6 Ways to Attain Your Dream Muji Style Home and Create a Zen Haven

A Muji style home prioritises functionality, simplicity and the elimination of unnecessary features. Named after the famous Japanese retail company, it’s a design aesthetic rooted in minimalism and Zen principles.

Here are some ways to achieve a Muji-inspired home to help you kickstart your home makeover journey. We’ve also curated some of the best Muji-themed rooms to fuel your creative ideas!

Ways To Achieve A Muji Style Home

Here are some ways to infuse the Muji essence into your home and transform it into a harmonious sanctuary.

1. Go For Neutral Hues

A signature characteristic of the Muji style is the use of a neutral colour palette. Colours typically featured in the Muji colour palette include whites, greys, beiges and browns. Nippon Paint’s wide range of interior paints provides excellent options for transforming your space into a Zen haven. 

White

White serves as an excellent base colour to introduce a sense of cleanliness and tranquillity. These colours will give your home a pristine look:

Orchid White 1139	Sail White 1199	Lilac White White 1138

Grey

Choose between a cooler or warmer grey, depending on the overall ambience you wish to create:

Spaceship NP N 3055 P	Rainclouds NP N 3046 P	Ash Gray NP N 3023 P

Beige

These warm hues can add a cosy feel and a subtle touch of nature:

Rosepetal 5083	Natural Cane 8167	Porcelain 1154

Brown

Reminiscent of earthy elements, these brown tones infuse a sense of warmth in your home:

Delta NP R 1384 T	Baked Clay NP N 3154 D	Melon Tea NP N 3139 P

2. Embrace Simplicity

Muji style champions the philosophy that less is more. By prioritising functionality over extravagance and reducing clutter, you can create a space that reflects the heart of this philosophy.

Begin by determining what you truly need. If an item in your home doesn’t serve a purpose, it may be time to discard it. Next, remove unnecessary items and keep surfaces clean. If the idea of decluttering your whole house is too overwhelming, start with a small area like a drawer.

Once you’ve successfully decluttered it, you’ll feel motivated to tackle larger areas.

3. Create Open Spaces

Open spaces are an integral aspect of Muji interior design. There are a few ways you can achieve this.

Make use of vertical space and walls

Make use of vertical space for storage. Tall, slim storage units, wall-mounted shelves and hanging racks can help keep floor space open. You can also use hooks to store or display items.

Use a futon

To maximise space in your bedroom, consider using a futon. It’s smaller and less bulky than traditional beds. During the day, you can fold it up to create a seating area or keep it away. At night, you can convert it into a bed. 

Use concealed storage

Concealed storage allows you to store your items neatly. Built-in wardrobes, shelves or cabinets provide a substantial amount of storage without extending into the living area. This is particularly useful for small spaces.

4. Choose Natural Materials

Muji design style is intertwined with the principles of Zen. It emphasises simplicity, tranquillity and natural beauty. Natural materials such as wood, stone and bamboo will help you achieve the look.

Use wooden furniture, flooring or accents in your home. The warm, neutral tones of wood help create a calming atmosphere. Stone countertops, backsplashes or decor elements can add an earthy touch to your space. Bamboo furniture such as shelving units, baskets or room dividers can add subtle touches of nature.

5. Incorporate Functional Furniture

Choose multi-purpose furniture to save space, such as a bed with built-in drawers, a coffee table with storage space underneath or a dining table that can double as a workspace. Look for pieces that can be easily rearranged, stacked or extended as needed.

6. Utilise Natural Light

Natural light illuminates your space, eliminating the need of installing excessive artificial lighting fixtures.

To maximise natural light, consider large windows, glass doors or skylights. Take note to arrange your space in a way that light can flow freely, avoiding large furniture pieces that might hinder light from reaching the room.

On top of ways to craft your Muji style home, we’ve included a collection of Muji-themed rooms to inspire you.

Muji Style Interior Design Ideas For Different Rooms

Whether you’re a interior design enthusiast or a beginner looking to incorporate some minimalist vibes into your home, our selection of Muji-themed interior designs will offer inspiration aplenty.

Living room

Credit: WorkR-Ang Mo Kio AVE 8

Stepping into this HDB flat, you’re immediately greeted by an aura of calm and tranquillity. The colour palette, a soothing mix of brown, white and green, draws inspiration from natural elements. The walls are devoid of any elaborate decoration, letting the texture of the paint and the play of light and shadow become the artwork in itself.

The absence of frills doesn’t equate to a lack of style but rather a different, minimalistic kind of elegance.

Credit: WorkR-Upper Serangoon View

Instead of the usual sofas, beanbags occupy the living room of this Japanese-style house. They can be easily moved or stored away when not in use, making them a perfect choice for maximising space.

The use of wood throughout the room, from the floor to the furniture, creates a cohesive design narrative. The serene palette of muted whites and natural wood tones adds earthiness to the room.

Bedroom

Credit: Japanese Treasure Crest

The low-profile design evokes a subtle sense of zen. The seamless integration of modern comforts and traditional Japanese aesthetics results in a soothing sanctuary that promotes tranquillity and balance.

Credit: 11 Top Tips To Incorporate Japanese Interior Design Into Your Home

Neutral tones of white, beige and grey dominate the space. One of the walls is designed to resemble the shoji screen, a classical element of Japanese interior design. It’s an oasis for those who love the blend of Japanese aesthetics and modern design principles.

Kitchen

Credit: House Tour: Tay and Evelyn’s Bright and Spacious Condo Home

Credit: Upper Serangoon Crescent

If you need more space for your cooking needs, a multifunctional kitchen island is a great addition. It serves as both a practical workspace and a sociable dining area. Furthermore, it introduces opportunities for additional storage, providing a place to stow kitchen tools.

Credit: Canberra 4-room

This kitchen is a harmonious blend of simplicity and aesthetic appeal. A predominantly white colour scheme is employed throughout the kitchen, creating a sense of spaciousness and purity. The handleless cabinet doors also contribute to the clean and streamlined aesthetic.

Bathroom

Credit: Aljunied Crescent

This Muji-inspired bathroom with wooden and white hues exudes a sense of peace and elegance. It creates a sanctuary where you can unwind and enjoy moments of relaxation and self-care.

Credit: 87 Telok Blangah Heights

Credit: This Bright, Minimal BTO is a MUJI Catalogue Come to Life

The minimalist approach, combined with thoughtful design, can transform the bathroom into a haven of calm and relaxation. Storage is cleverly designed to maintain an uncluttered feel. An under-sink cabinet offers hidden storage for toiletries, while wooden shelves provide a space to display toiletries and a selection of green plants.

Kickstart Your Renovation Journey With Nippon Paint

One of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is about colour and finishes. From soft whites and subtle greys to warm earth tones, you can find a multitude of options that echo the hues of Muji designs in Nippon Paint’s extensive selection of paint colours.

In addition to providing the right colours, we also offer professional painting service that ensures your Muji-inspired home comes to life exactly as you envision it. We can provide expert advice on the types of finishes that will best enhance your chosen colours and contribute to the overall aesthetic you’re aiming for.