Furniture, Objects, & Lighting for the Japandi Interior
Picture a space where wooden accents, organic shapes, and muted colors blend seamlessly to create a calming sanctuary that feels connected to nature. This is the essence of Japandi style.
In this blog, we'll guide you through essential products that embody the Japandi aesthetic, helping you transform your home into a haven of peace and understated elegance. From beautifully crafted teapots and ceramic cups to elegant vases and wooden furnishings, discover how to infuse your space with the harmony and simplicity that defines Japandi style.
What is Japandi style?
Japandi style is a serene fusion of Japanese wabi-sabi and Scandinavian hygge, offering a design that is both tranquil and functional. Rooted in the beauty of simplicity and the comfort of cozy living, Japandi interiors are minimalist yet inviting, focusing on the intentional use of natural materials and earthy tones.
Japandi Furniture
Whether you’re styling a living room or dining room, discover furniture that aligns with the Japandi aesthetic.
In Situ Modular Sofa by MUUTO
The MUUTO In Situ Modular Sofa is a sculptural yet simple sofa design with both Japanese and Scandinavian influences.
“With the In Situ Modular Sofa, we wanted to combine the functions of modularity with the beauty of simple, elegant lines and a deep comfort,” explains Anderssen & Voll, who collaborated with MUUTO on the design. “We sketched a profile that runs along the seat and back of the sofa to subtly hide the visual elements of modularity, giving it a unique character while bringing the individual modules together for a complete appearance. This is paired with grand, sculptural lines and the inherent comfort of its soft seat.
Use the 9 different seating modules to tailor your sofa configuration to your personal preference, or choose from one of many pre-designed configurations. To remain true to Japandi style, we recommend opting for the light yet earthy Clay 12 upholstery.
Podium Modular Sofa by Gus* Modern
Though the silhouette of the Podium Modular Sofa series is inspired by 1970s Modernism, it also aligns with the Japandi aesthetic due to the use of soft curves, light fabrics, and functional comfort.
Choose from a pre-designed configuration, or work with the six individual modules to create the perfect seating set-up for your space. We especially recommend the Copenhagen Fossil upholstery to keep your space feeling light and natural.
Carl Hansen & Søn Lounge Chairs
Japandi style favors an abundance of wood and natural materials, making Carl Hansen & Søn’s lounge chairs the perfect choice.
Pictured above is the CH25 Lounge Chair. Solid wood and natural paper cord come together in this classic designed by Hans J. Wegner. Since both Japanese and Scandinavian styles emphasize connecting with nature, we appreciate the use of natural paper cord, a material known for its durability and comfort. Amazingly, the seat and backrest is woven by hand, using over 430 yards of paper cord and 10 hours of work by a skilled craftsman. While the chair comes in multiple wood options, we recommend opting for the oiled oak and natural paper cord.
Another great option is the MG501 Cuba Chair, particularly the variation with a natural cotton webbing. Designer Morten Gøttler was motivated to design an elevated version of the functional folding chair, resulting in a clean, aesthetic, and well-thought-out form that can work in a variety of spaces.
Block Lounge Chair by Form & Refine
Japandi design favors the use of natural materials like linen, making the Block Lounge Chair an ideal choice. The comfortable yet compact lounge chair is a favorite for smaller living spaces.
"We wanted to make a small, compact chair with a distinctive expression,” explains the designer Herman Studio. “The sturdy rear legs play an important role for the chair’s expression, construction and dimensions. During the development phase, we had an intensive focus on integrating as much comfort as possible into a relatively small chair."
Mass Daybed by New Works
The Mass Daybed by New Works is a modern approach to Scandinavian design, with influences from Japanese minimalism. We love its minimal form and the contrast between the dark walnut veneer and the light upholstery.
Designed by Hong Kong based Lim + Lu, the Mass Daybed is part of the Mass series, which mixes Scandinavian materiality and craftsmanship with modern functionality.
A-Line Storage Bench by Form and Refine
Crafted with solid oak wood, the A-Line Storage Bench is a functional and minimal bench with hidden storage revealed by lifting the small leather handle. We love the beautiful joinery, designed to be durable in heavily trafficked areas like entryways and hallways.
Opt to use the bench in the kitchen for a Japandi style breakfast nook, storing table linens and appliances below.
Georg Series by Skagerak by Fritz Hansen
Nordic sensuality and Japanese minimalism come together with Skagerak by Fritz Hansen’s Georg series, which includes tables, stools, benches, coat racks, and more.
The series is united by the use of oak, linen upholstery, slender wooden poles, and carefully rounded edges. Pair the Georg Stool with the Georg Desk for a space efficient yet comfortable workspace, or use the Georg Bench and Georg Stools with the Georg Dining Table for a comfortable dining––the options are endless!
Noboru Step Ladder by Skagerak by Fritz Hansen
Designed with a Japanese influence, the Noboru Step Ladder is an aesthetically pleasing and functional stool, where the lower step can be nested beneath the higher step to save space. This nesting function also allows for Noboru to be used as an additional seat.
Noboru, which is Japanese for to climb, has clear Japanese design influences seen through the smooth edges and narrow profile.
Hven Series by Skagerak by Fritz Hansen
The inviting and minimalist Hven series––which includes dining tables, a bench, chairs, and bar stools––highlights the beautiful natural grain patterns found in wood.
Named after the Swedish island of Hven that sits between Denmark and Sweden, Hven’s minimal appearance makes it easy to mix with other pieces of furniture (though we love pairing the Hven Dining Table with the Hven Bench and Armchair).
Jut Cabinet by Skagerak by Fritz Hansen
In Japandi style, functionality and minimalism coexist, and the solid oak Jut Cabinet is a prime example.
Designed in collaboration with Thomas Jenkins, Jut values quality over fashion, with slender legs pushed to the outside corners of the sideboard to break up the boxy feel with a delicate detail. Use the brass handles, beautifully aligned with the tabletop, to reveal ample storage, including a removable shelf.
Japanese Tray Tables by Kristina Dam Studio
True to its name, Kristina Dam Studio’s Japanese Tray Tables draw inspiration from Japanese minimalism––specifically, the design of incense boxes used in the Edo era.
Each of the three sizes can serve multiple functions––use the small size as a side table or smaller coffee table, the medium as a bench or loveseat, and the large for a well-sized coffee table.
Blueprint Chair by Form & Refine
The sculptural, ergonomic, and stackable Blueprint Chair offers supreme comfort with its seat shape inspired by the human body itself.
”With this chair we searched to balance something refined and robust at the same time,” remarks Jonas Herman from Herman Studio, who collaborated with Form & Refine on the design. “We aimed for a chair with distinct character and gave it elongated back legs that smoothly grip the curved backrest. It should also be stackable, comfortable and fit into any environment.”
Japandi Design Objects
In Japandi style, everything serves a purpose, down to the accessories. From vases displaying greenery or branches, to functional tableware and teapots, explore design objects that fit the Japandi aesthetic.
Sand Secrets Teapot by Design House Stockholm
The Sand Secrets Teapot is the epitome of Japandi style. This functional and sculptural object is abstract yet familiar, with a raw yet softly polished exterior that comes in black or clay.
The teapot can stand on its own, or be displayed on a shelf, sideboard, or table with the rest of the Sand Secrets stoneware series, which includes a soy pot, plates, and bowls.
Dome Vase Series by Kristina Dam Studio
The Dome Vase Series features 4 vases, each uniquely shaped, united by the use of a beautiful Terra cotta with a signature Grey Engobe.
Each vase in the series can be styled on its own, or opt to group them together in a single vignette. Style them with or without flowers or greenery––either way, you’ll achieve the Japandi aesthetic with this series.
Design Objects by 101 Copenhagen
Once again, vases are a go-to styling object for Japandi spaces since they are both functional and beautiful. 101 Copenhagen has some beautiful vase options that come in earthy colors and organic shapes that are a nod to Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian design. As we shared in our blog post featuring 101 Copenhagen, the brand’s entire collection is firmly rooted in the Scandinavian design tradition and nourished by the Japanese approach to materials and production techniques.
The Duck series is a playful and exuberant addition to 101 Copenhagen’s minimalist design objects. The series includes plates, bowls, trays, and vases in various sizes aligned with the color palette used across many 101 Copenhagen designs. Resembling little friendly creatures, each piece has its own unique expression when styled together, just like family members gathered around a table.
Named after the classic Japanese sport, the Sumo vase collection celebrates the human form, with voluminous tops that rest on short and narrow legs. Each piece from Sumo can stand on its own, but also looks beautiful styled together in vignettes.
Tableware by Hasami Porcelain
Hasami Porcelain’s tableware is proof that functional everyday objects can serve as usable works of art. Designed by Venice-based Takuhiro Shinomoto, Hasami was built on the intention to integrate modern tableware design with the organic quality and irresistible texture found in pottery produced via traditional Japanese manufacturing techniques.
Photo Credit: Taro Hirano (@tarohirano77)
All Hasami Porcelain is crafted in the historic Japanese town of Hasami in one of the most celebrated pottery districts in Japan for the past 400 years. Mix and match the different earthy tones, or opt for one color based on your personal taste.
Section Wooden Bowl & Alcoa Pottery by Form & Refine
To achieve the Japandi look, turn to Form & Refine’s furniture and functional everyday objects.
The Section Wooden Bowl is an ode to wood, highlighting the natural wood grain while providing a functional bowl to store fruits and vegetables. ”The wooden bowl with the curved lines [was] named Section to underline the form, which gives the object its expression,” remarks designer Jonas Herman of Herman Studio.
The Alcoa ceramics series has a clear and simple form made from a fine white clay from the Alcobaça region of Portugal. We love the minimal look of the tray, pitcher, and bowl, which can be styled together or separately.
Japandi Rugs and Textiles
Add warmth and texture with these rugs that effortlessly fit within the Japandi aesthetic.
Kyoto Rug by WOUD
The hand-tufted Kyoto Rug draws inspiration from the distinctive patterns made in traditional raked rock gardens found in Japan.
The lines are minimally cut, similar to a rake’s imprint in the sand, giving the rug a quiet sense of movement. We recommend the off-white option.
Dots Rug by Fritz Hansen
The hand-tufted Dots Rug is a lovely addition for a Japandi interior, adding subtle color and texture wherever you place it. We love how the rug is subtly three-dimensional thanks to the various tufting heights of the design, adding visual texture and a tactile experience while walking on it.
Japandi Lighting
While Japandi style favors natural lighting, these lighting designs offer functional yet soft lighting for when the sun sets.
Nebra Pendant by New Works
Seamlessly merging classic design with an interactive, transformative mechanism, the Nebra Pendant allows you to shape your environment with a gentle, sweeping motion of the shade, offering a range of lighting moods—from ambient glows to focused downcast light.
Its versatility and poetic design make it an ideal choice for various spaces, especially those with a Japandi-inspired interior, where it effortlessly embodies the balance of light, form, and minimalist beauty.
Lantern Floor Lamp by New Works
Inspired by traditional Japanese rice paper lanterns, the Lantern Floor Lamp brings a traditional form to a modern context. We love how the frosted glass shade resembles paper while replicating that weightless glow.
Clam Pendant by Fritz Hansen
Resembling a shell hiding its contents, the Clam Pendant's hand-blown glass shade is the shell that ‘hides’ its light source within. The result is a beautifully diffused light that you can adjust by opening or closing the clam-like shade.
With two sizes, place the two together at different levels above a dining table, or alone in an entryway.
We’ll leave you with this: Japandi is a fusion of two styles, and can be interpreted in different ways and tailored to your personal taste. When creating your space, allow yourself some flexibility with your interpretation while remembering the basics: keep it simple, minimal, functional, and inspired by nature.
More Like This: How To Design A Scandinavian Inspired Living Room
Batten Home carefully curates Scandinavian furniture designs and minimalist decor objects for the modern home. We are inspired by the Scandinavian aesthetic and Danish design philosophies with a new modern design feel we like to call new Nordic design.
Have any questions for us? We’re family-owned and independently operated, and we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line at hello@battenhome.co.