Japandi kitchen designs are still very much in demand, bringing their indescribable ambiance into homeowners' lives. It doesn't have to be built from scratch, but you can make some design adjustments to get closer to this style. Let's find out how to decorate your kitchen and turn it into a Japandi design.
What is Japandi Kitchen Design?
The word "Japandi" was not on the radar a few years ago, although it has a long history. The word was created by merging two words that define it: "Japanese" and "Scandinavian." This fusion shows the unification of the two interior styles into one. In this way, the newly created design combines the influence of Japanese Zen philosophy with the Scandinavian desire for comfort.
Over the years, however, Japandi kitchen design has found its personality, inspired by lifestyle concepts such as wabi-sabi and hügge. The former is part of Japanese culture and emphasizes the beauty in imperfection. The latter has Danish origin and calls for creating an atmosphere of comfort and warmth around you. These concepts and philosophies allow for experimentation with Japandi kitchen design, but several key elements must be maintained to keep the style.
The Key Elements of Japandi Kitchen Decor
Comfort and Convenience
Japandi kitchen borrows its atmosphere of coziness and desire for comfort from the Scandinavian style. The appropriate colors and materials are chosen to create such a space, filled with a relaxing and soothing effect. They are used to create furniture that is pleasing to the eye and comfortable for everyday use. The same principle is used to make other elements of the Japandi style, which we will discuss in more detail.
Choice of an Open Kitchen
One of the main principles of Japandi kitchen design is "just the essentials". It is about replacing the desire for luxury and owning a huge number of things with spending less and having only the most essential items. In other words, less is more.
So how do you open up your kitchen? It may be connected to another room, such as the living room or dining room. In other cases, you need to plan the layout. The most important thing is that the space is not cluttered and does not restrict movement. In a Japandi kitchen, you need to be able to move around freely, and others need to feel free to move around without crowding.
If you have a kitchen connected to the living room, you can create a lounge area for relaxation. The design should follow the flowing curves of the Japandi style.
A Kitchen Island that Inspires Conversation
For a Japandi kitchen, the choice of island is not the least important. It is one of the pieces of furniture that will be responsible for the multifunctionality of the kitchen. It can be a work area, a dining area, a seating area, and anything else you can think of.
A good choice would be to place the island in the center of the kitchen. In this way, it will act as a link to the other areas of the kitchen and at the same time be the center and heart of the whole room.
Choose a Japandi kitchen island so you can gather several people in the kitchen and sit them all together. And if you choose one with a matching design aesthetic, it will also be a great place to hang out.
Mix Styles Without A Doubt
Japandi is a blend of two styles, so you need to make the most of this feature. Take design elements that are typical of either Scandinavian or Japanese style: colors, decorations, and details that emphasize belonging to one or the other.
For example, set Scandinavian kitchen cabinets and complement their presence with paper lamps or a Japanese-style vase. This will give the Japandi kitchen a more diverse look and add individuality to the design.
Elegant Dining Area With Muted Tones
The Japandi kitchen is defined by a neutral color palette. It is not at all restrictive in its choice of colors, as it has many shades. It can be everything from different shades of white to a variety of grays and browns.
This color palette not only provides the calm and relaxation that Japandi kitchens breathe. It offers an elegance that combines everyday life and modernity with natural design elements. It creates a beautiful haven in your kitchen that blends in with the natural light of the kitchen itself.
You can always add a little brightness to create accents. For example, a potted plant will add variety to the overall palette of the Japandi kitchen. It will also accentuate the furniture on which it is placed and increase the effect of the presence of nature.
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Highlight the Natural Materials
Furniture made of natural materials is essential for a Japandi kitchen. For worktops, you can choose stone or concrete. These are durable materials, resistant to damage, and available in beautiful designs. Wood is chosen accordingly. It can be a treated material, but it should look natural. The color of the wood can be either light or dark. Combining contrasting colors can make a design stand out.
You can also combine different materials. Wooden chairs at the kitchen island create a balanced combination that creates a harmonious atmosphere. You can decorate the countertop or shelves with wooden crockery or utensils.
A mineral element will also work well in the design. For example, terrazzo, a material made from granite and colored marble, will add beauty to the design. In turn, it will look effective against the wooden furniture and other items.
Right Choice of Accessories
The Japandi style does not lean towards cluttering or excessing. However, this is no reason to reject decorative items that complement the kitchen design. Ceramic vases or salad bowls are not unnecessary in the kitchen, even if they are only decorative.
It is worth looking for handmade items when choosing decorations and accessories. They look authentic in the Japandi style and easily fit into the aesthetic of naturalness and simplicity. We mentioned above that a plant in the kitchen adds color and strengthens the connection with nature that is arranged in a Japandi kitchen.
If you want to add an element of luxury to your Japandi kitchen design, consider vases with cherry branches or pampas, which look lush on their own.
Getting Everything Sorted Out
The Japandi kitchen is a place that should not be cluttered. Therefore, it is very important to take care of the organization of things in the kitchen, to arrange the design and the space. Everything should have its place, both outside and inside the cupboards. According to experts, such order helps to maintain concentration and affects the household, making life better and happier.
Most importantly, you need to work out which items are more important to you. Make sure that the worktop is not cluttered with unnecessary items, so leave only what you need. For everything else, find a place in the kitchen cabinets. Use pantries or pull-out columns for extra storage. It is best if they are closed because, unlike shelves, they do not show their contents and support the minimalist look of the Japandi kitchen.
Choosing the Best Kitchen Lighting
One of the key elements of Japandi kitchen design is lighting. And it should be as natural as possible. So make sure that windows are not blocked by furniture. Curtains can be a barrier, but you can use light fabrics that let in light. As for lamps and chandeliers, they should provide a soft light that supports the cozy atmosphere of a Japandi kitchen. It is best to place lamps where they are most needed, such as above the countertop.
Decorative lamps made of wicker or paper are perfect for the Japandi kitchen. This is a characteristic accessory of the Japanese style and adds a touch of culture and art to the design.
Each element of a Japandi kitchen is designed to create comfort, warmth, and relaxation. The choice of design elements should be made carefully and thoughtfully, but the result will be not just a kitchen but a place where nature, light, and daily life harmonize.
FAQ
What is Japandi style?
It is a combination of elements from Japanese and Scandinavian styles. Japandi style focuses on minimalism, functionality, and natural elements.
How to create a Japandi look in my kitchen?
Your kitchen should have a minimalist design. Choose natural materials such as wood and stone for furniture, neutral colors, and functional storage systems to create a clean, calm space.
What colors are best for a Japandi kitchen?
Neutral colors such as beige, white, gray, and earthy tones are the best and most common choice.
How to keep the Japandi kitchen clutter-free?
Keep your Japandi kitchen clutter-free by using clever storage solutions, cleaning regularly, and only keeping necessary and useful items in the kitchen.
What materials can be used in the Japandi kitchen?
Japandi kitchens usually feature natural materials as they bring warmth and texture to the space and emphasize their organic feel. These materials can be wood, stone, ceramics, and bamboo.
What type of lighting works best in a Japandi kitchen?
The lighting in a Japanese kitchen is typically natural. This is achieved by opening the windows and keeping them clear of curtains (unless they are made from light fabrics). You can also use minimalist fixtures to provide soft light and create a cozy atmosphere.
What kind of furniture works in a Japandi kitchen?
Choose furniture with clean lines and simple designs. Choose wooden cabinets, stools, and tables with a smooth finish and minimal embellishments, favoring functionality and comfort.
