The Japanese Design Secret That Works for Gardens, Homes, and Even Your Mind
- Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
- Jul 22
- 6 min read
Discover how one ancient principle can transform your space from chaotic to peaceful—and why this isn't just about having less stuff
Have you ever walked into a space and felt instantly calm, even though you couldn't pinpoint why? Or conversely, entered a room that made you feel stressed and overwhelmed without any obvious reason?
The answer lies in an ancient Japanese principle that goes far deeper than the minimalism trends you see on Instagram. Today, I'm sharing the one design secret that transformed not just my garden, but literally every space I design—and how you can implement this principle in your garden in the next 10 minutes, in your home this weekend, and shift how you think about everything.
By the end of this article, you'll understand exactly what this principle is, how to apply it using my simple framework, and why it works so powerfully on both your spaces and your mind.
What Is Kanso? (And Why It's Not What You Think)
Before you think this is just about removing stuff—which, yes, that's part of it—this principle goes way deeper than decluttering. The Japanese call it Kanso (簡素), which means eliminating clutter in favor of simplicity, focusing only on what is essential and purposeful.
But here's what most people get wrong about Kanso: they think it means having less stuff. That's not it. Kanso is about having the RIGHT stuff—the things that serve a clear purpose and bring you joy or function.
Think about it this way: most Western gardens throw in numerous types of plants because we think more variety means more interest. A Kanso approach would narrow down the varieties but arrange them with clear intention. The result? The space feels peaceful instead of chaotic, and ironically, people notice it MORE, not less.
The Japanese discovered something fascinating: when you remove what doesn't belong, what remains becomes more powerful. Your brain can actually rest instead of constantly processing visual noise.
The 30-Second Space Assessment
Before we dive deeper, let's do a quick assessment of your current space. Look around wherever you are right now—whether it's your garden, living room, or office—and ask yourself these three questions:
What's the first thing your eye goes to?
Are there things competing for your attention?
If someone asked you to describe this space in one word, what would it be?
If you answered "I don't know where to look first," "Yes, everything's fighting for attention," and you couldn't pick just one word—your space needs Kanso.
Don't worry if that's you. Six months ago, if you asked me to describe my garden in one word, I would have said "busy." Now? "Peaceful." That shift happened because of the framework I'm about to share with you.
The Kanso Framework: Keep, Move, Remove
Here's my simple Kanso framework that works anywhere—I call it the "Keep, Move, Remove" method:
KEEP: What serves a clear purpose or brings genuine joy?
We've recently moved and I'm in the process of developing the new garden, but I've kept a few hard-scaping items like my Japanese lanterns and the stone water basin, because they each had a specific role and I've had a connection to them over various moves we've made.
MOVE: What's in the wrong place?
Sometimes you have something beautiful like hostas, but they end up scattered randomly. Move them all to one area where they can create impact together instead of getting lost in the visual chaos.
REMOVE: What's just there because it's there?
Sometimes people accumulate a collection of random garden ornaments or plants over the years. Individually, they might be fine, but together they often create visual noise that prevents anything from truly shining.
The magic happens when you realize that removing one unnecessary thing makes everything else look intentional. It's like editing a sentence—every word that doesn't need to be there weakens the words that do.
How Kanso Works in Three Different Areas
In the Garden
Picture walking into a garden with dozens of different plants scattered everywhere. There's a corner with ten different types of flowers, three different mulches, random garden ornaments, and competing focal points. Your eye doesn't know where to land, right?
Now imagine that same space, but instead of ten flower types, there are three varieties planted in intentional groups. Instead of random ornaments, there's one beautiful element that draws your eye naturally. Same space, same budget, but one feels like chaos and the other feels like sanctuary. That's Kanso in action.
In the Home
Think about walking into a kitchen where every counter has appliances, every surface has decorative items, and gadgets are scattered everywhere. Compare that to a kitchen where counters are mostly clear, only frequently-used items are visible, and everything has a designated home.
Both kitchens might have the exact same items, but in the second one, you can actually think clearly and cooking becomes enjoyable instead of overwhelming.
In Your Mind
Here's where it gets fascinating. When your physical spaces follow Kanso principles, something incredible happens to your mental state. You know that feeling when you walk into a cluttered room and suddenly feel stressed even though you can't pinpoint why? That's your brain working overtime to process all the visual information.
When you eliminate that visual noise, your mind literally has space to breathe. Decision fatigue drops because everything has a clear purpose and place.
Research backs this up—studies show that people in cluttered environments have higher cortisol levels, which is your stress hormone. When you apply Kanso to your spaces, you're not just organizing—you're actually creating conditions for better mental health and clearer thinking.
This connection between physical space and mental state is at the heart of what I call Shizen Style—bringing natural flow and purpose into modern life through Japanese aesthetic principles.
The Biggest Mistake People Make
The biggest mistake I see people make when they first learn about Kanso: they think minimalism means boring. That's completely wrong.
Imagine a garden corner with only three elements—a single specimen tree, a grouping of the same ornamental grass, and a large stone. Boring? No way. It's dramatic, peaceful, and memorable. That's because each element can shine without competition.
The goal isn't emptiness—it's clarity. When every element serves a purpose, magic happens.
Beyond Kanso: The Deeper World of Japanese Design
Kanso is just one of the foundational principles in Japanese aesthetic philosophy. Once you understand Kanso, concepts like Ma (the power of negative space) and Wabi-Sabi (finding beauty in imperfection) start making perfect sense.
These principles work together to create spaces that aren't just beautiful in a photograph, but spaces that actually enhance your daily life and well-being. This is what I've spent years studying—both academically during my time at Osaka University and practically through designing countless gardens and helping others create their own sanctuary spaces.
In my comprehensive approach to Japanese garden design, Kanso is woven throughout every decision because you can't design effectively for seasonal beauty if your foundation is cluttered. Whether you're working with a tiny balcony or a large property, these principles adapt to your specific space and climate.
Your Kanso Action Plan
Ready to transform your space? Here's exactly what to do:
Step 1: Start Small
Pick one small area—maybe a corner of your garden, a bookshelf, or even your desk. Apply the Keep, Move, Remove framework right now. Don't overthink it, just trust your gut.
Step 2: Document the Change
Take a before photo, make your changes, then take an after photo. I guarantee you'll be shocked at the difference.
Step 3: Notice the Feeling
Pay attention to how you feel in that space over the next few days. That calm, organized feeling? That's Kanso working on both your space and your mind.
Step 4: Expand Your Understanding
Start noticing Kanso in places you admire. That restaurant that feels so peaceful? They're probably using Kanso principles. That friend's house where you always feel relaxed? Kanso is likely at work there too.
Once you start seeing it, you can't unsee it.
Dive Deeper Into Japanese Design Principles
If understanding Kanso has sparked your interest in Japanese aesthetics, you're ready to explore the deeper principles that create truly transformative spaces. In my Shizen Style Japanese Garden Design e-book series, I guide you through not just Kanso, but also:
Ma (間): The art of negative space and how it creates breathing room in your designs
Seasonal planning: How to create gardens that evolve beautifully throughout the year
Composition principles: Specific techniques for arranging elements that feel naturally harmonious
Flow state design: Creating spaces that support your mental well-being and creativity
Whether you're a complete beginner or someone with gardening experience, these guides provide practical, step-by-step approaches to bringing these ancient principles into your modern space.
For those ready to go even deeper, my Shizen Style Membership provides ongoing guidance, a supportive community, and regular live sessions where we explore these concepts together. It's where theory meets practice, and where you'll find the accountability and inspiration to create lasting change in your spaces and your life.
Remember: the most beautiful spaces aren't the ones with the most stuff—they're the ones where every element has a reason to be there. That's the secret the Japanese have known for centuries, and now you know it too.
Ready to transform your space with Kanso? Share this article with someone who needs more peace in their environment, and let me know in the comments: what's one thing you're going to remove or reorganize using the Keep, Move, Remove framework?
Want more Japanese design wisdom delivered to your inbox? Join my newsletter for exclusive tips, seasonal inspiration, and early access to new courses and e-books. Every week, I share practical insights that help you bring more nature, flow, and purpose into your daily life.