From Japandi to Yūgen: Minimalism and Warmth in 2025

Interior design has constantly evolved, and one of the most prominent trends in recent years is the Japandi style. This fusion of Japanese aesthetics and Scandinavian design has conquered homes thanks to its combination of minimalism and warmth. However, in 2025, this trend is taking a step further towards an even more evocative and sensory aesthetic: Yūgen.

In this article, we’ll explore how Japandi remains a safe bet for creating harmonious and functional spaces, how to achieve warm minimalism, and how to integrate the concept of Yūgen into home décor with key pieces such as tables, chairs, lamps and mirrors.

What is the Japandi style?

Japandi was born from the combination of Japanese minimalism (wabi-sabi) and Scandinavian comfort (hygge). Its philosophy focuses on functionality, harmony and the beauty of natural materials.

Key features of Japandi:

• Wooden furniture and natural fibers: Japandi is characterized by the use of noble and sustainable materials, where wood in light or medium tones plays a fundamental role. Elements such as the Kumsu upholstered wooden chair combine the strength and warmth of wood with the comfort of upholstery, ideal for adding a cozy touch to any room. Similarly, the Nikita rattan chair introduces natural textures that reinforce the sense of balance with nature, one of the foundations of traditional Japanese design.
• Neutral color palette and earthy tones: The color selection in Japandi is based on serenity and visual harmony. Beige tones, soft grays, broken whites and browns inspired by earth and wood are prioritized. The Aneta coffee table, with its minimalist design and natural wood finish, is an excellent example of how furniture can complement a space without overloading it, maintaining a balance between functionality and aesthetics.

• Functional Minimalism: The Japandi philosophy goes beyond the simple elimination of the unnecessary; it seeks to ensure that each element has a clear purpose. Furniture such as the Pingo wooden sideboard is perfect for an uncluttered and elegant foyer, providing storage without compromising the visual lightness of the space. The key is organization and selecting pieces that provide balance and order.
• Soft and diffused lighting: Light in a Japandi environment should not be aggressive or too cold. Warm, ambient lighting is sought to help create relaxing spaces. The Bomon rattan lampshade and the Namila ceiling lamp are perfect options to achieve this effect, as they filter the light in a soft way through their natural materials, generating a feeling of well-being and visual comfort.

What is Yūgen and why is it gaining relevance?

The concept of Yūgen comes from Japanese philosophy and refers to a subtle, mysterious and profound beauty that goes beyond the tangible. In interior design, Yūgen translates into creating spaces that evoke emotions, that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also arouse a sense of calm and awe.

Unlike Japandi, which seeks functional harmony, Yūgen introduces a layer of introspection and mystery into design. It relies on natural imperfection, contrasts of light and shadow and the creation of a more sensory atmosphere.

In recent years, this concept has been gaining prominence as people seek spaces that are not only beautiful, but also convey an emotional and spiritual connection. Yūgen-based décor focuses on natural materials with subtle textures, deep colors and a layout of space that invites contemplation and serenity.

From Japandi to Yūgen: the new evolution of minimalism.

The Yūgen style comes from a Japanese concept that describes a mysterious and profound beauty, an aesthetic that goes beyond the visible and seeks the sublime in the invisible. While Japandi is based on simplicity and functionality, Yūgen delves into the introspective, the ethereal and what is unseen, but felt. This transition from Japandi to Yūgen allows spaces to become more than functional places; they are transformed into environments charged with emotion and contemplation.

Instead of the clarity and luminosity characteristic of Japandi, the Yūgen introduces a more sensory and immersive aesthetic. Soft lighting and the creation of shadows create an enveloping atmosphere that invites reflection and mental rest. This style seeks a balance between the empty and the full, between the tranquil and the mysterious, making every corner of a space an invitation to contemplation.

Key elements of Yūgen in interior design:

• Use of shadows and contrasts: Subtle shadows and contrasts between light and dark are fundamental in the Yūgen. The aim is to create an atmosphere that elicits complex, sometimes melancholic emotions through nuanced lighting.
• Darker, more enveloping palettes: The Yūgen prefers deeper, less saturated colors, such as dark shades of green, blue or gray, combined with touches of warmer, more natural colors to soften the mood.
• Elements that suggest more than they show: This style does not seek to be literal, but evocative. Natural and soft textures, imperfect ceramics, aged wood, and minimalist art can suggest emotional depth.

Spaces that invite contemplation: Yūgen at Home creates environments that invite rest, meditation and personal reflection. Each space is designed to calm the mind and allow for moments of introspection.

Practical application: How to incorporate Japandi and Yūgen in the home

Transforming a space with the Japandi and Yūgen mix involves a conscious approach to materials, lighting and furniture arrangement. Here are some practical steps to achieve this:

• Choose natural wood furniture and organic materials: To capture the essence of Japandi, opt for light wood furniture like the Terence coffee table, or natural wood and rope pieces like the Madsen chair. These furnishings not only provide functionality, but also add the warmth and texture needed to make the space feel cozy. Adding elements like the Nebraska high stool, made of wood and natural fibers, highlights the connection to nature, a central tenet in both Japandi and Yūgen.
• Create a tranquil atmosphere with soft lighting: Lighting plays an essential role in both styles. Lamps such as the Alice rattan lampshade and Anita ceiling lamp provide warm, diffused light that helps soften shadow contrasts and create a deep, mysterious atmosphere, ideal for achieving the Yūgen aesthetic.
• Integrate textures and materials that suggest a sensory atmosphere: Soft textures such as upholstered chairs, like the Bondi chair, and the inclusion of organic pieces, like the Solema wooden mirror, reinforce the feeling of serenity. These elements can be combined to create an environment that evokes calm and contemplation.
• Neutral and deep colors: To merge Japandi and Yūgen, opt for a palette of soft, earthy colors, such as warm gray, beige, and brown tones. The Trapani wooden sideboard or the Macao dining table with its natural tones and simple finishes, offer the perfect balance to create a base of warmth without overloading the room.
• Define areas of contemplation: Delimit spaces within the house that invite reflection and rest. Choose pieces that highlight simplicity, such as the Matilda armchair, to create a corner where you can rest or read, while maintaining the coherence of the Japandi style.

The harmony of Japandi and Yūgen: “a home that invites peace”.

In conclusion, the Japandi and Yūgen styles seek not only to decorate a space, but also to create an emotionally rich and meaningful atmosphere. Japandi offers the serenity and order we need in a hectic world, while Yūgen invites us to explore the subtle beauty and emotional depth of the everyday.

The combination of both styles creates an environment in which each element has a specific function: it is not only functional, but also conveys calm and reflection. By embracing these styles in 2025, we are not only choosing furniture and décor, we are designing a space that fosters inner peace and connection to the essentials.

Explore and adapt these trends to your own style, creating a home that is not only beautiful, but also an emotional haven that invites introspection and enjoyment of the present moment.