Just empty one room or one corner of the room where you can introduce Japanese design elements. It is better to choose a room or a corner with a large window, preferably with a view. Due to lack of space Japanese use the concept of borrowed scenery. There is atleast one glass window or door overlooking the garden or the sky, giving feeling of openness.
If you are confined to just a corner or a portion of the room, use shoji screens to divide the room and get some privacy. These screens are made of rice paper and wood lattice. They permit light and ventilation in the room, yet give the privacy needed. Introducing shoji screens can transform the room dramatically, from western to eastern.
Use bamboo chicks or shoji curtains on the windows in Japanese style rooms. They can be rolled up when the view is needed.
Another feature of Japanese style is low-level sitting. Japanese style encourages the use of tatami mats to sit or sleep on. Few cushions on those mats provide quick sitting. If you already have a floor covering and that can not be changes, then invest in big pillows that can be used to sit on. Try to have sitting arrangement next to the window with a view. The view should be at eye level. If the window is higher from the ground then arrange some low-level bench or futon frame to raise the sitting level.
If you are lucky enough to have French windows from ground to ceilings, then use a futon mattress and pillows for sitting.
Another feature of Japanese design is asymmetry. For them symmetry is stagnant and asymmetry is creative. Whatever display you have, arrange it asymmetrically. Do not have too many items in a Japanese style room. If possible get some Japanese items, like dolls, paper lantern or a painting and keep minimum items in the area.
No Japanese arrangement can be complete without Ikebana, a Japanese flower arrangement. It is desirable to learn the basic principles of this arrangement. This arrangement pays close attention to the balance, lines and the number of flowers or branches used in the arrangement is always an odd. If you can not learn it and yet want to achieve the similar effect, arrange 1 or 3 flowers of different height in a vase. Do not stuff the vase with many flowers. Use one dry branch if possible, but remember to keep the number of elements odd.
To achieve Japanese design, use minimum items; place them independently, away from each other so that each item can be admired for its beauty. Achieve serenity by creating oneness with nature.
More photos after the jump.
A shout out to Michelle. Visit her wonderful blog of interiors here.