Japandi Style and Tatami｜Bringing Japanese Living into a Modern Home

There is one thing you almost always do when entering a Japanese home: you take off your shoes at the entrance.

This simple habit is more than a cultural custom. It reflects a way of thinking — a gentle separation between the outside world and the space where you live. The moment your shoes come off, the atmosphere changes. The home feels calmer, quieter, and more connected to the people who live there.

What Is Japandi Style?

Japandi style is a design movement that combines Japanese aesthetics with Scandinavian design.

Both traditions value simplicity, natural materials, craftsmanship, and functionality. Rather than filling a room with unnecessary objects, Japandi interiors focus on creating space for everyday life.

This may be why Japandi has become so popular around the world. It is not simply a decorating trend. It offers a different way of living — one that encourages slowing down, appreciating natural materials, and finding beauty in simplicity.

The Japanese concept of wabi-sabi and the Scandinavian idea of comfort and balance come together naturally in a Japandi home.

Why Tatami Works So Well in Japandi Interiors

Tatami is one of the most recognizable elements of a traditional Japanese interior.

Made from woven igusa grass, tatami adds texture, warmth, and a subtle natural fragrance to a room. It creates a different relationship with space. People tend to sit lower, move more slowly, and feel more grounded.

Today, many homeowners are incorporating tatami into modern Japandi interiors in creative ways:

• A tatami reading corner
• A raised tatami platform bed
• A small tatami area within the living room
• A meditation or tea space

Combined with clean-lined furniture, neutral colors, and natural wood, tatami feels modern while maintaining its strong connection to Japanese culture.

The Japanese Habit of Living Close to the Floor

One characteristic of Japanese living is the connection to the floor.

Whether sitting on tatami, enjoying tea at a low table, or relaxing in a quiet corner of the home, many traditional Japanese activities happen close to the ground.

This creates a sense of calm that many people seek when designing a Japandi-inspired space.

Tatami is not simply a flooring material. It encourages a different pace of life.

Japanese Zori: A Natural Addition to a Japandi Home

A Japandi home often begins at the entrance.

After removing outdoor shoes, many Japanese households use indoor footwear that is lightweight, comfortable, and easy to wear.

MERI zori fit naturally into this lifestyle.

Handcrafted by Japanese artisans, each pair is made using soft knitted cord that gently supports the feet. Inspired by traditional Japanese zori, they combine comfort, craftsmanship, and contemporary design.

Placed neatly in an entryway, they become part of the interior itself — understated, functional, and perfectly suited to a Japandi aesthetic.

For those creating a Japanese-inspired home, zori offer a simple way to bring a small piece of everyday Japanese living into daily life.

Start with the Simple Act of Taking Off Your Shoes

If you are drawn to Japandi style, perhaps the best place to begin is with a simple habit.

Take off your shoes.

Feel the floor beneath your feet. Notice the natural materials around you. Allow yourself to slow down for a moment.

Sometimes the smallest rituals can change how a home feels.

MERI zori are designed to be part of that experience.

Each pair is carefully handcrafted in Japan and created to bring comfort, simplicity, and a touch of Japanese living into your home.

→ Explore MERI's handcrafted Japanese zori and discover a more mindful way of living.