Top 5 Japandi Design Principles for UK Homes in 2025

The Japandi trend is taking the UK by storm, with 2025 interior trends favouring simplicity, sustainability, and soul. A seamless fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian design, Japandi style is rooted in harmony, function, and understated elegance — the perfect antidote to fast-paced, cluttered living.

If you’re looking for a refined, clutter-free, and calming interior style this year, our guide to Japandi will help you create a home that brings together the tranquil beauty of Japanese aesthetics with the cosiness of Scandi living. Here’s how to bring Japandi into your UK home with these top five Japandi interior design principles.

1. Embrace the Japandi Colour Palette

In 2025, colour speaks softly. A key part of the Japandi style is the use of a neutral colour palette with earthy undertones like beige, taupe, and pale pink. These colours offer a sense of tranquillity, grounding your space in calm and creating the ideal backdrop for mindful living.

Add layers of warmth using textiles like a soft linen cushion, chunky knit throws, or a woven rug. Look to combine neutral tones with hints of Scandi vibrancy — think muted greens, dusty blues, and clay accents for a richer colour scheme.

2. Prioritise Natural Materials & Textures

A standout element of the Japandi trend is the emphasis on natural materials and natural textures. From lighter woods like oak and ash to stoneware ceramics and hand-woven rattan, this design trend connects your interior to the natural world.

Look for handmade vase pieces, pendant light fittings made of bamboo or paper, and sustainable materials in your furniture choices. The use of raw textures brings depth and authenticity while echoing the Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy of beauty in imperfection.

3. Celebrate Minimalism with a ‘Less-is-More’ Approach

Inspired by both Scandinavian design and the Japanese wabi tradition, Japandi interiors are known for their strong emphasis on minimalism. It’s not just about fewer things, but about choosing items with intention — quality over quantity.

Use Japandi decor to create a restful home: streamlined furniture, clean lines, and minimal accessories are essential. Incorporate Scandi style organisation with clever hidden storage and dedicate time to regular decluttering to maintain a peaceful space.

4. Layer Function with Craftsmanship

Functionality is at the heart of Japandi design. Every piece should serve a purpose while exuding craftsmanship. From hand-crafted wooden benches to carefully curated tableware, the fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian ideals results in a balance between beauty and utility.

Opt for functional design pieces such as low-profile seating, open shelving, and modular storage. Focus on quality craftsmanship — particularly pieces that tell a story — and mix japanese-inspired joinery with scandi design aesthetics to truly bring Japandi style to life.

5. Personalise with East-Meets-West Accessories

Don’t be afraid to soften your space with cosy Scandi touches or artfully placed Japanese design details. Try a ceramic vase with an Ikebana-style floral arrangement, a large pendant light over your dining table, or wall art inspired by wabi-sabi themes.

Small touches like a linen cushion or a curved wood lamp can easily help bring Japandi into even the smallest of UK homes. Keep your space open and light-filled, drawing on natural elements and allowing room for reflection and tranquillity.

Why Japandi Style is the Future of Interior Design in the UK

Whether you’re redecorating your flat or styling a new build, this guide to Japandi style is perfect for modern UK homeowners seeking intentional, elegant living in 2025. With Houzz naming Japandi kitchens as a top trend, and ABI Interiors forecasting a rise in muted tones and pattern play, this east-meets-west aesthetic is set to define the interior design trend of the year.

Japandi style UK isn’t just a look — it’s a lifestyle. It’s about crafting a home with cosy simplicity, natural flow, and soul-soothing calm. It honours the less-is-more approach to living and invites you to slow down, declutter, and rediscover joy in the details.

Ready to tap into the Japandi look? Whether you’re going full-renovation or adding small accents, let this serene, balanced style bring peace and intention to your everyday living.

For more on this trend and how to adopt it throughout your home, explore our full guide to Japandi on Home Style Matters.