Elements of Japanese Interior Design

Basic Elements

• Japanese interior design is characterized as being closely tied to nature and its meditative qualities. For this reason, it is not uncommon to find indoor streams of water, such as a miniature fountain, or exotic floral arrangements, known as "ikebana," in the typical Japanese home. All these elements lend themselves to creating a zen-like living environment. Whether you are in search of new wall colors, home accessories or a complete renovation, each element must work together in harmony to enhance its natural surroundings rather than distract from it when you strive for a Japanese inspired interior design.

Color Scheme

• Traditional colors used in a Japanese home are strong reflections of the environment. For instance, subdued shades of brown, white, green and beige represent material you might find in the Japanese countryside. This includes items such as wood, bamboo, rice patty fields and straw. The colors are neutral and work together to blend in with the exterior gardens. This allows the focus to be on nature rather than man-made products.

Structural Elements

• The general floor plan of a Japanese home is open and spacious. This serves to promote a natural flow of energy throughout the home. To break up the space into private rooms, Shoji screen doors may be installed so that additional rooms may be easily created when necessary. The doors slide horizontally and may be made from either paper or plastic. The flooring is typically layered with tatami mats which have central padding and a straw lining.

Minimalistic Designs

• The traditional Japanese home has clean lines and an uncluttered living space. Compared to a Western home, it may be seen as empty or bare, as only the essentials are laid out. Even the futon, the Japanese version of a bed, is laid out only for sleeping and cleared away during the day. The furniture pieces are simple and lacking in ornamental details. Home accessories are limited to floral arrangements rather than a collection of random knickknacks.