulness, simplicity, natural materials, and craftsmanship makes it a beautifully refreshing way to design a home.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to bring this serene Japandi look into your own space through art, colour, texture, and mindful styling.
List of Contents
- The Rise of Mindful Interiors
- Crafting a Serene Japandi Colour Palette
- Choosing Furniture with Function and Form
- Weaving in Natural Textures and Materials
- Adorning Walls and Floors the Japandi Way
- Perfecting the Look with Mindful Accessories
- Bringing It All Together for a Balanced Space
The Rise of Mindful Interiors
The move towards more mindful interiors isn't surprising. We're all looking for ways to make our homes feel like a genuine escape. This is where the Japandi style truly shines. It’s not about chasing a fleeting look but about adopting a mindset that values peace and simplicity.
This particular decorating trend blends the cosy, functional comfort of Scandinavian design with the timeless elegance of Japanese aesthetics.
Think of it as the perfect marriage of 'hygge' (the Danish concept of cosiness) and 'wabi-sabi' (the Japanese appreciation of imperfection). The result is a space that feels both modern and warm, minimal yet inviting. It’s a design philosophy that encourages us to surround ourselves only with things that are beautiful, useful, or both.
This intentional approach is why this decorating trend resonates so deeply with people wanting to create a more balanced life, starting right at home.
Crafting a Serene Japandi Colour Palette
Colour is the foundation of a Japandi home, and getting it right is key to creating that signature sense of calm. I always start with the Scandinavian base: a palette of muted, neutral tones like oatmeal, stone, and soft grey. These colours make a room feel bright, spacious, and instantly relaxing.
Then, to add depth and warmth, I bring in the richer, earthier shades from the Japanese aesthetic. Think of colours like muted greens, terracotta, and charcoal. These prevent the space from feeling too stark or cold. The trick is to create gentle contrast.
For instance, you might paint your walls in a soft off-white and choose a large sofa in a light stone colour. Then, you can introduce a charcoal accent wall or use terracotta and muted green in your cushions, throws, or a statement piece of art. This careful layering of colour is one of the most important calm home decorating ideas.
It’s a decorating trend that proves you don’t need loud colours to make a statement. You can explore how different shades work together by browsing art by colour scheme to find your perfect accents.
Building Your Japandi Colour Scheme
| Colour Category | Example Colours | Where to Use | Mood Created |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Neutrals | Oatmeal, Stone, Soft Grey, Off-White | Walls, large sofas, flooring | Airy, calm, and bright |
| Earthy Accents | Muted Green, Terracotta, Beige | Cushions, throws, a single feature wall | Warmth, connection to nature |
| Deep Accents | Charcoal, Indigo, Dark Brown | Vases, picture frames, small furniture | Depth, contrast, and sophistication |
This table provides a simple guide for layering colours to achieve the balanced and serene Japandi look. Use it as a starting point to build a palette that feels personal to you.
Choosing Furniture with Function and Form
When it comes to furniture, the Japandi philosophy is beautifully simple: prioritise clean lines, low profiles, and high-quality craftsmanship.
This is a decorating trend that moves away from disposable items and towards pieces that are built to last. Think of iconic shapes like simple platform beds, low-slung sofas, and uncluttered sideboards. Functionality is absolutely essential.
Every piece of furniture should have a clear purpose to help maintain that clutter-free feeling. I love incorporating multifunctional pieces, like a simple wooden bench that can serve as seating in a hallway or as a coffee table in the living room.
A key part of the Japanese Scandinavian design is creating balance by mixing furniture styles. Try pairing the soft, curved shapes of Scandinavian design, like a rounded armchair, with the more angular, refined pieces from Japanese traditions, such as a sleek, rectangular console table.
This is a decorating trend that celebrates thoughtful curation. When selecting pieces from our furniture collection, focus on these materials:
- Light woods like oak, ash, and maple
- Sustainable materials like bamboo and rattan
- Sleek, unadorned frames in black or White
Weaving in Natural Textures and Materials
Texture is what breathes life into a minimalist space, preventing it from feeling cold or one-dimensional. This is where a Japandi style home truly feels warm and inviting. It’s all about engaging the senses with tactile materials. This is my favourite part of this decorating trend because it’s so intuitive. Here are some of the key materials I love to use:
- Natural Woods: Unfinished or lightly stained woods for furniture, flooring, and decorative objects bring an immediate connection to nature.
SHOP HERE- Woven Fibres: Rattan and bamboo are perfect for adding texture through chairs, decorative screens, and light fixtures.
SHOP HERE- Paper: Delicate paper lampshades, like the famous Akari-style lamps, diffuse light beautifully and add a soft, ethereal quality.
- Natural Fabrics: Layering different fabrics is essential. I use a mix of linen, cotton, and wool for curtains, cushions, and throws to create a cosy, layered look.
SHOP HEREThis is also where the Japanese concept of 'wabi-sabi' comes into play. It’s the art of finding beauty in imperfection. Think of handmade ceramics with slight irregularities, a coffee table made from rough-hewn wood, or the natural crinkles in a linen throw.
SHOP HEREThese details add soul and authenticity, making a space feel lived-in and real. This appreciation for the imperfect is a core element of this unique decorating trend.
Adorning Walls and Floors with the Japandi Decorating trend
In a Japandi home, walls and floors are treated as calm backdrops, not busy canvases. The approach to wall decor is intentionally uncluttered. Instead of a crowded gallery wall, this decorating trend focuses on a single, impactful piece of art that serves as a focal point.
This allows the artwork to truly breathe and make a statement. When looking for prints for your living room, consider art that fits this aesthetic:
- Abstract pieces with simple, bold lines or organic shapes.
SHOP HERE- Nature-inspired prints, like delicate botanical sketches or serene mountain landscapes.
SHOP HERE- Japanese ink wash (Sumi-e) style paintings that convey a lot with just a few strokes.
SHOP HERE
I always recommend using simple, natural wood frames to complement the artwork without distracting from it. You can find beautiful examples in our minimalist art collection.
For flooring, light wood, bamboo, or stone-effect tiles work perfectly.
To add softness and define a space, use a simple, low-pile rug made from natural fibres like jute or wool.
SHOP HEREThis thoughtful approach to minimalist home decor UK creates a wonderful sense of openness and calm. It embraces the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which, as the BBC explains, celebrates the beauty of the imperfect and transient. This mindset is a defining feature of this powerful decorating trend.
Perfecting the Look with Mindful Accessories
The final layer of a Japandi interior is all about mindful accessorising. This is where the 'less is more' philosophy is most apparent.
Every object should be either beautiful or useful, and ideally both. It’s about curating a small collection of meaningful items rather than filling shelves with clutter. Knowing how to create a Japandi interior comes down to these thoughtful final touches.
This is a decorating trend that values intention over abundance. Here are a few key accessories I always recommend from our decor collection:
- Bring Nature Indoors: This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to embrace the Japandi style. A simple bonsai tree, a few elegant bamboo stalks, or even a single branch in a beautiful vase can instantly connect your space to the outdoors.
SHOP HERE- Handmade Ceramics: Choose vases, bowls, and mugs with a tangible, handmade quality. Their unique shapes and subtle imperfections add so much character and warmth.
SHOP HERE- Minimalist Lighting: Opt for light fixtures that provide soft, diffused light. Think paper lanterns or simple lamps with fabric shades that create a warm, gentle atmosphere in the evening.
SHOP HERE- Simple Trays: An elegant wooden or ceramic tray is perfect for organising small items on a coffee table or sideboard. It groups things together, maintaining that clean, uncluttered look.
Bringing It All Together for a Balanced Space
Creating a cohesive Japandi look is all about finding balance. It’s a delicate dance between light and dark colours, smooth and rough textures, and straight and curved lines. This is the essence of this sophisticated decorating trend.
If you’re just starting, it can feel a bit daunting, but a simple, step-by-step approach makes it manageable. Here’s how I recommend tackling it:
- Begin with Decluttering: Before you add anything new, create a clean canvas. A tidy space is the cornerstone of Japandi design.
- Establish the Neutral Palette: Choose your base colours for the walls and large furniture items. This will set the calm tone for the entire room.
- Choose Key Furniture Pieces: Focus on a few high-quality pieces that prioritise both function and form.
- Layer in Textures and Mindful Accessories: This is the final step where you add warmth and personality with textiles, plants, and a few cherished objects.
Remember, Japandi is a personal journey, not a rigid set of rules. The goal is to adapt the principles to create a space that genuinely feels restorative to you.
This is a decorating trend that’s meant to be lived in and loved. Ultimately, this enduring decorating trend is about creating your own personal sanctuary, a calm and balanced Japandi-inspired home that supports your well-being.
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Embark on a journey of creating a truly mindful home. Learn how to choose pieces that bring you joy and calm. Join us as we explore the topic of How To Create A Calm Home With Japandi Style. Click here to uncover more inspiration and tips for decorating your personal sanctuary.
Pro Tips…
Feeling inspired?
I encourage you to explore the different styles and trends we discuss on our Content Hub.
If you want to see these ideas in action, our Content hub offers plenty of visuals to guide you. Discover inspiring Home decor tips and trends to suit a variety of styles and moods.
- How to Choose Wall Art for Your Home
- Colour Psychology in Interior Design
- How to Choose the Right Frame for Your Art
I hope this guide inspires you to view wall art as both a decorative element and a powerful tool for creating a sanctuary tailored to your relaxation needs. Which style are you leaning towards? Let me know—I’d love to hear your ideas!
