Think About Interiors Day (Interior wo Kangaeru Hi)

What is Think About Interiors Day?

Every year on April 10th, Japan observes "Think About Interiors Day," established by the Nippon Interior Fabrics Association (NIF), which merged with the Interior Floor Industry Association in July 2021 and is now the Japan Interior Association (it still uses the abbreviation NIF). April is the month when new things begin — school entrance, new jobs, relocations — making it a fitting time to reconsider your living space and work environment. The date also comes from wordplay: the "10" (十, "jū") is pronounced the same as the word for "dwelling" (住, "jū"). This day is about more than just decorating a room — it's about thinking over the foundation of a life that's truly your own.

The Word "Interior"

The word "interior," used casually in Japanese as "interia," carries several meanings.

• Originally "the inside": The English word "interior" means "inside" or "inner." In Japanese, it came to refer to home furnishings such as curtains, carpets, lighting fixtures, and furniture, as well as the indoor spaces they decorate. Outdoor decoration is called "exterior."
• What are interior fabrics? The "interior fabrics" in the association's former name refers to curtains, carpets, wallpaper, upholstery, and other materials used indoors — things that greatly shape the impression of a room.

Interior Ideas for Everyday Life

The way you arrange furniture or use lighting can change how you spend each day.

• Build habits through placement: Putting a book you want to read next to your favorite chair, or gathering frequently used items where they're easy to reach, can lower the hurdle to taking action.
• Evening lighting: Exposure to bright light at night is known to suppress melatonin, a hormone involved in sleep. Switching to warm-colored or indirect lighting after dusk is one way to rethink how you use light.

Fascinating Facts About Interiors

• The hidden role of curtains: Windows and other openings account for a large share of heat moving in and out of a home — it is said that about 70% of heat gained in summer and more than 50% of heat lost in winter passes through them. Choosing the right curtains for the season can help your heating and cooling work more efficiently.
• A color guideline: It's often said that a room comes together well with about 70% base color, 25% main color, and 5% accent color.
• Scandinavian interiors and "hygge": In the Nordic countries, where long winters mean lots of time indoors, creating a cozy home has long been valued. The Danish word "hygge" is known for describing a cozy, comfortable time or atmosphere.
• Tidying up and "empty space": Reducing clutter to create some empty space makes cleaning easier and cuts down time spent looking for things. Thinking about your interior can also be a chance to review what you own.
• Scent as interior design: Beyond what you see, adding scent through aromas or diffusers is another way to shape a room's atmosphere.

Tips for Spending Think About Interiors Day

• Pick the one spot in your home where you spend the most time, and tweak the view from there. Even adding a favorite photo or a small flower can change the impression
• Reconsider your lighting. Try turning off the main ceiling light for a few hours in the evening and spending time with a desk or floor lamp instead
• Let go of one item you don't need, and think about what you'd like to place in that newly empty space (or whether to leave it empty)
• Reconnect with the colors and materials (wood, fabric, stone, etc.) you love, and plan to refresh something small like a cushion cover or rug

Taking Care of Your Home Helps Support Every Day

April 10th is a day to turn your attention to your "home" — the place that sends you off each morning and welcomes you back each evening. You don't need to aim for a perfect showroom. By building, little by little, a place where you can be yourself and take a deep breath, you gain the reassurance that no matter how busy things get outside, you can relax once you're home. Let in the fresh breeze of the new fiscal year and think about a space where you can spend each day comfortably.