The Japandi Style Guide: Peace, Simplicity and Elegance in your Interior


In a world where everyday life is becoming increasingly busy, many people are looking for a home that exudes calm and balance. Japandi offers just that: a harmonious fusion of the minimalist elegance of Japan and the warm coziness of Scandinavia. This interior design trend combines clean lines with natural materials and neutral colours with functional design, resulting in a serene and stylish living environment. In this guide, we’ll take you through the essential elements of the Japandi style and show you how to use easy-to-apply details like flexible mouldings to create an interior that feels both elegant and personal.

What is Japandi?

Japandi is a hybrid interior style that fuses minimalist, wabi-sabi -inspired Japanese design with the warm, functional coziness ( hygge ) of Scandinavia. Characteristic are calm neutral tones, many natural materials (wood, bamboo, linen) and a sophisticated balance between simplicity and comfort, making interiors feel both serene and inviting. More background on the philosophy, color palettes and practical styling tips can be found in our extensive guide “Japandi explained – The perfect balance between warm and minimalist” .

Why is Japandi a good fit for you?

Do you recognize yourself in the need for peace, simplicity and a homely atmosphere? Japandi offers exactly this. The style appeals to people who strive for a calm but stylish interior, without complexity or excess. Ideal for anyone who seeks balance, but does have an eye for aesthetics and functionality.

Characteristics of the Japandi style

  • Color palette – soft, neutral tones such as beige, taupe, sand, off-white and subtle earth tones.
  • Materials – Natural materials such as wood, stone, bamboo, linen and cotton.
  • Furniture – sleek, minimalist and functional design with an emphasis on comfort.
  • Accessories – subtle and thoughtful; think handmade ceramics and simple wall decor.

Japandi living room with Flexlijst Nova on the wall

Why Velida Flex frames fit perfectly in a Japandi interior

Velida Flex frames are a perfect match for Japandi, combining simplicity with refined aesthetics. Their flexibility allows you to effortlessly create soft arches or sleek frames, perfectly matching the organic lines of this style. They are self-adhesive and paintable, ideal for a quick makeover. Check out our detailed installation guide.

Japandi vs. Scandinavian vs. Japanese interior

Aspect Japandi Scandinavian Japanese
Design Minimalist, warm, soothing Minimalist, bright, light Minimalist, zen, soothing
Materials Wood, bamboo, linen, stone Wood, glass, wool Wood, paper, stone
To colour Earth tones & neutral White, pastel Earth tones, black and white
Decoration Subtle & refined Functional Simple & understated

Step-by-step guide: create your own Japandi interior

  1. Neutral base: paint walls and floors in soft earth tones.
  2. Natural furniture: choose minimalist wooden furniture.
  3. Flexible Mouldings: Add arch or frame details with Velida Flex Mouldings.
  4. Accessories: use handmade ceramics, subtle art and linen textiles.
  5. Less is more: keep the space tidy for harmony and simplicity.

View the Flexlijsten collection →

Inspiring examples of Japandi interiors

Be inspired by interiors with soothing colours, natural materials and organic shapes. From serene bedrooms with linen bedding to minimalist living rooms with subtle wood accents – check out our inspiration gallery for more ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the biggest difference between Japandi and pure Scandinavian interior?
Scandinavian design focuses on light wood, white and pastel, while Japandi adds warmer earth tones and the wabi-sabi philosophy – imperfection should be seen.

2. Can I combine Japandi with an accent color?
Yes, choose one muted shade (sage green or terracotta) and use it sparingly in textiles or ceramics to maintain tranquility.

3. Which paint colors match Japandi moldings best?
Beige grey ( greige ), warm taupe or lime paint in sand tones. Paint the frames tone-on-tone or just one shade darker for subtle contrast.

4. Are flexible moldings suitable for damp areas?
Yes, Velida Flex frames are moisture-resistant. Use mold-resistant sealant and moisture-resistant paint for the finish.

5. How do I maintain Japandi walls with moldings?
Dust with a soft cloth or feather duster. Remove stains carefully with a slightly damp microfiber cloth.

6. Does Japandi fit in smaller apartments?
Definitely – minimalism prevents visual clutter. Use slim frames and multifunctional furniture to make the most of the space.

Conclusion

With Japandi you create an interior that breathes peace and simplicity. Flexible moldings give it a subtle, personal elegance. Discover our collection or contact us for personal advice.


Want to know more about all the possibilities and materials of moldings? Then read our complete main guide: All about Moldings .

FAQ: Velida Flex frames & installation

Not difficult at all. Thanks to Velida's self-adhesive Flex frames, you can get started without experience, glue or tools. You only have to mark where the Flex frames should go, cut to size and stick. We do advise to paint the Flex frames for the best effect.

Want to know exactly how the installation works? Read our installation manual here.

This depends on which design you would like to apply.

To help you get started, we've written a guide on how to easily determine how much length you need.

Yes. The frames are equipped with a high-quality adhesive strip that ensures long-term adhesion, even on smooth plastered walls or renovation fleece. Make sure that the surface is free of grease and dust.

Once you have pressed the molding firmly and the shape has become final, we do not recommend pulling it off again. The adhesive strip is very strong and ensures long-lasting adhesion, but can leave marks on painted walls when removed.

Absolutely. All Velida Flex frames can be painted over with wall paint. This way you can fully integrate them into your interior colour or create a beautiful accent wall with a tone-on-tone effect.

During application you can still carefully correct the Flex frames. We recommend that you first lightly draw the line with a pencil, so that you can follow the molding straight and tight.

For the best result, it is best to do this together: one person holds the Flex frames under tension, the other presses it precisely against the marked line.

Once you have pressed the molding firmly and the shape has become final, we do not recommend pulling it off again. The adhesive strip is strong and ensures long-lasting adhesion, but can leave marks on painted walls when removed.

Our tip: Take your time when marking and applying. That way you will make sure it will be installed correctly and you can enjoy the end result for years to come.

Yes, that is precisely the strength of the Velida Flex frames. Thanks to the flexible material, you can effortlessly apply round shapes and arch decorations without sawing.

Velida Flex frames are basically designed as a sustainable interior upgrade. But do you still want to remove them? You can, as long as you do this carefully and in a controlled manner.

Important: Always pull the moldings off slowly in sections. Start at one side and pull gradually, without jerking. This prevents damage to the wall or paint layer.

With firmly pressed frames (especially after a long period of time), the adhesive strip may adhere so well that paint may come off when removed, especially on vulnerable surfaces such as thin layers of paint or untreated renovation fleece.

Our tip: If necessary, warm the molding slightly with a hair dryer (lukewarm) before loosening it. This makes the glue a little more flexible and reduces the chance of damage.

Do you want to be 100% sure of damage-free removal in the future? Then first test on an inconspicuous piece of wall or choose to mount on well-painted, smooth surfaces.

Yes, the material is moisture-resistant and bends without breaking. However, the surface must be dry and flat during application.

Why Velida?

Self-adhesive & flexible

Our mouldings (or Flex frames) are flexible, 6 metres long and have a strong adhesive strip. You can easily attach them to smooth walls, concrete, painted walls and wood¹.

Affordable design

At Velida you do not pay for complicated installations of semi-finished products or (unnecessarily) expensive materials.

You get high-quality Flexlists with a luxurious look, for a fair price.

Easy installation

Flexlists are super easy to attach. The material is sturdy but easy to cut with skirting board scissors.

Mark out, cut to size and install.

All you need is a bubble level, miter shears and/or a set square for straight lines and well-fitting corners.

Velida recommends painting the Flexlists after installation for the best effect.

Please note ¹ : for optimal adhesion of the Flexlijsten it is important that the surface is clean, dry and free of grease. Our mouldings adhere to smooth walls, painted surfaces, wood, tiles and wallpaper.

Not suitable for rough or porous surfaces such as brick or plaster without a finish.