Style guide

Japandi living room ideas: how to get the look

Japandi mixes Japanese and Scandinavian design: calm, uncluttered rooms with natural materials, low furniture and a warm, muted palette. You don't need to start over to get the look. Most of it comes from clearing surfaces, softening the palette and adding a few natural textures.

  1. Clear the surfaces

    Japandi rooms feel calm because little is on display.

    How to do it: Keep one or two objects per surface and give everything else a closed home.

  2. Use a warm, muted palette

    Think oat, warm white, walnut, charcoal and soft greens like moss.

    How to do it: Pick three colors and repeat them across textiles and accessories.

  3. Bring in natural materials

    Wood, linen, cotton, paper, stone and clay are the core of the style.

    How to do it: Swap one synthetic piece, like a cushion cover or a lamp shade, for a natural one.

  4. Go low

    Low furniture and a low rug keep the room grounded.

    How to do it: A low rug in a natural fiber is an easy first step.

  5. Soften the windows

    Linen curtains filter the light without blocking it.

    How to do it: Choose linen in a warm oat or off-white.

  6. Choose soft, warm light

    A paper lantern pendant or a lamp with a fabric shade gives the gentle glow Japandi is known for.

    How to do it: Use warm bulbs and light the room from more than one point.

  7. Add one handmade piece

    A ceramic vase, a wooden bowl or a branch in water adds the slightly imperfect, handmade feel of the style.

    How to do it: One or two pieces are enough.

  8. Bring in a little green

    A single plant or branch suits the calm of the room.

    How to do it: Pick one larger plant rather than many small ones.

  9. See Japandi in your own room

    Roomcast's quiz gives you a Japandi palette and three ideas for your room. The Roomcast app shows how your own living room could look in Japandi, built from one photo, with your furniture kept.

    How to do it: Take the quiz and pick Japandi as the look you keep saving. Find your room's style

Find your room's style in a minute. Answer a few quick questions and get a palette and three ideas for the room you want to change.

Find my room's style

Availability: Roomcast is an iPhone app on pre-order. Plans start on launch day, with a full refund any time before launch.

Questions

What is Japandi style?

A mix of Japanese and Scandinavian design: minimal, calm rooms with natural materials, clean lines, low furniture and a warm, muted palette.

What's the difference between Japandi and Scandinavian?

Scandinavian rooms tend to be lighter and cozier, with pale woods, white walls and soft textiles. Japandi is more pared back and often adds darker woods, earthier colors and lower furniture.

Can I make my living room Japandi without new furniture?

Often, yes. Clearing surfaces, moving textiles to a muted palette, adding natural materials and softer light get you most of the way.

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Updated October 12, 2026