Are you looking to bring a touch of Eastern-inspired style to your home? Look no further than Japanese home décor! From serene zen gardens to minimalist furnishings, Japanese design is all about creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
In this post, we’ll share 10 inspiring Japanese home décor ideas to help you transform your space. Whether you want to go all out with a full-on Japanese-inspired theme or just add a few subtle touches, we’ve got ideas to suit every style and budget. So if you’re ready to create a relaxing and rejuvenating retreat in your own home, keep reading!
8 Ways to Add Japanese Style to Your Interior Décor
Perhaps you’ve seen a few Japanese movies and fallen in love with their aesthetics and decor, and you’d like to decorate your apartment in Japanese style; here are some basic features of Japanese home décor to incorporate into your home design;
1. Minimalism
The Japanese style celebrates simplicity over extravagance. So when choosing to design your home in a Japanese way, you must opt for simple and organic items. The design must be kept minimal and never over-packed; otherwise, it will lose its beauty. This is what the Zen concept is about.
A regular Japanese home would include floor cushions, a low-lying coffee table, some hand-woven mats, simple wall décor, arts, and a touch of cultural items for good measure.
All items must be used with a specific purpose to create balance and harmony in your home.
2. Open Space and Natural Lighting
Traditional Japanese décor extends beyond hanging simple wall artworks and cultural objects. Space and natural sunlight are essential in creating a Zen home. Use minimal furniture and huge, broad windows to bring in natural light to create a clean and open space.
3. Introduce Elements of Nature
The Japanese tradition encourages staying in touch with nature and wants you to bring nature into your indoor design. As such, the Japanese decor uses natural decorations such as traditional plants like bonsai trees, orchids, and bamboo.
Another way to add a touch of nature to your indoor décor is through the large, expansive windows that allow you to view nature from every angle.
4. Sliding Doors or Screens
The traditional entryway for Japanese homes is called Shoji, which are sliding doors often made from paper and wooden frames. A modern version of Japanese sliding doors or screens is made of glass panels inside a wooden grid.
This foyer style is largely favored as it helps save space and allows natural lighting into the Japanese home.
5. Japanese Style Furniture
Ideally, Japanese-style furniture does not require actual furniture such as cushion chairs and stools. However, you can bring Japanese aesthetics into your space by using low-height furniture such as simple side tables and bed frames or a low plank table surrounded by floor cushions.
Incorporating low-to-the-ground furniture in your space helps to promote minimalism and provides comfort and relaxation.
6. Create Zen Garden:
An important practice in Japanese culture is meditation. And it is typical to have a special space for meditation and yoga at home. Such space, which could be a garden or room, must be serene and calm, comprising of a low plank table, floor cushion, and plant decoration.
Creating a Zen Garden in your home could be a way to bring in the Japanese flair. And the Zen Garden can serve as a meditating space or for sitting and relaxing.
7. Create a Fireplace
Like the Zen garden, you could also create a fireplace in your home for meditation and evening relaxation. Such a fireplace would feature natural wood elements, simple greenery, natural lighting, modern furnishings, and floor cushions. These small pieces help create a rich Japanese home that speaks to its culture and love of nature.
8. Use Popular Japanese color
The goal of every Japanese home is to create a serene and calm atmosphere, which is evident in their choice of color. A typical Japanese home uses neutral colors like white, brown, and grey, which are derived from basic natural decorative elements like wood and plants.
To incorporate Japanese color into your interior design, look out for natural items from around you and add them to your home. Ensure to keep the design simple and neatly arranged.
Japanese-Inspired Home Décor: 5 Elegant Design Ideas
The following are Japanese design concepts with images to turn your home into a Zen space;
1. Japanese Style Sitting Room
A Japanese-inspired living room leaves you with flexible use of color. And depending on your preference, you could have a mix of cream, grey, brown, white or blue accents. Essentially, you must houseplants or potted greenery to bring nature inside.
You can decorate your living room with Japanese-style dark wooden chairs, a heater table called ‘Kokatsu’, and the floor with hand-woven floor mats and Tatami Mats to keep your space warm and homely. Hang artistic Japanese calligraphy on the wall, and keep your windows clear of any obstruction. Opt for a simple bamboo shade or sheer, gauzy curtain panels if possible.
For a smaller living room, do away with sofas and chairs. Rather, use a built-in bench seat with floor cushions. Keep your seating small for true Japanese style.
2. Japanese Style Bedroom
Japanese bedrooms favor a simple design. Since it is your personal space, you can combine patterns that reflect your passion while keeping the elements simple and natural.
Use a low-lying wooden bed frame to bring the Japanese style into your bedroom. Place a table or shelf at your bedside; on it, you can have a lamp and an alarm clock. Also, place a vase of fresh flowers somewhere between your bed and window, nature-inspired art, and/or a large mirror on the wall. And decorate your mattress with throw pillows and a plain bed sheet.
Japanese bedrooms are characterized by subtle, moody lighting. As such, you need Japanese-style lamps to make your bedroom perfect. You will find different Japanese standing lamps online, which can be placed somewhere in your room. And you can cover your light bulb with a pretty Japanese ‘Washi’ paper lamp.
3. Japanese Bathroom Design
In the Japanese tradition, the bathroom is an important part of the home not just for cleaning but can serve as a spa-like space to refresh the body and mind. As such, the soaking tub is a major highlight in a Japanese bathroom. The small deep tub allows you to sit and enjoy the serene sound of the bubbling water.
To create a Japanese bathroom design, keep your space uncluttered. Install a Japanese-style soaking tub and a sink in the space, and place a large mirror on the wall and shelving to store your toiletries and various bathroom items. You can add a linen line to hang your towel.
4. Japanese Kitchen Design
Like other parts of the home, the Japanese kitchen favors a minimalist design.
To create a Japanese-style kitchen, you should use simple and natural colors such as brown and organic green and earthy materials like wood and natural stone. Also, keep the kitchen arrangement simple, using a wooden dining table and chairs, a porcelain counter, a small fridge, and open shelves for storage.
5. Japanese-style foyer
Your Japanese-style home starts with the foyer, also known as ‘Genkan.’ You can go for a wooden floor or stone tile. But keep your entryway clean and clear.
One more thing, keep a shoe rack at the entrance of your home; that is in no small way an essential part of your Japanese-style foyer.
Popular Items in a Japanese-Style Home
- Japanese Lamps
- Japanese wall Art
- Woodblock Prints
- Tatami Mats
- Sudare Blinds
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Zen Colors?
The popular Zen colors are neutral colors such as white, brown, grey, and green. Other Zen colors are those derived from natural elements such as timber and plants. The Zen colors are a symbol of natural harmony, balance, and well-being.
What is a Traditional Japanese Bed?
The futon mattress is a traditional Japanese bedding material. It is a cotton-made foam that can be placed directly on the floor or on a wooden frame. The futon bed is space-saving furniture that can be used for sleeping and sitting and can be rolled up when not in use.
