The engineering behind wood furniture comes off as “easy” because they spend so much time ensuring two pieces appear as one. It’s the mark of an incredibly talented designer who pays significant attention to detail and ensures they’re invisible. In modern Japanese interior design, simplicity is seen as exceptionally luxurious. After all, true simplicity is highly sophisticated. The art of minimalism exists in the details. Therefore, ensuring maximum light filtration will create an organically zen environment. And the Japanese believe one reason for this is that it helps us feel connected to the great outdoors. Thus, most Japanese-inspired homes are designed around the sun’s movement and how it will affect the natural materials and vignettes in the interior. Everybody knows that natural light improves their mood.

Illumination - that is, the art of light - is one of the most prominent characteristics of modern Japanese aesthetics. The drama and imagery created by daylight throughout spaces allow them to impact our feelings. The modular aspect also pairs well with their minimalism principle, thanks to its clean lines and storage capabilities. Modern modular living isn’t just a design choice in Japan it’s necessary because their land is so limited. Tiny homes made architects and interior designers think harder about creating multifunctional, multifaceted spaces that are dynamic and feel spacious, despite being small in square footage. Thus, they hold biodegradable materials in very high regard. It’s no surprise that such materials are prevalent in their interior designs - the country has to import most raw materials, and there is little room for waste. However, you can also find natural materials framing architectural features like doorways and windows it’s even used as room dividers or staircases. “Mono no aware” or “awareness of the transient beauty of nature” plays a huge role in Japanese-inspired design. Typically, it comprises of simple furniture constructed from natural materials, especially light-colored wood.

What do you feel when you enter your living room, for example? If you get a sense of ease (and yes, zen), then you’ve achieved figurative lightness, one of the most essential elements of modern Japanese interior design. So, minimal heavy materials throughout the room to give an airy feel. In the figurative sense, it refers to lightheartedness when being in the space. In the literal sense, it’s about weightlessness. Lightness can be taken in two contexts - literally and figuratively. Japanese designers work on the principle that uncluttered spaces lead to uncluttered brains, aiding relaxation and sleep but also productivity and focus.

It’s about space and balance, ensuring rooms remain clean and tidy for a clear mind and happy soul. When designing minimalist spaces, everything must have a place. They abide by decluttering principles, and this rings true throughout their interior design. The author of Spark Joy, Marie Kondo, set off a worldwide decluttering craze by encouraging people to only keep items that “spark joy.” What comes to mind when you think of Japan and the people’s way of life? Minimalism. Related Post: What Is Wabi Sabi Interior Design And How Can This Japanese Philosophy Make Your Life Better 1. They indulge in the less-is-more approach, which you’ll see from the 11 key features in this article. Combine them, and you have the basis of modern (and, in fact, traditional) Japanese interior design. The latter is the beauty of imperfection and impermanence. Japanese-inspired rooms are built from two principles - Shinto and wabi-sabi. The former is a belief system involving kami (or spirits), which exist in all living creatures and non-living items. Photo: TripZilla The 11 Key Features of Modern Japanese Interior Design Whether you’re building, remodeling, or designing your home, it’s never too late to dive into this simply beautiful aesthetic.īelow, we’ll take you through the primary features of modern Japanese interior design before divulging ways to create relaxing spaces by pulling inspiration from this heavily praised design style. Perhaps more so than any other culture, the Japanese believe the home should radiate natural beauty, giving its residents a tranquil, zen escape from the fast-paced world outside its front door. And you can achieve that same authentic, calming atmosphere in your home by incorporating characteristics of modern Japanese interior design throughout your space. Modern Japanese interior design takes elements from the country’s deep-rooted traditions and works within the realms of minimalism for a stunning combination of precision, simplicity, and sophistication.

Japanese minimalist aesthetic