Two takes on Japandi style in two FibreGuard case studies

Japandi design is a union of two iconic styles - the simplicity of Japanese minimalism and the practicality of Scandinavian design. In this first part of a two-part blog, we wander into the world of Japandi textiles, living room decor, accessories, and furniture, providing you with practical tips and ideas to embrace this beautiful trend.

Stay tuned for part two of this article where we explore the finer details of fabric selection and textile characteristics for Japandi style interiors.

Where does Japandi style originate?

Japandi style traces its roots back to the cultural interactions initiated by Danish designers’ journeys to Japan in the late 1800s, According to Japandi Living by Laila Rietbergen.

It’s a design philosophy that weaves the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi (which finds beauty in imperfection) in together with the cozy and contented Scandinavian concept of hygge. The result is a celebration of the uncluttered, practical features characteristic of both Japanese and Scandinavian designs.

Japandi design in two FibreGuard use cases

The entire design philosophy around Japandi is to create spaces that promote a feeling of clarity. Let’s look at our case studies, and see how and why they both get them right.

Home one: Japandi but with a darker colour twist

This space has an immediate visual impact thanks to its clean lines, clutter-free surfaces, and carefully chosen furniture. The designers went for a slightly darker colour palette than you would associate with either Japanese or Scandinavian design, but it works!

The contemporary streamlined fireplace, touch of floral decoration, minimalist coffee table and rounded lamp by the sofa: all pull aspects of Scandinavian design that we all know and love.

The stool by the window is a contemporary take on the silhouette, form and craftsmanship shown for centuries in Japanese woodworking. All the furniture chosen features a low profile, again evoking traditional Japanese interiors.

The result? A balanced fusion of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian design.

Key takeaway: When selecting furniture, aim for minimalist pieces that reflect both Japanese and Scandinavian design principles. Think low-profile sofas, sleek coffee tables, and versatile storage solutions that not only look stylish but also serve practical purposes.

Home two: celebrating the brightness of Scandinavian design

This second space is such a contrast to the first one. It’s so interesting to see how different designers can have such different responses to a brief.

It’s much lighter-looking even on first impression. They went to every effort here to maximise natural light, and blonde wood features throughout to lock that brightness in. The furniture forms draw more heavily from Scandinavian rather than Japanese design – but we see the fusion coming out in the grounded, earthy colour choices and decorative accessories.

So what decorative objects whisper 'Japandi'? We want to choose well-crafted pieces that emphasise simplicity and functionality. All Japandi spaces need to be as visually uncluttered as possible, so making every decorative object count as a functional piece will help them earn their place.

Scandinavian countries, as well as Japan, have a rich history and culture of ceramics and woodturning. We see a celebration of these traditions throughout this space, from wooden bowls to understated ceramic vases and candle holders.

Related read: Embrace a lifestyle of ‘idyllic idleness’ with the help of FibreGuard fabrics

FibreGuard furnishing fabrics meet Japandi-style furniture

All of these furniture pieces showcased here also feature our FibreGuard easy clean upholstery! FibreGuard upholstery is perfect for Japandi style living, because it's low maintenance and beautiful—especially in neutral shades.

Stay tuned for part two of this article where we explore the finer details of fabric selection and textile characteristics for Japandi style interiors.

Conclusion

Japandi style just doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon, which is good news for design enthusiasts. Before we go, we encourage you to explore more of our FibreGuard Japandi-inspired content and visit our Pinterest board. Together, let's celebrate the beauty and versatility of Japandi style.

See you next week!