Are you looking to create a Japanese-style bedroom? A traditional Japanese bedroom focuses on the concepts of minimalism and peace.
If there’s one word to describe such rooms, it is zen. Luckily, you can very well bring this zen to your bedroom.
The Japanese tend to focus on functionality and simplicity in their bedroom aesthetics.
Thus you will find that their living spaces are clean, uncluttered, and focused on natural beauty.
There are several ways you can design your bedroom to emulate these concepts. Ultimately, you can make it look like it’s straight out of Japan.
With these tips, you’ll be equipped to do all of that and more.
1. Incorporate Elements of Nature
The Japanese culture is filled with respect for nature.
Hence, it would be excellent to incorporate nature and greenery into your Japanese-styled bedroom.
These types of bedrooms tend to create a connection between the external and internal. This is done through the greenery.
Greenery also makes a room more tranquil, which is something you want to achieve.
To do this, we recommend you place lots of plants throughout the space. Make sure they are situated near sunlight.
Moreover, Japanese rooms tend not to have colorful plants.
So, make sure whatever plants you get are natural, lush, and green. For example, you can place orchids or palms.
2. Consider Tatami Mats for the Floor
Japanese-style bedrooms have traditional Tatami mats over their existing floorings.
These are woven straw mats that you are likely to find at any Japanese home store or online.
Before buying them, take measurements of your room to see how many you need and what size. These maps tend to come in only one size.
Tatami mats complement wooden floors, so if you have a bright-colored floor, they might not look nice.
You will need to change the flooring before moving ahead with the mats. If you have smooth flooring, consider getting mesh liners underneath to keep them from moving around.
3. Sliding Doors or Screens
If you have ever visited or seen a Japanese home, you might have seen these sliding doors and screens.
These are an essential design element in any of their homes. These are fine paper held inside wooden frames and can be placed within or at the room entrance.
The great thing about them is that they let natural light through, unlike doors.
There are two types you can consider; Shoji and Byobu.
The Shoji are the sliding doors with wooden frames that you can place at a room’s entrance. Byobu are partition-like wooden frames placed inside rooms.
If you have a spacious bedroom, you can incorporate Byobu to separate specific areas.
4. Natural Wooden Elements
Similar to plants, Japanese bedrooms also incorporate as many wooden elements as possible.
This makes the room more peaceful and closer to nature.
To do this, you can use a variety of wooden or bamboo furniture like chairs, tables, or beds. The floors, doors, and windows also need to be made of wood if possible.
Another way you can add wooden elements in your Japanese bedroom is through a wooden screen.
Incorporating such elements will definitely bring about natural tranquility in your room.
5. Open Space and Plenty of Natural Light
As we mentioned earlier, what describes a Japanese-themed bedroom is minimalism.
The best way to have a minimalist vibe in your room is by throwing away all clutter.
Organizing your things and stowing them away in storage boxes and closets is also a good idea.
Besides having open space, you must also try to let in as much natural light in your room as possible. Get large expansive windows installed in your bedroom.
Remove anything in your room that may act as an obstruction to the natural light.
This will be the perfect way to brighten up your room and make it one with nature.
6. Use an Earthy Color Palette for Walls
When it comes to the color of the walls, Japanese rooms tend to stick to an earthy color palette.
This includes colors like brown, beige, warm white, and yellow. These colors create a tranquil ambiance.
Moreover, colors like such help keep the room in line with the overall theme of nature.
Make sure to steer clear of bright-colored walls.
However, you can add bright colors like red, gold, and pink if you want that pop of color.
All in all, the main aim should be to achieve a nature-like look in the room.
The colors should be simple, minimal, and calming.
7. Japanese Inspired Furniture
Japanese furniture tends to be slightly different from the traditional furniture we see. It is typically smaller and lower to the ground.
Moreover, their bedrooms also have floor seating. Hence you can get floor cushions for your room if you have space.
Make sure these pillows have a warm earthy color. You can also get lower desks and chairs if you plan to work or study from your bedroom.
All of this highly depends on your needs, budgets, and preferences.
However, adding such furniture will dramatically make your room more Japanese-inspired.
Try not to clutter the bedroom because the main part of a Japanese room is an open, clean area. So, let your furniture breathe.
8. Minimal and Handcrafted Art Pieces
When it comes to the décor of your Japanese-styled room, having plentiful plants would lift the room’s look.
Besides that, you can consider getting paintings and artwork installed on the walls.
Make sure it aligns with the overall theme of the room and not be too striking in color. Splashes of yellow, gold, and red in the artwork would be best.
As with every part of a Japanese room, even the art should be minimal.
You could consider paintings of murals or cherry blossoms to keep with the Japanese theme.
A painting with a few verses of Japanese poetry, ‘Haiku’ would look great too.
9. Consider Getting a Low Bed With Low-Light Lamps
A prominent part of Japanese rooms is their low beds and low-light lamps.
These give a more natural and calming look to the entire space. Since natural light will likely be illuminating your room during the daytime, you’ll need minimal lights for nighttime.
These low lights can be a replacement for overhead lights in your room.
You could place Japanese-style lanterns on either side of your bed. These tend to have lighter and earthy colors and give off a soft natural light.
They also align with the overall theme. Instead of a bed, you could also place a Japanese futon on the floor.
This is a traditional Japanese mattress used in all homes in the country. Most Japanese rooms don’t have beds, but rather futons.
10. Leave The Windows Uncovered
If you’ve ever seen a bedroom in Japan, you’ll notice that their windows are usually uncovered.
This allows for more natural light to enter the room and makes the room more lit up. Therefore, opt for white or earth-toned blinds for the windows or nothing at all.
Do not add any heavy or dark-colored curtains as they will not match the aesthetic of the room.
Get silk curtains or bamboo blinds for your room. And if you’re worried about the privacy of your room, get them tinted.
This way, natural light will enter your room, and no one can look inside either. The main aim should be to keep the room airy and natural.
11. Create a Zen Meditation Space
If your room is large and spacious, you can also create a designated meditation space.
This can be an area where you can recharge and relax. If you do yoga, you can place your mat here too.
It will truly become a serene and calming part of your house. Moreover, you can separate this area from traditional Japanese partitions.
You won’t need a lot for this part of the house; just make sure to add a floor cushion for meditation.
Additionally, add a water feature in this room if you can to mimic the flow of water going downhill. This will make your meditation space all the more zen.
12. Don’t Forget the Bonsai Tree
With any Japanese room or home, a bonsai tree is a must.
This is a small traditional Japanese plant that you can find at any gardening or plant store. It is going to be like you have a mini tree in your room.
But that’s not all; the plant is also elegant and aesthetic.
However, a bonsai can often be a complex plant to look after. You must make sure it gets enough water and sunlight.
Also read: 15 Plants that Are Good For Bedroom
The Bottom Line
A good rule of thumb for Japanese styled bedroom is to make sure everything is clean, minimal, and simple.
Each piece in the room should serve a purpose.
You can make changes to the décor based on your preferences, but a traditional Japanese room will contain all these elements.
Though changing your room and adopting this style may take some effort, it’ll all be well worth it in the end!
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