How to Create a Calming, Serene, and Balanced Space
Japanese interior design is quickly gaining popularity in the United States. With its roots dating back centuries, Japanese-inspired interior design is a timeless and beautiful way to create an atmosphere that will bring peace, calm, and balance into the environment.
The rise in popularity of this interior design style is largely attributed to the increased appreciation for mindfulness practices within our culture. As people strive for health and well-being daily, they often seek ways to bring peace into their homes. Interior designer Lauren Li points out that the “simplicity, purity, and restraint” that Japanese aesthetics embody are “values that are an antidote to our fast, frenzied consumerism and the scrolling social media spiral in which many of us live.”
In Japan, the idea of less being more is deeply embedded in its culture. This sentiment is reflected in Japanese design’s minimalist aesthetic that helps to create harmony by removing clutter from a room and allowing for greater focus on individual items or objects within the space.
Japanese design also emphasizes the importance of connecting with nature by bringing elements from the outdoors into the home. This connection is seen in many aspects of Japanese interiors, such as the focus on natural materials like bamboo and wood, the use of natural finishes and tones, and the incorporation of plants throughout the space. Through this connection, one can achieve that sense of inner peace so highly sought after in our modern world.
The influence of Japanese-inspired interior design
Traditional Japanese-influenced design has impacted many renowned architects and designers throughout history. This type of design, in particular, has significantly influenced contemporary design, from Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic modernist structures to the modern minimalist architectural masterpieces being created today.
Frank Lloyd Wright was a renowned American architect and designer greatly inspired by traditional Japanese woodblock prints. A woodblock print is created by carving an image in reverse on a piece of wood and using ink to stamp it onto paper or fabric. Wright admitted that “The print is more autobiographical than may be imagined. If Japanese prints were to be deducted from my education, I don’t know what direction the whole might have taken.”
Similarly to how these woodblock prints blurred the line between art and its frame, Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs created continuity between buildings and nature through his organic architecture, which sought to integrate structures with their natural surroundings.
The defining principles of this design style
Japanese-inspired interior design is based on timeless principles emphasizing minimalism, zen, nature, and peace. These defining principles are essential to achieving a calming and harmonious atmosphere in the home. Here is a look at how each concept helps to elevate this Japanese style into a relaxing oasis:
“Kanso” or minimalism
The Japanese concept of “kanso” or minimalism is a philosophy of simplicity and stripping away the superfluous. It’s based on minimalist design principles and the idea that true beauty lies in subtle details and can be found within even the most barren spaces. By removing unnecessary clutter, it creates an atmosphere that is both tranquil and calming.
At its core, kanso is about returning to the essentials, embracing negative space to create a sense of harmony and balance. This is evident in traditional Japanese design, which often features sparse furnishings, white walls, and natural materials such as wood or stone. Ultimately, the goal is to have just enough pieces to make a statement while maintaining an airy feel. In other words, less is more.
“f*ckinsei” or zen
The Japanese concept of “f*ckinsei,” translated literally as “asymmetrical balance,” is a cornerstone of zen and is often used in interior design. The idea behind f*ckinsei is that to achieve true harmony in a space, there must be elements of both chaos and order. This means forgoing perfectly symmetrical furniture layouts and instead allowing for an asymmetric balance that helps create a more calming atmosphere.
For example, f*ckinsei can be seen in the incorporation of natural elements like plants and rocks alongside traditional items such as tatami mats or shoji screens. The key is to ensure that the design has an element of unpredictability while still maintaining a sense of unity throughout the room. This can be achieved by strategically using color, texture, pattern, lighting, and other elements to create visual interest without being overwhelming.
“Shizen” or emphasis on nature
The Japanese concept of “Shizen” is a philosophy of finding harmony in nature. It emphasizes allowing natural elements to exist and flow freely in the environment. By bringing nature into a home, there can be an immediate calming presence felt throughout the space.
Achieving this look doesn’t need to be complicated, as small changes like adding houseplants to windowsills or introducing natural wood-framed furniture can make a massive difference in the atmosphere. The idea behind shizen is simply to bring a bit of nature indoors to connect with it. It’s all about creating a natural flow inside and outside with no fixed rules or boundaries.
Natural lighting is often used to help bring nature inside as much as possible while still allowing control over its intensity with curtains or blinds. Installing big windows that provide natural light, hanging plants from ceilings or walls, or covering floors with natural stone tiles are great ways to emphasize nature in your space.
“Seijaku” or serenity and peace
Finally, the Japanese concept of “Seijaku,” or serenity and peace, is an integral part of the philosophy behind Japanese interior design. Seijaku emphasizes a sense of tranquility in one’s space and a peaceful atmosphere, free from distraction or chaos. This is achieved through careful attention to each element of the room, from the furniture and decorations to the color palette and textures.
Distraction in the space should be limited to maintain Seijaku, and there should be nothing that feels cluttered or unnecessary. Every element should be well thought out and intentional. For example, be sure to think about the textures you use in your space. Texture is essential in creating a comforting and peaceful environment. Fabrics like cotton, linen, or wool provide warmth and visual appeal. Additionally, incorporating items that evoke feelings of nostalgia or sentimentality can also be beneficial in achieving Seijaku.
How to bring these Japanese core concepts into your space for a more peaceful and serene home environment
The Japanese-inspired design emphasizes simplicity and minimalism, with muted colors, natural light, and lots of plants and greenery to bring the outdoors inside. In addition, low-profile furniture made from higher-quality materials is preferred for its focus on sustainability and repurposing. Below is an in-depth look at these core concepts and how to incorporate them into your home to create a more peaceful and serene environment.
Utilize a minimalistic and muted color palette
Incorporating a minimalistic and muted color palette is critical to creating an atmosphere of tranquility. Neutral tones like light beige, white, grey, and blues perfectly complement traditional Japanese design elements like Shoji screens and Tatami mats. In addition, the muted shades help bring out the grains of wood used in various wooden furniture pieces without overpowering the area.
Navy blue, deep green, and light gray are also excellent choices for grounding the room with subtle pops of color. Regarding accent colors, stick to soft lavender, reds, pinks, or sky-blue hues. These lighter tones add warmth and depth to the space while keeping the area peaceful and serene.
Utilize natural light
Using natural light is essential for achieving a Japanese interior design style. The more natural light you bring into your home, the more connected with nature you will feel – something that is an integral part of Japanese design. Utilize window coverings such as lightweight curtains or decorative paper screens to filter the sunlight while allowing it to enter the room.
Incorporating skylights and large glass sliding doors are also great ways to let in more natural light and give the illusion of spaciousness without sacrificing privacy. If outdoors can be seen from indoors, select furnishings that help blend the two areas, such as outdoor benches that can be used inside and out.
Bring in lots of nature, plants, and greenery
Bringing lots of nature, plants, and greenery into your space is integral to Japanese-inspired interior design. Traditional Japanese plants such as Bonsai trees are a great way to bring the natural world indoors. Not only do they make your home look beautiful, but they also help introduce a sense of balance and peace.
In addition to Bonsai trees, other traditional Japanese plants can be used to brighten up your home. Some popular choices include ferns, bamboo stalks, mosses, bamboo shoots, kokedamas (moss balls), orchids, and flowering cherry blossom branches. All these plants bring the beauty of the outside into your home, strengthening your interior’s connection to nature.
Think low-profile and high-quality furniture
When shopping for furniture with a Japanese-inspired interior design in mind, it’s vital to think of low-profile and high-quality. Low-profile furniture creates a tranquil, spacious feel without overwhelming the room.
Choose pieces with clean lines and soft curves while avoiding anything overly ornate or bulky. Natural materials such as bamboo, teak, and rattan that showcase traditional craftsmanship are popular for Japanese-inspired spaces as they add texture and warmth to the atmosphere.
For added impact, choose low seating options like floor cushions or tatami mats rather than higher chairs or armchairs. This will make the room feel grounded and connected to the earth while leveraging traditional Japanese design elements.
It is also essential to focus on quality when selecting furniture for a Japanese-inspired interior design. This means investing in natural materials like wood and stone, with texture and intrinsic beauty that won’t go unnoticed. Look for solid wood pieces that will stand the test of time while avoiding pieces made from composite wood that may look cheap and break easily.
Emphasis on repurposing and sustainability
Japanese interior design emphasizes the repurposing and sustainability of materials. One of the most essential aspects of Japanese design is the concept of wabi-sabi, a practice that pursues beauty found in impermanence and imperfection. This philosophy encourages people to use, reuse, and repurpose objects instead of buying all new items.
According to traditional Japanese beliefs, nothing should ever be wasted or thrown away; instead, it should be reused in a new form. Furniture was often made from recycled wood and repurposed materials as they sought ways to create a beautiful environment while embracing nature’s gifts.
DIY projects are a great way to repurpose used items to fit your new Japanese-inspired aesthetic. You can give an existing item a new life by adding subtle Japanese touches, like repainting a piece of furniture with white lacquer or replacing knobs with traditional Japanese handles.
Another route is thrifting or consigning authentic Asian pieces such as ceramics, paintings, and vases at antique stores, online marketplaces, and flea markets. This allows you to add more curated worldly items while maintaining a more sustainable interior design aesthetic – which is very important in Japanese design principles.
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If you want to learn more about Japanese-inspired design, check out our article on Japandi. This is a more contemporary and less traditional style that blends Scandinavian and Japanese-inspired concepts together.
Shop with Kaiyo today to make all of your interior dreams come to life! Whether you are interested in sourcing modern, vintage, or antique items, we have a carefully curated selection of gently-used furniture and home décor items that will breathe life into whatever interior design style you create.
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