How To Create A Japandi Style Bedroom

Japandi is an interior design style that couples 2 styles: Scandinavia and Japan. Even though Scandinavia and Japan are two different cultures, and geographically located in different parts of the world, they do share the same concept of design: simplicity and minimalism.

This shared interest for design stems from their love of finding practicality and functionality in interior style, a core principle in the creation of a home which values a simple, calm, decluttered, yet elegant lifestyle. As well as a deep respect for both nature and craftsmanship!

But what makes a Japandi style bedroom unique from the usual minimalist style, is that it doesn't have that bland and plain look that can be a downside of minimalism. This is because the Japandi style adds sprinkles of stylish décor and has the Scandinavian infusion of ‘hygge’ which translates to comfort and cosines. So, it's not minimalism in a bland way, but cosy, stylish minimalism!

So, how do you create a Japandi style bedroom?

1. Declutter

Japandi bedrooms must be tidy, decluttered, and organised.

Keep belongings that are functional, save only a few sentimental items or items that serve décor purposes to a minimum.

For example, keep one plant, one picture wall hanging, and one vintage item for sentimental flair.

Japandi is a great advocate of ‘danshari’, which is stripping away unnecessary or negative items so that you are free of negative thoughts and feelings. This creates an environment that is uplifting and empowering, surrounding yourself with items of value, love, and functionality. Simple!

2. Japandi bed

Invest in a Japandi style bed which is generally a low-rise wooden bed with slim legs/feet.

This is a close parallel to the traditions of Japanese sleeping culture where they sleep very close to the floor on a thin mat called ‘tatami mat’, a mattress ‘Shikifuton’, and a duvet ‘kakebuton’ (with cushions too)

A Japandi bed is low so that it creates a more spacious and open bedroom - close to its traditional style and spatial aesthetic.

3. Japandi furniture

Your bedroom space should have furniture that is practical and minimalistic.

Think about your bedroom size and how much furniture and accessories you can introduce that won't clog up your room and ruin the minimalist visual. As well as furniture that is prominently functional as opposed to aesthetically pleasing.

For example, if you have room for a seating area you can buy a sofa bed because they are multifunctional: they convert between a sofa and bed, can be used in small bedrooms, and apartment spaces and are multifunctional for resting, reading, sleeping etc. this saves your space!

Furniture such as the bed, coffee table, benches, bookcases, and desk should be made from natural materials (such as wood) and a Japandi colour - for example, earthy colours like the natural wooden brown colours, beige, off-white, grey, and furniture that is of a simple design.

Use furniture that is comfortable, such as soft furnishings and natural fibres so that you can really give a touch of Scandinavian ‘hygge’

4. Japandi bedroom colours

Monochrome: colours that are monochrome can be used as part of Japandi style, this means using just one colour (can have different hues/shades but is primarily the same colour).

Use a warm, natural palette! You can pick a pastel colour, a gender-neutral colour, or a colour that is warm and relaxing (Japanese style) but is still bright (Scandinavian). Here are a few bedroom colour ideas for Japandi:

• brown
• beige
• white/ off white
• grey
• terracotta

Contrasting colours: such as grey and green, blue and brown, light pink and white, blue-green, etc.

Or you could use monochrome and contrast the shades of the colours!

5. Add natural elements - keep in mind comfort!

Furniture, items, and accessories should be manufactured using natural materials and fibres. For example, opt for natural filling rather than synthetic filling for your bed-related items

Example: You can get a duvet that has either natural (not synthetic fillings) so that it is more Japandi style - it's comfortable, soft, and breathable.

Furniture should be made of natural materials such as wood, and simple craftsmanship and design. As well as wood, other natural materials you can use for Japandi include linen, timber stools, sisal rugs, wool, terracotta pots, bamboo, hemp, paper, and rattan.

Use paper lanterns/lamps or handmade ceramic pieces.

6. Use plants and flowers for natural beauty

Use natural elements in the form of live plants and flowers to add an earthy Japandi touch and pops of colour!

This is great for decorative accents, giving your room a livelier look, and is healthy - a spark of nature to evoke feelings of calmness, relaxation, and peace.

Try to use live plants, not artificial ones, to get the most out of the beauty of nature!

7. Sprinkle accessories

As said, use accent furniture such as plants, flowers, wall hanging pictures to add a pop of colour, an earthy touch, and some warmth to your room. This really does add the aesthetic and can be peaceful if you choose warm, calling, earthy colours.

Wall art can depict beautiful sceneries like lakes, a forest landscape, or art that is just simple shapes and patterns.

Add throw cushions, throw blankets, and comforters to increase the comfort and coolness of your room. It's not just perfect for hygge ‘comfort’ in the functional sense, but the throw cushion and blankets also add decorative accents which give colour, style, and aesthetic.

8. Flooring

Think about using light colours for your bedroom walls, and maybe a darker tone flooring or vice versa.

Whether you want a lighter or darker tone for your flooring, you can choose wooden flooring as it is great for Japandi style- it ties in with the natural theme we are going for.

But this doesn't mean we compromise on comfort and cosiness; wooden floors can be adorned with comfortable rugs! There are many rugs that are Japandi style which have clean lines, are crafted with natural textures, and come in neutral colours!

9. Lighting

Think about lighting! Your light should be something minimal, a simple shape, and emit a warm, calming colour.

Ambient lighting or known as ‘mood lighting’ is great to create a relaxing and cosy room by using warm white LED bulbs that give off hints of yellow glow.

Lighting also influences your bedroom’s aesthetic, it can help with work productivity for tasks and promote healthy habits of things such as reading, work, relaxing and getting enough sleep!

Light fixtures can be used as statement lighting or can be called ‘accent lighting’ to highlight something you want to redefine, like an old piece of furniture or area that you don’t want to redesign or throw old pieces of furniture away. Use statement lighting to highlight artefacts, a shelf, a painting, a photo, or houseplants that you want to make a statement about and accentuate!

Task lighting! Ambience lighting is not just pretty. Carefully position ambient lighting in areas that make specific tasks and activities easy – such as workspaces, a sofa, an armchair, a window seat, or a bed area where you might read or go on devices. Ambient lighting is usually intended for illuminating a general area evenly, so don’t neglect the areas that require more illumination than others! So, add additional lighting in the form of lamps, wall-mounted fixtures, dimmers etc...