4 Online Courses to Learn Japanese-Inspired Interior Design

Learn skills to add Japanese design influences to your home with these beginner courses for kumiko, kintsugi, and more

When you think of Japanese design, it might conjure up images of minimalism, uncluttered spaces, low-profile furnishings, and natural materials. Indeed, these traditional elements do shape contemporary Japanese design styles.

Fans of this style believe incorporating Japanese design features into homes can encourage rest, concentration, and calm. And, forutnately, there are all kinds of techniques you can learn to add these influences into your own home.

From Japanese woodwork to kintsugi (a ceramic repair technique), read on to discover four online Japanese-inspired interior design courses for beginners.

1. Kumiko: Learn Japanese Woodworking Design, a course by Matt Kenney

Kumiko is a relaxing woodwork technique that requires patience and precision. It involves making patterns from small pieces of interlocking wood, and it’s a craft that professional furniture maker, Matt Kenney, has been practicing for years—even publishing a book on the subject: The Art of Kumiko.

In his course, Kumiko: Learn Japanese Woodworking Design, Matt will teach you the art of this Japanese carpentry style, expertly guiding you through the process as you learn how to combine geometry, patterns, and clean lines to craft delicate artwork with this ancient technique.

2. Introduction to Kintsugi: Repair Your Pottery with Gold, a course by Clara Graziolino

Another ancient Japanese art, kintsugi is a ceramics repairing technique that has its roots in the wabi-sabi Japanese aesthetic (which embraces imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity).

Whether you want to craft decorative wall art or statement decor, learn to embrace the beauty of imperfections by restoring ceramics in this introduction to kintsugi course with Clara Graziolino.

For Clara, the Japanese restoring method is a form of active meditation. With her as your guide, you’ll discover the history and philosophy of kintsugi to repair ceramics using gold dust, and patience as Clara guides you through every step of the way.

3. Japanese-Inspired Interior Design with Wood, a course by Roman Izquierdo Bouldstridge

Award-winning architect Roman Izquierdo Bouldstridge shows you the secrets to creating unique and innovative atmospheres in his course, Japanese-Inspired Interior Design with Wood.

Through the course, Roman teaches you how to plan an interior design project from scratch by exploring various design systems where wood, nature, and natural light play a fundamental role. Open your mind to the endless creative possibilities by developing your personal criteria and accessing the resources you need to find your own style of design.

4. Kokedamas: Create Natural Moss Pots, a course by Omotesandō Plants

The art of the kokedama, or “'moss ball”, originated in Japan and dates back more than 500 years. Inspired by this technique, the decorative creations of Joan Català (founder of Omotesandō) combine all-natural products with modern designs.

In this course, you’ll learn how to make your own kokedamas. With Joan as your guide, you’ll explore this relaxing and meditative process as you discover the various ways of making a moss pot, and add natural colors to your home.

Learn more about DIY interior design

Feeling inspired to remodel your spaces? Check out all Domestika’s online interior design courses, and read on for more brilliant design inspiration...

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