Turning Japanese

Peaceful simplicity sums up Japan’s traditional architecture and interior design aesthetic, evolved over centuries into clean and uncluttered living, balancing order, ancient customs, and a love for natural beauty.

Here are some suggestions on how to achieve the look and tranquillity that goes with it.

Bring nature indoors by adding traditional Japanese plants such as bonsai and bamboo. Use greenery too, but keep it simple.

Add a water feature. The serene sounds of water have a calming effect.

Add a Japanese-style sliding door. An authentic Japanese door is called a shoji, and slides back and forth, saving space that a swinging door would take up.

Make use of screens. Japanese screens comprise translucent paper held inside a wooden frame. Modern versions are often glass panels inside a wooden grid.

Combine elements of wood and bamboo in walls, doors, screen grids, and frames. How about a bamboo floor?

TRY
Light, open, airy rooms.
Bamboo shades or sheer, gauzy curtain panels.
Neutral and earthy colours.
Bamboo matting.
Wooden low-to-the-ground furniture.
Pottery crockery.