Japandi bedrooms are the best spaces to unwind in after a long day. There’s something special about their harmonious blend of functionality, style, and comfort, not to mention the slower feel that helps calm a stressed-out head.
If you’re unfamiliar with Japandi, imagine the modern lines of Scandinavian style with the sleek, simple elegance of Japanese design.
There’s an emphasis on quality over quantity, with fewer furnishings and blocks of colour that create a sense of flow around your bedroom.
For instance, your bedroom might have a super-low wooden bed frame and a pastel green feature wall leading up to spotlights to make your bedroom feel taller.
Interested in a Japandi treat all your own? Read on for our brightest ideas.
Fundamentals of Japandi Design
Japandi is a harmonious blend of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian cosiness. It's a style that prioritizes functionality, natural materials, and a sense of calm. Here are the core elements:
Core Principles
Minimalism: Less is more. Focus on essential items and declutter to create open spaces.
Functionality: Every piece should have a purpose. Avoid unnecessary clutter.
Balance: Combine the clean lines of Japanese design with the warmth of Scandinavian aesthetics.
Natural Materials: Wood, stone, linen, and wool are preferred for authenticity and texture.
Neutral Color Palette: Soft whites, greys, and earthy tones create a serene atmosphere.
Wabi-Sabi: Embrace imperfection and find beauty in natural aging and flaws.
Craftsmanship: Invest in high-quality pieces that are built to last.
Light and Airy Spaces: Maximise natural light and create a sense of openness.
Indoor Plants: Bring nature indoors to enhance the connection with the natural world.
Additional Elements
Contrasting Textures: Combine smooth surfaces with rough textures for visual interest.
Subtle Use of Color: Introduce pops of colour sparingly to accentuate the neutral palette.
Comfort: Prioritise comfort through soft textiles and ergonomic furniture.
Incorporating these elements allows you to create a stylish and functional Japandi space that promotes well-being and tranquillity.
Pictured: Japandi space that promotes well-being and tranquillity.
Japandi’s elements
Furnishings that combine Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian functionality
Use of wood, bamboo, stone, and other natural materials
Soft, muted colours like beige, grey, and white, with black for contrast
Simple but functional furniture
Different textures through textiles, ceramics, and natural materials
Indoor plants, especially bonsai trees
Harmony between form and function (embrace the concept of “less is more”)
The best Japandi ideas for your bedroom
Right, let’s get to it.
Low bed frames
The first thing every Japandi bedroom needs is a low bed frame.
Traditional Japanese design often features low-to-the-ground furniture like futons and low-bed platforms. This is due to the practice of sitting and sleeping close to the floor.
Low beds also contribute to a minimalist look by reducing visual clutter and creating a sense of openness in your bedroom.
Of these, the Shed Beds Tokyo is by far the lowest.
Minimalist window treatments
Japandi style embraces a clean look, so they often have bare windows or sheer curtains. Blinds or shades are usually in neutral colours and made of natural materials like bamboo or linen (wooden Venetian blinds are a decent choice, too).
The point of all this is to maximise natural light, create a sense of openness, and maintain a clean, uncluttered look. It also serves as the perfect blank canvas for:
Bonsai trees
Buddha ornaments
Lucky cat ornaments
Candles and incense sticks
Just don’t go overboard with the clutter.
Neutral colours with a dark backdrop
The best Japandi spaces have furniture pieces in soft, muted tones like beige, grey, or white and backdrops (walls) with darker elements in black or charcoal.
Pictured: Time Living City Block 3FT Single Metal Bed Frame - Black.
That combination of dark and light elements creates a yin-yang vibe, giving your Japandi bedroom a sense of balance. Using more light elements creates a serene feel with just enough contrast to add visual interest.
Water elements
Pictured: Japandi bedroom style, with aquarium and water elements.
Adding water elements to your Japandi bedroom is a fantastic way to enhance the sense of tranquillity and connection to nature.
A small, minimalist tabletop fountain or water wall works wonders, or you can get an aquarium or fishbowl to add life and movement to your bedroom.
Mirrors and glossy surfaces can also replicate and enhance the sensation of water—try adding a mirror behind your fish tank and see what we mean.
Stone and earth
Pictured: Japandi Bedroom Earth Elements.
Wood might very well be Japandi’s forte, but stone and earth underpin it, giving bedrooms a naturalism and rawness missing in Scandi spaces.
Use natural stone for bedside tables or as a base for lamps, and add a feature wall with stone veneer or textured plaster resembling stone.
Handcrafted ceramic vases, bowls, or sculptures work brilliantly, as do ceramic table lamps with earthy glazes and potteries with organic, imperfect shapes.
