We think you can achieve gorgeous Japandi style on a budget with some clever Ikea Japandi hacks and ideas. You don’t need to be an interior designer, you don’t need to break the bank!
Japandi style has become increasingly popular in recent years. The style is a harmonious blend of functionality and style, creating the restful home that many people crave.
However, these days there are so many different interpretations of Japandi style that it can be hard to know what exactly it is.
Here we look at what Japandi style is as well as how you can achieve some very simple Japandi style with the help of some Ikea furniture and some special Ikea hacks!
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What Is Japandi Style?
Japandi, is a blend of Japanese and Scandinavian styles. It embraces the slow-living, fulfilment and simplicity of the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi and the comfort, snugness and wellness of the Scandinavian practice of hygge.
The trend is minimalist yet welcoming, using neutral tones, lots of textures and natural materials. There is also a focus on craftsmanship which you might not associate with Ikea, but I actually think the act of hacking Ikea furniture can be your very own version of craftsmanship. Not everyone has the opportunity to be a carpenter but they might still enjoy crafting something.
Some people like to relate it to a less resource-intense method of decor, preferring more renewable sources and I think that’s a great way to look at it!
Here are some of our favourite Ikea Japandi hacks and ideas that we think embody these values.
Cane Fronted Cabinet From A Billy Bookcase
The very idea of Ikea hacks is, in itself, a method of reducing waste. The perfect Ikea hack will take something old and tired that’s sitting around your home and turn it into something luxurious and stylish that you love.
This gorgeous Billy bookcase hack from House of Hawkes is a great example of both reusing old furniture and being inspired by Japandi style. They have painted the unit in a neutral grey colour and added some natural materials with the cane webbing in the doors.
The styling inside the cabinet is simple, neutral and practical. Perfectly Japandi!
Japandi Shelving From Renewably-Sourced Svalnäs Shelves
This shelving system, using Ikea Svalnäs shelves, is a very simple way to bring in some Japandi style.
Not only are the shelves very minimalist, using largely natural materials, but they are also quite elegant with their thin metal hangers and simple framework.
The main thing they offer is a space to add a collection of accessories that fit into the Japandi scheme. We love the earthenware pots and jugs that have been placed on the shelves here. A Japanese teapot is a great way to invoke the spirit of Japandi!
Room Divider/Shoji Screen From Ivar Frames
I love this hack found on Ikeahackers. The fabric used here is a bit busy for my liking, and probably for a Japandi style space, but the idea is what matters!
They have used some Ikea Ivar shelving panels to create a folding room divider by linking them together with simple butt hinges.
If I were to recreate this, I think I would go for a plain simple, natural fabric such as hessian or even use a recycled brown paper roll.
Japandi Style Four Poster Bed
This is a whole room done in the Japandi style with largely Ikea furniture by Brook and Peony. We particularly love this very simple, semi-four-poster bed which is an Ikea Gjora bed.
It fits in perfectly with the Japandi feel and is complimented with natural, neutral bedding materials for a serious cosy-looking bedroom! Add a drape of linen over the back posts of the bed for added effect.
A lovely fiddle leaf fig in the corner adds to the natural feel of the room.
Low Slung Japandi Sofa From Ikea Soderhamn
This looks like very high-end furniture, but that’s an Ikea Soderhamn sofa right there!
All they have done is build a wooden surround to cover the legs and space beneath. It creates a lovely low-slung sofa set-up without much work at all.
It also adds a wonderfully practical side table for that Sunday morning cup of coffee while you read the papers!
Neutral Japandi Wardrobe From Ivar Cabinets
It’s that lovely japandi-Ikea room again from Brook and Peony. This time we see the other side of the room and this wonderfully simple wardrobe made from Ikea Ivar cabinets.
It has been painted to fit in with the neutral colour scheme of the room and has a very simple wooden leg base added to give it some extra height and elegance.
Drape a plant down the side and you’ve added some instant natural charm!
Dark Wood and Cane Sideboard From Ikea Besta Unit
Dark wood is very much within the remit of Japandi styling and this gorgeous, sumptuous cabinet fits perfectly within this Japandi space.
The doors are from Norse Interiors who make some clever and attractive accessories for Ikea furniture. These doors fit the Ikea Besta unit. and are made up of a wooden frame with hessian fabric panels and an elegant knob.
It’s finished with some gorgeous metal legs and a thin wooden top surface.
Minimalist Japandi White Oak Kitchen
Finally, a very simple yet beautiful transformation of an Ikea Metod kitchen.
These wooden door and drawer fronts are from Custom Fronts and are specially made for Ikea kitchens. It’s a great alternative to having a bespoke kitchen made for you. Simply get the Ikea kitchen layout you want, then add some custom fronts to give the illusion of a bespoke kitchen!
I love the simplicity of the wooden units with the thin white worktop and single shelf above for a very minimalist, Japandi look.
We love japandi (a word we expect to see a lot more in design and interiors magazines this year), and if you’re looking for an all-encompassing, accomplished look for your house, it’s definitely worth considering.
Using Ikea hacks or simply Ikea furniture to realise your Japandi dream is a wonderful way to go, especially if you want to do it on a budget.
Ikea is Scandinavian after all, so you’re halfway there already!