The enduring influence and attraction of Japanese interior design has been a fascination of Western architects, artists and designers for centuries. There is an obvious connection between the philosophical, the spiritual and the practical that informs almost every element of this wonderful design movement, where a space is allowed to become so much more than a living environment. Through an understanding of Buddhism and Shintoism, it is possible to draw lines between these teachings and Japanese house design that promote a harmonious and tranquil lifestyle where mindfulness and purity are central to everything that one does.
These ideas are then aligned with the age-old Japanese traditions of wabi-sabi, which values imperfections and impermanence, and shoin-zukuri, where a structured design centres around one space dedicated to learning and growth.
If one is considering applying elements of Japanese House Design, there is a collection of fundamental aspects that will help with all the planning, sketching and development stages.
Shoji Screens & Sliding Partitions
Shoji is the Japanese name for the iconic panels of wood lattice and washi paper that are used so elegantly to order and reconfigure interior spaces. The idea is to invite a connection with the outdoors through a slightly translucent appearance while still maintaining an important element of privacy. Purchasing or commissioning the authentic washi paper screens can often prove to be a challenge, so many reinterpretations use glass alternatives that are catered for within the initial build of the home space. Alongside their function, these should always be created with a focus on quiet sound and movement to support the essential shoin-zukuri energy.
Tatami & Spatial Geometry
The Tatami mats made in a woven style using rice, straw and rush are employed to dictate the proportions of a room in Japanese homes. Essentially, they act as a blueprint for the functions and purpose of the spaces that they so gracefully order. Laid out in precise patterns, Tatami mats create seating areas and zones where tea ceremonies should be held, all adapted to the human scale and understanding of movement within space. For contemporary versions of this spatial geometry, it is possible to begin from a hardwood floor foundation and follow the same principles in a slightly more pared-back way. The tradition is still honoured but certain concessions can be made to adapt to the room layouts of modernity.
Open to the Plans of Nature
Japanese homes seek to create softer boundaries between the exterior and the interior than most Western architecture is used to. Engawa corridors attend to this idea with transitional spaces that operate on the intermediate space between the home and nature, using verandas and corridors that blur the lines of house and the natural world. Importantly, these are all integrated to frame views that would traditionally be the most important for living spaces with stunning courtyards. Private places such as bathrooms and bedrooms would be discreetly placed above or behind in this design scheme. Thinking about how one’s living space is anchored towards the most natural view in any home is a good way to promote this philosophy.
A World of Natural Materials
Natural wood in an unprocessed state has been responsible for much of the framework for Japanese house design. These rely on cedar, cypress and bamboo in combination with elements of stone, paper and simple plaster that work together for an overall sensory calm and cluttered canvas within the living space. This is perhaps the greatest example of wabi-sabi that actively encourages imperfections and visible ageing as the rooms develop and grow. Using local timber yards and requesting raw-edge surfaces as the base materials for one’s own design is a great way to ensure that grains are revealed and the overall ambience is without gloss or veneer in the truest sense.
Refined & Restrained Colours
It can, of course, be tempting to build on such minimal foundations with dashes of patterns of colours. However, restraint is always the key to achieving the unfussed and refined Japanese home style. Soft ivories and sand palettes with ink black accents and the occasional bamboo green should be the colourways employed throughout the space. With light plaster finishes on most walls, there is an opportunity for reflected light from all angles that works so much better than stark whites to create a natural ambience. Overall, the goal is to look for calm and serenity over stimulation, with the haste of the living world remaining under total control.
Minimalism with Intent
Within traditional Japanese interiors, every item has to be deliberate and hold a clear purpose or function. This does not mean there should be a compromise on either overall style or quality. Rather, it requires that more thought and emphasis be placed on great design. The old adage of less is more is not quite appropriate here – more a case of less is better. There can be a hidden quality for storage as an example, through alcoves, hidden cabinetry that moves with the lines of the spaces and recessed niches that favour a duality of meaning and purpose over decoration. One of the most thought-provoking ideas that supports this minimalist design is the consideration of what is actually required for a living space. Auditing one’s own objects, furniture and electrical and entertainment devices in spaces that should be designed for relaxation and reflection is the perfect way to begin.
Choreographed Light
One of the most striking design choices in Japanese homes is the way natural light is an active participant in the architecture and is duly put to work in several ways. It is possible to see how this choreography of shadows and bright areas becomes a structural material to define these spaces and affect the moods, emotions and overall wellbeing of the people within them. The paper lanterns employed at dusk or the spotlit work environments and alcoves that gain the sun’s attention in the morning are all ways of engaging with this strategy. Working with architects, designers and conducting research on the expected weather patterns and light behaviour in the space is perhaps the only way to ensure that this element can be correctly optimised.
The unmistakable discipline and attention to the minutiae of Japanese home design brings great rewards for both your living space and clarity of mind. Accessing this level of detail and consideration for how you will interact with your house, and what emotions you want to encourage, is an exercise that promotes much greater wellness overall. With so many subtle decisions to make that can have a huge impact, it always makes sense to take your time, start slowly and let the world around your home have serious input into how it is developed.
