Invest in furniture that has more than one purpose; not only will this tactic save you money in the long run, it also makes each corner of the room more functional, meaning less stuff is needed. This convertible changing table and bookshelf will grow with Baby through the years and features a clean, minimalist design that’s pleasing to the eye.
Japanese aesthetics: minimalist simple living concepts for everyone
Inspired by minimalist design, but don’t know how to update your style or space to embody it? Take your cue from Japanese minimalist aesthetics.
Minimalist design is an incredibly popular trend that is easy to curate on Pinterest and swoon over, though not so easy to incorporate into your own space and style.
But if you are eager to adopt a more sleek and sophisticated aesthetic, all is not lost. There are three Japanese concepts that will help you get started.
Why Japanese minimalist design?
As a minimalist, you understand that less is often more. It is only when you remove the nonessential that you can focus on what matters most. This can certainly apply to not only the design of your home and the things in it, but also your overall lifestyle.
Studies on people that embrace minimalism show that they spend more of their energy doing things or obtaining things they truly care about, which leads to more happiness. Very few countries have embraced this simplicity more than Japan.
However, many minimalists focus on the personal growth aspect of this philosophy, while forgetting that the aesthetic element is just as important. Minimalist Japanese concepts are great to use for inspiration, understanding not only the concepts for aesthetics, but also for life in general.
In fact, incorporating minimalism into your environment is one of the easiest ways to experience more positive emotions. This is why Zen and Feng Shui are such powerful concepts. Minimalism is not just beautiful, but also useful in that it:
- allows you to appreciate negative space that you would otherwise fill with objects and clutter
- creates a sense of calm, peace and serenity in your physical and mental space
- helps you build confidence in and express your personal interests and style in a refined way
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
Leonardo Da Vinci
Simplify Your Style
Learn to build a capsule wardrobe, create a unique style and curate a closet you adore.
About Japanese Minimalism
Like many cultures, the Japanese have a rich art tradition. However their aesthetic philosophy, though inspired by ancient concepts, is relatively modern.
In the 19th century a number of aesthetic principles gave rise to an academic discipline and field of study called Japanese aesthetics.
Borrowing heavily from Buddhism and Confucianism, these principles go beyond the specification of what is visually pleasing, but are also seen as ways of living.
We’ve highlighted three concepts from Japanese aesthetics, to provide guidance on how you can approach the simplification of your style and space. Understanding wabi, shibui, iki, and danshari is key to living the art of minimalism, drawing inspiration from the concepts originated in Japan.
Wabi: Simple
When you think of wabi, think of natural beauty. It denotes a simple and understated, almost austere, style. It is also a philosophy that highly regards modesty and minor imperfections.
The term wabi is often combined with another distinct term, sabi, which is roughly translated as rustic and well-aged. Together wabi-sabi refers to an aesthetic that is “imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete”.
Shibui: Subtle
When you think of shibui, think of subdued beauty. Shibui denotes a subtle and unobtrusive style. Something that embodies shibui doesn’t have to scream look at me, I’m beautiful. Instead, it quietly draws attention to itself.
There is an understated elegance to a person, place or thing that is shibui. Though it may have impressive intricacies, it is not overt and balances complexity with simplicity.
Iki: Refined
Iki can be interpreted as smart and sophisticated. It denotes a refined, perhaps effortlessly chic, aesthetic. Someone or something that is iki is clearly and unabashedly stylish, but not pretentious about it.
In alignment with other Japanese aesthetic principles, someone with iki refrains from being showy or gaudy. Yet they have good taste and are polished and fashionable.
Danshari: Refuse, Dispose, Separate
Danshari is one of the core concepts of minimalism in Japan. This concept has been popularized by books like Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism by Fumio Sasaki. Danshari is comprised of three characters, which translate to “refuse, dispose, and separate.” As a whole, the concept represents a way of decluttering your life and keeping only the essential things that bring you joy. While the most popular applications of danshari in Western culture relate to removing things from your space, the overall concept is more about the minimalism lifestyle as a whole. The danshari concept of “less is more” is at the foundation of minimalistic design, living, decluttering and self-improvement.
Delightful minimalistic uncomplicated drawing concepts
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
an art image of a girl posing in a field, in the style of colorful animations, dark, lush scenery, bold yet graceful, villagecore, flower power –ar 1:1 –v 5
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
a handmade artwork featuring a skull and flowers and some other colors, in the style of sepia tone, animated gifs, light pink and light brown, historical romanticism, digital art techniques, naturalist aesthetic, halloween –ar 212:197 –v 5
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
an illustration of a couple holding pumpkins in the field, in the style of vintage-inspired designs, ritualistic masks, pseudo-infrared, 1970–present, hazy, flat figures, folkloric
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
black cat with sunglasses sitting on a cloud, in the style of wes anderson, made of crystals, animated gifs, hannah hoch, george barbier, close up, modern jewelry –ar 1:1 –style raw –v 5.1 –s 750
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
the color shades are on a notebook paper, in the style of light orange and dark beige, minimalist illustrator, light pink and brown, minimalist strokes, flat color blocks, post-impressionist colorism, minimalistic objects –style raw –v 5.1 –ar 1:1
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
a sunset view with palm trees silhouettes and a boat over the water of a river, in the style of romantic illustrations, light blue, light pink and light yellow, pastel colors –ar 3:2 –v 5
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
person with umbrella walking across pedestrian crossing, in the style of yellow and white, bold color blocking, feminine imagery, urban-inspired murals, white and beige, striped, soft –ar 2:3 –style raw –v 5.1
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
an art image of a girl posing in a field, in the style of colorful animations, dark, lush scenery, bold yet graceful, villagecore, flower power –ar 1:1 –v 5
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
drawing cartoon of woman in lotus flower meditating, plant, mat and window in the background, pastel color palette, clean and simple designs, high resolution vector –ar 3:2 –v 5
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
a gay couple kissing each other, in the style of yoh nagao, fatima ronquillo, colorful costumes, josan gonzalez, excessivism, feminine imagery, psychedelic absurdism –ar 1:1 –v 5
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
a handmade artwork featuring a skull and flowers and some other colors, in the style of sepia tone, animated gifs, light pink and light brown, historical romanticism, digital art techniques, naturalist aesthetic, halloween –ar 212:197 –v 5
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
a sunset view with palm trees silhouettes and a boat over the water of a river, in the style of romantic illustrations, light blue, light pink and light yellow, pastel colors –ar 3:2 –v 5
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
black cat with sunglasses sitting on a cloud, in the style of wes anderson, made of crystals, animated gifs, hannah hoch, george barbier, close up, modern jewelry –ar 1:1 –style raw –v 5.1 –s 750
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
the color shades are on a notebook paper, in the style of light orange and dark beige, minimalist illustrator, light pink and brown, minimalist strokes, flat color blocks, post-impressionist colorism, minimalistic objects –style raw –v 5.1 –ar 1:1
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
drawing cartoon of woman in lotus flower meditating, plant, mat and window in the background, pastel color palette, clean and simple designs, high resolution vector –ar 3:2 –v 5
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
an image of three yellow bananas on a beige background, in the style of flat colors, isometric, hand-drawn animation, mingei, colorful animation stills, flat brushwork, pure color –ar 212:195 –v 5.1 –style raw
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
an art image of a girl posing in a field, in the style of colorful animations, dark, lush scenery, bold yet graceful, villagecore, flower power –ar 1:1 –v 5
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
person with umbrella walking across pedestrian crossing, in the style of yellow and white, bold color blocking, feminine imagery, urban-inspired murals, white and beige, striped, soft –ar 2:3 –style raw –v 5.1
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
multicolor line drawing of a man with a giant light bulb instead of a head, in the style of simplified illustrations, white background, high resolution vector –ar 2:3 –v 5
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
an illustration of a couple holding pumpkins in the field, in the style of vintage-inspired designs, ritualistic masks, pseudo-infrared, 1970–present, hazy, flat figures, folkloric
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
a gay couple kissing each other, in the style of yoh nagao, fatima ronquillo, colorful costumes, josan gonzalez, excessivism, feminine imagery, psychedelic absurdism –ar 1:1 –v 5
Download
Copy prompt
Midjourney Prompt
a modern painting of a building and some colored shapes, in the style of light maroon and dark green, wilhelm kotarbiński, puzzling compositions, light green and dark brown, paul klee, tightly cropped compositions, esteban vicente –ar 1:1 –style raw –v 5.1 –s 750
Download
Midjourney Prompt
an image showing a long braid of hair with a flower, in the style of nature painter, charming illustrations, white and brown, minimalism, cute and dreamy, blink-and-you-miss-it detail, floralpunk, emphasis on detail, extreme close up –ar 3:5 –style raw –v 5.1
Download
Remix style
Related images
Remix this image
Midjourney Prompt
an image showing a long braid of hair with a flower, in the style of nature painter, charming illustrations, white and brown, minimalism, cute and dreamy, blink-and-you-miss-it detail, floralpunk, emphasis on detail, extreme close up –ar 3:5 –style raw –v 5.1
Digital artist, inspired by dreams, animals and Mexican folklore.
Simple & Sweet Minimalist Nursery
Since what you’re aiming for is simplicity, sometimes narrowing it down to just the easiest and most important details is what does it. This boho mama nailed a minimalist and neutral nursery for her little one.
Clean Scene Minimalist Nursery
Bright whites, soft gray hardwoods, a hanging rack for necessities, and a basket-inspired lighting fixture are just some of the best elements of this charming, minimalist nursery that could work for a little boy or girl.
Looking for a sleek baby bed to complement your minimalist nursery design? SNOO Smart Sleeper will fit right in! Plus, SNOO automatically responds to a baby’s cries with the womb-like sensations they love. typically adding 1-2+ hours of sleep a night little ones (and their tired parents!). Learn more about SNOO here.
More Minimalist Nursery Inspiration:
- Black and White Nursery Ideas
- Neutral Nursery Ideas
- Nursery Storage Solutions
- Nursery Art Ideas
- Nursery Bookshelves
- Nursery Decor for Boys
- Nursery Decor for Girls
- Twin Nursery Ideas
- Nursery Wallpaper Ideas
Jenny Studenroth Gerson is an Atlanta-based lifestyle journalist and novelist (Let Me Let You Go, 2020). Her work can be seen in publications including HuffPost, Cosmo, and WSJ, among many others. Jenny has researched thousands of baby names, combed through hundreds of nursery designs, and curated dozens of baby shower guides, making her absolutely the mom—and writer—you want to talk to when planning for Baby. When not meeting deadlines, she is chasing toddlers or chugging coffee—or both! Find her on Instagram @ourlifeinrosegold for mom hacks and more.
Have questions about a Happiest Baby product? Our consultants would be happy to help! Submit your questions here.
Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.
