It’s time to come clean – we have a weakness for design trends. We’ve tried hygge, cottagecore and colour drenching but we have really fallen in love with one current interior fashion and that’s Japandi. The best bit? This design style might just help you sell your home.
Japandi marries Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics – two of the calmest, clutter-free approaches to living. Japandi pretty much encapsulates all the styling advice we give to property sellers, resulting in a clean, tidy and neutrally decorated property with mass appeal and an improved marketing price. If you’re ready to embrace simplicity, natural elements, comfort, sustainability and organic shapes, read on.
Neutral colours
At the heart of Japandi is harmony, therefore a classic Japandi interior design will not feature bold, brash or clashing hues. Instead, colours are drawn from a muted palette – think taupe, white, stone, cream, light grey, terracotta and latte. It’s possible to be creative within the neutral palette by using more than one colour when choosing paint, floor coverings, soft furnishings and accessories.
Use of materials
The most successful Japandi interiors look to nature for home furnishing influences. Instead of glass and plastic, furniture and accessories should be made from bamboo, stone, cotton/linen and wood (oak, beech and maple possess the light, warm tones required for Japandi). The earthy, neutral notes of these materials are beautiful as they are, so no embellishing or gilding is needed. Ideas to try include timber battens affixed vertically to a wall, ‘tongue and groove’ style panelling and a stone bathroom basin.
Less is more…but it’s luxurious
Maximalism may suit some people but when selling a property, less is definitely more. Earlier in 2023, the annual home improvement survey by Rated People found a home with mess and clutter would see an offer on a property for sale decrease by an average of £9,290. Japandi draws heavily on the KonMari method of decluttering, pioneered by Japanese organising consultant, Marie Kondo. When following the principle, you let go of items that ‘no longer spark joy’ and find a neat home for everything else.
Tidiness is paired with the tactile when implementing Japandi style. You can reflect Scandinavian hygge by adding storm lanterns filled with cream-coloured candles, cable knit blankets and decorative wicker baskets.
Learn to overlook the lavish
Intrinsic to Japandi is the concept of ‘wabi-sabi’. Wabi roughly translates as ‘rustic simplicity’ and ‘understated elegance’, while sabi means finding beauty in imperfection , especially in items that may have been in the family for a long time or have an important heritage. For today’s home stylist, this may involve sanding back an old wooden chest of drawers instead of buying a new item of furniture.
Accessorise with plants
Houseplants are really having a moment and the Japandi style rules give you direction when choosing what type of houseplants to buy. In fact, Japandi houseplant styling is a microtrend of its own! You can achieve the Japandi aesthetic by adding plerandra elegantissima (false aralia), polyscias ming, shield aralia, Chinese elm bonsai and sophora prostrata (weeping false cypress) to your home.
If you are thinking of selling a property you own and want to test the waters with a no-obligation valuation and receive styling advice, contact our team today.
As more professionals embrace remote and hybrid working, demand for well-designed home office spaces is on the rise. Whether you're a landlord in Cardiff or across South Wales, understanding what makes a great home office can help boost your property's appeal, reduce void periods, and attract quality long-term tenants.
At RedKey, your local Cardiff and Newport property experts, we know how to position your rental to meet modern tenant expectations. Here are five key features that make a home office truly desirable — and how you can use them to your advantage.
Tenants value properties with plenty of natural light, and this is especially important in a home office. Natural light not only boosts productivity but is also linked to better sleep, improved mood, and fewer headaches.
✅ Top Tip for Landlords:
If your rental’s home office has limited light, use mirrors to reflect brightness, opt for light-coloured furniture, and choose pale window dressings that let the sun in. Small changes can make a big impact when staging.
Remote workers spend hours at their desks, so comfort and functionality matter. A desk cramped against the wall may look space-saving, but it lacks practicality.
✅ Top Tip for Landlords:
If space allows, pull the desk away from the wall to give the illusion of more room and improve comfort. Legroom is a key feature tenants now look for in Cardiff rental homes with workspaces.
Adding plants to a home office doesn’t just improve the aesthetics — it also boosts health and wellbeing. Studies show greenery can reduce stress, improve air quality, and increase focus and happiness.
✅ Top Tip for Landlords:
When staging your Cardiff rental, place low-maintenance plants or high-quality faux greenery in the office. It adds instant charm without requiring tenant upkeep.
Clutter is a productivity killer, and tenants want tidy, organised workspaces. Office essentials like chargers, stationery, and documents quickly pile up without the right storage.
✅ Top Tip for Landlords:
Install floating shelves, built-in cabinets, or stylish storage baskets to help tenants keep the space organised. Highlight these features in your rental listing for extra appeal.
Wall colour plays a huge role in a home office environment. While tenants may personalise later, neutral shades are universally appealing and help stage the space in a way that feels calm and professional.
✅ Top Tip for Landlords:
Stick to pale greens, cool blues, light greys, or off-whites. These tones help promote focus and relaxation — exactly what remote workers need.
With more tenants than ever working from home at least part-time, the home office has become a major selling point. Properties that include a functional and attractive office space stand out in the competitive Cardiff rental market.
By making just a few simple upgrades, landlords can:
Increase rental appeal
Reduce void periods
Attract high-quality, long-term tenants
Enhance rental value
At RedKey, we specialise in property management and marketing in Cardiff and South Wales. We know exactly what tenants are looking for and can help you present your property at its very best — including highlighting work-from-home features that drive results.
👉 Get in touch today for expert advice on staging, letting, or managing your rental property:
📞 Call 02920 090690 / 03333 447850
📧 Email hello@redkeylets.co.uk
Let us help you turn your rental into a high-demand property in the Cardiff rental market.
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As more professionals embrace remote and hybrid working, demand for well-designed home office spaces is on the rise.
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