How is the Japanese decoration in the home

The latest trends in decoration are oriented towards minimalism as the main guideline to achieve a more practical and organized space. Although Nordic decoration has been very successful in Europe in recent years. The new milestone for interior designers is Japanese decoration.

What is special about Japanese houses that makes them so striking in Western culture? Our current lifestyle, loaded with stress, is beginning to ask us for a 180º turn.

Finding peace of mind begins by ordering what we have around us, and a clear example is our house, tending towards a less ornate decoration that better adapts to the new needs of young people.

Do you also want to give your home a change and don’t know how to put Japanese decoration into practice? We analyze the keys to decorating with Asian aesthetics, achieving a much more welcoming, clean, and organized space at home.

Enjoy your home again, turning it into your little temple to find that haven of peace among all the hustle and bustle of daily life. Let yourself be carried away by Japanese inspiration!

What is Japanese decoration?

Japanese decoration is a decorative style based on the traditional way of distributing furniture and furnishings in houses in Japan.

It is characterized by having open spaces, with a very minimalist decoration. Since the areas of Japanese houses tend to have different uses throughout the day.

Japanese houses are very comfortable places, with a natural touch that can be seen in the type of materials used both in the building itself and in the furniture.

They use clean lines and a style that is as simple as possible. So that spaces are ordered through the absence of unnecessary objects. And a large amount of storage space that keeps everything out of sight.

There are those who associate Japanese decoration with Zen or Chinese decoration, or with the new minimalist decoration style.

Although they are currents that have certain similarities, not all Japanese houses follow the guidelines of these other two styles, which are sometimes found in the form of small brush strokes.

What are Japanese houses like?

Despite the fact that Japan is one of the pioneer countries in technological advances, indoors, the Japanese continue to maintain their traditional style.

Japanese houses have hardly changed in style in recent decades. They have continued to maintain the distribution and traditional customs when decorating them. As an important part of the country’s culture.

Japanese houses are very simple, and spaces are quite small, especially in large cities.

It is common for the same rooms or rooms to have different functions throughout the day. For example, in the case of the living room or hall that becomes the Japanese bedroom at night just by removing some furniture and spreading the futon on the floor on the mat.

The custom of placing tatami flooring in houses is still maintained. This natural material floor is padded, perfect to be able to sit comfortably on it and sleep with a thin futon to achieve ideal lumbar support.

The tatami floor is cared for with great care, avoiding wearing shoes inside the house, which are left in the entrance or genkan, and taking care that the furniture does not damage it.

The kitchen of a Japanese house is small and simple. On the other hand, the bathroom is usually a larger area, due to the importance of grooming. As a social and spiritual rite, derived from the onsen culture.

Even in the smallest Japanese apartments, there is a hot tub, or bathtub, waiting to be filled with hot water for a relaxing bath at the end of the day.

How to put into practice the typical decoration of Japan?

The intention of the decorative aspect from Japan is not that we convert our houses into typical Japanese houses. There is no need to install a tatami floor or a complete hot tub with your shower area.

We don’t even end up sleeping on futons so that later we can take advantage of the space that remains during the day by removing them and storing them in a closet.

Little by little the houses in Japan are being westernized. But there are still details that are maintained for their practicality.

These are the oriental decoration tips that have become fashionable, after having verified in the rest of the world how really useful they are for our daily life and for comfort at home. Do you also want to benefit from them? Take note!

Open spaces

One of the peculiarities of Japanese decoration is the open spaces. In Japan the main rooms of the home are together or connected to each other, making better use of the space in the home, and favoring interaction between the inhabitants of the house.

The kitchens integrated into the living room itself stand out, which connects with the sleeping area with a minimum separation through a screen or sliding door.

The open spaces look wider and full of light, taking advantage of the large windows and avoiding architectural barriers as much as possible.

Minimalism

If there is a characteristic that we value in the western culture of Japanese houses, it is undoubtedly minimalism.

In these houses, the rule of ‘less is more’ is applied, closely related to Zen decoration. Which only includes Japanese furniture and decorative objects absolutely necessary for daily life.

It includes a simple, sober, and elegant decoration. With furniture that you will really use, and keeping objects that are not used out of sight.

The fewer things you have around you, the less dirt accumulates. And the greater the feeling of peace of mind by not having objects that cloud your view.

Natural materials

Since you are only investing in furniture and practical objects, why not choose quality materials that are more durable?

In Japan, they have a lot of respect for nature, and they try to bring it into their homes as much as possible, with durable materials such as wood, cotton, bamboo, hemp, linen, and natural stone among others.

The introduction of plants and small indoor gardens is another of the trends in Japanese decoration that has been put into practice in modern homes.

The use of rocks, fountains, and plants to build what is known as a Zen garden. Gives a very clear and simple Japanese style, for the enjoyment and relaxation of the whole family.

Colors

Colors are another of the most striking characteristics of decoration in Japan. While there are trends that increasingly resort to the use of black and white. In the Japanese country earth tones and stone, gray is more popular.

A color range that better fits with nature, and that brings balance to any home.

If you want to add it to your own home, opt for the colors of natural wood, neutral tones such as browns, greens, and grays.

As a transition color, we can always give it a more western touch with white. Amplifying the light in a natural way so that the spaces look larger and more welcoming.

Typical furniture of Japanese houses

We already know what are the tricks to implement Japanese decoration in our home.

Now we are going to focus specifically on the furniture that little by little has taken over the decoration stores throughout Europe and America, which have a clear oriental style.

Beds at floor level

To enjoy the benefits of a Japanese-style low bed, you don’t need a futon.

This custom is increasingly widespread, through the use of Japanese-style beds that are practically at ground level, which gives a feeling of greater space to the bedroom.

In Japan, Zen culture ensures that the lower the bed, the better the rest. Sleeping on the ground helps us connect with nature, getting good energy from the earth, and sleeping more soundly.

Cushions and poufs

Sitting on the floor can be somewhat uncomfortable at first for those of us who are used to chairs. In Asia, it is very common, and also beneficial for the body.

When we sit on the floor, on a cushion or pouf. The posture is more correct, favoring our legs and back.

Have you ever tried this feeling? Receiving guests directly on the floor of the house, in a low armchair or Japanese chair recreates a more relaxed situation, enjoying more the company of family and friends.

Recreate a corner at home where you can sit on the floor. And you will see how you make more use of it than you imagine. They also use low sofas for the living room.

Low tables

Low tables in Japan are the priority to eat, to relax in the living room, and even to work.

Sitting directly on the floor or on a cushion is more comfortable when you have a table of this type in front of you, in the purest oriental style.

In all Japanese houses, the table is one of the main centers of meeting. Choose a low Japanese table model that is useful for you, with simple lines, in natural wood. And it will also become your favorite piece of furniture.

Closed cabinets

Minimalism in Japan does not mean that houses do not have the same amount of objects and accessories that we have in the West.

The difference is that there everything is behind a door, the walls, thanks to the number of cupboards and secret compartments that are in Japanese houses.

In the Japanese country, they are specialists in hiding the cabinets. So that they are seen as part of the wall itself. Everything has its place and is kept safe, maintaining a strict order to achieve a harmonious, very functional, and simple space.

Japanese sliding doors

Do you want to make the most of the space at home? Try the sliding doors, so typical of Japanese decoration

The key is to use lightweight sliding doors, to close and open them when necessary. Giving space to your home and making it look like a more open space.

These and other Japanese decoration tricks are what you can implement in your home to enjoy minimalism, order, and Zen culture. Combine a modern style with Japanese furniture and ornaments to your liking. And without a doubt, you will achieve that space of peace that you need in your own home.