8 Must-Know Principles of Japanese Interior Design

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8 Must-Know Principles of Japanese Interior Design

The serene Japandi design aesthetic, which combines Japanese and Scandinavian styles, is gaining popularity in the US. This peaceful approach to decorating encourages relaxation at home by mixing something of the aesthetic of each region into one look. However, to fully grasp Japandi, it’s helpful to know something about the main ideas of Japanese design.

Japanese design is grounded in simplicity and a connection to nature. It features clean lines, rough-hewn textures, a neutral color palette, natural materials, and minimal styling. For Keiji Ashizawa, architect and product designer of Keiji Ashizawa Design in Tokyo, the word that comes to mind is harmony. “We are trying to harmonize, always. We harmonize the color palette and the materials,” Ashizawa says, citing the importance of using complementary colors and textures.

Courtesy of KEIJI ASHIZAWA DESIGN

Simplicity is also key, says Masa Kaneko of Crafits Design Studio and Ippin Project in Brooklyn, NY. “‘Simple’ is the keyword, as a basic aesthetic sense related to design, not only interior design but also architecture, products, fashion, etc.,” he says. Contrary to Western design aesthetics that might be seen to encourage the addition of interior components, Japanese design espouses less decoration and encourages the removal of distracting elements. In other words, Japanese interior design subscribes to the idea that less is more.

Japanese design also uses the concept of “ma.” Ma is defined as negative or empty space. In Japanese culture, ma is not only a design concept but a concept that focuses on unoccupied space and time that allows people to pause and breathe. In design, ma is demonstrated by not filling rooms to the brim and in maintaining empty space. The belief is that this openness allows for harmony between spaces indoors and outdoors.

These principles are echoed in the country’s verdant gardens and architecture, too. “It’s such a beautiful culture,” Ashizawa says. The gardens are “still as beautiful today as they were 600 years ago.”

Japanese Interior Design Principles

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1. Incorporate Natural Materials & Textures

Looking to capture the serenity of Japanese spaces? Select a concise palette of natural materials such as wood and stone. Kaneko advises using “bright, natural wood with less redness, such as birch or white oak.” In Japanese interiors, both ceilings and floors are often covered in wood boards.

2. Stick with a Neutral Color Palette

In traditional Japanese interiors, “the walls are white or light beige-toned plaster,” Kaneko says. His go-to paint colors include Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace or Snowfall White, as well as “a little textured Japanese plaster.” When color does appear, it is inspired by nature and often displays a subtle gradation, Ashizawa explains. “I don’t use a perfect white; I use a nuanced white,” he says. “Sometimes it’s a white that works with the floor, so it has a bit of brown.”

Ben Richards

3. Bring the Outdoors Inside

Japanese architecture is known for its blend of interior and exterior space. Add floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors to open a house up to the garden and let in fresh air. “Go out to the ‘engawa’ [porch] and enjoy the view of the garden. Enjoy the view from the window of ‘yukimi shoji’ to capture nature inside,” Kaneko says. Green garden views are an active part of the design and serve as always-changing art.

If you don’t have a porch or backyard, creating an indoor garden by planting succulents or herbs in small pots. Place the containers on a shelf or end table to add natural decor.

COURTESY OF KEIJI ASHIZAWA DESIGN

4. Reduce Visual Clutter

“Noisy is an important word,” Ashizawa says, “I try to avoid noisy things. The world is now quite noisy; even on our mobile, we have to keep answering, and many noisy things are in our heads. In design, you can create less noise and feel calm.” His best advice? “Make it simple.” For Ashizawa, less clutter can mean more freedom, too. “Always stay tidy,” he emphasizes.

Minimize clutter by implementing a daily or weekly home reset routine and use baskets or storage containers to organize your belongings. Because Japanese style emphasizes functionality, it is also important to evaluate which of your belongings serve a specific purpose in your day-to-day life. If it does not serve a need, consider donating or storing it.

COURTESY CRAFITS DESIGN STUDIO

5. Accessorize Intentionally

In Japan, decorations are placed with intention. “Traditional Japanese-style rooms have an alcove (tokonoma), which is the space for a hanging scroll (kakejiku) and ikebana flowers,” Kaneko says. “Paintings and decorations are not often placed on the walls other than in the alcove.” He recommends keeping walls spare except for one unique piece, such as a hanging vase that holds a single flower (ichirin-zashi), or a single piece of art. “Symbolically, decorating with your favorite artisan’s work may enrich your lifestyle.”

Courtesy of KEIJI ASHIZAWA DESIGN

6. Choose Simple Furniture

Keep tables, chairs, and accessories in harmony—both in color and materials—with interior finishes such as the floor and walls. Favor natural materials such as light wood to keep the overall aesthetic clean-lined and minimal. Mixing and layering similar tones and textures, with minimal but intentional contrasts, creates a sense of harmony.

Also consider the height and shape of furniture. Japanese furniture often has clean lines, organic shapes, soft curves, and subtle textures. It also often sits low to the floor.

7. Incorporate Some Washi Paper

Washi paper is a traditional handmade Japanese paper. It can be used in artwork as well as on screens, called shoji, that serve as room dividers or even sometimes doors or windows. If you put a light behind a screen lined with washi paper, the paper emits a cozy glow. Integrating this calming texture has the soothing effect of encouraging rest. “Doors with Japanese washi paper or made with Kumiko woodworking are art pieces that are naturally incorporated into the architecture while keeping the space very simple,” Kaneko says.

Simple lanterns are another way to achieve soft, inviting glow of illuminated paper. Globe-shaped paper pendants and free-standing table lamp-sized lanterns originated by designer Isamu Noguchi in the 1950s are a midcentury modern design element that has stood the test of time.

DANE TASHIMA


8. Embrace a Dark Exterior

Dark colors on home exteriors are becoming more popular, led by shou sugi ban, the Japanese word for wood siding that has been burned in order to preserve it and make it more durable and resistant to fire, pests, and weather. The process, usually employed on cypress or cedar, has been practiced in Japan since the 18th century and results in dark, almost jet black wood. Used on a house exterior, shou sugi ban looks dramatic yet natural because of its unique texture and the fact that some of the wood grain shows through. It somehow both stands out and blends in with its environment. You could get a similar look by painting your house a dark color in a matte finish.

Traditional vs. Modern Japanese Design

Both traditional and modern Japanese interior design styles feature a minimalist aesthetic. “In terms of appearance, old houses are made by exposing wooden pillars and beams as they are,” Kaneko says, noting that modern Japanese design is sleeker. “If you want to use an older Japanese style while keeping Japanese simplicity, use dark stained wood for walls or furniture. The color creates a more Minka-style casual atmosphere.”

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