Do you want to design your home workspace as a Japandi office? The Japandi style of home decor continues to be popular and it’s a great choice of interior design style for a home office. It’s important that a home office space is appealing to work in and encourages productivity and the elements of Japandi design can enhance this, as it merges the best of Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics to create spaces that exude calm, elegance, and simplicity.
If you’re interested in creating your own Japandi office for homeworking, that seamlessly blends beauty with function, read on for some essential tips on nailing the Japandi-style office look.
What makes Japandi style ideal for home office decor?

Japandi interior design emerged from a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian design styles. Merged together, they create a harmonious blend of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian design principles and produce a well-balanced and functional decor style.
Some of the key elements at the heart of Japandi design involve a focus on light spaces, clean lines, natural materials, warm neutral colors and uncluttered decor – all factors that can contribute to a healthy workspace. Although some people may be able to work successfully in a busy and cluttered office, there’s a lot to be said for minimal decor for aiding productivity and concentration, removing unnecessary clutter and minimising distractions.
The simple style of Japanese design coupled with the warm earthy hues and well-chosen materials of Scandi style helps Japandi interiors become clean, uncluttered and cosy spaces. The converging principles blend together to create a harmonious combination of functionality that provides home office spaces with a feeling of serenity – you’ll want to go to work or be at your desk in your Japandi home office space as it’s an enjoyable work environment to be in!
How to nail Japandi style in your home office

When it comes to nailing the decor elements and creating a Japandi style home office, there are several key factors to keep in mind.
Furniture in Japandi design is characterized by simplicity and functionality. So for a Japandi office design, you need functional pieces of furniture, such as a minimalist desk for your office and a comfortable office chair, that will enable you to work and do your job with ease.
To achieve the minimalist principles of Japandi style, it’s best to go for the less is more approach. Avoid filling every space of your office with furniture or accessories and instead narrow it down to a few high-quality pieces of essential furniture, such as a table, chair, storage and desk lamp. In terms of storage, consider wall shelves instead of stacked floor storage to help the space feel more open and less cluttered.
When you’re looking for a piece of Japandi office furniture, where possible and if budget allows, aim to opt for quality over quantity. Choose well made, high quality office furniture, such as Scandinavian styles or handmade pieces made from quality materials. Japandi design values craftsmanship, the importance of organic materials, and artisan made pieces made with sustainable production methods.
When choosing pieces for your Japanese inspired office, look for items that are sleek, sturdy, and purposeful:
Natural wood finishes: Try to keep your furniture pieces within a consistent wood tone to create harmony. Light or medium wood tones like oak or ash are popular choices and maintain the deep connection with nature.
Desk: Opt for a Japandi desk setup that has clean lines and a natural wood finish, as wood adds warmth and texture. Keep the design minimalist, opting for straight or softly rounded edges that fit seamlessly with Japandi style.
Seating: A comfortable yet stylish chair is essential. Look for desk chairs with natural fabrics or leather, in earthy tones. Ensure it’s ergonomic since functionality is a top priority.
Storage solutions: Clutter is the enemy of Japandi design, so prioritize storage. Opt for closed cabinets or simple shelving units that allow you to keep everything organized and out of sight. Wood shelves with a natural finish or white cabinets blend well with the Japandi aesthetic.
Choose plenty of natural materials

The use of natural materials is key to successful Japandi home office designs. The natural grain of wood in furniture, shelves, and decor elements adds an organic quality. Japanese and Scandinavian designs both favor lighter wood tones like pine, oak, and ash.
Look for Japandi furniture, accessories and decor made from sustainable materials and warm textures, such as natural wood, bamboo, rattan, hemp or cork. They’re more environmentally friendly and bring a touch of nature into what can sometimes be an artificial working environment. They’re also more appropriate for a Japandi office space than pieces made from synthetic materials and help add to the timeless design style of Japandi.
Wooden furniture, such as a simple wooden desk, is ideal for a modern Japandi office. You can enhance the decor in a room and add personal style by laying a woven rug or jute rug underfoot, hanging a cork noticeboard on the wall and choosing curtains or blinds made from hand woven cotton or linen.
Add colour in your Japandi home office

Don’t be fooled into thinking that Japandi style decor needs to be completely devoid of colour – far from it!
Whilst neutral tones and light colours do tend to make up the base of Japanese style office design, warm earth tones, soft grays and muted shades are perfect for adding a sense of warmth and cosiness to the room to help create a serene environment. Ideal colours to consider include earthy shades of sandstone, taupe or soft grey, as well as muted blues, greens or a touch of pink.
Soft and neutral color palettes can help create a calm and inspiring place to work and you can add additional colour to the design of your workspace through paint, wallpaper, accessories and soft furnishings.
Here are some basic interior design principles to help you build up a color scheme for your Japandi style home office:
Minimal accent colours: While Japandi spaces are mostly neutral, a few carefully chosen accent colours like deep blue or forest green can add a subtle pop of colour and visual interest without overwhelming the room.
Start with neutrals: Choose a neutral base for the walls, such as white, beige, or soft gray. These colors create a blank canvas that enhances the natural elements in the room.
Introduce earthy tones: Add depth with accents in earthy colors, such as terracotta, muted greens, and charcoal. Use these in furnishings, decorative items, or even a feature wall to bring a grounded feel.

If you’re unsure of what colour palette would work best for your requirements, have a look at the Japandi paint colour palette curated by Suleyman, an architect who runs the ColorConcept store on Etsy.
Enhance natural light

It’s always beneficial to have natural light in a home office, not least as it’s good for wellness and could lead to improved productivity. If possible, position your desk near a window to make the most of natural light. Japanese and Scandinavian designs both emphasize a connection to nature, so embrace natural light as much as possible.
For desk lamps and additional lighting, choose lights with soft, warm bulbs. Floor and table lamps with rice paper or fabric shades are ideal for a Japandi space, as they diffuse light gently and add a touch of texture. Pop a standing lamp in a dark corner to add light to the whole of the space.
Simple pendant lights with organic shapes, like round or oval, add a modern touch. Look for materials like wood, bamboo, or even ceramic to maintain a natural feel.
Place plants in your Japandi home office

Like other interior styles, Japandi home décor will always benefit from the addition of indoor plants. The natural textures and colours of the leaves will add a splash of colour and bring a sense of nature and tranquility into your workplace.
Don’t overcrowd your workspace with plants. Instead, place one or two plants on the desk, or a larger one in the corner of the room, to create a balanced and airy feel.
Choose plants for your workspace that will sit neatly on a desk, windowsill, shelf or top of cupboard or in a pot in the corner of a room. If you’re placing the plant on an upper shelf, you could have a plant that hangs down slightly over the side of the shelf to create a feature point.
The key to using plants in a Japandi office style is to remember the importance of a clutter-free environment; less is more, so don’t put too many plants in the room.
Choose minimalist plants over big. bushy options. Plants like snake plants, monstera, or bonsai trees align well with Japandi aesthetics due to their sculptural shapes and minimal care requirements.
Use neutral-toned planters made of natural materials like clay, ceramic, or terracotta. Avoid overly decorative pots, as simplicity is key in Japandi decor.
Use minimal accessories

Japandi decor leans toward minimalism, so every decorative item should have a purpose or bring a sense of peace. When it comes to adding accessories and decor to your Japandi home office, aim to do choose a few key pieces to keep it clutter free. Opt for simple items like a ceramic vase, a small stone sculpture, or a woven basket for storage.
Try and work on the principle to only include items which help or inspire your work and comfort and remove those that don’t. It’s often said that an uncluttered office can lead to a clearer mind, which is certainly conducive to productivity.
Accessories in Japandi decor often have a connection to nature or traditional craftsmanship. Consider adding a Japanese-style tea set, a small incense holder, or a Scandinavian candle holder for a touch of authenticity.
Hang inspiring artwork

Finish off your walls by hanging some inspiring artwork on the walls. Look for Japandi style prints in simple, calming designs that help focus your mind, rather than distracting you.
Art in Japandi spaces is typically abstract and muted in color, contributing to the serene atmosphere. Look for artwork that features organic shapes, natural textures, or simple black-and-white photography.
Create a sense of balance and flow
Balance and flow are essential components of Japandi decor. They help make the space feel open, airy, and conducive to concentration.
Don’t feel the need to fill every wall or surface. Negative space is an important part of Japandi decor, allowing each piece to stand out and contribute to a peaceful atmosphere.
Create a harmonious layout by arranging furniture to allow for a natural flow of movement. Avoid cluttering pathways, and ensure that the arrangement feels balanced and intentional.
Japanese design often favors asymmetry, while Scandinavian design is more symmetrical. Mix both in your design approach by creating visual balance but allowing for some variation, such as placing a plant on one side of the desk and a lamp on the other.
Maintaining the Japandi aesthetic
A Japandi home office isn’t just about the initial setup; it’s also about maintaining a clean, uncluttered space. Here are some tips for keeping your Japandi office looking fresh and harmonious:
Regular decluttering: Keep surfaces, like your Japandi office desk, clean and free from excess items. Regularly assess what’s on your desk and shelves, removing anything that isn’t essential.
Mindful storage: Make use of drawers, cabinets, or storage boxes to keep everything organized and out of sight. For items you use often, opt for elegant storage solutions, like woven baskets or wooden trays, that match the Japandi style.
Quality over quantity: Only keep items that serve a purpose or bring you joy. Japandi spaces are curated carefully, so avoid adding anything unnecessary or distracting.
Final thoughts
Creating a Japandi-inspired home office is about more than just aesthetics; it’s about fostering an environment of calm and focus. By blending the best of Japanese and Scandinavian design philosophies, you can create a workspace that feels both serene and functional.
With its earthy tones, soft lighting and natural elements, Japandi style home decor works well in a home office setting, helping to create a calming, comforting and inspiring room in which to work. By applying the principles of Japandi interior design styling to your office space, you can curate the perfect space in which to spend your working hours.
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I adore this style so much! It really inspires me to start doing work and just get things done not in a punishing way! Looks so comforting, calm and generally dope! I love this color palette and décor things like those shelves. So smooth! I think this style is an actual reflection of my values: minimalism, nature-oriented design with actually adding pieces of nature into your home, bright colors and kind of classy style. I adore is I already said hahaha this style and I am sure I will design my house in this way when I move! Thank you for this article!