The triumph of minimalism and harmony with nature - this is how you can describe the living room in the Japanese style. The maximum free space and the minimum of unnecessary things - perhaps these are the most obvious signs by which it becomes clear that the eastern culture did not pass over the owner of this house.
Japanese culture in modern interiors
I must say, the east has somewhat receded into the background recently. Although, just a few years ago, his motives could be found at every step. Nevertheless, there are those who prefer minimalist solutions when decorating the living room.
What associations do you have in Japanese culture? Surely a monk appears in front of his eyes, sitting in a lotus position, whose thoughts are far beyond consciousness. Simply put, a Japanese-style living room is the quintessence of contemplation and limitless harmony. Probably for this reason, many are trying to implement something like this in their home, so that there is an opportunity to escape from worldly vanity and tension. The living room in the Japanese style can become not just a beautiful interior, but a place that gives peace and tranquility.
How did the Japanese style appear in the interior?
The final formation of the Japanese style took place at the end of the 17th century, when capitalism was firmly established in Japan. The design of Japanese houses embodied the nature of local life, their image and unique flavor. Despite the fact that tons of luxury goods were exported from China, the essence of the Japanese style in the interior has not changed - the presence of excess decor items completely destroys the beauty.
Natural phenomena also left a big imprint on the formation of the Japanese style in the interiors - frequent earthquakes made it necessary to build light and compact houses, the destruction of which would not cause very big damage.
Practicality, functionality, conciseness and tranquility are the main points that should be followed when arranging the living room in the Japanese style.
Key Emphasis
In European countries, eastern culture did not appear by chance. She is the embodiment of minimalism, combined with proximity to nature and a peaceful mood. The theses of Japanese philosophy claim that beauty can hide in simplicity, and the maximum of free space allows you to feel the physical and spiritual balance.
Of course, eastern culture could not ignore the "heart" of the house - the living room. In Japanese style, she is especially good. After all, it is here that most of the time all family members and guests gather, it is here that important negotiations and intimate conversations are held, a vibrant atmosphere that breathes life into the home space is in the air.
Japanese-style living room style features
In the photo you can see how it differs from the European one. What features are inherent in an interior in an oriental style? Simplicity and conciseness, functionality and a large amount of free space are key points. But there are several more features that must be considered when organizing a living room in a similar stylistic decision.
- Softness of lighting (in the daytime it can be fabric curtains that scatter sunlight, and at night - soft lamp lamps and night lights).
- The minimum number of accessories and decor items (a vase with a traditional Japanese plant, an incense bowl is the ceiling).
- Compact furniture in the same minimal amount.
- A large amount of free space.
- Strict and simple forms.
- The use of natural materials.
- Smooth surfaces.
- Soft color design.
Among other characteristics, the active use of zoning should be noted. For example, the design of the living room in the Japanese style allows you to use this room as a dining room, combined with the kitchen. Fortunately, you can divide the room into parts using lightweight partitions.
Color spectrum
The Japanese-style living room color cocktail combined two completely incompatible solutions - the use of restrained tones and the play of contrasts. The main color should be moderate and calm. Beige, pastel, cream, white, gray, light brown and other soft shades are suitable.
To create a harmonious, but at the same time diverse design, you can paint the walls in different, but combining, shades. Other interior and decor items can be made in a deeper and more saturated range - black, dark brown, burgundy, rich red. Indeed, the unity of contrasts promotes Japanese philosophy. The colors of the autumn forest will also be appropriate.
Pay attention to the Japanese-style design photo. Saturated green is a must. This can be a houseplant with lush hair (by the way, the same Bonsai will fit perfectly into the design) or a vase with bamboo stems. The main thing is the presence of a natural shade.
One wise tip in the Japanese spirit is to refrain from flashy colors and accessories. Do not forget that serenity and calm should prevail in the apartment.
The choice of finishing materials
As already mentioned, the Japanese-style kitchen-living room or any other room should be made using natural materials. The tree is the same “piece of clay” from which the Japanese-style house design will be molded.
One of the features that distinguish the eastern style of the interior from others is naturalness. Therefore, no metal or plastic - they will look inappropriate. After all, the main task of the Japanese interior is to captivate households away from the city bustle and worldly problems, to bring it closer to nature and to oneself.
Optimal options for using finishing materials:
- textiles (only natural fabrics in soothing colors);
- rice paper;
- wood for furniture;
- bamboo for decoration;
- glass surfaces;
- clay from which accessories and decor items can be made;
- wicker vases, rugs.
Only a careful selection of textures that are ideally suited to each other will help create an organic design that gives a sense of peace and tranquility.
Wall decoration
To decorate the walls in the living room, it is recommended to use more restrained tones, preferably matte. A small amount of small flowers, hieroglyphs - all this is welcome, but to a minimum. You can use stucco molding to decorate the living room. Processed plaster is the best option for decorating the walls of the living room in the Japanese style.
Extremely rarely can be used murals with a thematic pattern. The fact is that laconic wallpapers with Japanese motifs are extremely difficult to find. If finances and room sizes allow, it is possible to finish the walls with wooden panels. Traditional Japanese niches - Tokonoma - look nice.
Floor and ceiling finishes
Traditional Japanese life (eating, sleeping) almost always takes place on the floor, so its surface should be as natural and comfortable as possible. The best option is a wooden coating of light shades.
As for the ceiling, you can also use light wood. In European houses in Japanese style, the use of tension structures is allowed.
Furniture
The interior of the living room is in the Japanese style, the photo of which eloquently shows how harmoniously everything is arranged, does not accept the presence of large and bulky furniture structures. Since the stylistic trend is based on minimalism, ideally, furniture as such should not be here at all.
But you have to sit somewhere! Therefore, at present, a compact sofa with simple shapes will be an ideal option for furnishing a living room. The best option is squat elements.
In traditional Japanese homes, they sit on mats and sleep on mattresses. In our time and in our country, it will be difficult to live like this, therefore it is allowed:
- a small coffee table of the correct form (square or rectangle) with pillows laid around it;
- low straight sofa with small legs;
- glass surfaces and open shelves;
- compact furniture embedded in the walls, or hidden in general.
A reasonable decision that can refresh the living room space is to purchase a headset made in a typical Japanese style. The time and money that you spend looking for a real Fusuma screen or suitable accessories will return to you in the form of enthusiastic attitudes of guests and a peaceful mood.
When choosing Japanese-style living room furniture, remember that there should be nothing superfluous.
Accessories
Decor items play a big role in the design of the living room in the Japanese style. The photo demonstrates this fact. In addition to the usual sofa rugs and pillows, there are certain accessories that help the designer to create the very unique atmosphere of the originality of Japan.
- Bonsai, ikebana or ordinary potted plants (preferably not flowering).
- Traditional japanese fans (utiva).
- Hieroglyphs (but just a little bit - literally 1-2).
- Samurai armor (not all, of course).
- Traditional tea ceremony set.
- Paintings or prints with traditional Japanese motifs (cranes or sakura blossoms).
- Ceramic products.
- Bamboo bedding, floor mats.
- Silk painting.
- Light curtains made of natural material, transmitting sunlight.
- Kimonos and dolls dressed in traditional Japanese costumes.
Decor items and accessories play an important role in the interior design of the living room in an oriental style. And here it is also necessary to be guided by one simple rule - nothing more. An overabundance of decorative elements "smears" the whole essence of the organization of room space. Therefore, it is better to purchase only a few original accessories than to think where to put the next fan.