The concept of “minimalism” is relatively young—it was formulated in the second half of the twentieth century by European philosophers as a response to the increasing pace of production and the stimulation of continuous consumption. However, the concept of minimalism has long existed in Japan, and Japanese minimalism in interior design is influenced by several geographical, historical, and cultural factors.
The Influence of Climate and Geography
In Japan, summers are long, hot, and humid. While you can protect yourself from the cold in winter by wearing more clothing and keeping warm with a burning hearth, combating the summer heat requires blocking direct sunlight and ensuring the free flow of air throughout the home. This is why the roofs of traditional Japanese houses have wide eaves that block the sun, and there are almost no solid walls—all rooms are separated by sliding partitions. Japan is located in a zone of high seismic activity, and frequent earthquakes have often caused fires and destruction in medieval Japanese cities. Perhaps the desire to avoid injuries from falling furniture has led to the almost complete absence of bulky furniture in Japanese homes, which seems almost extreme from a European perspective. Large items were stored in wall niches, while documents, money, or valuables were kept in small chests called tansu, which could easily be carried out of the house if needed. The spread of Buddhism and the growing popularity of various schools of this religious movement have influenced the further formation of Japanese minimalism. In Buddhism greed and attachment to things are regarded as one of the three obstacles on the path to enlightenment.
Apartment in Japanese Style
Globalization and the modern world have definitely changed Japanese life in their own way, but even today, Japanese interiors are associated with an ascetic, clutter-free living space. Japanese architects and designers themselves are unlikely to speak about a fully developed style of “Japanese minimalism” in home and apartment interiors, but there are certain common features that unite such spaces.
First and foremost, there is a small amount of furniture and decorative items. Real estate prices in Japan are very high, so few people can afford a spacious home. To prevent a small apartment from feeling even more cramped, the amount of furniture needs to be kept to a minimum. Storage spaces in such interiors are hidden in wall niches or in tall sliding wardrobes, which effectively mimic traditional shiire niches. Japanese people are accustomed to sitting directly on the floor, so you can see floor cushions placed on top of tatami in their homes. However, for those who have not been sitting this way since childhood, it can be a challenging experience. Instead of cushions, a low sofa and chairs with a low table might be more suitable in the living room. Japanese designers generally recommend using furniture that is lower than standard to add some authentically Japanese atmosphere..
A bedroom in the Japanese minimalist style might appear to be an empty room. Traditionally, people slept on futon mattresses, which are folded up and put away in the closet in the morning—this way of arranging a sleeping area is still seen in many homes and in all Japanese inns called ryokan. Of course, over time, many Japanese people have switched to the beds we are familiar with, but even these have lower legs to be closer to the floor surface. An ideal compromise would be a bed in the form of a mattress on a small platform, which can also be used as additional storage space.
Traditional Japanese houses were dark, but modern interiors tend toward calm, light tones and shades. The walls of an apartment in Japanese style are finished in white, beige, or gray; plaster or wallpaper made of *washi* rice paper are well-suited for this purpose. The same paper is also used to make sliding *shoji* partitions—a characteristic element of Japanese interiors, along with tatami.These partitions save space that would otherwise be taken up by swinging doors and allow for easy transformation of a room. For example, in Japanese apartments, such partitions between the kitchen, dining room, and living room can be completely opened for hosting guests or spending an evening with the whole family, and then closed again to provide private space for everyone. Moreover, rice paper beautifully diffuses light, making the rooms genuinely cozy.
Another Japanese interior element in minimalism is tatami. This type of flooring made from rice straw, which appeared several centuries ago, remains popular today. Many Japanese people, unable to dedicate an entire room to tatami, lay mats in part of the living room. The reason for this popularity is the functionality and practicality of tatami. Just a few cushions and a tatami mat are enough to create a lounge area where you can lie down, sit, read books, chat with friends, or even hold a home tea ceremony.
Natural or slightly tinted wood is an important element of Japanese interiors, as traditional houses were almost entirely made of wood. Natural materials are generally encouraged when creating an interior in the style of Japanese minimalism. Japanese minimalism does not favor bright, glossy surfaces made of metal, glass, or plastic, so when choosing materials, you should opt for muted shades and rough textures.
As mentioned earlier, you should avoid excessive decorations. An accent wall, a single decorative panel or painting, a beautiful ceramic vase, or an art object with an interesting shape will suffice.
