Japandi style: a practical guide

Japandi blends Japanese and Scandinavian design. From Japan it takes restraint, natural materials and an eye for imperfection. From Scandinavia it takes warmth, daylight and everyday comfort. The result is a room that feels quiet without feeling empty.

It is a mood more than a rulebook. The common thread is simplicity with warmth: few things, well chosen, made of natural materials and left to speak for themselves. If a room feels calm, tactile and unhurried, it is probably heading in the right direction.

Japandi colors come from the ground and the garden: warm whites, oat, sand and clay, moss and sage greens, with charcoal or black used sparingly for definition. Contrast is gentle. A dark note might be a lamp base, a picture frame or a ceramic, rather than a whole wall.

In Omriss, palettes such as Oat & moss and Linen & walnut sit close to this feeling, and the Japandi style is described to the AI as a calm blend of Japanese and Scandinavian design: low-profile light oak furniture, linen and paper textures, matte ceramics, paper lanterns, muted earthy tones and uncluttered surfaces.

Texture does the work that pattern does in other styles. Choose materials you want to touch.

• Wood. Light oak, ash or bamboo, with the grain visible and a matte finish.
• Textiles. Linen, cotton and wool in natural tones, with little pattern.
• Ceramics. Matte, hand-made-looking bowls and vases, ideally with an irregular glaze.
• Lighting. Paper lanterns and soft, warm bulbs rather than harsh overhead light.
• Furniture. Low profiles, simple lines and visible joinery, in pieces that stand on their own rather than matching sets.

Living room: choose one low sofa in a natural fabric, a wooden coffee table and a woven rug, then leave empty space around them. One or two plants and a paper lantern are enough decoration.

Bedroom: a low bed in light wood, linen bedding in two tones and one lamp on each side. Keep the surfaces by the bed clear. See bedroom makeover ideas for the practical steps.

Kitchen: flat-fronted cabinets in oak or a muted green, simple handles, and a single bowl on the counter instead of a row of appliances. Our kitchen redesign guide covers layout and finishes.

Whatever the room, start by taking things away. Japandi works because of what is not there.

Most Japandi rooms that disappoint fall into one of the same few traps.

• Too much beige. Without texture and a few dark notes, warm neutrals turn flat. Add wood grain, linen and one dark accent.
• Cold minimalism. Japandi is warm. Skip glossy surfaces and harsh white light.
• Everything matching. Buy fewer pieces and let them differ in material and age.
• Clutter in disguise. Baskets and boxes are fine, but a room still needs clear surfaces.
• Treating it as a costume. Borrow the principles, not the props. A paper lantern alone does not make a room Japandi.