Japanese Interior Design

A romanticised view of Japanese culture has long been an important cultural force in the West, as have the imported traits of Japanese architecture and design. But what exactly is Japanese interior design? How do we incorporate it in our homes? There are several key truths about Japanese design and to understand them, you must understand something of the history and philosophy of the Japanese.

What is recognised as the Japanese aesthetic comes from the ideals and tenets of Taoism, a way of thinking brought from China in ancient times. The culture of Japan is extremely varied and diverse, yet in the field of interior design, the aesthetic is consistently one of simplicity and minimalism.

Laozi, a Taoist philosopher, believed that the true beauty of a room came from the empty space within the roof and walls - the aesthetic ideal of emptiness. The Taoists suggested that the mood should be captured in the imagination, not by what is physically there. Elaboration, craftsmanship, beauty and delicacy was the basis for Japanese designs and is still valued today!

The use of natural materials is an important theme in Japan; their simplicty highlights the minimal and natural decoration, which in turn connects the room to nature.. It is common for materials like wood, bamboo, silk, rice straw mats, and paper shōji screens to be used. Similarly, natural colour schemes are common with neutral palettes of black, white, off-white, grey and brown. In using these materials, the designs are concious of using resources efficiently. Rooms are designed to be flexible in use and multi-funtional. The shōji screens allow rooms to be opened up or closed down.

The shōji screens are made of paper and then attached to quite thin wooden frames that roll away on a track when they are pushed. Shōji are also  meant to allow light through. This is an important aspect to Japanese design. Paper translucent walls allow light to be diffused through the space and create light shadows and patterns.

There are other common design features in the Japanese tradition:

Bamboo is frequently present in the Japanese home, being used both for decorative and functional purposes. Bamboo blinds, sudare, replace shoji in summer to prevent excess heat inside and also offer greater ventilation. Country dwellings and farmhouses often use it for ceilings and rafters. The natural properties of bamboo, its raw beauty with the knots and smooth surface, corrrspond to Japanese aesthetic ideals of imperfection, contrast and the natural.

The use of paper, or washi, in Japanese buildings is a main component in the beauty and atmosphere of the Japanese interior, the way variation of shadow combines to create a “mystery of shadows”. A range of papers are used for various purposes in the home.

Wood is generally used for the framework of the home, but its properties are valuable in the Japanese aesthetic, namely its warmth and irregularity.

A recessed space called tokonoma is often present in traditional as well as modern Japanese living rooms. This is the focus of the room and displays Japanese art, usually a painting or calligraphy.

We hope this article has been both helpful and informative! Japanese minimalism is an attractive design for your home, don't be afraid to try it!

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