Japanese Interior Design, a Category of Its Own

When uttering the three words, "Japanese interior design", you can immediately get an image of how the interior of a home would then look like, right. Most would think of a tranquil and down to earth area. Believe it or not, but learning about various interior designs will teach you a lot about how to strategically use your creativity in different projects. Japanese design is a category of its own, and by understanding how it's used as a brand you also learn more about the culture in which it portrays.

Traditional house

There're certain ways to get a Japanese touch into the home: having a simplistic design with few focal points is one way. Basic interior design principles can be applied to the home to achieve a Japanese interior design. This theme stands out for being disciplined, minimalistic and harmonious.

By m-louis

Interior design

Though Japanese interior design can be sometimes structured geometrically, it is not too complex but it’s instead simplistic and organized, you don’t collect more things then you need. This minimalistic view of design makes the space appear more open and brings tranquility.

Shoji

Shoji is a framework of wood covered with paper or other light-passing materials. It is mainly utilized for sliding doors, room dividers, lamps and side tables.

Tatami

Tatami are Japanese mats placed in traditional homes.

By d'n'c

Tokonoma

The tokonoma is a traditional Japanese alcove. It's mainly for tea ceremonies and the main point for meditation. Walking into a Tokonoma is not allowed as it's made for displaying scrolls, Ikebana and okimono.

By TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋)

Colors

The Japanese colors are straightforward and graphical.

The colors used take a lot of influence from nature. Therefore natural colors and neutrals are most frequently seen.

Black and white are the two neutrals that are most utilized. The white give a clean and spaciously open appearance and the black distinctively defines various lines and shapes. The black doesn’t require that much attention as one can think but discreetly blends in with the other neutrals.

Statement and boldness is often shown with the help of the color red. Most frequently it modestly is used to highlight different accents, but can also, when used boldly, be seen in bigger amounts. Another common color is blue, also a very natural color that brings calmness.

Materials

Bamboo

The tranquility comes from the minimalistic approach, but also because natural materials are most used. The most common wood is bamboo. It's a very eco-friendly wood because it grows approximately ten times faster than other woods. It's used to make all kinds of furniture; from tables and chairs to rugs and bead curtains.

Silk

Silk is another well used material in Japanese interior design. Silk, like bamboo, is seen on almost any kind of decoration such as pillows, fans, screens, wallpapers and paintings.

Imari

Imari is porcelain that has received its name from the sea port town in Arita, located
in Japan from where the goods were shipped out to both domestic and foreign markets during the Edo period.

Some common usage of Imari porcelain include pieces like:

• Bottles
• bowls
• rice bowls
• tea cups
• plates

By Val_McG

Furniture

Tansu

The tansu (sometimes also referred to as "dansu") is Japanese chest of drawers.

The tansu that looks like stairs is called kaidan-tansu, and in English "step chest" or "step tansu". It was used as stairs from the ground to the attic in houses in Japan during the 18th century, when the taxes of the homes where based on the height of the house.

Futon

Because of the minimalistic approach in interior design, much Japanese furniture is multi-functional. The most popular and known item is the futon bed.

By Mr Wabu

Accessories

Japanese Fan

Japanese fans have traditionally been utilized in many occations. They've been used in war as weapons and for sending signals, they've also been a part of a Geisha's dance performance. But Japanese fans are mainly symbolizing friendship and respect and have been popular choices for gifts. Hanging a couple decorative fans is an easy and elegant way of welcoming Japanese design into the home.

Japanese Silk Fan Blue Fan Leaves

Ikebana

Ikebana is an artistic flower arrangement. It combines heaven, earth and mankind. The arrangement of flowers balance the exterior with the interior of a home, and so various kinds of flowers and branches can be seen in the same display. There’re educated experts that arrange Ikebana but as any other kind of art; beginners can also arrange Ikebana with some patience.

The Ikebana is often set as a focal point in a Japanese interior, and can mainly be seen in a tokonoma (Japanese alcove).

Ikebana ikebana

Okimono

Okimono are small sculptures. Most commonly made out of wood, ivory and metal. They represent animals, imaginative figures and also some important human beings, such as Buddha.