In recent years, Japanese interior design has become particularly popular. But why has this oriental style become so popular?
First, Japanese philosophy is directly related to aesthetics and the creation of the surrounding world. It is implemented in everyday life as a habit. Among the important components of Japanese aesthetics, we can emphasize simplicity, the integrity of nature and person, and a thoughtful approach to life.
This philosophy is best reflected in two designs: Japandi kitchens and Wabi-Sabi kitchens.
The Origin of Japandi Kitchens
The Japandi style is a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian design elements. Both styles share the principles of minimalism, and it is this shared foundation that makes the combination so successful.
The history of the Japandi kitchen design spans over 150 years, beginning with the opening of Japan’s borders. At that time, foreigners started visiting the country, which was considered exotic, and trade began to flourish. After the 1870s, Western countries were influenced by Japanese culture and aesthetics, leaving an impact on European arts and crafts
By the 1930s, Danish functionalism had emerged, offering unique ideas that laid the foundation for modern European styles. Scandinavian-designed products made their way to Japan, where they gained significant popularity. This led designers to realize that Scandinavian and Japanese styles shared more similarities than initially apparent.
As a distinct style, Japandi kitchen was established by 2020. Designers' experiments gave rise to a new style that blends the best of both trends, resulting in a unique aesthetic and set of characteristics.
The Origin of Wabi-Sabi Kitchens
The history of the Wabi-Sabi kitchen design began with tableware. In the 14th century, the poverty experienced by most Japanese people started to take on a romantic significance. People saw forced isolation as an opportunity for spiritual enrichment. People began to find beauty and poetry in simplicity.
The foundation of the Wabi-Sabi kitchen was also influenced by Zen philosophy. Zen Buddhism, which deeply permeated Japanese culture, brought teachings focused on humility, tranquility, and the acceptance of change. Zen philosophy also encourages the rejection of excess and the pursuit of simplicity. These principles would later shape the development of Wabi-Sabi style.
A Wabi-Sabi kitchen has been developed and rooted in Japanese culture for centuries. When Europeans arrived in the country, they began trying to systematize this phenomenon.
The first to do so was Leonard Koren, editor-in-chief of an art magazine, who in 1994 wrote the book Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers. In it, he contrasted Wabi-Sabi style with European modernism and emphasized the three truths of Japanese philosophy: nothing is eternal, nothing is perfect, and nothing is complete.
Similarities Between Japandi and Wabi-Sabi Kitchens
Coming from the same culture, it is not surprising that Japandi and Wabi-Sabi kitchens share similar details and elements.
Minimalism and simplicity
This is the principle that both styles are based on and have adhered to for years. Japandi and Wabi-Sabi kitchen designs focus on simple shapes, minimal decor, and practical design elements. In both styles, the kitchens have an understated look, with all the appeal lying in the materials and the layout's functionality.
Natural materials
The presence of natural materials plays an important role in both styles, as the human connection with nature is a key component of Japanese aesthetics and Zen philosophy. Japandi kitchens favor materials like wood, stone, ceramics, or linen. Wabi-sabi also incorporates similar natural materials, but the emphasis is on their roughness: cracks, irregularities, and textures that highlight their imperfections.
Functionality and practicality
Where minimalism plays a big role, more attention and effort are focused on functionality. This is true for both Japandi and Wabi-Sabi kitchens. In both styles, every item in the kitchen should be useful, have its place, and serve a purpose. This concept is reinforced by the idea of being free of excess while creating a space that provides maximum comfort.
Differences Between Japandi and Wabi-Sabi Kitchens
Because Japandi and Wabi-Sabi kitchens have evolved in different directions, several differences help distinguish the two styles.
Meaning and Philosophy
Due to their history and development, Japandi and Wabi-Sabi kitchen designs have their visions and approaches to interior design and how it affects everyday life. A Japandi kitchen incorporates Scandinavian principles, especially the creation of a warm space filled with light and coziness, as well as practicality. The Wabi-Sabi kitchen’s philosophy emphasizes the imperfections and changes that objects and materials undergo. This includes aging, scuffs, and cracks that develop over time, showcasing the beauty of wear and transformation.
Design Approach
The Japandi and Wabi-Sabi kitchens both have natural elements at their core, but their design approach is quite different. Japandi kitchen designs are dominated by clean lines and flat, smooth surfaces, creating a sense of order and organization in the space. In contrast, Wabi-Sabi kitchen designs embrace imperfection, allowing for asymmetry and uneven textures in the design. Materials in this style also carry philosophical meaning, reflecting change and conveying a sense of time.
Aesthetics and Decor
Japandi kitchen designs tend to be restrained in their decor while remaining functional, a result of the influence of Scandinavian style principles. The decor in Japandi kitchens aims to create harmony, symmetry, and an atmosphere of coziness that enriches the space. Wabi-Sabi kitchens, on the other hand, feature minimal decor and instead highlight a sense of belonging to a certain time or history. They may include handcrafted decorative elements that display scratches or other imperfections, emphasizing the beauty of age and use.
Color Palette
It could be said that a neutral color palette is the common denominator of Japandi and Wabi-Sabi kitchens. However, in a Japandi kitchen, neutral colors often serve as a base, with room for a variety of other hues. This flexibility comes from the inclusion of Scandinavian design elements, which allow for light colors and warm tones. In contrast, Wabi-Sabi kitchens favor more muted and natural tones, such as earthy, sandy, and green shades, reflecting the style's connection to nature and imperfection.
Functionality Focus
While both styles value a practical approach to functionality, it is not equally emphasized in each. In a Japandi kitchen design, functionality takes a stronger focus, with many practical solutions integrated directly into the design. In a Wabi-Sabi kitchen design, functionality is not always the top priority; instead, the focus is on aesthetics and the perception of the design elements and the space as a whole. The beauty of imperfection and the passage of time are central to Wabi-Sabi, often taking precedence over strict functionality.
Japandi Kitchens vs Wabi-Sabi Kitchens: Which Style to Choose?
Each style, both Japandi and Wabi-Sabi, brings unique elements and positive influences to kitchen design. It is certainly not a matter of one style being better than the other; both styles are strong representatives of Japanese aesthetics and philosophies, aiming to enrich the way we experience life. However, when making a choice, it should be based on the focus you want to see in your kitchen.
If you want a space that is as attractive as it is functional, where minimal decoration is balanced by a warm and cozy atmosphere, then choose a Japandi kitchen. This style emphasizes clean lines, organized order, and a minimalist approach to design.
If you prefer a kitchen that highlights a calm atmosphere and a close connection to nature, with imperfect and aging materials, then choose a Wabi-Sabi kitchen. It is a truly unique style that conveys a philosophy of life through its appearance, embracing the beauty of imperfection.
Choose the style that best aligns with your taste, values, and aspirations for creating comfort in your home.
