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Minimal, Natural, Serene

Japanese Style Living Room

Browse examples and ideas.

living room in japanese style - example 1
living room in japanese style - example 2
living room in japanese style - example 3
living room in japanese style - example 4
living room in japanese style - example 5

What defines a living room in japanese style?

A Japanese style living room embraces serenity and a deep connection to the natural world.

The space is defined by low profile furniture and floor cushions, which promotes a sense of grounding and intimacy.

Natural materials like light wood and paper shoji screens are essential, diffusing soft light and creating an airy atmosphere.

Decor is intentionally minimal, allowing the beauty of emptiness and a few purposeful objects to create a calm, focused environment.

living room in japanese style - description

Tips for a Japanese Style Living Room

  • 1
    Embrace low-profile furniture to foster a connection to the ground. Use a low 'chabudai' table with 'zabuton' floor cushions or 'zaisu' legless chairs instead of a traditional sofa set to create an open, airy feel.
  • 2
    Incorporate natural materials and an earthy color palette. Choose light-colored woods like bamboo, maple, or cypress for floors and furniture, and complement them with materials like rice paper, stone, and wool. Keep wall colors neutral and muted.
  • 3
    Integrate Shoji screens for light and division. These sliding panels made of translucent paper on a wooden frame are perfect for dividing spaces or as window coverings, allowing for diffused, gentle light to fill the room.
  • 4
    Practice the concept of 'Ma' (negative space). Avoid clutter and opt for a minimalist layout where every item has a purpose. This emphasis on empty space creates a sense of calm and tranquility, making the room feel more spacious.
  • 5
    Select a few intentional, nature-inspired decor pieces. A single piece of calligraphy ('shodo'), a carefully arranged ikebana floral display, or a bonsai tree can serve as a powerful focal point without overwhelming the serene atmosphere.

Decoration ideas for a Japanese Style Living Room

A minimalist ikebana arrangement on a low, dark-wood console. The arrangement consists of a single, gracefully arching branch of white cherry blossoms and two sharp, dark green aspidistra leaves. They are placed in an asymmetric, rough-textured, earth-toned ceramic vase that rests slightly off-center on the console.A four-panel byobu folding screen made of handcrafted cedar wood and delicate washi paper. The screen is hand-painted with a continuous, serene sumi-e ink landscape of misty mountains and a single, ancient pine tree clinging to a cliffside. It is positioned to create a subtle division in the room, with soft light filtering through the translucent panels.A tokonoma, a recessed alcove, with its floor raised slightly above the tatami mat. A single vertical hanging scroll, a kakejiku, depicts a simple calligraphy character for 'tranquility' in bold, black ink. Below it, a meticulously pruned juniper bonsai tree sits in a shallow, unglazed earthenware pot, its gnarled trunk and deep green needles suggesting age and resilience.A low, rectangular chabudai table made of solid, light-grained keyaki wood with a natural, matte finish. Surrounding the table are four square zabuton floor cushions covered in a deep indigo fabric with a subtle, white sashiko-stitched wave pattern. On the table rests a simple cast-iron teapot (tetsubin) and two small, handleless ceramic yunomi cups on a woven bamboo tray.An akari light sculpture, designed by Isamu Noguchi, hanging from the ceiling. The large, spherical lantern is constructed from handmade washi paper stretched over a thin bamboo ribbing, emitting a warm, diffuse, and moon-like glow that creates a soft and serene ambiance throughout the living space.A set of three antique, earthenware sake bottles (tokkuri) displayed on a floating shelf made of reclaimed cypress wood. Each bottle has a unique, slightly irregular shape and a distinct glaze—one a deep celadon green, another a crackled cream, and the third a rich, dark tenmoku brown. They are arranged in a visually balanced, asymmetrical cluster.

Other japanese style rooms

Other living room styles