And what would occur should the ages old Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi be combined with the clean lines of Scandinavian minimalism? And the solution is Japandi-style bathrooms – peaceful, non-standard rooms that rejoice in imperfection, simplicity, and practicality. This article will present 64 distinctive Japandi-style bathroom concepts, which will help you turn your bathroom into a place of quietude. Combining Scandinavian design with Japanese aesthetics, we will explore how furniture, decor, and the selection of such materials as stone, wood, and linen, contribute to the mood that can be described as modern, earthy, and very relaxing.
First, developed on the basis of tactile minimalism and poetic imperfection, are the first seven Japandi bathroom ideas.
Harmonizing Rough Stone With Light Wood Serenity
I would combine rough stone walls and the soothing elegance of light wood furniture in this bathroom concept. The contrast is rather down-to-earth and seems to be eternal and at the same time new. The stonework brings in texture and character, and the pale wood brings in the warmth and balance, which is important in Japandi interiors. The color scheme is neutral in order to support materiality, rather than ornamentation.
To maintain the authenticity of appearance, I applied floating oak vanity, a thick rough-cut stone basin, and stone tile flooring. The wood has its natural finish that is not treated of its ageing gracefully, which is in line with the Wabi-Sabi philosophy. A wooden bench near provides functional sitting arrangements and also serves to give visual continuation.
This is a personally soothing combination to me. The tactile contrast gives the impression of layering the space, though not busyness. As Elle Decor already pointed out, “texture is the new color,” and I could not agree more, that is what makes a Japandi bathroom.
I would also include under-vanity lights to further warm the stone in this installation. This light radiance would accentuate the natural fabrics and give a soft light in the night.
Bathtubs As Sculptures In Stillness
The Japandi bathroom is incomplete without a sculptural bathtub that serves as the main artwork in the room. In this case, the design is all about a free-standing concrete or matte stone soaking tub, placed a bit off-center, to add an informal, Wabi-Sabi feel. Such a pattern permits the room to breathe.
My selected tub is round and has gently tapered sides, and is a cast stone in matte greige colour. I arranged a low stool made of reclaimed wood, a linen towel, and a big potted fern around it to bring the essence of nature. A textured plaster wall behind the tub provides depth, but does not scream to be noticed.
I believe that in my case, an asymmetrical location of the tub is a source of visual excitement and a suggestion to move intuitively in the room. This setup provides a pause, as Dwell Magazine puts it, “Good design allows space for pause,” and that is what this setup does.
I would also add a wall niche behind the tub where bath salts or candles can be kept with some soft lighting in the background. It would bring the functionality in terms of enhancing the serene mood.
Muted Palettes And The Poetry Of Patina
Restraint is one of the mightiest design instruments used in Japandi bathrooms. In here, I work with a color scheme of dirty beige, dusty taupe, and clay gray to mimic the softness of the natural world. Each detail, including the tiles and towels, is in harmony with another one. It is not matching, it is the soft gradation.
This bath has a weathered metal sink, hand-troweled plaster walls and floors covered in soapstone tiles. This is where patina comes in: materials that bear their age and get more beautiful with it. I applied wooden shelves that have obvious signs of use and a ceramic soap dish with imperfections in the glaze to anchor the room in reality.
I, personally, adore the fact that design can portray time. According to the interiors editor Sarah Sherman Samuel, “Patina adds soul to the room.” That soul is critical in Japandi style.
Should I include anything here, I would put up a minimalistic calligraphy print to make another allusion to Japanese visual poetry. It would harmonize the weathered finishes and an element of polished visual organization.
Earthy Tiles With Nordic Symmetry
Tile can be a feature in Japandi design as long as it is rooting in earthy materials and minimalist designs. In this bath I selected clay-colored ceramic tiles in a plain grid pattern – a gesture to Scandinavian practicality with Japanese humility. The colors involve dark sage, rust, and light off-white.
The walls are half-tiled, and the upper part is kept in the raw plaster to balance it. There is a bench made of teak wood placed against the wall and a matte black tap placed to break the monotony of softness. The symmetry is entered by the grid lines, yet the difference of glaze on each tile prevents it being perfect and dull.
I have discovered that handmade tiles are warmer to use than cutting by machine. Their small irregularities resemble natural stone and add an element of narration. The latest Japandi makeover to be featured in Domino Magazine drew attention to the imperfection of tiles that was referred to as the focal point of the space.
I would suggest underfloor heating to enhance this installation. It balances out the earth tones by providing some warmth, without eyestrain, remaining faithful to the minimalist ideals.
Charred Wood And River Rock Contrasts
In order to enhance the texture and contrast, I resorted to Shou Sugi Ban the Japanese method of burning wood. The walls of this bathroom are faced with blackened cedar panels, which provide contrast to the floor of smooth river rocks. The effect is theatrical, but natural, intentional, though never shocking.
I matched the burnt panels with a rectangular, deep soaking tub and a stone basin installed at the floor level. recessed ceiling lighting casts shadows which play across the textured surfaces. There is color only of a mossy plant, which lies in a stone bowl–all the rest is gray scale and touch.
Charred wood creates the impression of durability and tranquility. It is also moisture and insect resistant, thus ideal to be used in bathrooms. I think it is one of the most underutilized materials in the contemporary Japandi bathrooms.
I would also suggest a bamboo ladder rack to hold towels, its light color will provide the needed balance to the dark walls and bring back to the nature.
The Art Of Asymmetry In Basin Design
This bathroom is in praise of the Wabi-Sabi philosophy of asymmetry. The basin is off-centre – it is actually situated to the right and is visually balanced by a rough-edge mirror and a hanging ceramic pendant on the left. Such asymmetry is not accidental, it is due to which the function and the beauty may co-exist.
The basin is a hand-carved limestone bowl with uneven edges, and sits on a live-edge wood slab. I attached an oval mirror above it, framed less and a bit misplaced, which adds to the flow yet does not seem disruptive. Lighting is comprised of one bare bulb with an unglazed ceramic socket.
This intentional flaw in design adds personality to the space in my own designs. It urges us to escape the strict templates. Good asymmetry, as it was once put by Kinfolk, is a lesson in restraint.
I would think about including a woven basket underneath the slab vanity not to create symmetry but to create a little balance with another material as opposed to shape.
Neutral Layers And Quiet Textures
In the case of this Japandi bathroom, I took plain neutral colors, such as cream, sand, and light gray, and applied them in layers to add depth without color. Another layer contributes a different texture, concrete floors, linen wall hangings, and lightly grained wood. The effect is subtle yet so soothing.
The vanity is a birch box with slab drawers that are paired with an ivory travertine countertop. A gently crumpled linen curtain conceals storage space underneath. Microcement is applied to the walls to achieve the look of continuity, and a wool rug on the floor adds softness to the hard materials.
Personally, I have discovered that this tonal layering is very useful in small bathrooms. Itprovides depth without busy-ness. Indeed, as Architeural Digest wrote in their Japandi trend report, “In muted rooms, soft textures replace color.”
The final touch to make this bathroom would be a wall-mounted ceramic vase with a single dried branch to add some movement and shadow without adding any additional materials.
Frameless Mirrors And Imperfect Reflections
It is a characteristic of Japandi design that ordinary necessities are subtly transformed into beautiful objects in the bathroom. Frameless mirrors, mirrors with wavy or organic lines in particular, bring a poetic softness to the room. In this scheme I have applied an over sized and oval mirror, with no borders, hung onto a textured limewash wall. The light treatment on the mirror surface makes the room ambiance more interesting instead of reflecting the ambiance back too abruptly.
This surrounded design is based on the pale ash wood, and the wide slab vanity extends under the mirror. Near it, there is a tall clay vase, placed on the floor, filled with dried pampas. There is low, diffused lighting provided by off-center placed sconces. This heightens the sense of imperfection, as well as helps maintain a sense of close tranquility.
Personally, I love this frameless look since it is not as harsh in lines as more modern spaces tend to be. As designer Marie Flanigan once stated, “The reflection needs to be soft, as she stated, to make the room seem more of a retreat, and I could not agree with her more.
And and if there is anything lacking, it could be a bench beneath the mirror to add textural interest and additional usefulness–a place to hang towels or just rest.
Shoji-Inspired Light Filtering Solutions
Inviting the Japanese inspiration to the bathroom implies not only aesthetics, but light, privacy, and peace. Here I applied Shoji-style sliding panels comprising of translucent washi paper and slim oak frames. They gently filter daylight without cutting it off, and they cause a glow since they do not cut off a glare.
The room also has a matte porcelain freestanding tub oriented parallel to the Shoji panels, and warm slate floors, and warm wood built-ins. The screen separates the bathing space and a minimalist dressing area. There is nothing to interrupt the flow, not a single hardware or blinds, only clean and sliding geometry.
I have had an experience of using Shoji panels, and I can tell that the light which they diffuse is like nothing else, pure, natural, and soothing. This is where Taniya Nayak, an interior designer, recommends using filtered light whenever one wants a room to be meditative.
To add texture I would incorporate a wall sconce covered in linen in the same color palette. It balances out the softness of the screen and has consistent lighting.
Bare Stone Niches For Essential Display
In this Japandi bathroom, I draw attention to recessed stone niches cut into the walls- so simple, but full of character. Such alcoves are as aesthetic as functional and in them they only keep the necessary objects such as a handmade soap, a stone bowl or a small potted moss. The materials are kept raw and tooling marks along with natural imperfections are left intact.
The remainder of the bath is spare: a concrete soaking tub with smooth cement finishes, untreated limewash walls, and a gray-stone floor. I left the area free and horizontal in respect to the geometry of the room. Light is provided above through a skylight, filling the niches and bringing soft shadows.
These empty niches signify something deeper, they are Architectural pauses. This is something I have witnessed in luxurious spas, though it is perfectly fine to do at home. As Architectural Digest writes, a niche is not a place to put things but a place to narrate a story, and this design does respect the notion.
To make it even better, I would put a dimmable LED strip behind the niche and make it glow softly on the inside, just to provide a little light to the texture without letting it dominate the serenity.
Rough Linen Curtains In Tactile Neutrals
Instead of the glass doors or rigid blinds, I chose coarse linen curtains in this Japandi bathroom. Lying loosely over the bathing scene, they provide warmth, texture and motion to an otherwise stationary scene. The linen is deliberately rumpled, the feeling of it addressed directly to the Wabi-Sabi understanding of natural imperfection.
The remaining design is modest: a light birch soaking bathtub, pebble stone floor, and microcement walls. Jute rug and wooden towel ladder add an additional texture. The curtains are hang on the matte black iron rod- simple yet effective.
It is one of my most preferred design tools since it provides softness, but does not interfere with the flow of the room. Colin King, an interior stylist, is a frequent advocate of linen in bathrooms and remarks, “We need fabric in hard areas to give the room a chance to breathe.”
I could continue the linen motif and line the bottom of the tub with the same substance to made it look monolithic–surprising, yet extremely grounding.
Bamboo Accents And Concrete Simplicity
Japandi bathrooms are so elegant because of the way they embrace opposites. Raw concrete walls and ceilings encounters the warmth of bamboo accessories in this room, a combination of industrial cool and natural fineness. As a background, I selected polished concrete basin, concrete floor, and plaster walls.
To temper this I incorporated bamboo shelving, a bamboo tub caddy and a bespoke bamboo mirror frame. These pieces are deliberately airy and minimal in silhouette, in the minimalist tongue of Scandinavian design. A green fern lets in a note of life and matches the nature-orientedness of both traditions.
The bamboo elements that I find are crucial in avoiding the concretes from being too cold. Concrete should be grounded, and wood, as House & Garden UK implies, always takes it back to earth.
I would suggest putting a bamboo mat under the sink or even vertical bamboo slats on one wall to give vertical rhythm and coziness without making the room feel crowded.
Floor-To-Wall Continuity In Soft Greige
The seamless surfaces are one of the best tricks to reach serenity in a Japandi bathroom. Here, both the floor, the walls, and even the ceiling are covered with the same soft greige-colored microcement, forming a closed uniform enveloping dissolving the corners and edges.
I combined the surface treatment with a monolithic cement soaking tub as well as a wall-mounted sink basin of the same microcement mix. One wall has a narrow oak shelf floating like a horizon line across it. The fittings are silver-brushed steel – smart, yet discreet.
Such kind of spatial continuity reduces visual clutter. It has always worked to my advantage making small bathrooms appear larger. As Norm Architects once named this practice on the inside design sphere, it is the emotional architecture, it affects the way we feel in the area, not merely the way we operate in it.
I would incorporate one textured piece of art or sculptural branch on the shelf, something that would slightly break the visual flow, but not break it apart.
Floating Vanities With Weathered Finishes
I added a floating vanity in weathered woods to complete this collection of Japandi bathroom ideas. It can be hung just below the ceiling, improving the circulation of light and facilitating cleaning-up, an ideal solution to a small or shared bathroom. The wood is deliberately distressed, and knots and wear spots are visible and give depth to the character.
The vanity has slab-style drawers, and integrated pulls, and concrete countertop with a rectangular sink. I hung an oval mirror above it, which has the vintage look, and a linear wall sconce in patina brass. A woven basket below holds towels and contrasts to the floating design.
Floating vanities are esthetically and functionally advantageous, and I believe they are particularly convenient in Japandi spaces. They correspond to the need of the style to be clarified and peaceful. Muji interior designers’.
To expand on this thought, I would propose under-vanity lights or a skinny platform shelf, right under the vanity, perfect to hold things that should be shown off but not overwhelmed.
Wabi-Sabi Vases And Wooden Stools
Myုthen in this design, I pay attention to the way that such small details as hand-made vases and wooden stools could turn a minimalist bathroom into a designed piece of relaxation. The foundation of this Japandi room is a concrete floor and linen-textured walls that provide the room with an anchor, and wooden details that appear natural and considered at the same time. It is a silent picture of functionality and artfulness in an equal measure, mirroring imperfection and beauty at the same time.
The vase is meant to be more than a vessel- it is a focal point. The materials I would suggest are ceramic vases in matte finishes, and their asymmetrical shape would remind of the Wabi-Sabi essence. This combination, coupled with a low wooden stool, in a light ash or warm oak finish, adds functionality without visual clutter. This information is necessarily helpful next to the tub or as a perch beside the vanity to hold folded towels or a small tray.
I have always been of the opinion that one should make an effort to make the mundane special, and such minor design interventions make it so. Decor is emotional, as designer Athena Calderone puts it. The human touch can be addressed to a hand-thrown vase or an unfinished wood.” I concur- the feel and the plainness of it all reminds us to slow down.
What is wanting here is perhaps a little pile of linen-covered books or a rough stone soap-dish. These minor inclusions would support the equality between design and emotion that characterizes Japandi bathrooms.
Sculpted Clay Sinks With Nordic Precision
In this design I draw attention to the sink as sculpture. Hand-molded clay basin with rough edges rests on a clean line floating vanity. That conflict between natural and engineered is what makes Japandi so interesting. The walls are plain, however, the walls are finished in limewash to achieve movement. On the floor: plank wood floors that are narrow and ground the room with inconspicuous grain.
I normally choose sculpted sinks in terracotta colours such as ochre or sand, and I prefer a matte finish to a glossy one. These basins are quiet centre pieces when combined with brushed nickel or black matte taps. The vanity itself will be of Scandinavian design: soft-close drawers, seamless face on the cabinets, and no visible hardware.
By myself, I believe that Japandi can express itself the most in the sink. As stated in Dwell, in bathroom ceramics, natural imperfection permits the substitution of ornament with texture. This is true I have discovered–particularly when the light is touching the handmade edges of the sink at sunrise.
One pendant light, placed off to the side, or a wood ledge with small plants or incense bowls would look good in this area. The additions are useful in narrating the tale of stillness and functionality entwined.
The Stillness Of Low Lighting Concepts
No other element changes mood as lighting does. I am talking here about layered, ambient light, which is low, diffused and intentionally indirect. Imagine a deep soaking tub with just a paper lantern and wall-mounted sconces with linen shades. The ceiling is clean and Flush and does not attract attention.
I would forever suggest dimmable light fixtures that have warm undertones, preferably 2200K and 2700K. The rounded wall sconces help to soften the room and a low-set wooden table lamp creates intimacy. I would use rice-paper or frosted glass which will reproduce the effect of candle light and would not use any downlighting at all.
Personally, when applying the Japandi-style in my work, I regularly draw references to the Scandinavian interiors during the winter time when the amount of light is not very much, yet it is cherished. One of my favorite quotes, given by Architectural Digest, states: “Soft light, they say, makes the common ceremonial.” In Japandi bathrooms, it makes solitude a ritual.
It could be improved with an LED strip concealed under the tub platform or behind a floating shelf, nothing too obtrusive, but making a world of difference. It is aim always at mood, never at spotlight.
Minimal Shower Niches With Natural Stone
I also have always loved the fact that Japandi bathrooms are never overdone- yet even practical things, such as shower niches, are made special. Here I set stone-lined alcoves into plaster walls to provide sculptural storage for soaps and accessories. The stone, usually travertine or honed limestone, adds depth without the distraction.
I would allow niches to be vertical and not more than 8 to 10 inches deep. To blend, I coordinate the stone to the floor or bench top. This style makes things visually quiet and materialistic. Chrome baskets or wire storage is to be avoided, as it breaks the deliberate design language.
The finest aspect of these niches is that they are hidden when they are not in use. They are present, but they do not holler to get noticed. And, according to Elle Decor, Japandi is all about understated functionality: “It’s beauty that acts on your behalf unobtrusively.” These niches do just that.
A handmade soap bar in tonal marbling or a pumice brush is one item that may be included here. Even practical things may be poetic, when we handle them with awareness.
Floor-Level Soaking Tubs With Zen Views
A low-profile soaking tub surrounded by peaceful garden views is few things short of saying Japandi. I wanted this room to be more of a continuation of its surroundings so there is a wood planked floor that continues under a deep oval tub which is set in floor. Around it: glass wall that leads to greenery or to a courtyard of pebbles.
I prefer organic and warm stone composite or hinoki wood tubs. The lower profile begs one to lounge and is much more relaxing to the eye than conventional Western tubs. Around it place smooth river rocks, a slatted wood mat or a backless towel bench. Each object speaks in favor of ritual bathing.
This installation makes me remind a retreat spa I have attended in Kyoto, where landscape and silence were as significant as water temperature. And, as the designer Tadao Ando has noted, architectural emotion is born in the interaction between architecture and nature. Japandi design pays respect to that by humble use of space.
I would consider introducing a flexible bamboo screen or thin linen curtain which would soften the light without breaking the external contact. Soften always, but hinder never.
Timeworn Materials With Modern Fixtures
It is a concept that is simply about embracing contrast. I structured the room to have reclaimed ceiling beams, old plaster walls, and slate tile floors. Against this visual story, I added matte black fixtures, which are clean, very minimal and unashamedly modern. The tension is both physical and visual, yet there is an absolute balance between them.
The vanity is made of reused wood with knots showing through and the faucet and mirror frame are angular and clean. I find such juxtaposition highly gratifying- weathered coziness against modern asceticism. The window is covered with a woven linen blind and the drawer pulls are hand-forged to give the place an intended unfinished look.
To me, the true genius of Japandi is its emacity to embrace age and innovation. I frequently use Dezeen, where Japandi is dubbed as “a conversation between tradition and technology.” It is full of that–old surfaces bringing new use.
Any last minute advice? Add a minimalist sculptural light oxidized brass or a tray made of recycled stone. Such objects must resonate with the honesty of materials already there.
Texture On Texture: Grain Meets Grain
In this design I overlay textures on purpose, light wood tones, rough stone walls, woven baskets and raw linen curtains. There is no glossiness or polishing, all are inviting to the touch. The complete color scheme remains neutral, but the room is filled with life through depth.
I would combine that with pale oak cabinets and hand-chiseled stone countertops. Include a slatted bench, open-wood shelving, and a pebble-textured mat in the vicinity of the shower. Towels must be loose, unbleached and soft. Each surface has to win its keep in terms of feel, rather than flash.
As I always tell clients, “Minimal is not sterile.” A wonderful Japandi bathroom speaks in low tones, it does not scream. Design critic Leanne Ford agrees and writes that it is in the tactile layering that minimalism can be humanized and made emotionally familiar. That is the principle here.
I would go further and place a wall niche with some charcoal-colored pottery or a shallow bowl of sand and driftwood. These accents improve the material poetry of the room, but do not make noise.
Neutral Monochrome Without Monotony
I discussed how a neutral monochrome colour scheme does not need to be bland and uninspiring in this Japandi bathroom. It is lined in delicate greys and cosy beiges, the walls of smooth plaster, the floor of stone tiles. The cabinetry and accessories remain within this tonal value as well to produce a calming effect where there is nothing that clashes but everything has its presence.
To avoid making it too plain, I added textures on top of textures: brushed limestone on the sink, matte-porcelain on the bathtub, and fluted wooden paneling on the storage unit. Even the mirror is framed with a soft-edged stone which slightly plays with the lights and shadows. Lighting is hidden beneath shelves and in architectural cut-outs, and contributes to the emphasis of the tonal richness of the space.
I have long maintained that being able to work in a limited band of colors makes one make better choices. As House & Garden says, monochrome when it is done well is never about sameness, but about subtlety to nuance. This room is the proof, as it is peaceful but not bland.
The only thing I would still consider to add is one live-edge wooden stool or a fabric pendant lamp with soft folds. Such touches would add a new plane of visual softness, without disturbing the balance of color.
Timber Lattices And Silky White Walls
In this case, the juxtaposition of rigidity and lightness is realised with the help of timber lattices and smooth white plaster walls. This bathroom was intended by me to be like a classic Japanese teahouse but in a modern restrained manner. The lattice provides verticle rhythm and the walls serve as a clean canvas which reflects the warm light around the room.
I incorporated fine-grain cedar latticework, which I applied on top of one of the feature walls as well as a ceiling trellis in the vanity zone. This introduces the shadow play which changes as the day goes by. The plaster walls get a light wax finish which is velvety to touch. Storage is behind smooth panels to keep the visual peace.
This space seems to me like the breathing visible–organized, and yet without weight. Architectural designer Norm Architects tends to focus more on “soft tactility instead of visual showmanship”, and this space takes it all in.
I would perhaps have a paper floor lantern, or a narrow bench under the lattice wall. It would allow one to linger, making this not solely a functional area.
Organic Forms In Vanity Silhouettes
I also love the way Japandi bathrooms usually have a lot of sculptural furniture, and this vanity shape is not an exception. The bowl is gently rounded and it sits on a base made of a single piece of walnut. The general form amplifies a river stone, having no hard lines and nothing very symmetrical.
I chose honed travertine with a slight ripple in the pattern as the countertop. The above mirror is oblong, without a frame, and is inclined forward a little–a slight touch of imperfection. Stowage is neatly stowed in a round-cornered matching side console. Even the tapware is taking a cue, with cylindrical levers in aged bronze.
Organic forms add the element of relaxed comfort and stability. “Irregularity gives a space a breath, as interior stylist Colin King puts it. I have watched this–the more you take out sharpness the more the body sinks into the space.
What I feel is lacking here, is a bit of verticality. Probably some slim tree branch in a vessel of clay, or a tall sculpturesque light, would be the thing to balance all this horizontality of softness.
Layering Linen, Cotton, And Silence
In this part, we touch on the sensory aspect of bathroom textiles. I developed a scheme that is very dependent on layered soft fabrics; linen curtains, cotton bath mats, waffle-knit robes, all in cream and oat colors. The floor is of warm timber, and the walls a chalky white limewash.
I selected fabrics that are pleasant to touch. The curtains are uninterlined and are hung fairly loosely, so that they pool slightly, to give an informal appearance. The towel ladder is made of ash wood and it serves as a decor. The bath mat is even intentionally over-sized, of tufted cotton, with a faded border, to give that well-used tranquility.
As an individual, I am in love with the way these materials absorb light and sound. The bathroom turns to be acoustically mild, which is usually disregarded. According to Wallpaper Magazine, “In Japandi, silence is a material of design by itself.” It’s something that I have adopted to an increasing degree.
To take this one step more, I would maybe include a small speaker playing some ambient forest sounds or a diffuser with hinoki cypress oil. Sensory layering is finished off with scent and sound.
Aged Metal Hardware With Soft Edges
Other times it is the little things that matter the most. The hardware in this design is all aged brass and brushed bronze because of its patina and softness. Such finishes provide the warmth without the shine and are more soulful than chrome or steel.
I chose an oval drawer pull, curved faucet knobs, and rounded towel bars. Every single piece is perfectly chosen to feel thick in hand. The hinges on the door and even the pipe underneath the basin are of the same tone and this gives a unified feeling of considerations.
In my experience, hardware is unlikely to be the first thing clients notice–but it is the last thing they never notice. Good hardware is the jewelry of interior design as Domino Magazine proposes. Japandi interprets this literally by preferring styles that appear used, rather than new.
Would I take the idea further? Yes, I would bring in some hardware in hammered textures and even an oxidized finish. They are worn, which in Wabi-Sabi language, has character.
Integrating Indoor Gardens Mindfully
The Japandi design does not have nature as an afterthought either; it is a must. I adore indoor gardens, an absolute must, making part of the bathroom design. Here, a sunken planter will run beside the bathtub which will be planted with ferns, moss and a small bonsai tree. Above there is a skylight which provides soft indirect light.
The planter is composed of the same stone as the floor, thus it feels integrated. Watering is easy since there is a slight tilt toward the bottom of the planter that drains away the water. It also has a bamboo screen which separates the tub area and the sink area, hence providing visual privacy as well as botanical intercourse.
Among the many concepts that I liked in Kinfolk Home is the thought that “A home must be a dwelling place of people and living things.” When you are soaking in proximity to plants your respiration speeds up. I have seen this a million times in the design of spas and homes.
To balance it out I would include a stone water bowl or plain Zen sand tray next to it. These would strengthen the presence of nature without taking over the spatial calm.
The Ritual Of Folded Towels And Ceramic Trays
Rituals of everyday life are worth considering as much as major furnishings decisions. Here, I paid attention to the fact that deliberate folding and storage can transform basic activities. Pale beige towels are piled tidily on open wooden shelving, with little ceramic dishes containing bath salts, brushes and candles. It is a declaration to make each day holy.
The trays are glazed, usually in matte ivory or pale green, oval and slightly irregular. I set them on shelves or nooks that are narrow. Always neutral in color, the towels are folded twice and put away by use-face, hand, body. The open shelving allows airing them out, so they do not appear overstuffed in a linen-closet.
Such organization reminds me of the quote by Marie Kondo: “Everything you own must bring you joy.” A folded towel must appear as a design choice in Japandi bathrooms, too. When these order is made beauty, then everything ran more easily.
The only thing that could be lacking here is a wooden bowl to put jewelry or a small ceramic cup to hold toothbrushes. These appendages make utility pegged on beauty.
Dry Brush Textures On Plaster Walls
I learned about the effectiveness of dry brush textures when I tried plaster in a Japandi-style bathroom the first time. The method introduces a slight dynamics to bare walls but does not forget the essence of Japandi which is simplicity of beauty. It introduces a craftsman-like completed look that harkens back to the Wabi-Sabi philosophy of imperfection, when painted in subdued shades such as mushroom grey, sand, or warm taupe. This rough wall acts as a focal point without dominating this minimalistic energy.
I decided upon natural lime plaster, worked on with a stiff-bristle brush, in irregular strokes. It is a finish that can give dimension to otherwise two-dimensional planes and looks stunning next to more slick finishes, such as matte black hardware or floating vanities. The contrast is well accompanied by natural wood shelving, making the environment layered yet peaceful. The appearance is completed with a stone basin and unpolished brass mirror frame.
And I, myself, am crazy about the way these walls play with the light–the morning shadows bringing them to life, and the evening dullness stealing all the hardness out of them. Nordic spas and ancient inns of Kyoto have inspired me. Even Architectural Digest has observed that plaster is reappearing in 2025 interiors, particularly in combination with textural design schemes such as Japandi.
provided that there is room for it I would suggest a long vertical window–it would admit the natural light, playing like a living thing across the surfaces, animating the plaster walls still further. Evening warmth would also be provided by a thin ceramic wall sconce that would not interfere with clean lines.
Merging Tea Ceremony Calm With Bath Culture
In this idea I refer directly to Japanese tea ceremonies, where all movements are deliberate and calm. I hoped to capture this feel in the bathroom with ritual layout, warm lighting, and clean and purpose-built design. The soaking tub takes center stage- mine will be a deep hinoki wood soaking tub, placed on a elevated platform to signify significance and ceremony.
With furniture, I retained the bare minimum; a narrow wooden stool to hold towels, a ceramic wash basin and hand-poured soap, and open shelving holding woven bamboo boxes. The color scheme is based on the creamy neutrals and smoky greys with warm teak notes. There is a recessed niche behind the bath, with matcha bowls, pampas grass, and folded linen, which brings to mind a tea alcove.
To be able to slow things down, I introduce an aspect of ceremony into bathroom rituals. The element of ritual can be added to an everyday activity by lighting a stick of incense, using handwoven towels, or just taking a moment before entering the bath. Elle Decor once suggested this approach as a way to “build intentional slowness into your home,” and I couldn’t agree more.
I would suggest including a low wooden bench either at the entry or within a walk-in shower. It does not only resemble tea room functionality but gives one the opportunity to stop, take a breath, and get ready to rest, both physically and mentally.
Japandi Bathrooms For Small Spaces
Creating a Japandi bathroom design in a small area might feel like a challenging task, but this is where the aesthetic succeeds. compact bathrooms can be made to feel spacious and relaxing with clean lines, minimum furniture and natural textures. I have done studio makeovers where even 5 square meters felt like a retreat because of adhering toneutral color schemes and clever room layouts.
In this idea, I put in place a floating vanity made of white oak, and a wall-mounted faucet to free some counter space. A walk-in wet room shower foregoes the use of a large stall, and the walls are covered in handmade Zellige tiles to add a little interest. There is a frameless mirror that reflects the light of a clerestory window, and matte ceramic floor tiles help everything to stay close to the earth.
As a person, I adore the creativity necessary here. Each work has to justify itself. I tend to use open shelves that are narrow rather than closed cabinets and to introduce vertical emphasis, such as towels hanging on peg rails, to give the eye height. As Dwell Magazine claims, the greatest small bathrooms in 2024 will be the ones relying on spatial honesty, just as Japandi does.
A simple recommendation would be to install a sliding wooden screen on the wall to divide toilet and shower areas. It offers privacy, but does not block out light or space, and it brings a hint of a Japanese shoji screen to a Scandinavian-friendly package.
Sculpted Silence: The Ultimate Japandi Moodboard
It is in this bathroom concept where Japandi design borders on the sculptural- the removal of all elements down to shape, material and atmosphere. Here the objective is total visual silence. My beginning is a polished concrete floor, neutral taupe walls, and a big picture window overlooking the outside landscape. The color scheme is beige, ash, pale wood, and bone.
Furniture is almost monastic: a free standing concrete tub with rounded edges, a single hand made wooden bench and a brass faucet with patina mounted to the wall. Linen curtain blown like a breeze by the side of a window, a single dried floral arrangement is placed in raku-fired vase. No mirror, only open space. The light is provided by wall-mounted LEDs which illuminate the walls with a soft warm wash.
This place tells me something. It is a visual sigh. It takes me back to rooms I have viewed in Kinfolk Home or in slow living retreats in the Alps. I once heard a Japanese architect say, “Noise isn’t always sound—it’s clutter.” That wisdom is represented in this room.
To take this design a step ahead, I would think of adding underfloor heating to make it extra comfortable and sound absorbing wall panels made of natural felt behind the tub. These characteristics keep the silence acoustically and visually.
Japandi bathrooms are more than just a design trend—they’re a quiet rebellion against clutter, noise, and excess. Whether you’re embracing dry textures, ritualistic calm, or sculptural minimalism, each space offers a new way to reconnect with stillness. And in case one of these ideas has pointed you or you have a vision of your own bathroom, I would be happy to know your opinion- you can leave a comment below.
