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Regional & Cultural Styles

Korean Hanok

Korean Hanok style is derived from traditional Korean houses, which are masterfully designed to harmonize with the natural landscape and seasonal rhythms. Hanok architecture follows the principle of baesanimsu, siting homes with mountains behind and water in front. Interior design features ondol heated floors for sitting and sleeping at ground level, hanji paper covering walls and doors, exposed wooden structural frames, and a refined simplicity that reflects Confucian and Buddhist philosophical traditions. Adapting Hanok principles for modern interiors involves embracing floor-level living, natural materials, and the Korean sensitivity to the relationship between inside and outside. Low furniture and floor cushions replace Western-height seating, creating a more grounded, meditative spatial experience. Sliding hanji paper screens filter and diffuse natural light beautifully. The color palette is drawn from natural materials: warm wood tones, white paper, gray stone, and the subtle greens of a traditional garden visible through open doors. This style rewards those who appreciate calm, order, and a deep connection to nature.

Key Characteristics

  • ✓Ondol heated floor system for ground-level living
  • ✓Hanji mulberry paper on walls, floors, and screens
  • ✓Exposed wooden post-and-beam structure
  • ✓Low furniture designed for floor-sitting lifestyle
  • ✓Sliding doors connecting interior to garden views
  • ✓Natural color palette from untreated materials

Types & Variations

Traditional Hanok with full historical accuracy
Modern Hanok blending old and new construction
Urban Hanok adapted for city apartments
Hanok-Inspired using select elements in Western settings

Common Materials

Pine and other Korean softwoodsHanji mulberry bark paperNatural stone and graniteClay and earthen plasterHandwoven ramie and silkCeramic and celadon pottery

Works Well With These Styles

Zen JapaneseWabi SabiMinimalistChinese Ming StyleScandinavian

Placement & Usage Tips

Start with floor-level seating in one room, adding a low tea table and floor cushions. Use hanji paper lamp shades to create the characteristic diffused lighting. Incorporate sliding screens or panels to create flexible room divisions that echo the hanok tradition.

💡 Pro Tip

The most transformative element of Hanok design is the relationship to the floor. Switching even one room to floor-level living, with proper cushions and a low table, fundamentally changes how you experience a space. The lower vantage point makes rooms feel larger and more serene, and the heated floor becomes a source of comfort throughout colder months.

Related Terms

Zen Japanese

A meditative design style rooted in Japanese Zen Buddhism that emphasizes simplicity, natural materials, empty space, and mindful arrangement to create serene, contemplative interiors.

Chinese Ming Style

A sophisticated design style from China's Ming dynasty, prized for its elegant hardwood furniture, clean lines, balanced proportions, and restrained ornamentation.

Wabi-Sabi

A Japanese aesthetic philosophy that finds beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness, emphasizing natural materials, organic forms, and understated elegance.

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