What do Ellen DeGeneres, Kim Kardashian, and Kanye West have in common? Besides having an extremely controversial 2020, these three big names in the entertainment industry are all living the Japandi home design trend.
If you're a fan of celebrity home features, you'll notice how Elle and the soon-to-be ex-couple KimYe have this clean, calm, and harmonious home. The Japandi trend gives these celebrities a chic Zen-like charm at home.
According to Pinterest's 2021 prediction report, Ellen and KimYe's home are so beautiful that the Pinterest search for the term "Japandi" doubled over the years.
What is Japandi?
Japandi, from the word itself, means the combination of Japanese and Scandinavian interior design. It features a harmonious blend of Scandinavian functionality and Japanese rustic minimalism.
The Japandi principle is rooted in functionality by unleashing the fusion of art, nature, and simplicity by focusing on clean lines, bright spaces, and easy-on-the-eye colors.
According to Leni Calas of Ward 5 Design, expect an abundance of natural materials, muted colors, minimalism, and well-curated furnishing with Japandi. It also features quality handmade pieces instead of cheap structures.
Overall, the Japandi home design trend highlights sustainability by using eco-friendly yet functional aesthetics.
History of Japandi
The Japanese and Scandinavian fusion could be traced back to the well-establish cultural ties between Japan and Denmark.
"It's a relationship that began more than 150 years ago, when Danish artists and designers began traveling to Japan in search of new inspiration," designer Marty Basher said, as reported by realtor.com.
The similarities with these countries' design philosophies make the Japandi home design a true peaceful sanctuary.
"The wabi-sabi movement in Japan, which highlights imperfections and the use of natural, handcrafted materials, has a lot of similarities to traditional Scandinavian hygge designs," says design firm owner Anna Cummings.
How to achieve a Japandi home?
While a quick Pinterest search can easily give you pegs and inspirations for your Japandi home makeover, below are the key tips to achieve this dreamy functional minimalism home design.
Say no to clutter
Clutter is a major sin in Japandi home design as it clashes with the principle of functionality and cleanliness. Japandi focuses on function-driven space, so useful items are preferred than overflowing unnecessary stuff. Instead of bombarding an area with decors, just choose a single yet functional accessory and make it a highlight of the room.
If you have an active household and can't avoid tiny clutters, it is recommended to attempt a "faux minimalism" by using organizers, boxes, and boxers to hide excess stuff.
Functional Furniture
Decors with no function at all is a no-no in the Japandi living. Find something that is both functional and aesthetic, and make sure it lean towards natural elements like wooden bowls, indoor plans, which add warmth to the room.
Cool and Calming Shade
Since Japandi embraces minimalism, it's better to choose calm colors like white, off-white, or beige, which translates to brightness and breathability. Japandi color may also incorporate soft tones like light gray, pink, blue, and greens. But make sure to give your home plenty of natural light.
