How to achieve Muji Interior Design Style in your home

What do you think of when you hear the term “Muji”?

Maybe you think of the popular Japanese retail store that sells everything from clothes to furniture.

Muji interior design is a minimalist design with practicality and creates a Zen-like atmosphere.

Whether you’re looking to add a few Muji pieces to your abode or want to Muji-fy your entire space, this guide will show you how to achieve the Muji interior design style in your home.

What is Muji interior design?

Muji interior design is all about minimalism and functionality. The goal is to create a simple and streamlined space with a minimalist aesthetic appeal. This can be achieved by using neutral colours and natural materials like wood and stone. The focus is on simplicity and clean lines, which create a calm and Zen-like atmosphere.

It is inspired by the Japanese retail company, Muji.  MUJI is a Japanese name “無印良品” (mu-jirushi ryohin) which translates to “no-brand, quality good.”

It can be translated to mean “the art of living with less.”

The essence of Muji interior design principles is to eliminate any needless decoration and create a space that is simple and functional.

Items in a Muji home should serve a purpose and be minimalist in design.

What are the key features of the Muji style interior design?

By understanding these 5 key features, you will be able to create a Muji concept home.

Minimalist

Minimalist is the signature look in all Muji-style homes where less is more.

By clearing away the clutter and unnecessary possessions, you can create a space that is simple and functional.

Hence, when you walk into a Muji house, you will notice that it is both simple and well-kept.

However, Muji is not just on minimalism. It focuses on creating balance and harmony in a home.

Functionality

The key distinction between minimalist design and Muji is that minimalism does not focus on functionality.

While both design styles emphasize simplicity, Muji also includes the idea of functionality.

This means every cabinet and piece of furniture must serve a specific purpose, and there should be as little clutter as possible.

An example would be having storage space underneath the bed platform to save space and reduce clutter.

Additionally, by using every available space in your home, you can achieve the minimalist aesthetic that is popular with Muji design.

Versatility

By using versatile furniture and décor, homeowners to change their homes to suit their needs.

Home décor that is easy to move and multipurpose furniture can accommodate this need.

Get creative with the space and make it multi-purpose. If you take advantage of all areas of your home, you can achieve a lot in terms of functionality and comfort.

Natural materials

Another distinct feature is the use of natural materials. This is perhaps one of the crucial elements that define a Muji home visually.

This includes wood, bamboo, stone, and cloth. The use of these materials gives a warm and inviting feel.

Zen-like atmosphere

A zen-like atmosphere promotes relaxation and peace of mind.

Hence, walking into a Muji-inspired home should make you feel relaxed and at ease.

You can achieve this by combining the key features of using natural materials and keeping the space uncluttered.

How can you achieve the Muji style in your home?

Now that we have gone over the key features of Muji interior design, it’s time to start putting these principles into practice.

Here are some of the ways to achieve the Muji look.

Keep the space clutter-free

One way to create a more serene environment is to declutter your space.

This does not mean getting rid of everything you own – simply choose wisely what you display, and find creative ways to hide the rest. 

1. Take a close look at your belongings and decide what you really need.
2. Invest in space-saving storage solutions that will help you to keep things organized.
3. Make a commitment to declutter on a regular basis.

By following these simple tips, you can create a tranquil and serene living space that reflects the peace and order of your inner self.

Have plenty of storage

Have plenty of storage to keep your belongings hidden and maintain a tidy and spacious home.

Built-in floor to ceiling storage is ideal, as it takes advantage of spaces that would otherwise go unused.

Having full-height storage, such as a wall panel with hidden storage, creates a cohesive look and feel while reducing the appearance of bulkiness.

Also, have hidden storage cabinets built into your furniture and use them to keep your home neat and tidy.

For example, platform beds with storage or inside drawers are perfect for storing out-of-season clothes or extra bedding.

Use simple and natural materials

The main natural material used is wood. It gives off a warm and inviting feeling.

From flooring to elevated platforms, furniture and built-in cabinet storage, wood is a staple of Muji interior design.

Two common natural wood that we recommend are oak and maple.

Oak for hardwood flooring and cabinets

Maple for hardwood flooring and cabinets

As oak and maple are expensive, one can choose to go with SPC flooring for a more cost-effective option.

However, SPC flooring is a thinner material which means it does not have as much cushioning underfoot.

Choose functional and minimalist furniture

Choose furniture pieces that are in line with the minimalist and functionality key features.

Avoiding big, bulky furniture will also help to maximise space – opt for sleek, minimalist pieces that are easy to move around.

Furniture and home décor are designed to be flexible and accommodating to your changing needs.

The use of movable partitions, multi-purpose furniture and lightweight materials allows you to make modifications as your needs change.

Constructible shelves can be used for storing your gadgets or kids’ toys. These can be later re-purposed as your children grow up.

Raised platforms can be turned into a variety of different areas in your home, such as a guest corner or study zone.

View your space as multi-purpose and smart, and use architectural elements to enhance functionality and versatility in your home.

And avoid big, bulky pieces that will take up too much space. Instead, opt for sleek, minimalist pieces that won’t cramp your style.

By utilizing the Muji philosophy in your design choices, you can create a custom living space that is stylish, practical and uniquely yours.

Stick to a neutral colour palette

To get a stylish and calming look, we recommend using a colour palette that is subtle and neutral.

Using these three primary colours of cream/beige, white, and grey will guarantee that you have the Muji style.

Beige and cream tones will help to create a sense of visual flow between different areas of your home.

Light colours such as white and light grey will keep things feeling bright and airy.

To add a touch of visual interest, use darker colours in specific areas like furnishing or accent pieces.

We recommend using dark-brown, maroon red, green and light purple or pink for accent colours.

Incorporate nature into the design

One of the best ways to create a tranquil, zen-like atmosphere in your home is to incorporate nature into the design.

Natural light and greenery are all great examples of ways to do this.

Natural light has been shown to improve mood and energy levels, while plants help to purify the air and create a sense of calmness.

When used together, these elements can create a calming, relaxing environment that is perfect for unwinding after a long day.

Wrap up

Achieving the Muji interior design style in your home is not difficult if you keep the key principles in mind.

Have a minimalist style, choose functional and versatile furniture, and incorporate natural materials into the design to create a Zen-like atmosphere.

With a little effort, you can achieve the Muji look in your own home.