Looking to create a peaceful and stylish living room? Japandi design might be just what you need.
This popular style blends Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics to create spaces that are both beautiful and functional.
By combining minimalist furniture, neutral colors, and natural elements, you can transform your living room into a serene oasis that feels both modern and timeless.
Here’s how you can bring this serene style into your home.
1. Use Neutral Color Palette
Japandi style really loves calm, neutral colors. You can create a peaceful living room with soft beiges and warm grays as your main colors.
These gentle tones work together to make a space that feels cozy and open. Ballet White, Gray Mist, Muslin, and Jute are also great paint choices for your walls.
2. Natural Wood Furniture
Natural wood furniture is a must in Japandi living rooms. Look for pieces with smooth, simple lines that show off the wood grain.
Oak, walnut, and maple work well for coffee tables, side tables, or dining sets. The warm tones of wood create a cozy feeling while keeping things minimal.
3. Add Tatami Mats
These natural rice straw mats feel comfortable and look unique.
You can place tatami mats in a defined seating area or use them as flooring throughout the room. They add a wonderful texture and even a subtle, pleasant scent.
4. Choose Low-Profile Seating
Low-profile seating sets the tone in Japandi living rooms. You can add floor cushions for a relaxed, Japanese-inspired vibe.
Minimalist sofas with wooden frames and neutral cushions blend comfort and style. These pieces sit close to the ground, creating a calm, grounded feeling.
5. Bring In Plenty of Natural Light
Large windows without heavy curtains let sunshine pour into your living room.
Try sheer curtains or bamboo blinds that filter light without blocking it completely. This creates that soft, peaceful ambiance everyone loves in Japandi spaces.
6. Keep the Room Clutter-Free
Japandi design really thrives on clean, uncluttered spaces. Try to keep only the essentials in your living room.
Remove knickknacks from coffee tables and shelves if they don’t serve a purpose. Choose furniture with built-in storage to hide away items you don’t need every day.
7. Paper or Fabric Lampshades
Paper lanterns and fabric lampshades give off a warm, gentle glow that feels cozy and sophisticated.
Hang paper lanterns from the ceiling or pick table lamps with fabric shades. These materials filter light beautifully, creating soft shadows and a peaceful vibe.
8. Include Indoor Plants
Plants bring life to your Japandi living room and help you connect with nature. Bonsai trees add a touch of Japanese tradition with their miniature elegance.
Fiddle leaf figs work great too, their big leaves making a bold statement. Peace lilies, maple trees, or Japanese aralia are also lovely choices.
9. Mix Scandinavian Textiles
Blending textiles from both design traditions creates a cozy yet refined space. Try layering a chunky wool throw over a chair with Japanese linen cushions.
The contrast between heavier Nordic textiles and lighter Japanese fabrics adds visual interest while keeping harmony.
10. Minimalist Coffee Tables
Look for pieces with clean lines and minimal details in warm wood tones like oak, walnut, or teak.
Pick rectangular designs with legs that extend from the table’s underside for that distinctive Japandi look. These tables blend Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian warmth perfectly.
11. Woven Baskets
Woven baskets bring warmth while fitting the natural aesthetic.
You can choose baskets with darker rims for subtle contrast. Round or cylindrical shapes balance the clean lines of Japandi furniture.
12. Eco-Friendly Materials
Japandi style really embraces sustainability. Use eco-friendly materials like bamboo, cork, and certified sustainable wood for your furniture and decor.
Natural fibers such as linen, cotton, and hemp make great picks for curtains, throw pillows, and rugs. They look beautiful and help reduce your environmental footprint.
13. Branch Arrangement as a Centerpiece
A tree branch centerpiece brings natural elegance to your Japandi living room. Arrange bare branches in a tall floor vase for a striking focal point.
You can also use smaller branches of juniper, cedar, or pine in a simple vase on your coffee table. Dried flowers or weeping fig branches work beautifully too, connecting your space to nature without fuss or clutter.
14. Opt for Built-In Storage
Built-in shelving works perfectly in Japandi living rooms. You can tuck away clutter while keeping clean lines in your space.
Try cabinets with hidden handles that blend into the walls. This creates a seamless look that feels calming and organized.
15. Shoji Screen Divider
Shoji screens add a unique Japanese touch to your living room. Use these paper or fabric panels as stylish room dividers to create separate spaces when you need them.
You can also use them as window coverings or closet doors. They filter light beautifully while keeping your privacy, and they add warmth and texture to your space.
16. Handcrafted Pottery or Minimalist Ceramics
Try placing a couple of ceramic vessels on your wooden tables or shelves. They add texture and that unmistakable human touch without making things feel cluttered.
You really don’t need a big collection—just one or two handmade items can steal the show. They’ll nod to both Japanese and Scandinavian love for craftsmanship.
17. Furniture with Tapered Wooden Legs
Tapered wooden legs scream Scandinavian design and fit right in with Japandi spaces. Look for coffee tables, chairs, or sofas with those slender, angled legs.
They give your living room a light, airy vibe and show off the beauty of natural wood. Plus, lifting furniture off the floor helps small spaces feel a bit bigger.
18. Cozy Wool Rug in a Muted Pattern
These natural fiber rugs add warmth but still keep things clean and minimal.
Pick muted colors like beige, soft gray, or pale blue. Simple geometric or abstract patterns add just the right amount of visual interest.
19. Bubble Pendant Lamp
These iconic lights mix soft curves with clean lines, working beautifully with both Japanese and Scandinavian details.
The paper shade adds texture and a bit of warmth but keeps things minimal. Hang one over your dining table or a cozy seating area—it makes a great focal point.
20. Embrace Empty Space
Empty space sits at the heart of Japandi design. You really don’t need to cram every corner of your living room with stuff.
Let a few spots breathe—just leave them open. That openness feels good and lets your mind settle down when you walk in.