Japandi Material Guide: Choosing the Right Elements for Your Australian Home

Japandi Materials: Choosing the Right Elements in Australia

Welcome to the McDonald Jones Homes Japandi Material Guide, designed to help you choose the right elements for your Australian home. When it comes to modern home design, there are lots of styles to choose from, but Japandi is a standout, gaining considerable popularity across NSW, ACT and beyond. This concept showcases simple yet stylish living with minimalist furniture, neutral tones and natural elements. To learn more, check out our full guide to popular materials used in Japandi design and their suitability for Australian homes. 

Understanding Japandi Design Principles

Let’s start with an overview of Japandi design principles, which are proudly featured in some truly striking modern homes. Following a less is more approach, the concept of Japandi style is based on the Japanese appreciation for imperfection in nature, with texture and depth in every design choice. This is combined with the Scandi style of clean functionality, suiting the ‘hygge’ lifestyle of simple comfy. Think timber, light colours and linens for a touch of natural texture.

Given the inherent similarities between Japanese and Scandi styles, Japandi has taken off, creating a warm and welcoming balance of natural materials, neutral elements and intentional design. If you like a refined look with natural aesthetic appeal and timeless elegance, Japandi is worth exploring. After all, this concept may be trending now, but it’s been around for hundreds of years and continues to create connection and a sense of calmness in any space.

Popular Materials in Japandi Design

When thinking about Japandi interior design, it’s best to focus on natural, sustainable and minimalist materials. By choosing sustainable materials for Japandi décor, you can enjoy long-lasting performance and a sense of comfort that feels like home while also being more mindful of the environment. At McDonald Jones Homes, we have decades of experience in selecting materials, and we understand the importance of material choice in Japandi design.

Here are a few suggestions of Japandi materials suitable for Australian homes.

• Wood: both soft and hard types of wood can be suitable for Japandi style, with timber floors, walls and furniture offering style and sustainability benefits.
• Bamboo: a flexible and eco-friendly choice for Japandi style, bamboo is resistant to swelling and shrinking, so it’s great for bathroom and kitchen décor.
• Stone: granite, marble and slate are a few options for incorporating stone elements and creating a natural look.
• Textiles: choose fabrics that complement Japandi aesthetics, such as cotton, linen, rattan and wool.
• Metals: Japandi style also uses metals to add functional and decorative elements. Copper, brass, nickel and steel all offer a unique touch.

Choosing Materials for Different Areas of Your Home

Neutrals are most commonly featured in the Japandi colour palette, with whites, beiges, creams, tans and greys used to create a luxe, light-filled space. However, pops of muted greens or blues may also feature in Japandi lighting or home accents, depending on personal preference. Here’s a more detailed guide to Japandi design materials for different rooms in the house.

Living Room

Natural wood is one of the most commonly recommended Japandi materials for living room furniture, flooring and décor. Tan timber tones contrast nicely white the rest of the traditional Japandi colour palette, and you can add a bit of texture and colour through wool, cotton and rattan elements throughout the room.

Kitchen

In the kitchen, you need durable and stylish Japandi materials for cabinets, countertops and accessories. Bamboo can withstand temperature changes, making it a great choice for cabinetry, while timber islands, butcher block counters and natural stone backsplashes also support the look.

Bedroom

Select calming and sustainable materials for a serene environment in the bedroom. A low-profile timber platform bed will be the focal point of the room, with Japandi lighting and décor made out of hard or dark wood and rattan also add to the appeal.

Bathroom

In a Japandi bathroom, look for materials that ensure a spa-like, minimalistic feel such as bamboo and terracotta. Timber, hemp and paper are often used for accent pieces to tie the space together and crate a relaxing, invigorating oasis with a modern feel and timeless touch.

Materials McDonald Jones Homes Uses

McDonald Jones Homes brings you the best materials for Japandi style homes in NSW and ACT. We stand by the quality and sustainability of the natural home materials we use in our best-selling home designs. Here are a few examples of high-quality materials and craftsmanship in our Japandi style homes.

Miami - Hereford Hill

The Miami Grande display home at Hereford Hill shines a light on Scandi style and Japanese minimalist influences. A low and round timber coffee table pairs nicely with the wood flooring and a touch of greenery adds depth to warm white walls. This Contempo Scandi Design features wood panelling and metal accents in the kitchen to enhance the living environment.

Lucia – Huntlee

Walking into the Lucia – Huntlee display home, you immediately get a sense of the open-plan concept and abundant natural light. This functional family home is designed with an indoor-outdoor lifestyle in mind, offering a Zen oasis with clean lines, geometric shapes and furniture storage solutions. Even the contrast of wall and carpet colours adds to the Japandi look.

Conclusion: Japandi Interior Design with Natural Home Materials

As you can see, it’s important to choose the right materials for Japandi design so you can get the full impact of a beautifully Zen living space. This concept brings the natural beauty and celebration of imperfections from Japanese design together with stylish Scandinavian simplicity. To achieve this look, McDonald Jones Homes uses a mix of timber, stone, concrete, tile and natural accents. We encourage you to consider these materials for your home projects and let us know when you’re ready to design and build your dream home with a Japandi interior.

Contact McDonald Jones for More Guidance on Japandi Style

Want more tips on Japandi design and storage solutions? From materials to décor and everything in between, our passionate team of home build and design experts are here to help. Read more of our Scandinavian Style blogs or get in touch online to learn more.