Restrained and exotic - so in a nutshell you can describe the Japanese interior. It is based on the desire to know oneself through the world around us, to put things in order in our thoughts, to achieve harmony with nature. The traditional style was formed in the 16th century, but its main features remain relevant today. It is chosen by pacified people who are able to see beauty in everyday objects.
Japanese interior: an excursion into history
How did it all start? The Japanese style in the interior was formed under the influence of factors, a list of which is given below.
- Life philosophy and national traditions.
- Climatic conditions.
- High population density.
- Lack of minerals, in particular iron ore.
- The constant threat of an earthquake.
The beauty and primordiality of the world are values that have been exalted for centuries by Japanese philosophy. Material wealth is not as important as harmony in the soul. The Japanese did not follow the example of the whole world and did not begin to fill their homes with alien furniture, statues, carpets, and so on. They chose to remain faithful to their traditions. Thanks to this, the Japanese style in the interior is relevant now.
It must be remembered that the construction of houses in this country was traditionally carried out taking into account a possible earthquake. Prefabricated walls of the building made it possible to rebuild them as a designer after destruction. The foundation was also collapsible. The owners had the opportunity to easily move their housing to a new place. The lack of interior walls in a traditional Japanese house is associated not only with the threat of 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 is assigned a secondary role. Windows must be facing a picturesque lawn, fountain, pond, trees. When decorating the interior of a city apartment, plants, aquariums, 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.
- In the Japanese interior, natural materials or their high-quality imitation (wood, stone, bamboo, straw) predominate.
- Furniture tends down. Products are deprived of high legs, backs, shelves. Regular geometric shapes are welcome, plain smooth surface.
- The use of decor is minimized.
- The role of internal walls is assigned to partitions made of rice paper or bamboo.
Color spectrum
White, black and red are the colors without which one can hardly imagine the Japanese interior. White color draws attention to the structure and beauty of the tree, allows you to consider its knots and annual rings. Red serves to highlight the main areas, revitalizing the space. He is considered the color of masculinity and strength. Dark tones are necessary in order to create the 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 environmental materials. This allows you to reproduce the island flavor with the features of minimalism inherent in it. Only those materials that were available to the Japanese and several centuries ago are used. They were not bought from neighboring countries. We are talking about the following materials:
- wood of maple, cedar, kiri, sugi;
- bamboo, reed;
- stone tiles;
- silk;
- wicker vine, matting.
Even in a modern Japanese interior it is difficult to meet plastic and vinyl surfaces, linoleum. However, environmentally friendly artificial materials these days are not banned. Say, not a tree, but a laminate can be used to finish the floor. Natural silk may well replace fabric with similar properties.
Furniture
The 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 bustle of the outside world, contemplating his soul. A characteristic feature of furniture is earthliness. She seems to have her legs cut off and placed on the floor. The fewer furnishings the better.
So, what can you see in a traditional Japanese apartment or house?
- Mats made of matting or straw lie on the floor.
- A classic bed is successfully replaced by a tatami. It is also possible to use a mattress, which is placed directly on the floor.
- A low table is used for meals, and pillows are used instead of chairs.
- Kitchen utensils must not be left in sight. She cleans up cabinets with closed shelves.
- In the bathroom you can see the washbasins in the shape of a bowl. There is also a traditional ofuro wooden bathtub.
- Most of the furniture is made of wood. It has a simple form, does not have a lush decor.
Sliding doors and partitions
The modern Japanese interior cannot be imagined without sliding doors and partitions. These products form the appearance of an apartment or house, allow you to quickly change the layout of space. They are usually made from rice paper and bamboo. Partitions perfectly replace walls. Light weight allows them to withstand natural disasters, they are easy to replace in case of damage.
Sliding doors, panels - alternatives that modern manufacturers offer. A characteristic pattern is traditionally applied to such products. Portable screens are also actively used.
Window design
Japanese-style curtains also play an important role in the interior. However, first you need to get an idea of the appearance of the windows. The Japanese are not afraid of twilight, moreover, they readily let him into the house. Outside windows are equipped with long awnings, thanks to which the house is protected from rainfall. As a result, little light penetrates inside, albeit a lot of windows.
From the inside, the windows are made using direct paintings made of paper or fabric (linen, cotton, silk). They can move horizontally, not vertically. The towels have a width reaching one and a half meters. Visually, they resemble the doors of a closet, vertical blinds. Traditional Japanese curtains lack draperies and ruffles.
Interestingly, the first to decorate them with windows were foreigners. The Japanese initially used these products to divide the space into zones.
Flooring
Stone tiles, wood, pebbles - traditional materials for flooring. They are also placed on the tatami, which can not be placed crosswise so as not to incur misfortune. Carpets made from reeds or vines are also welcome.
It is impossible not to tell about modern trends. Laminate, parquet, ceramic tiles - materials that can also be used for decoration. In recent years, the bulk floor has also come into fashion.
Wall decoration
Japanese interior design puts forward special requirements for wall decoration. Natural materials are welcome, as well as all kinds of combinations. Say, the room can be sheathed around the perimeter with wood. Also, the walls can be painted in pastel colors, decorated with masonry. The use of paper wallpaper is not forbidden.
Decor elements also play an important role. As a rule, walls are decorated with engravings or paintings depicting nature.
The ceilings
What are the requirements for the ceiling?
- Great if it has the shape of a triangle or rectangle.
- The color of the ceiling can match the color of the walls.
- As finishing materials, hanging panels, wallpapers, and stretch fabric are used. You can also give preference to matte paint.
Ceilings often play a role in zoning space. To do this, they are made multi-level, and for each zone different decoration materials are used.
Decorative elements
What can you tell about decorative Japanese home decoration? They should also serve the main goal, which is to achieve harmony and balance. Decor elements are:
- engravings, paintings;
- Buddha figurines;
- Samurai sword;
- ikebana;
- a screen made of silk or rice paper;
- decorative vases;
- china;
- tea ceremony kit;
- Japanese lanterns;
- bonsai trees.
A fan is a traditional decoration element that should not be forgotten. This thing symbolizes the fullness of life and well-being in an open form. It is believed that it protects the home from negative energy. Figurines of dolls in colorful national costumes, which can be compared with a work of art, will also help to create an atmosphere. These products are not intended for children to play. They are needed to admire their grace and fragility.
Lighting
What are the lighting requirements? Traditional Japanese housing is illuminated by moonlight rather than sunlight. Therefore, lighting fixtures should give a dull, dim 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, are durable and durable. There are also chandeliers made of white or transparent glass, fabric, rice paper. White and black are the most popular colors of products. Ceiling chandeliers are able to take various forms, put a few lamps in themselves. To decorate these products, drawings with the image of national characters can be used.
Not only the Japanese-style chandelier is responsible for lighting. It is also allowed to use lamps, sconces.
Houseplants
What role do plants and flowers play in the Japanese interior? They are necessary to emphasize proximity to nature. Of course, in such a room will not look huge ficus, lush palm trees. It is better to prefer traditional bonsai or choose ikebana - a dried flower arrangement. Sakura branches will also help in creating an atmosphere.
Bedroom interior
What is a Japanese bedroom interior? This place is given great importance, because it is here that people spend almost a third of their lives. First you need to determine the primary color, which will be diluted with shades and midtones. Cream, gray, white, milk - all of them will help create the right atmosphere. Bright spots are allowed, but in limited quantities.
Paper lampshades worn on lamps help create soft light in the bedroom. Compact sconces decorated with hieroglyphics are suitable for this room. Windows can be decorated with curtains made of bamboo or silk. To design the floor, a laminate or wood is used, mats are also used. The walls can be covered with a plain cloth, decorated with wooden panels. A good solution would be wallpaper with national drawings.
It is not necessary to abandon a bed in favor of a mattress or tatami. A traditional bed with a headboard can serve as a berth. The main thing is that the bed should be low enough, not have legs.
Living room interior
The Japanese living room interior also deserves attention. In this room comfort and coziness should reign, it should be light, bright and spacious. Preference should be given to miniature furniture, abandon high cabinets and bulky sofas. The fewer furnishings the better.
Walls, floor and ceiling should ideally be monophonic, not attract attention. 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 great decoration for the walls will be the samurai sword.
Kitchen interier
If the kitchen has a small area, the Japanese style will be a real salvation. Furniture should be functional and simple. Organically fit into such an interior unpainted wood products. The dominant shades are caramel, baked milk, bleached oak. Accents can be placed with the help of green, light green, red tones.
Household appliances must be hidden, for which closed compact cabinets serve. There is a low table with a soft sofa in the dining area. Alternatively, you can offer a simple dining table and chairs decorated with pillows. The walls are decorated with stylized engravings, hieroglyphs.
Do not force window sills indoor plants. It is preferable to use flowers in floor vases. The window can be decorated with curtains 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, purity of the soul is as important as 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 must be hidden. For this, special curtains or screens are used. Great if the bathtub is recessed and deep. Its edge should rise above floor level.
Textile
Textiles are needed so that the interior does not look too strict and concise. Natural fabrics of discreet shades will help revitalize the room, make it more comfortable. You can use cotton, linen, silk. Textiles are traditionally decorated with national patterns. These can be sketches from the life of samurai, Mount Fuji, the animal world.
With the help of textiles, screens, seats, windows are made out. Of course, it applies to the sleeping area.