Japandi's Impact on Mental Health
The Japandi ethos of minimalism & simplicity, neutral colors, comfort and embracing nature - in both interior design and lifestyle - creates spaces and daily rituals that invite calmness and serenity.
Interior Design & Mental Health
The link between elements in interior design and mental health (namely stress, anxiety and depression) is well documented.
Sunlight, openness, color, decor, plants, furnishings, textiles - every element has an impact on the mood the room evokes. Add to this we’ve all spent more time than ever in our homes over the past couple years, it’s very important that we be purposeful in designing our interior spaces.
When we look at Japandi, it uses elements in a way that’s naturally calming - let's examine the core fundamentals of Japandi and explore the effects on mental health.

Minimalism & Simplicity
A cluttered space is a chaotic space. Clutter can increase stress, affect anxiety levels, affect sleep and your ability to focus.
Instead of clutter, utilize the Japandi fundamentals of minimalism and simplicity. Keep furnishings and decor to only essentials, with a focus on function and comfort.
- Wisdom in Simplicity
- Embrace the Idea of Less
- Focus on Essentials, Function, Comfort and Material
- Declutter; Donate, Sell, Recycle, Refurbish, Reuse
Mental Health Benefits
- Alleviates Stress, Anxiety and Depression
- Increases Focus and Creativity

Neutral Colors
The Japandi color palette includes layers of neutrals; beige, taupe, tan, white, grey, brown, black, greenery from nature and natural light.
In regards to mental health, shades of beige and grey help sooth the anxious and invoke feelings of calmness.
Layering different shades of neutrals creates calm, serene Japandi interiors. The same feelings can be experienced in your daily living with Japandi lifestyle and home goods.
- Neutral Colors Easy to Style
- Neutral Colors are Timeless, Can Help Reduce Fast Product Waste
- Neutral Colors are Easy to Interchange
- Neutral Colors Make Decisions Easier, Easy to Layer and Intermix
Mental Health Benefits
- Alleviates Stress, Anxiety and Depression
- Increased Feelings of Calmness, Contentment

Cozy & Comfortable
Japandi is based, in part, on the Danish concept of Hygge. Hygge when stated simply means to create a warm, cozy atmosphere while enjoying the moment.
Hygge (the noun) refers to a psychological state including something nice, cozy, safe and known.
Create cozy and comfortable feelings by layering soft textiles, using scent for mood, indoor plants, and keeping spaces warm and inviting with minimal decor.
- Self Care; Enjoying Personal Wholeness and Promoting Well Being
- Seek Comfort Through Materials, Design and Environment
- Positive Ripple Effect to Others
- Change in Thought; Be Aware and Enjoy the Moment
Mental Health Benefits
- Alleviates Stress, Anxiety and Depression
- Promotes Feelings of Happiness, Safety and Content

Embrace Nature
Japandi is based, in part, on the Japanese concept of Wabi-sabi. Wabi-sabi celebrates imperfections and beauty in nature, embraces wear-and-tear and natural simplicity.
Embrace nature with materials meant-for-longer, include indoor plants, respect natural materials and spaces. Recycle, reuse, refurbish, donate; all feels good for you and the planet.
- Celebrate Imperfections
- Embrace Wear-and-Tear
- Beauty in Nature
- Include Indoor Plants in your Dwelling
Mental Health Benefits
- Alleviates Stress, Anxiety and Depression
- Reduces Perfectionist Thinking
- Increases Production and Creativity
- Promotes Feelings of Calmness, Serenity

Simplify Your Life
People like Elaine St. James can expound on how to Simplify Your Life and the benefits that it provides, but essentially it’s the concept that our lives are so complicated these days that you can become overwhelmed.
By embracing simplicity, you cut out unnecessary complications and focus on what matters.
Most people connect simplicity with choosing to buy and earn/work less, which is indeed a core concept. However, you can incorporate simplicity into your life in other ways too.
Ways to Simplify Your Life
Declutter
The benefits far outweigh the task. Once you start to declutter, you will find yourself extending it beyond interiors and into your daily activities.
Stop Getting Hair Cuts
Let your hair grow. Get your hair trimmed as little as needed. Save money, save time, reduce stress.
Essentials
What does an item do for your life? Make more informed purchasing decisions by purchasing only what's needed to cut clutter and excess.
Buy Better, Buy Less
Seek out materials made-to-last or meant-for-longer. Many benefits include; reduce fast product waste, replace products less, saving you time and money; helps reduce stress on you and the planet.
Mindful Thinking
Decluttering your mind, focus on what matters. Embrace hygge; seek enjoyment in the moment. Yoga is an ideal way to give your mind & body self care. Any kind of movement; stretching, breathing, walking outside are all ways to help find focus.
Activities at Home
Your dwelling is your retreat. Incorporate your favorite activities into your dwelling. Save money and time; reduce stress, anxiety, and depression; and enjoy feelings of calmness and contentment. Instead of attending a yoga class, setup a yoga corner at home (Yoga with Adrienne is ideal for all ages).
In both interior design and lifestyle, Japandi has so many positive effects on your mental health - we've experienced it personally. Incorporate Japandi into your day-to-day and enjoy calm, serene living.
Japandi Supply House is dedicated to calm, serene living. Japandi inspires deep breathes and peaceful feelings. We curate the thoughtfully designed, harder-to-find, next level cozy in Japandi lifestyle and home.
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