Muji Vs Scandinavian Interior Design: Which One Is Your Style?

4 Oct, 2022

Modern-style homes are often mistaken for mid-century modern homes and vice-versa. Scandinavian interior design and Muji interior design. Both minimalist and modern style designs have become increasingly popular in Singapore over the last few years.

There’s been a rise in the popularity of the Scandinavian design. Today’s designers use traditional craft techniques to create timeless designs. In addition, you can find designers using modern technology in furniture design. Swedish designers have perfected the art of rug weaving and flat-pack furniture.

While Scandinavian countries’ sleek, discerning design influences are still very much at the forefront of decor trends, more avant-garde designers are drawing on a new part of the world for minimalist inspiration: Japan. That is where a Muji-style interior design comes in.

A few years from now, you’ll see a dramatic change in the interior design of homes across the country. As more and more people embrace the clean lines of a Scandinavian-style home, it will become increasingly difficult to identify our neighbours just by looking at their houses. You can still get a minimalist interior besides a Scandinavian design with Muji style. However, how do you know which one is more suitable for you?

What are the differences between design Scandinavian style and Muji interior style? Below you’ll find more.

What defines Scandanavian interior design style?

The best Scandinavian design is clean, simple, and minimalist. At the same time that modern styles were being adopted in America and Europe, it was a fad that became prominent. The reason it’s so appealing is that it doesn’t have a lot of stuff. There will be no unneeded items in these rooms, everything has its place, and there will be no tchotchkes.

It’s not surprising that the Scandinavian style and mid-century modern share many characteristics. Some say they’re almost indistinguishable. While the Scandinavian style is much lighter and brighter than mid-century modern, it doesn’t necessarily have to be airy and bright.

It’s no secret that Scandinavians are known for being outdoorsy, and this style reflects that. There is something very special about the Scandinavian style that is often attributed to their commitment to family life and a strong social welfare state. Of course, living plants are the best choice when it comes to bringing the outdoors in.

What defines Muji interior design style?

No-Brand Style, also called “Muji,” is a well-known Japanese lifestyle brand. It sells practical and straightforward but functional and high-quality household products and clothing. Muji embodies the Japanese Zen idea that simplicity is essential. You can use this aesthetic to decorate your home or office.

Muji’s signature style is “less is more.” It’s part of the Muji philosophy, which means that to feel cosy and calm, we should clear the clutter from our homes. Overdoing it would result in a boring home and lifeless emptiness. Balance is important.

If you think Muji is only about minimalist living, you are mistaken. The essence of quality and craftsmanship is what the Muji idea is all about. Changes in lifestyle and needs of the whole family should cause your home to be flexible. The simple and neat style works well for most people. It requires skills to achieve the Muji look, without being boring.

Design philosophy differences between Scandinavian and Muji style

Scandinavian and Muji interior design styles emphasise simplicity and functionality with minimal design elements. Keeping these Scandinavian and Muji lifestyle in mind when designing your home will give your home the look and feel of a more functional, comfortable space.

Houses designed with either an interior style or an exterior style should have no superfluous furniture or items. Decorating the home is fun and simple. A single decorative item will change the entire look of the room. It’s an important part of the decor and should be considered first before buying other items.

Their differences, however, are significant. The Scandinavian style is relatively new. It came into existence in the early 20th century after the design became popular in the UK. The modernistic design incorporates modern and contemporary elements.

The Japanese culture and zen lifestyle influence the Muji interior design style philosophy, which has a lot of historical significance. You would notice a lot of natural materials and the presence of raw elements, as the zen lifestyle is a way of living with awareness and focus.

Colours differences between Scandanavian and Muji interior design style

Scandinavian style is often made of very neutral colours. White walls, light-blond wood floors and white sofas are common but sometimes break away from this rule with a pop of colour in deep indigo or dark forest green. Traditional Scandinavian furniture is built with solid wood, giving it a timeless feel.

Japanese minimalism or muji, on the other hand, embraces warmer hues in the form of wood-panelled walls, cream accents, and a mostly monochromatic palette that occasionally includes a soft marigold, ochre or blush tone. 

Some of the differences between these two styles are always overlooked. One of the differences in the choice of wood tones used in the wood cabinets.

Muji interiors are typically renovated with whitish-wood flooring paired with medium-brown wooden furniture. In contrast, Scandinavian interiors usually lay with medium-brown wooden floors paired with whitish wooden furniture. A few factors may determine whether or not a fireplace looks great in your home, including homeowner’s preferences and home décor. You don’t have to follow everything exactly to achieve a Muji or Scandinavian interior.

Furniture differences between Scandinavian Vs Muji interior design

Muji interiors have natural, raw-looking materials such as cotton, linen, wood, and rattan. Their furniture also tends to be more natural than those of Scandinavian interiors.

The Muji-style interior is often based on simplicity and quality rather than quantity. It uses plain, linear and angular designs to achieve a clean look in everyday rooms. These designs make it easy to modify spaces as they change, giving a timeless, classic look.

The Scandinavian style doesn’t have any particular style and could be described as an amalgamation of different styles and periods. This furniture can be found in Scandinavian homes and not necessarily in Muji interiors.

The wabi-sabi philosophy should be adopted instead of hygge

Hygge has grown in popularity over the past few years as a cultural philosophy that embraces warmth and conviviality. The most minimal Scandinavian spaces are typically clean and minimalist, but adding a fur throw and a candle can add warmth and cosiness.

Japanese people say wabi-sabi which means accepting imperfection as an attribute rather than a flaw. The Japanese style has its definition. Minimalists don’t always love materials that will patina. This type of bathroom features a subtle change to the classic look. Rather than focusing on a room’s decorative pieces, this bathroom is built around the materials.

The similarity between Scandinavian and Muji design style

Despite their vast distance, Japan and Sweden have similar design sensibilities. Scandinavian and Japanese societies are generally very easygoing and cheerful, which is why they both favour a cheerful, unadorned aesthetic. Common denominators are design and creativity. The biggest ambassador for Swedish design and furniture is IKEA. Simplicity and functionality are how furniture is made. There is so much madness going on when building a bookshelf that it’s hard to figure out where to start.

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