Restrained and exotic - this is how you can describe the Japanese interior in a nutshell. It is based on the desire to know yourself through the world around you, to put things in order in your thoughts, to achieve harmony with nature. The traditional style was formed back in the 16th century, but its main features remain relevant today. It is chosen by peaceful people who are able to see beauty in everyday objects.
Japanese interior: a trip to history
How did it all start? The Japanese style in the interior was formed under the influence of factors, the list of which is given below.
- Life philosophy and national traditions.
- Climatic conditions.
- High population density.
- Shortage of minerals, particularly iron ore.
- Constant earthquake threat.
The beauty and primordial nature of the world are values that have been extolled by Japanese philosophy since time immemorial. Material we alth is not as important as harmony in the soul. The Japanese did not follow the example of the whole world and did not fill their houses with foreign furniture,statues, carpets and so on. They chose to remain true to their traditions. Thanks to this, the Japanese style in the interior is still relevant today.
It should also be remembered that the construction of houses in this country was traditionally carried out taking into account a possible earthquake. The prefabricated walls of the building made it possible to rebuild them as a constructor after destruction. The foundation was also collapsible. The owners had the opportunity to easily move their housing to a new location. The absence of internal walls in a traditional Japanese home is not only associated with the threat of a natural disaster, but also with the desire for free space.
Basic principles of style
What are the main features of the Japanese interior?
- At the heart of everything is the theme of nature. The house becomes a natural extension of the garden, it plays a secondary role. Windows must face the picturesque lawn, fountain, pond, trees. When decorating the interior of a city apartment, plants, aquariums, and fountains are actively used.
- Restrained, neutral colors dominate. The main role is given to white color and its shades. Black and red are also actively used.
- The Japanese interior is dominated by natural materials or their high-quality imitation (wood, stone, bamboo, straw).
- The furniture is going down. Products are deprived of high legs, backs, shelves. Correct geometric shapes, plain smooth surface are welcome.
- The use of decor is kept to a minimum.
- The role of internal walls is assigned to partitions made ofrice paper or bamboo.
Colours
White, black and red are the colors without which one can hardly imagine a Japanese interior. White color draws attention to the structure and beauty of the tree, allows you to see its knots and annual rings. Red serves to highlight the main areas, revitalize the space. It is considered the color of masculinity and strength. Dark tones are necessary in order to create an effect of harmony with the outside world.
Black ash, light birch, dark walnut, water lily, rice paper - all the shades that can be found in such an interior are borrowed from wildlife.
Environmental materials
Japanese style in interior design involves the use of environmentally friendly materials. This allows you to reproduce the island flavor with the features of minimalism inherent in it. Only those materials are used that were available to the Japanese and several centuries ago. They were not bought from neighboring countries. We are talking about the following materials:
- wood maple, cedar, kiri, sugi;
- bamboo, cane;
- stone tiles;
- silk;
- wicker vine, matting.
Even in a modern Japanese interior it is difficult to find plastic and vinyl surfaces, linoleum. However, environmentally friendly artificial materials are not banned these days. For example, not wood, but laminate can be used to finish the floor. Natural silk may well replace a fabric with similar properties.
Furniture
Japanese style in the interior of an apartment or house puts forward certain requirements for furniture. To better understand them, it is enough to imagine a person who is resting from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, contemplating his soul. A characteristic feature of furniture is earthiness. It seems that her legs were cut off and placed on the floor. The fewer furnishings, the better.
So, what can you see in a traditional Japanese apartment or house?
- Matts made of matting or straw lay on the floor.
- Classic bed successfully replaces tatami. It is also possible to use a mattress that is placed directly on the floor.
- A low table is used for the meal, and pillows are used instead of chairs.
- Kitchen utensils must not be left in plain sight. She tucks away in lockers with closed shelves.
- In the bathroom you can see bowl-shaped washbasins. There is also a traditional wooden bath ofuro.
- Most of the furniture is made of wood. It has a simple form, does not have a magnificent decor.
Sliding doors and partitions
Modern Japanese interior cannot be imagined without sliding doors and partitions. These products shape the appearance of an apartment or house, allow you to quickly change the layout of the space. As a rule, they are created from rice paper and bamboo. Partitions perfectly replace the walls. Light weight allows them to withstand natural disasters, they are easy to replace in case of damage.
Compartment doors, panels - alternatives offered by modern manufacturers. A characteristic pattern is traditionally applied to such products. Portable screens are also actively used.
Window design
Japanese-style curtains in the interior also play an important role. However, first you need to get an idea about the external design of windows. The Japanese are not afraid of twilight, moreover, they readily let it into the house. The windows outside are equipped with long canopies, thanks to which the dwelling is protected from rain flows. As a result, little light penetrates inside, even if there are many windows.
From the inside, windows are made using straight canvases made of paper or fabric (linen, cotton, silk). They can move horizontally, not vertically. The panels have a width of up to one and a half meters. Visually, they resemble closet doors, vertical blinds. Traditional Japanese curtains are devoid of drapes and frills.
Interestingly, foreigners were the first to decorate windows with them. The Japanese originally used these products to divide space into zones.
Floor decoration
Stone tiles, wood, pebbles are traditional flooring materials. Also, tatami are placed on them, which cannot be placed crosswise, so as not to incur misfortune. Carpets made from reeds or vines are also welcome.
It is impossible not to talk about current trends. Laminate, parquet board, ceramic tiles are materials that can also beuse for decoration. In recent years, self-leveling floors have also come into fashion.
Wall decoration
Japanese interior design puts forward special requirements for wall decoration. Natural materials are welcome, as are their various combinations. For example, the room can be sheathed with wood around the entire perimeter. Also, the walls can be painted in pastel colors, decorated with masonry. The use of paper wallpapers is also not prohibited.
Decor elements also play an important role. As a rule, the walls are decorated with engravings or paintings depicting nature.
Ceilings
What are the ceiling requirements?
- It's great if it has the shape of a triangle or a rectangle.
- Ceiling color can match wall color.
- Suspended panels, wallpaper, stretch fabric are used as finishing materials. You can also give preference to matte paint.
Ceilings often play a role in space zoning. To do this, they are made multi-level, and for each zone different finishing materials are used.
Decorative elements
What can you say about decorative Japanese home furnishings? They should also serve the main purpose, which is to achieve harmony and balance. Decor elements are:
- prints, paintings;
- Buddha figurines;
- samurai sword;
- ikebana;
- silk or rice paper screen;
- decorative vases;
- chinaware;
- tea ceremony set;
- Japanese lanterns;
- bonsai trees.
The fan is a traditional decor element that should not be forgotten. This thing symbolizes the fullness of life and well-being in the open form. It is believed that it protects the home from negative energy. Puppet figurines in colorful national costumes, which can be compared to a work of art, will also help to create an atmosphere. These products are not intended for children's play. They are needed to admire their grace and fragility.
Lighting
What are the lighting requirements? Traditional Japanese housing is illuminated by moonlight, not sunlight. Therefore, lighting fixtures should give a dull, subdued light. Thanks to this, the atmosphere of coziness and comfort reigns in the rooms.
What is a Japanese style chandelier? As a rule, these products are made of wood, they are durable and durable. There are also chandeliers made of white or transparent glass, fabric, rice paper. White and black are the most popular product colors. Ceiling chandeliers are able to take various forms, place several lamps in themselves. Drawings depicting national hieroglyphs can be used to decorate these products.
It's not just the Japanese-style chandelier that's responsible for lighting. It is also allowed to use lamps, sconces.
Indoor plants
What role do plants and flowers play in the Japanese interior? They are necessary to emphasize the closeness to nature. Of course, in suchthe room will not look huge ficuses, lush palm trees. It is better to prefer a traditional bonsai or choose ikebana - a dried arrangement of flowers. Sakura branches will also help to create an atmosphere.
Bedroom Interior
What is a Japanese bedroom interior? Great importance is attached to this room, because it is here that people spend almost a third of their lives. First you need to determine the main color, which will be diluted with shades and halftones. Cream, gray, white, milky - all of them will help create the right atmosphere. Bright spots are allowed but limited.
Paper lampshades that are worn over lamps will help create a soft light in the bedroom. Compact sconces decorated with hieroglyphs are suitable for this room. Windows can be decorated with bamboo or silk curtains. To decorate the floor, a laminate or wood is used, mats are also used. The walls can be covered with a plain fabric, decorated with wooden panels. A good solution would be murals with national drawings.
It is not necessary to give up the bed in favor of a mattress or tatami. A traditional bed with a headboard can serve as a sleeping place. The main thing is that the bed should be low enough, without legs.
Living room interior
Japanese living room interior also deserves attention. Comfort and coziness should reign in this room, it should be light, bright and spacious. Preference should be given to miniature furniture, to abandon high cabinets and bulky sofas. The fewer furnishings there are, thebetter.
Walls, floors and ceilings should ideally be plain, not draw attention to themselves. The dominant colors are white, light brown, beige. It's great if the shades of the furniture are a little deeper. As a decor, you can choose paintings that depict hieroglyphs or sakura, a bonsai plant. A samurai sword will become a wonderful decoration for the walls.
Kitchen interior
If the kitchen has a small area, the Japanese style will be a real salvation. Furniture should be functional and simple. Products made of unpainted wood will organically fit into such an interior. The dominant shades are caramel, baked milk, bleached oak. Accents can be placed using green, light green, red tones.
Household appliances must be hidden, for which closed compact cabinets are used. In the dining area you can place a low table with a soft sofa. Alternatively, you can offer a simple dining table and chairs decorated with cushions. The walls are decorated with stylized engravings and hieroglyphs.
Don't force houseplants on window sills. It is preferable to use flowers in floor vases. The window can be decorated with curtain panels made of cotton or linen. They let in enough light.
Bathroom Interior
What is the Japanese style in the interior of the bathroom? For the inhabitants of this country, the purity of the soul is as important as the purity of the body. Therefore, the bathroom should be a place where you can relax and immerse yourself in thoughts about high matters. Minimalism, functionality, simplicity are the basic features of the interior.
Plumbing needs to be hidden. For this, special curtains or screens are used. It is great if the bath is recessed and deep. Its edge should rise above the floor level.
Textiles
Textiles are needed so that the interior does not look too strict and concise. Natural fabrics of discreet shades will help to enliven the room, make it more comfortable. You can use cotton, linen, silk. Textiles are traditionally decorated with national drawings. These can be sketches from the life of the samurai, Mount Fuji, the animal world.
Screens, seats, windows are made using textiles. Of course, it also applies to the sleeping area.
