Japanese Interior Design

The Western world has, for many years, been deeply fascinated with Japanese interior design. Its simple lines and muted colors carry the essentials of Japanese culture - tranquility, harmony, and balance with nature. Japanese interior design makes careful use of space and light and always takes into account the concept of yin and yang. Of course, objects and accessories in bright colors such as red, yellow, or orange can also be found in many Japanese homes, but their use is restrained and evenly distributed in the home. Soft lighting is preferred in Japanese interior design, and natural light is utilized where available. The Japanese are also fond of indoor gardens which is a concretization of their Japanese interior design concept of "bringing the outside in" to achieve a desirable harmony with nature. Furniture in Japanese interior design is sparse and mostly functional, although these useful pieces of furniture are very artistically crafted and are never wanting in style and design. Every furnishing is made to perfection and Japanese homes are invariably clean and well-kept.

The sleeping and living areas are flexible and are often only separated by moveable screens. Interestingly, there are no extremely heavy furniture. Even the dining area is usually comprised of only a low table with just small cushions on the floor functioning as seats. Large futons may be used for sleeping and are merely stored away during the day to provide living space. When one studies the Japanese culture and way of life, they would certainly be able to understand the concepts of Japanese interior design better.