If you really want to create a sense of calming Zen in your life, it can be a great idea to remodel your bedroom with a Japanese theme. Japanese people are notoriously calm, so they are definitely doing something right with their home space. And since the bedroom is the place where you relax and unwind from the stresses of the day, what better space is there for an injection of tranquility? But to get the Japanese interior design right, you need to know some tips and tricks.

Keep it low. The nice thing about Japanese design is that you really don't need high ceilings to make it work. This is because all of the furniture has to be low, and this opens up the vertical space even if you have a low ceiling. This is something that's really non-negotiable if you want to achieve an authentic Japanese look. Send your standard bed frame over to the guest bedroom and invest in an on-the-floor frame. And, of course, if you want a bed side table, it's not going to be much use at a regular bed height, so you may need to create something bespoke that is low to the floor.

Paint it black. There are two main materials or paint effects that you will see in a Japanese bedroom. One is a natural wood grain such as bamboo or teak, and another is plain black. If you have the money to invest in a teak bed frame, go ahead – it will be a stunning focal point for a room. But teak is expensive, and not everybody's budgets can stretch that far. A great alternative is to purchase a cheap bed frame and cheap furniture and paint it all in a unifying, matt black. Gloss is not used in Japanese design so be sure to use matt paint – you could even use chalkboard paint.

A big wardrobe. Without any opportunity for storage under your bed, you might be wondering where on earth you are going to keep all your belongings. The truth is that Japanese design is sleek and clutter free, so if you have a lot of things to store, you are going to have to be clever about it. A large, integrated sliding wardrobe (again, painted in black) is a great idea because the ceiling to floor design will create a clean line that is very Japanese, but it will also offer all the space you need to store your belongings.

Add plants. All of the black in your bedroom could make it look austere, but this can be counteracted with plants, which the Japanese love to bring indoors. Simple stalks of bamboo will break up the minimal design and add life and vitality to your bedroom. 

These tips can help you create a Japanese-inspired bedroom that can help you relax.