Seven Japandi projects that blend Japanese and Scandinavian design (2024)

This Dezeen Lookbook presents seven interiors that combine design influences from Japan and Scandinavia in a style that has become known as "Japandi".

A hybrid of east and west, the style is increasingly popular as a way to create interiors that are minimal without being cold. Japandi makes clever use of craftsmanship and tactile materials, such as textured wood and handmade ceramics, to add comfort and warmth.

It features pared-back styling, precise craft and natural materials – qualities that have long been central to the design traditions of Japan, and the Nordic countries, particularly Denmark and Sweden.

This is the latest lookbook in a series providing visual inspiration for interior designers and design lovers. Previous lookbooks in the series have showcased bathrooms with views, calm living rooms and peaceful bedrooms.

Archipelago House, Sweden, by Norm Architects

Norm Architects' Archipelago House is a pine-clad holiday home that was designed to embody Swedish and Japanese aesthetics, a theme that comes through most clearly in the double-height living room.

Here, the owners can lounge on furniture that Norm Architects designed together withKarimoku Case Study – the sister brand of Japanese manufacturer Karimoku.

Creamy white and pale grey hues complement the light wood furniture in the room, where the main light source is a bespoke cone-shaped lantern. This was designed in washi paper by Japan's Kojima Shouten, which has been making lanterns for over 230 years.

Find out more about Archipelago House ›

A Quiet Reflection show, Sweden, by Ariake

An exhibition by Japanese furniture producer Ariake at Stockholm Design Week showcased the label's wooden furniture, which was designed in collaboration with a number of designers from all over the world (above and top).

Set in the dilapidated former Mexican embassy in Stockholm, the clean lines of the furniture stood out against the crumbling walls and stuccoed ceilings, creating a mix of texture and colour and an appreciation for older craftsmanship that perfectly embodies Japandi.

Find out more about A Quiet Reflection ›

Pantechnicon, UK, by Farrells

Pantechnicon, located in a 19th-century building in London's Belgravia neighbourhood, is home to both shops and restaurants that focus on Japanese and Nordic culture. Tenants include a cafe by French-Japanese cult record label Kitsuné and a Nordic restaurant called Eldr.

While Pantechnicon's interiors are pared-down, plenty of wood detailing gives the space an inviting feel, and lantern-like lights and green plants have been added to soften the minimalist aesthetic.

Find out more about Pantechnicon ›

Upstate New York Home, US, by Magdalena Keck

A family with Japanese and American heritage live in this home in the Catskill Mountains, which has an interior that draws on both their backgrounds and adds plenty of Scandinavian style.

In the open-plan living room, dining room and kitchen, a table and chairs by Danish designer Finn Juhl share the spotlight with Japanese pottery and woven mats sourced from Tokyo. Mid-century design and American crafts also feature in the house, balancing out the Japanese minimalism.

Find out more about Upstate New York Home ›

Izumi, Denmark, by Pan-Projects and Mok Architects

A Japanese restaurant in Copenhagen is the perfect setting for an interior style that mixes the two cultures.

Izumi, in the city's Charlottenlund suburb, draws on both Japanese restaurant interiors, with translucent screens that reference traditional paper sliding doors, and Scandinavian design. This can be seen in the curving oak panels that surround the open kitchen.

"Japan and the Nordic countries have a rich history of cultural interactions," explained Pan-Projects' founders Yurioko Yaga and Kazumasa Takada. "Especially in the field of design, there are many examples that are rooted originally in Japanese culture yet developed uniquely in the land of the Nordic region."

Find out more about Izumi ›

K5 Tokyo Hotel, Japan, by Claesson Koivisto Rune

A converted bank building in Tokyo, bombed during world war two, was turned into a boutique hotel by Swedish studio Claesson Koivisto Rune. The studio created a warmer interior style than is usually associated with Japandi, using tactile details and saturated hues.

Thin blue ombre curtains evoke the traditional craft of Japanese indigo-dyeing, or aizome, while sturdy wooden room dividers nod to Scandinavian mid-century modern design. The studio based K5's interior around the Japanese notion of "aimai", which is used to describe things that are ambiguous or unclear.

Find out more about K5 Tokyo Hotel ›

Powerscroft Road townhouse, UK, by Daytrip

As part of the renovation and expansion of this London townhouse, London-based Daytriploosely lime-washed the walls and added polished concrete floors to create a "calm and serene home".

The Scandinavian influence can be seen in the warm wood details used throughout the flat – as in this dining room, where a dark-wood chair complements a dainty table underneath the window – while elegant lighting fixtures add an East Asian feel.

A Japanese paper lamp from designer Isamu Noguchi's Akari range stands on a wood-burning stove stacked with logs, Scandinavian-style.

Find out more about Powerscroft Road townhouse ›

This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen's image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing peaceful bedrooms, calm living rooms and colourful kitchens.

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Seven Japandi projects that blend Japanese and Scandinavian design (2024)

FAQs

Seven Japandi projects that blend Japanese and Scandinavian design? ›

Japandi is a fusion interior style that combines functional, Scandinavian design with Japanese minimalism. In Japandi quality craftsmanship is combined with carefully selected objects, clean lines & sparse house plants.

What is the combination of Japanese and Scandinavian design? ›

Japandi is a fusion interior style that combines functional, Scandinavian design with Japanese minimalism. In Japandi quality craftsmanship is combined with carefully selected objects, clean lines & sparse house plants.

What is the difference between Scandinavian and Japandi style? ›

Japandi design incorporates more elements of traditional Japanese design and a warmer, more muted colour palette, while a Scandinavian design has a lighter, cooler colour palette and a more minimalist aesthetic.

How have Scandinavian and Japanese minimalist philosophies influenced design and architecture? ›

Simplicity and Minimalism: Both Japanese and Scandinavian design embrace minimalism and simplicity as core principles. They prioritize clean lines, uncluttered spaces, and functional aesthetics. Both cultures appreciate the beauty in understatement and believe that less is more.

What are the elements of Japandi decor? ›

Organic and natural materials: Japandi interiors often use wood, bamboo, stone, and paper to bring warmth and a touch of nature to the space. Neutral color palette: Japandi interiors typically feature a neutral color palette, with a dominant use of earthy tones such as whites, grays, browns, and muted pastels.

What is Japanese Scandinavian style? ›

Japandi, as the name suggests, is a mix of Japanese and Scandinavian styles. It is influenced by the ancient Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, a way of life which values slow-living, contentment and simplicity, as well as the Scandinavian practice of hygge, which embraces comfort, cosiness and wellbeing.

What is the concept of Japandi design? ›

Japandi is an interior design style that is a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian minimalist design. The word “Japandi” is a portmanteau of “Japanese” and “Scandi.” Japandi design focuses on clean lines, natural elements, bright spaces, and neutral colors to create calming and welcoming living spaces.

What are the rules for Japandi design? ›

What are the rules for Japandi design? Japandi focuses on simplicity, minimalism, and functionality. It's all about using natural materials, muted color palettes, clean lines, and creating a balance between comfort and practicality.

What style is similar to Japandi? ›

Although Japandi style and Scandinavian style share many similarities, such as their focus on minimalism and use of natural materials, they also have some key differences in their aesthetics.

Who invented Japandi style? ›

According to Japandi Living by Laila Rietbergen, published by Lanoo, the style's origins trace back to the 1860s. A Danish naval lieutenant, William Carstensen, sailed to Tokyo (then called Edo) to explore the country, whose borders had opened just 10 years earlier. He developed an obsession with their culture.

Who invented Japandi? ›

In 1868 as these closed-border policies were finally lifted, a group of Danish creators and designers were able to travel through Japan, taking much inspiration from the vast oriental offerings. Combining their own Scandinavian (Scandi) design alongside their newfound Japanese creations, the term Japandi was born.

Why is Japandi so popular? ›

One of the key features of Japandi style is the use of natural materials. Both Scandinavian and Japanese design place a strong emphasis on using natural materials such as wood, stone, and bamboo. These materials not only add warmth and texture to a space but also create a connection to nature.

What are the colors for Japandi style? ›

It draws inspiration from the natural world, incorporating shades of beige, gray, brown, and green. These colors create a calming and soothing environment, reflecting the simplicity and tranquility of both Japanese and Scandinavian design. Whites, browns, blacks, greys, beiges, taupes, and surrounding variations.

What is the Japandi trend? ›

“It is the East-meets-West design movement. It blends Japanese artistic elements and wabi-sabi philosophy with Scandinavian comfort and warmth or hygge,” Wijaya explains. “Both Japanese and Scandinavian design aesthetics are focused on simplicity, natural elements, comfort, and sustainability.”

What is wabi-sabi design? ›

In contrast to modern design principles that emphasize perfection, Wabi Sabi embraces the beauty of imperfection. Cracks, chips, and weathering are viewed as marks of character and history. Imperfection helps to create a sense of warmth and approachability, making Wabi Sabi interiors feel lived-in and comfortable.

What is Muji style? ›

Muji design style is intertwined with the principles of Zen. It emphasises simplicity, tranquillity and natural beauty. Natural materials such as wood, stone and bamboo will help you achieve the look. Use wooden furniture, flooring or accents in your home.

What is the difference between Muji and Japandi? ›

Key Takeaways: Japandi interior design combines the influences of Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics. Muji focuses on simplicity, functionality, and quality in its minimalist design approach. Japandi embraces natural elements, muted color schemes, and open spaces to create a serene atmosphere.

What is another name for Japandi? ›

Japandi, Scandinese or Japanordic, whatever you choose to call it, this latest hybrid trend effortlessly combines the best bits of two favoured design cultures.

References

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