Modern Japanese Style in Home and Apartment Interiors
Our world is changing very quickly, and even in Japan, known for its love of traditions, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find traditional houses. Rooms designed in the washi style, with their unchanging elements such as tatami, shoji screens, and tokonoma alcoves, are gradually disappearing from urban apartments. Nevertheless, the Japanese strive to preserve at least some items characteristic of their unique culture, and modern Japanese interior style, referred to in Japan as “wa modern,” comes to the rescue.
Its charm lies in the skillful combination of elements from both Japanese and Western cultures, allowing one to experience the special atmosphere of an Eastern home without turning their apartment into a museum of traditional life.
Colors and Materials
For such an interior, the primary base colors will be natural hues characteristic of tatami, bamboo, and washi paper—shades of brown, beige, gray, as well as white and black. As accent colors, some of the so-called “traditional Japanese colors” can be used: bright red, reminiscent of vintage lipstick, pale pink like cherry blossom petals, or the dark purple shade of mulberry fruits. The calm, muted sheen of aged gold or silver can also complement the color palette well.
Of course, tatami is considered the ideal flooring option. In addition to traditional tatami made of rice straw with igusa grass weaving, there are modern tatami made from artificial materials or washi paper fibers. These modern tatami are treated with moisture- and dirt-repellent substances and bactericidal agents, making them easy to maintain and clean. If it is not possible to dedicate an entire room to tatami, Japanese designers recommend using portable tatami that do not need to be fixed to the floor and can cover part of a room. This solution is particularly suitable for a Japanese-style living room, where European furniture, such as sofas, shelves, and TV stands, can harmoniously blend with a small tatami area—ideal for entertaining guests, holding a home tea ceremony, or relaxing on cool mats during hot summer days.
Walls and floors in modern Japanese interiors do not require complex, expensive finishes. The best choices are washi paper wallpaper in calming shades or coarse decorative plaster that can be applied to walls in colored layers, mimicking the Japanese technique of “hantiku.”
Preferred finishing materials include wood, bamboo, paper, and occasionally stone. It is advisable to avoid metal, plastic, and glass, as these shiny, reflective materials contradict Japanese aesthetic concepts.
Features of Japanese Interior Design in Modern Style
Traditionally in Japan, people slept on futons spread over tatami, ate, read, and socialized while sitting directly on the floor. One could say that being on the floor is a distinctive feature of Japanese domestic culture, and this unique aspect can be incorporated into modern apartment interiors.
For instance, it is advisable to choose sofas, chairs, and armchairs with a height of no more than 40 centimeters, preferably with clean lines in the frame and low backs. Low furniture and cushions for floor seating create an atmosphere of relaxation and tranquility; moreover, they allow one to feel closer to the floor while visually raising the ceiling of the space.
A modern Japanese interior should have as little furniture as possible. Storage spaces can be hidden in wall niches, so for everyday living, a small sofa and a low table, open-shelved bookcases or cabinets with lattice doors, and a few chairs should suffice. A Japanese futon mattress can replace a traditional bed, being spread out at night and stored away in a closet during the day. Sliding partitions that mimic traditional shoji screens can serve as interior doors or dividers between rooms, allowing one to delineate or unify spaces as needed.
Lighting in modern Japanese interiors remains subdued. Traditionally in Japanese culture, all lamps were placed on the floor, simulating the entry of natural light into a traditional Japanese home: sunlight would enter at an angle through long eaves, illuminating the lower parts of the rooms. This lighting style harmonizes well with the Japanese habit of doing everything while sitting on the floor. Glass also arrived in Japan relatively late, so thin rice paper was primarily used in lighting fixtures. As light passes through it, it becomes very warm and subtle. When comparing European lighting, characterized by bright sunlight, traditional Japanese lamps emit light that resembles the diffused glow of the moon. Interior backlighting, along with the interplay of light and shadow, makes a room feel characteristically cozy, reminiscent of the dimness of tea ceremony rooms.
Decorations and accessories in modern Japanese interiors are kept to a minimum. It is preferable to have one or two pieces of art, such as a calligraphic scroll or an abstract painting, a ceramic vase of interesting shape, or a decorative panel. The Japanese culture’s inherent love for nature can also be highlighted by placing a few live plants or a floral arrangement.
