Japanese living room: the basics
The organization of a Japanese interior is significantly different from that of a European interior. To design a Japanese living room, we are generally inspired by the tea room.
Ideally, the room is bright, dominated by white and wood. There is of course the tatami mat, an essential element for comfort, since the Japanese systematically place their shoes in the entrance and, moreover, the living room furniture is located at ground level.
The Japanese interior is a flexible space: not only is the furniture reduced to what is strictly necessary, but it is preferably light, and easy to move.
The kotatsu is an important room, as central heating is not widely used. This table has a blanket, and it can also hide a small heater: we meet there to have tea as if to chill.
18 ideas for a Japanese living room at home
The Japanese living room is characterized by its Zen atmosphere. To adopt it, it is therefore essential to think of the room as a whole, carefully choosing colors and materials.
On the color side, white is often associated with a Zen spirit. In the living room, however, you may prefer the ecru color: this very light beige shade creates a more cocooning atmosphere.
Bamboo motif full of freshness, delicate cherry blossoms or vague print-style: a wallpaper with a watercolor motif subtly adds color to a Japanese living room.
In the absence of an authentic tatami, you can adopt a natural fiber carpet. Seagrass benefits from remarkable robustness, and its tight weave offers a very Zen natural aesthetic.
Sisal is an alternative to seagrass. Just as robust, this natural fiber is characterized by its softness and its insulating power. In a small space, you may prefer the carpet – with or without border – to create a cozy and carefully delimited Japanese living room.
The square coffee table is a classic for a Japanese decor in the living room. Of course, we favor a wood species that is as raw as possible. For a fair balance between tradition and trend, we fall for recycled teak.
The Japanese use the yakisugi for centuries. This technique involves burning wood to protect it from aging, insects and fungi. The charcoal black and scaly rendering still inspires contemporary designers. Combining tradition and modernity, the burnt wood coffee table gives a strong personality to a Japanese living room.
Fancy an authentic Japanese living room? Adopt a piece of craftsmanship, and make it the highlight of your decor!
Whether in cast iron or ceramic, the Japanese tea set has too much charm to stay locked in a cupboard! It is therefore placed rather directly on the table, on a set or on a small tray, to bring an additional touch of authenticity to the living room.
The zafu is a round cushion of ground. This staple of the Japanese living room is available in different versions. If we like it in colored or printed fabric, we love it in natural fiber, in line with current trends. This charming room also finds its place in different types of decor: we therefore gladly invite it into a bohemian living room with a touch of retro or ethnic chic.
To set up a Japanese lounge area in a studio, we fall for the zabuton (or “seat futon”), an extra-flat round or square model.
On the sofa side, we love the futon bench: such a practical classic! For a resolutely Zen aesthetic, we stick to classic neutral colors: brown, gray, black or ecru.
We love the designer sofa inspired by the Zen aesthetic. Especially when it has a backrest or adjustable armrests at will!
The essential ally for an intimate living room is the screen. In order to maintain a Zen spirit, we rely on natural materials – wood, cane or rice paper – which cut off the view by letting the light through.
Organic shape and Japanese paper: the pendant light brings the final touch to the Zen decor of the living room.
The Japanese silk lampshade comes in a nice variety of shapes. In a large living room, we take the opportunity to adopt several models, varying the designs.
A quirky Japanese living room
In terms of decoration, it is always possible to shake up the codes to create a nicely offbeat aesthetic.
The mix and match that makes us fall for it is of course the Japandi style, which skilfully mixes the principles of Japanese decor and Scandinavian design. This simple style lends itself particularly well to the decor of the living room.
To add a little twist to the Japanese living room, we fall for the dynamic and tangy colors. Between colors full of fantasy and simplicity of the furniture, the balance is perfect!
For a cocooning living room, we mix the Japanese aesthetic and a boho decor. The good idea: create an XXL sofa with cozy cushions.