9 Must-Know Principles of Japanese Interior Design

The serene Japandi design aesthetic, which combines Japanese and Scandinavian styles, is gaining popularity in the US. This peaceful approach to decorating encourages relaxation at home by mixing something of the aesthetic of each region into one look. However, to fully grasp Japandi, it’s helpful to know something about the main ideas of Japanese design.

Japanese design is grounded in simplicity and a connection to nature. It features clean lines, rough-hewn textures, a neutral color palette, natural materials, and minimal styling. For Keiji Ashizawa, architect and product designer of Keiji Ashizawa Design in Tokyo, the word that comes to mind is harmony. “We are trying to harmonize, always. We harmonize the color palette and the materials,” Ashizawa says, citing the importance of using complementary colors and textures.

Simplicity is also key, says Masa Kaneko of Crafits Design Studio and Ippin Project in Brooklyn, NY. “‘Simple’ is the keyword, as a basic aesthetic sense related to design, not only interior design but also architecture, products, fashion, etc.,” he says. Contrary to Western design aesthetics that might be seen to encourage the addition of interior components, Japanese design espouses less decoration and encourages the removal of distracting elements. In other words, Japanese interior design subscribes to the idea that less is more.

Japanese design also uses the concept of “ma.” Ma is defined as negative or empty space. In Japanese culture, ma is not only a design concept but a concept that focuses on unoccupied space and time that allows people to pause and breathe. In design, ma is demonstrated by not filling rooms to the brim and in maintaining empty space. The belief is that this openness allows for harmony between spaces indoors and outdoors.

These principles are echoed in the country’s verdant gardens and architecture, too. “It’s such a beautiful culture,” Ashizawa says. The gardens are “still as beautiful today as they were 600 years ago.”

Japanese Interior Design Principles

1. Incorporate Natural Materials & Textures

Adapt the calm and serene feel of Japanese interior spaces into your design by choosing a simple palette of natural materials like wood and stone. Masa Kaneko recommends using “bright, natural wood with less redness, such as birch or white oak.” In traditional Japanese homes, wood boards frequently cover both ceilings and floors to create a seamless look.

2. Stick with a Neutral Color Palette

In traditional Japanese interiors, “walls are white or light beige-toned plaster,” explains Kaneko. His recommended paint colors are Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace or Snowfall White, in addition to “a little textured Japanese plaster.” When color is used, it’s often inspired by nature and displayed in subtle gradations. “I don’t use a perfect white; I use a nuanced white,” notes Keiji Ashizawa. “Sometimes it’s a white that works with the floor, so it has a touch of brown.”

3. Bring the Outdoors Inside

A core aspect of Japanese architecture seamlessly blends interior and exterior spaces. Floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors invite garden views and fresh air indoors. “Go out to the ‘engawa’ [porch] and enjoy the view of the garden. Enjoy the view from the window of ‘yukimi shoji’ to capture nature inside,” suggests Kaneko. Landscaping views are a vital design component, offering a dynamic art form as seasons change.

If a porch or backyard isn’t available, create an indoor garden by planting succulents or herbs in small pots. Display them on a shelf or table to incorporate natural elements into your decor.

4. Reduce Visual Clutter

“Noisy is an important word,” Ashizawa says, “I try to avoid noisy things. The world is now quite noisy; even on our mobile, we have to keep answering, and many noisy things are in our heads. In design, you can create less noise and feel calm.” His key advice? “Make it simple.” For Ashizawa, reducing clutter also means greater freedom. “Always stay tidy,” he stresses.

Minimize clutter by revisiting your space on a regular basis. Use a grouping of baskets or storage containers for organization. In line with Japanese design’s focus on functionality, evaluate if items in your home serve a meaningful purpose. If they don’t, consider donating or storing them.

5. Accessorize Intentionally

In Japan, decorations are chosen thoughtfully. “Traditional Japanese-style rooms have an alcove (tokonoma), which is the space for a hanging scroll (kakejiku) and ikebana flowers,” states Kaneko. “Paintings and decorations are not often placed on the walls other than in the alcove.” He suggests keeping walls minimal with just one unique piece, like a hanging vase for a single flower (ichirin-zashi), or a solitary piece of art. “Symbolically, decorating with your favorite artisan’s work may enrich your lifestyle.”

6. Choose Simple Furniture

Tables, chairs, and accessories should harmonize in both color and material with interior finishes such as the floor and walls. Look for natural materials such as light wood to maintain a clean-lined, minimal aesthetic. Mixing and layering similar tones and textures, with subtle contrasts, fosters a harmonious atmosphere.

Also, observe the height and shape of each piece of furniture. Japanese furniture typically features clean lines, organic shapes, soft curves, and gentle textures, often sitting low to the floor for a balanced look.

7. Incorporate Some Washi Paper

Washi paper, a traditional handmade Japanese material, is used in artwork and on screens known as shoji. They often act as room dividers and sometimes doors or windows. When lit from behind, washi paper casts a cozy glow. Adding this calming texture creates a relaxing and restful setting. Kaneko notes, “Doors with Japanese washi paper or made with Kumiko woodworking are art pieces that are naturally incorporated into the architecture while keeping the space very simple.”

Lanterns offer another way to enjoy the soft glow of illuminated paper. Globe-shaped paper pendants and freestanding table-sized lanterns, popularized by designer Isamu Noguchi in the 1950s, remain timeless midcentury modern elements.

8. Embrace a Dark Exterior

Dark-colored home exteriors are gaining popularity. A popular technique to achieve this look is shou sugi ban, where wood siding is charred to strengthen durability, making it resistant to fire, pests, and weather conditions. A practice in Japan since the 18th century, the process is used on cypress or cedar, resulting in dark, almost jet-black wood. When applied to a house exterior, shou sugi ban provides a dramatic yet natural finish, with visible wood grain adding texture. Painting your house a dark color in a matte finish can achieve a similar look.

9. Leave Room for Imperfection

The concept of “wabi-sabi” is a strong element in Japanese interior design. Wabi-sabi embraces imperfection, incompleteness, and impermanence, finding beauty in the temporary. In design, this translates to natural materials and earthy color palettes, as well as surfaces showing weathering or age patina. This can appear in a weather-beaten wooden bench, a burnished metal bowl, or “kintsugi,” a Japanese art form that uses gold or silver to mend broken pottery, emphasizing flawed beauty.

Wabi-sabi also emphasizes asymmetry, seen in furniture layouts and accessory displays (though these are minimal in Japanese spaces). Asymmetry is a core element in “ikebana,” the Japanese art of flower arranging, often showcased in traditional Japanese room alcoves.

Traditional vs. Modern Japanese Design

Traditional and modern Japanese interior design styles both share the minimalist aesthetic. “In terms of appearance, old houses are made by exposing wooden pillars and beams as they are,” says Kaneko, highlighting that modern Japanese design is more streamlined. “If you want to use an older Japanese style while keeping Japanese simplicity, use dark-stained wood for walls or furniture.”