More and more the trend is towards minimalism. Having a practical and organized decoration is more than ever in fashion. The refined Scandinavian decoration is on the rise and has been very successful in Europe in recent years. The new minimalist direction for interior designers is Japanese decoration. What is special about Japanese houses that makes them so attractive in Western culture? Our current lifestyle, loaded with stress, pushes us to find a certain peace of mind. Which is why we start to order what we have around us. And a striking example is our interior, tending towards a less loaded decoration.
Do you want to change the decoration of your home and you don’t know how to put Japanese decoration into practice? Here are 7 keys to Asian decoration: enough to create a much more welcoming, clean and organized space. Enjoy your room again, turn it into your haven of peace protected from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Let yourself be carried away by the Japanese inspiration!
1 – Find the balance
Neither too much nor too little. Neither too serious nor too playful. Neither too sober nor too colorful. Japanese comfort is a beautiful balance between two worlds – between Nordic design and Far Eastern creativity. It’s the interplay of subtle colors, natural materials and a few unique pieces of furniture that can have character. Small defects tell the story of a piece of furniture and give your decoration its authentic charm. If you want to set up a Japanese decoration in your room, you are invited to be creative. Please note, however, that the basic idea is that of a certain purism. So opt for less decoration and fewer unique pieces. Invest in durable materials and high quality products instead of reinventing yourself every month.
2 – Not too much shape, not too much color
Walls, furniture and decorative elements should not be completely neutral, but give preference to soft and sober colors. Why not dare green and blue tones and pastel colors? As in the Scandinavian furnishing style, unusual shapes are out of place in Japanese decorating. On the contrary, it is based on a timeless style that blends discreetly into the ambience.
3 – Mix materials
It is important that your Japanese decoration does not appear too cold. You can warm it with natural materials such as wood, wool, linen. Avoid details, frills, prefer straight cuts. However, mix it up! A mix of materials ensures liveliness and comfort, for example in the choice of fabric for the bed, pillows, blankets and rugs. You can decorate with pottery. Everything that is related to shaping, creation and that makes your object a unique piece. The same goes for untreated wooden furniture, which evokes a lot of cosiness and character in your room. Each grain is different, each color of wood is unique.
4 – Make a tatami floor
Although Japan is one of the pioneering countries when it comes to technological advancements, inside the Japanese still maintain their traditional style. Japanese houses have hardly changed in style over the past few decades. They continued to maintain the traditional cast and customs when decorating them, as an important part of the country’s culture. Japanese houses are very simple and spaces are quite small, especially in big cities. It is common for certain rooms to have different functions throughout the day. For example, the living room becomes the bedroom at night simply by removing some furniture and laying the futon on the floor on the carpet. Because the custom of laying tatami floors is still current. Do the same in your bedroom. Equip it with a padded natural material that will allow you to sit comfortably and place your futon on it. Of course, do not walk there with shoes. Leave them at the entrance to your room or even your home. And make sure your furniture doesn’t damage your tatami. Tatami mats are really essential for a Japanese style bedroom because, unlike in the West, life does not take place at sitting height, but at floor level. The tatamis protect against the cooling of the ground. Plus, it’s easy to clean, replace, and looks beautifully natural.
5 – Replace the bed with a futon
Sleeping on a thin futon provides you with ideal lumbar support. You can even make it disappear into a piece of furniture during the day. Or have a built-in cupboard made so that it frees up your room.
6 – Keep a maximum of elements out of sight
Japanese decoration is a decorative style based on the traditional way of distributing furniture and accessories in homes in Japan. It is characterized by open spaces, with a very minimalist decoration. Japanese homes are very comfortable places, with a natural touch that is reflected in the type of materials used both in the building itself and in the furnishings. They use clean lines and as simple a style as possible, so that spaces are tidy thanks to the absence of unnecessary objects and a large amount of storage space that keeps everything out of sight.
7 – Play the screen card
Slightly translucent specialty paper walls are probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Japanese decor. These kinds of Japanese room dividers allow you to separate your room without blocking daylight.
At a time when the urge to slow down is becoming stronger and stronger, Japanese decoration impresses with its clear lines, simple shapes and closeness to nature. You won’t find cluttered spaces in Japanese interior design. This is limited to the essentials. This simplicity exerts a particular aesthetic charm, especially if you are looking to slow down, for even more serenity in everyday life. Because reducing its furniture and decoration means more order, peace and harmony in your room.