Their streets might not show it, but a minimalistic approach is one of the biggest features of japandi design.
Overstimulation with everything has led this nation to pick simpler styles for homes. Japandi minimalism is spreading like wildfire among those who have great taste and want to do something unique and high quality with their homes.
But, japandi isn’t just a style in which you decorate. It’s a way of life! It’s minimalism at its finest, a natural approach to living comfortably while looking great!
The style features several characteristics you’re gonna love, and you’ll see all of them through these top 11 japandi living room ideas below!
1. Modular Furniture FTW
In the USA, most people still believe a sofa is comfortable only if it has so many cushions, throw pillows, and padding. I never find those sofas comfy because all those pillows seem to suck me in and I think I’d get lost in all that fluffiness.
When browsing japandi living room ideas, you’ll notice their furniture is never too fluffy. It’s always functional, low-profile, and practical. If a sofa is meant to be sat on and be comfortable during that time, a japandi sofa will do that.
It’s common sense to think a sofa like the one in the picture would provide great posture, and lumbar support, and thus help us rest. Those pillowish sofas we all have don’t do that.
Japandi living rooms have modern, almost futuristic pieces of furniture and they’re often modular, meaning they can be arranged with another piece to create a new composition.
Playing with shapes and elements, all while keeping the same earthy tone palette is what japandi living rooms are all about.
2. Lots Of Naturals
While most of you would expect white, black, red, and grey to be colors used as inspiration for japandi living room ideas, that’s not the case.
The japandi style loves neutral naturals!
Whether you’re an all-beige gal, or you prefer a combination of earthy shades, the japandi style demands and loves such warm colors.
Everything in this living room inspo is either beige, cream, taupe, or a shade of brown. Everything blends in together and works so soothingly!
Once again, we have modular furniture that’s low in profile, in a lovely taupe color, surrounded with wooden elements, a prime example of how a japandi room should look.
3. A Pop Of Soft Color
Not everything’s black and white and not everything’s all-beige when it comes to this style.
I love how a simple, muted peach color falls in the same category of earthy shades and compliments the room so well.
In this living room, peach was used for major elements, modular sofas in the center of the room. However, the wall in the back on the left side, and some other trinkets all over the room are also peach-colored, but they blend in so well.
Honestly, I didn’t think peach would look so elegant with the rest of the room in beige and light brown. It was always a color for kids in my mind, and now I see its full potential.
4. Pieces That Add Dimension
When I said japandi living room ideas often don’t feature black-and-white combinations, I didn’t say they don’t feature black accents or details.
A simple white and beige room was given dimension by adding black pieces such as the ultimate japandi coffee table in the centre and the minimalistic black lamp.
What seems to be one of the simplest ideas is actually completely japandi style-oriented with low-profiles, modular sofa that’s functional. Even from the photo I could tell only natural materials were used to design this beautiful living room nook.
Natural materials are highly important in this style and keeping in touch with the nature overall.
5. Decorations That Change The Atmosphere
The japandi style is so much more than just designing the space in a certain way. Japandi style also means you get rid of the things you don’t need that create the constant cluttering in your living space.
It’s minimalism at its finest, a way of life, a different POV.
Still, japandi living rooms do have some decorations that elevate the space and change the atmosphere to homey and inviting.
The style promotes using plants indoors. While these aren’t your average green potted plants, the dried decor, pampas grass in the vases you see in the photo, also add points to the natural style.
6. Oh, The Tiny Legs!
Yes, those tiny legs on the table and the sofa are too adorable! But, that’s not the point.
Japandi living rooms have low furniture thanks to the national heritage. Back in the day, their lives were on the tatami. Everything was low or on the floor. As time went on and new influences infiltrated the land, western furniture became more popular.
Still, elements of the traditional style are still present. The low table or the chabudai in this living room blends in so nicely with the simplicity of the room. It’s an accent piece that stands out and it still keeps its functional value.
7. Can’t Go More Japandi Than This
The commode that kinda reminds me of Mount Fuji. The uchiwa fan on the wall. The woven accents in the room and everything look like it’s part of the natural environment.
This is all japandi!
The living room you’re looking at has some of the finest japandi features and you can guess the style without much thinking.
When you break the photo into elements you can notice there are lots of details. However, all those details don’t clash with the japandi style features nor do they create a mess in the room. Somehow, they all complement each other and work in a harmonious way.
8. Futuristic Elements
The japandi style comes from a land that lives in the year 3000. They’re super-futuristic oriented and yet so into appreciating traditional values.
The next of our japandi living room ideas is this beige beauty with a lovely sofa as the centerpiece. See, a futuristic design that still follows the guidelines of comfort, functionality, and practicality is the best form of japandi.
What’s interesting is that a lot of apartments in the style’s native land are rather compact. It’s no surprise to see an open-concept home with a living room bedroom and everything just to fit in a small space.
9. Less Is More
Accepting the transience and imperfection is the whole point of living japandi. It’s Wabi-sabi, a way of life, a style of interior that’s taking over the world.
Although the style normally focuses on earthy tones, it’s not uncommon to see shades of green as the main color of japandi rooms.
This tea tree green is such a refreshing color. Besides the standard low-profile furniture, this living room has a unique addition, the swing chair that looks like it’s wicker.
The combination of the lovely green shade and the eye-catching pieces make this one of my favorite japandi living room ideas.
10. It’s Aesthetic!
The japandi aesthetics is so clean and refreshing. Every single japandi living room idea today is Instagram feed-worthy and I absolutely love seeing them on my explore page.
My favorite piece in this living room is definitely the futon-like sofa with wooden backs. You can either use it like that or add pillows for extra comfort.
Simplicity in design along with statement pieces on the wall and the coffee table are what makes this living room pop. It’s such a great example of how a neutral room can be a spectacular one.
11. The Green That Changes Everything
I love seeing plants inside. That doesn’t mean I know how to take care of them, but I still do love a nice greenery accent.
As you already know, japandi is reaching back to nature, so greenery, plants, and such additions are always more than welcome. The green adds a lovely contrast to the already muted color palette in the room.
You can say this is a fine example of a modern japandi style with a twist because that poster on the wall is definitely not what we’re used to seeing in this type of room.
Final Touches
In the sea of interior designs that seem to pop out every now and then, the japandi style is a constant that never changes.
It’s a safe style for anyone looking for a home that will be like no other. It’s a sign you’re not just blindly following trends; you’re living them!
I know at least one of these japandi living room ideas will work for you so you could invite the Far East into your home.