Recent years have shown that the interior design trends that have the most legs, especially when it comes to luxury designers, are those that lean into minimalism. Sure, there’s a place for the emphasis on comfort, but even then, being minimalist better emphasises the calm and space that truly define luxury.
The big one that’s trending right now is Japanese minimalist design. Well, it’s actually more of an infusion of mostly Japanese minimalism coupled with some of the functionality and cosiness of Scandinavian minimalist ideals like hygge. Together, they form Japandi: the key to unlocking a luxury aesthetic in even the smallest of spaces.
How the Japanese Minimalist Look Works
Given that this trending interior design style draws so heavily from two very less-is-more cultures, it’s only fitting that its name is a portmanteau of Japanese and Scandi. The two naturally lend themselves to one another to achieve aesthetic tranquillity as well as calm through comfort.
The distinct style emphasises an appreciation of materials, geometric shapes, and colours of sophistication. This means often leaning into the colours of the neutral range and then accenting with a burst of natural green or a warmer brown where appropriate. So, naturally, plants are welcome additions to any Japandi design.
This clear-cut, inviting, and minimalist outcome naturally appears luxurious. Much of this comes from the same characteristics that are also associated with luxurious pieces of Japanese art. Negative space or “Ma” is just as important as the object, and Wabi-Sabi offers an appreciation for the asymmetrical.
Just looking at some of the minimalist interior designs found across flats in Tokyo, it’s clear that the Japandi approach is a potent tool for making even a small space look luxurious and open. You leave the cluttered city at the door and stroll through a calm, comfy space punctuated by the greenery urbanisation has built over.
Increasing the Appeal as a Seller
Selling on the open market can be tough, especially if you’re looking to sell a particularly small flat. So, it’s best to use any amount of leverage that you can to secure the sale. Transforming the space using the tenets of Japandi can help a great deal as it’ll make the space seem much larger and much more luxurious.
For anyone who has a small space and is thinking "how can I sell my flat fast?", this would be a strong approach. Of course, sometimes a small space has other problems. Luckily, the fast flat buyers offer a guaranteed sale regardless of condition. Should you commit to the Japandi approach, though, you could benefit greatly.
It’s widely known that making your flat more appealing to viewers with a strong interior design plan will encourage higher offers. Quite simply, a recent redecoration means that the buyer won’t have to spend to do so, which can ease them into making higher offers even if the cost of redecorating was ultimately cheaper than the price bump.
On top of this, easily the most given piece of advice to sellers when they’re ready to list is to declutter and add a new layer of paint. Japandi automatically declutters for you, giving the luxury sheen of minimalism, while it’s very easy to top up a neutral paint scheme with just one layer to add a renewed sense of brightness and comfort.
Offering a calm, cosy, and spacious feel when you live in it and a luxurious aesthetic when you’re looking to sell, even if you’re in a small flat, Japanese minimalist design can do wonders for your home.
