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Japandi Interior Style: A Complete Guide to the Calm, Natural Look

What Japandi style is, the colours, materials and furniture that define it, and how to bring the look into any room on any budget.

By Trend Tulip Editorial 2 min read

Simple wooden bench beside a window in a calm, natural room
In this guide
  1. What defines Japandi style
  2. The Japandi colour palette
  3. Materials and textures
  4. Furniture: low, simple and well made
  5. How to bring Japandi into any room
  6. Japandi on a budget

Japandi is what happens when Japanese minimalism meets Scandinavian comfort. It takes the calm, low, earthy simplicity of Japanese interiors and blends it with the warmth and practicality of Scandi homes. The result is a style that feels quiet, grounded and deeply relaxing.

If you love the idea of a home that feels like a deep breath, this is the style to explore.

What defines Japandi style

Japandi has a few clear principles:

  • Less, but better. Fewer things, each one chosen with care.
  • Natural materials. Wood, linen, cotton, paper, bamboo, stone and clay.
  • Low, simple furniture. Clean lines, soft curves and pieces that sit close to the floor.
  • A muted, earthy palette. Warm neutrals with dark accents for contrast.
  • Craft and imperfection. Handmade ceramics and textured finishes, inspired by the Japanese idea of wabi-sabi, finding beauty in imperfection.

The Japandi mood board

Wooden bench beside a window
Simple wooden table and chairs
White ceramic vase with dark accents
Room with a low table and rugs on the floor

Tap a colour to copy its hex code.

The Japandi colour palette

Start with warm whites and soft neutrals on the walls and big pieces, then add depth with darker tones. Avoid stark, cool white, which can feel clinical. Instead look for whites with a little warmth, almost like rice paper.

Charcoal, black and deep walnut add the contrast that stops the room feeling washed out. Use them in small doses: a black lamp base, a dark wood stool, a charcoal throw.

Materials and textures

Texture does the work that colour and pattern do in other styles. Combine:

  • Pale oak or ash with darker walnut
  • Linen and cotton for sofas, curtains and bedding
  • Paper lantern pendants for soft, diffused light
  • Stoneware and handmade ceramics
  • Jute, sisal or wool rugs
Simple wooden dining table and chairs in natural light
Simple wooden furniture with clean lines is the backbone of Japandi.

Furniture: low, simple and well made

Japandi furniture is often low to the ground, with simple frames and visible wood. Look for:

  • A low-profile linen sofa
  • A platform bed or low wooden bed frame
  • A simple wooden bench in the hallway or at the end of the bed
  • A round or oval dining table with plain chairs

Choose fewer pieces and leave space around them. Empty space is part of the design.

Stoneware vase set

Stoneware vase set

Simple, matte vases for stems, branches or dried flowers.

$25–$50 at Amazon US Shop now
Natural jute area rug

Natural jute area rug

Hard-wearing, neutral and works with almost every style.

$90–$220 at Amazon US Shop now

How to bring Japandi into any room

Living room

Keep the sofa simple and neutral, add a low wooden coffee table and a single large plant. Display one or two ceramics rather than a collection.

Bedroom

A low bed with linen bedding, a paper pendant and almost nothing on the nightstand. Keep storage closed so the room stays calm.

Kitchen and dining

Wooden chopping boards, stoneware plates on open shelves and a simple vase with one branch.

Japandi on a budget

You don't need designer pieces. Start by decluttering, then swap in natural textures where you can: linen cushion covers, a paper lantern shade, a jute rug and a few thrifted ceramics. Secondhand wooden furniture often has exactly the warmth Japandi needs.

Japandi starts with taking things away. Clear every surface, then put back only what is useful or truly beautiful.

Curious whether Japandi is really your style? Take our decor style quiz, or explore the full Japandi style page.

Questions readers ask

What is the difference between Japandi and Scandinavian style?

Both use natural materials and simple shapes. Scandinavian style tends to be lighter and cosier, with white walls and pale wood. Japandi borrows Japanese restraint, so it's lower, more earthy and more minimal, often with darker wood accents.

Is Japandi style expensive?

Not necessarily. The look depends more on editing and choosing natural textures than on buying expensive pieces. Linen, paper lanterns, simple wooden furniture and ceramics are widely available at every price point.

What colours are used in Japandi interiors?

Warm whites, oat, sand, clay and greige, balanced with charcoal and black accents and the natural tones of oak, walnut and stone.

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Written by

Trend Tulip Editorial

We write practical, budget-aware decor guides for real homes in the US and UK, from rented flats to family houses. Every idea is chosen to be doable, affordable and easy to live with.