Photo of a small beach style powder room in Auckland with green cabinets, a one-piece toilet, green tile, porcelain tile, green walls, light hardwood floors, a vessel sink, engineered quartz benchtops, yellow floor, green benchtops and a floating vanity.

After the second fallout of the Delta Variant amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic in mid 2021, our team working from home, and our client in quarantine, SDA Architects conceived Japandi Home. The initial brief for the renovation of this pool house was for its interior to have an "immediate sense of serenity" that roused the feeling of being peaceful. Influenced by loneliness and angst during quarantine, SDA Architects explored themes of escapism and empathy which led to a “Japandi” style concept design – the nexus between “Scandinavian functionality” and “Japanese rustic minimalism” to invoke feelings of “art, nature and simplicity.” This merging of styles forms the perfect amalgamation of both function and form, centred on clean lines, bright spaces and light colours. Grounded by its emotional weight, poetic lyricism, and relaxed atmosphere; Japandi Home aesthetics focus on simplicity, natural elements, and comfort; minimalism that is both aesthetically pleasing yet highly functional. Japandi Home places special emphasis on sustainability through use of raw furnishings and a rejection of the one-time-use culture we have embraced for numerous decades. A plethora of natural materials, muted colours, clean lines and minimal, yet-well-curated furnishings have been employed to showcase beautiful craftsmanship – quality handmade pieces over quantitative throwaway items. A neutral colour palette compliments the soft and hard furnishings within, allowing the timeless pieces to breath and speak for themselves. These calming, tranquil and peaceful colours have been chosen so when accent colours are incorporated, they are done so in a meaningful yet subtle way. Japandi home isn’t sparse – it’s intentional. The integrated storage throughout – from the kitchen, to dining buffet, linen cupboard, window seat, entertainment unit, bed ensemble and walk-in wardrobe are key to reducing clutter and maintaining the zen-like sense of calm created by these clean lines and open spaces. The Scandinavian concept of “hygge” refers to the idea that ones home is your cosy sanctuary. Similarly, this ideology has been fused with the Japanese notion of “wabi-sabi”; the idea that there is beauty in imperfection. Hence, the marriage of these design styles is both founded on minimalism and comfort; easy-going yet sophisticated. Conversely, whilst Japanese styles can be considered “sleek” and Scandinavian, “rustic”, the richness of the Japanese neutral colour palette aids in preventing the stark, crisp palette of Scandinavian styles from feeling cold and clinical. Japandi Home’s introspective essence can ultimately be considered quite timely for the pandemic and was the quintessential lockdown project our team needed.

Geometrical 3D tiles adds interest for a feature wall in the powder room. Striking black and white contrast creates a modern look while a wood tone tile and brass hardware adds warmth to the space.

Small modern powder room in Seattle with a one-piece toilet, gray tile, porcelain tile, grey walls, a vessel sink, engineered quartz benchtops and white benchtops.

Small transitional powder room in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, brown walls, a vessel sink, black benchtops, distressed cabinets, slate floors, engineered quartz benchtops and grey floor.

The old wine bar took up to much space and was out dated. A new refreshed look with a bit of bling helps to add a focal point to the room. The wine bar and powder room are adjacent to one another so creating a cohesive, elegant look was needed. The wine bar cabinets are glazed, distressed and antiqued to create an old world feel. This is balanced with iridescent tile so the look doesn't feel to rustic. The powder room is marble using different sizes for interest, and accented with a feature wall of marble mosaic. A mirrored tile is used in the shower to complete the elegant look.

This modern half bath packs a lot of punch! The tile on the wall is 3-dimensional, adding loads of interest. Glass sink sits stop the quarts countertop. Flat paneled cabinets float above the wood-grained tile. Modern pendant lights finish off the space beautifully.

Streamline Interiors, LLC - The room is fitted with a Toto bidet/toilet.
Large contemporary powder room in Phoenix with shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, a bidet, beige tile, porcelain tile, porcelain floors, a vessel sink, engineered quartz benchtops and blue walls.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional powder room in Portland with furniture-like cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white walls, dark hardwood floors, a vessel sink, engineered quartz benchtops, a one-piece toilet and brown floor.

This is an example of a small contemporary powder room in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, wood-look tile, a vessel sink, engineered quartz benchtops, brown floor, grey benchtops, a floating vanity and wallpaper.

Inspiration for a small contemporary powder room in Richmond with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, black tile, ceramic tile, white walls, light hardwood floors, a vessel sink, engineered quartz benchtops, white benchtops and a floating vanity.

Drama in a small space! Elegant, dimensional Walker Zanger tile creates a dramatic focal point in this sophisticated powder bath. The rough hewn European oak floating cabinetry ads warmth and layered texture to the space while the crisp matt white quartz countertop is the perfect foil for the etched stone sink. The sensuous curves of smooth carved stone reveal a patchwork of Japanese sashiko kimono pattern depicting organic elements such as waves, mountains and bamboo. The circular LED lit mirror echoes the flowing liquid lines of the tile and circular vessel sink.

Photo of a small contemporary powder room in Seattle with furniture-like cabinets, dark wood cabinets, grey walls, a vessel sink, engineered quartz benchtops and white benchtops.

Beautifully simple, this powder bath is dark and moody with clean lines and gorgeous gray textured wallpaper.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary powder room in Other with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, a two-piece toilet, grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a vessel sink, engineered quartz benchtops, brown floor, black benchtops, a built-in vanity and wallpaper.

Rustic at it's finest. A chiseled face vanity contrasts with the thick modern countertop, natural stone vessel sink and basketweave wall tile. Delicate iron and glass sconces provide the perfect glow.

Space Crafting
Design ideas for a small traditional powder room in Minneapolis with recessed-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, a one-piece toilet, beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a vessel sink, engineered quartz benchtops, brown floor and beige benchtops.

This amazing powder room features an elevated waterfall sink that overflows into a raised bowl. Ultramodern lighting and mirrors complete this striking minimalistic contemporary bathroom.

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury powder room in Other with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, vinyl floors, a vessel sink, engineered quartz benchtops, grey floor and white benchtops.

Powder Room furnished imply with floating white vanity, modern pendants, and white oak mirror wall with horizontal mirror - Architecture/Interiors/Renderings/Photography: HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Construction Manager: WERK | Building Modern