Japandi isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. This time, we’re rounding up the best of Japandi home makeovers around Singapore to show you just how practical this timeless interior design theme is. If you love the warmth of wood and built-ins that look sleek, these 9 space-saving Japandi makeovers will transport you straight to Kyoto.
Contents
- 1. Modern Japandi with lots of storage–Serangoon Avenue 2
- 2. Simple & minimal Japandi–Compassvale Drive
- 3. Wabi sabi Japandi–Tampines GreenGlen
- 4. Ryokan minimalism with a tea window nook–Anchorvale Link
- 5. Japandi glam with tuck-away vanity–Brighton Avenue
- 6. High utility Japandi–Garden Court @ Tengah
- 7. Ryokan-inspired–Rochester Residences
- 8. Modern luxe Japandi–Eunos Court
- 9. Izakaya-style living spaces–Plantation Grange
- Space-saving Japandi makeovers that make you feel like you’re in Kyoto
1. Modern Japandi with lots of storage–Serangoon Avenue 2
Serangoon Avenue 2, 4-room HDB, 89sqm
Image credit: Urban Home Design 二本設計家
This 4-room HDB in Serangoon Avenue 2 nails the Japandi vibe with its clean lines and smart storage solutions. From the entryway to the living room, this flat has cleverly planned built-in carpentry that hides clutter, provides avenues for decorative elements, and doubles up as a dining bench that helps the homeowners save space.
Fluted panels chosen for the shoe cabinet provide ventilation, whilst subtle curves are incorporated into the rest of the home to give a sense of fluidity.
Image credit: Urban Home Design 二本設計家
Over on the adjacent wall, a floating console turns what would’ve been a dead space into a feature TV wall, that also conceals a door to one of the bedrooms.
Image credit: Urban Home Design 二本設計家
By forgoing the conventional sofa, this living room embraces a more flexible layout with a series of rattan armchairs. The design makes room for a custom piano niche, which not only enhances the space’s aesthetic but also serves as a clever storage solution.
2. Simple & minimal Japandi–Compassvale Drive
Compassvale Drive
Image credit: Jesigns Interior Design
This Compassvale Drive resale HDB is a great example of how you can use subtle design elements to channel Japanese-inspired minimalism. The sliding wooden lattice partition leading to the kitchen brings to mind traditional shoji doors, adding a touch of calm and elegance to the space.
The dining area is equally thoughtfully designed. The overhead dining lights are sleek and unobtrusive, while the built-in fan is uniquely placed, adding a touch of unexpected practicality.
And there’s also the dry pantry, tucked neatly to one side, just another example of how this home combines utility and style in the most efficient way.
Image credit: Jesigns Interior Design
The wardrobe, cleverly tucked away behind a simple curtain, serves as a bonus element in this thoughtfully designed space.
3. Wabi sabi Japandi–Tampines GreenGlen
Tampines GreenGlen, 4-room HDB, 113sqm
Image credit: Plush Interior Design
This 4-room HDB in Tampines GreenGlen flat uses minimalist storage with a curved in-built cabinet that runs from floor to ceiling. The clever cut-out in the middle doubles as a storage point and a decorative shelf, perfect for things like keys, small items, or anything you want within easy reach while the rest of the cabinet hides everything else neatly away.
Image credit: Plush Interior Design
The contrast between the off-white wall and the rich brown wood of the floor brings out that serene, Japanese-inspired feel, giving the space a clean, calm vibe. Another floor-to-ceiling in-built cabinet sits at the back of the living room and also serves as a collection feature.
Finally there’s the Chabudai, a short table used in traditional japanese homes ranging from 15cm to 30cm tall, placed beside the window. It’s stylish, practical, and a perfect example of how Japandi design doesn’t have to be complicated to look good.
4. Ryokan minimalism with a tea window nook–Anchorvale Link
Anchorvale Link, 5-room HDB, 109sqm
Image credit: Intheory Design
This house can really make you feel like you’re in a Kyoto teahouse. This 5-room HDB in Anchorvale Link embraces Ryokan-inspired minimalism with a window nook featuring an elevated platform that resembles a Japanese-style tatami room. It almost looks like a traditional horigotatsu, with a table that rises from the platform that doubles as seating.
Just sitting there, combined with Japanese-style blinds and carefully placed plants brings a serene feel to the home.
Image credit: Intheory Design
Stepping into the kitchen, the palette shifts to rich dark wood tones, enhanced by vertical grain patterns that add height and warmth. Open shelves above offer easy access to everyday essentials like seasonings, while the open central section creates an ideal spot for a compact minibar or display area.
The contrast between the vertical wood grains and the horizontal veining of the marble backing in the middle introduces a subtle interplay of lines, giving the kitchen entrance a sense of depth and dynamism.
5. Japandi glam with tuck-away vanity–Brighton Avenue
Brighton Avenue, 2 bedroom landed, 84sqm
Image credit: Charlotte’s Carpentry
In this 2-bedroom landed home on Brighton Avenue, the homeowner took Japandi minimalism to a hidden level with a makeup area tucked behind a sleek, folding door. The space stays true to the design theme, seamlessly blending into the rest of the home without compromising on practicality.
It’s a clever way to keep the dressing area organised and out of sight, ensuring everything stays tucked away and doesn’t spill out into the living spaces. With the use of wood and soft lighting, this little corner adds a bit of luxury while maintaining a clean, minimalist vibe.
Image credit: Charlotte’s Carpentry
Stepping into the living room, you’re welcomed by an off-white, full-height built-in storage feature reminiscent of a modern tatami-inspired design. Its symmetrical layout creates a serene sense of balance, while the central section is cleverly carved out to function as the TV area.
Image credit: Charlotte’s Carpentry
Giving up the standard built-in cabinet, the homeowners instead chose to lay just a piece of wood around the curvature in the living room. With only a handful of collections such as BearBricks and vases, this minimalist style ensures that they’re living a clutter-free life.
6. High utility Japandi–Garden Court @ Tengah
Garden Court @ Tengah
Image credit: Apartment
For those who fancy not having a traditional “sofa-in-living-room” idea, this home might be a good inspiration for you. In this Garden Court @ Tengah home, the living room embraces Japandi minimalism with no sofa in sight.
The homeowners opted for a huge in-built storage with a cut-out in the middle extending out the edge, creating a simple storage with depth. Going with an off-white finish to contrast the floor, paired with a warm light in the cut-out gives off a comfortable and homely feel.
Image credit: Apartment
Rather than going with a conventional sofa, the homeowner designed a continuous “window sill” that wraps around the room, doubling as both seating and concealed storage. Warm wood tones and soft, filtered light from the fabric blinds create a calm, cocoon-like atmosphere.
Minimalist décor, like sculptural vases, a small table, and a framed print adds just enough character without disrupting the clean, uncluttered aesthetic. The result is a serene nook that feels equal parts functional and meditative.
7. Ryokan-inspired–Rochester Residences
The Rochester Residences, 4-room condo, 156sqm.
Image credit: The Interior Lab
Clutter-free living sits at the heart of the Japandi aesthetic, and this 4-room unit at Rochester Residences exemplifies that philosophy with meticulous precision. The centrepiece is a full-height, wall-spanning storage system anchored around the TV console.
Every cabinet door, niche, and panel is aligned in perfect symmetry, with no irregular shapes or competing forms, an intentional simplicity that fosters a sense of calm and visual order.
The design pays clear homage to Japanese interiors in several ways. The light oak carpentry and soft, muted palette echo traditional japanese style, favouring natural materials, gentle tones, and an appreciation for understated beauty.
Image credit: The Interior Lab
The grid-like wooden trims and the use of frosted sliding panels subtly reference shoji screens, creating that signature Japanese rhythm of lines and diffused light. Built-in niches and benches, often seen in Japanese tokonoma spaces, adds an architectural stillness while providing practical placement for décor, bags, or greenery.
Together, these elements form a cohesive, serene environment that blends modern functionality with Japanese restraint. The result is a home that not only maximises storage but also channels the tranquillity, balance, and warm minimalism that define authentic Japanese-inspired living.
8. Modern luxe Japandi–Eunos Court
Eunos Court, 4-room HDB · 93sqm
Image credit: Le Interior Affairs
This home is a wood lover’s dream, seamlessly blending Scandinavian and Japanese styles with its rich wood texture theme. From the flooring to the furniture, almost every inch of this space embraces natural, earthy tones, creating a warm, cohesive atmosphere.
The design subtly nods to the minimalist Muji aesthetic, where every piece serves a purpose and enhances the overall function of the home. The living and dining spaces are cleverly divided with a storage bench, which not only creates a functional separation but also offers extra storage.
Image credit: Le Interior Affairs
Storage solutions are maximised throughout the space, keeping clutter out of sight and ensuring the home feels serene and uncluttered. Even the earthy marble accents in the design bring a modern touch to the otherwise organic feel, making it the perfect mix of warmth and style.
9. Izakaya-style living spaces–Plantation Grange
Plantation Grange, 4-room HDB, 113sqm
Image credit: R Interior
This home brings the warm, rustic Izakaya vibes straight into the living room. The in-built cabinet is a standout feature, cleverly designed to double as both seating and a katana display. The middle carve-out makes it perfect for slipping off your shoes after a long day, while the hidden storage below keeps everything neat and tucked away.
Image credit: R Interior
Adding a touch of traditional Japanese design, the shoji-style door covering the collection area enhances the space’s cultural feel while offering a sleek, minimalist look. The light, translucent panels of the door allow you to admire the collection without disrupting the calm vibe of the room.
Not only does this clever design save space, but it also combines functionality with aesthetic appeal, creating a warm, inviting space with an obvious nod to Japanese design.
Space-saving Japandi makeovers that make you feel like you’re in Kyoto
Whether you’re renovating your home or just looking for inspiration, these Japandi interiors prove that less can truly be more. With thoughtful design choices that focus on functionality and simplicity, these homes bring peace and practicality to the forefront, showing that with some ingenuity and creativity, spaces can feel spacious and inviting.
If you’re curious about interior design stuff, check these out:
- 17 interior design themes to know before renovating
- 10 best interior design firms in Singapore
- 5 best 2-room HDB renovations in Singapore
Cover image adapted from: Intheory Design, Plush Interior Design
Drop us your email so you won't miss the latest news.
