How to Plan a Japanese-Style Kitchen
There's no denying the appeal of Japanese-style interiors, particularly kitchens
Pure, clean, uncluttered and balanced are all words that can be used to describe Japanese-style interiors. And what better place in your home to apply these looks and feelings than in the kitchen – a place in everyone’s home that can be busy, untidy, hot and cluttered on a daily basis.
Japanese-style interiors have always appealed to me – in fact, I think they are one of my favourite styles! And understanding the theory and principles behind these wonderfully styled, balanced and uncluttered interiors has made me love them even more.
There are several Japanese interior styling concepts and principles that we can apply when designing our own kitchens, to create a space that not only looks great but is a pleasure to work in. Let me take you through them.
Japanese-style interiors have always appealed to me – in fact, I think they are one of my favourite styles! And understanding the theory and principles behind these wonderfully styled, balanced and uncluttered interiors has made me love them even more.
There are several Japanese interior styling concepts and principles that we can apply when designing our own kitchens, to create a space that not only looks great but is a pleasure to work in. Let me take you through them.
Wabi-sabi aesthetic
The aesthetics of any kitchen are important. Wabi and sabi are two of the key Japanese aesthetic concepts.
Wabi-sabi alludes to the Japanese art of appreciating things that are imperfect and transient. Characteristics of the wabi-sabi aesthetic include simplicity, economy, modesty, asymmetry, austerity and appreciation of natural objects and materials.
Simple, clean lines play a big part in the planning of a Japanese-style kitchen. This doesn’t mean boring, though! Instead, think streamlined and simple. This stylish looking, Japanese-inspired kitchen has some beautiful design elements, and if you look closely you will see that everything has been designed using simple, clean finishes with no fussy detail, intricate panelling or overly-ornate accessories.
The aesthetics of any kitchen are important. Wabi and sabi are two of the key Japanese aesthetic concepts.
Wabi-sabi alludes to the Japanese art of appreciating things that are imperfect and transient. Characteristics of the wabi-sabi aesthetic include simplicity, economy, modesty, asymmetry, austerity and appreciation of natural objects and materials.
Simple, clean lines play a big part in the planning of a Japanese-style kitchen. This doesn’t mean boring, though! Instead, think streamlined and simple. This stylish looking, Japanese-inspired kitchen has some beautiful design elements, and if you look closely you will see that everything has been designed using simple, clean finishes with no fussy detail, intricate panelling or overly-ornate accessories.
Shoji screens
Shoji screens play a huge part in Japanese interiors. They are generally used as room dividers and are usually sliding as opposed to hinged, so they don’t take up valuable floor space. An authentic Japanese screen is usually made of fine translucent paper inside a wooden frame.
You can incorporate a similar look into your kitchen design using wooden frames or even painted frames with glass inserts to make entry doors, pantry doors or even small overhead cabinet doors.
Shoji screens play a huge part in Japanese interiors. They are generally used as room dividers and are usually sliding as opposed to hinged, so they don’t take up valuable floor space. An authentic Japanese screen is usually made of fine translucent paper inside a wooden frame.
You can incorporate a similar look into your kitchen design using wooden frames or even painted frames with glass inserts to make entry doors, pantry doors or even small overhead cabinet doors.
The key is to use translucent glass to let light through, as an abundance of light is another element favoured by Japanese interiors.
If you use shoji screen-style doors on some of your kitchen overhead cabinets, install some lighting behind cabinet doors to add some extra light to the space.
If you use shoji screen-style doors on some of your kitchen overhead cabinets, install some lighting behind cabinet doors to add some extra light to the space.
Embrace nature with natural tones
The Japanese culture embraces the beauty of nature and that is reflected in the natural colours that they use to decorate their homes.
When you are planning your Japanese-style kitchen, select natural and earthy colours and materials such as timber, organic green and brown colours and natural stone. Complement these with soft whites and calming creams to create a soothing, Zen-inspired feeling.
More: Nature’s Colour Wisdom: The Allure of Earthy Tones
The Japanese culture embraces the beauty of nature and that is reflected in the natural colours that they use to decorate their homes.
When you are planning your Japanese-style kitchen, select natural and earthy colours and materials such as timber, organic green and brown colours and natural stone. Complement these with soft whites and calming creams to create a soothing, Zen-inspired feeling.
More: Nature’s Colour Wisdom: The Allure of Earthy Tones
Shibui principle
Modesty is the best policy! If you are drawn towards photographs of pared back, minimalist kitchens when you flick through magazines, then a Japanese style kitchen is prefect for you – and you will love this principle.
Shibui is a wonderful Japanese Zen principle that basically means something is beautiful by being understated. In other words, the object or space being described is exactly what it is supposed to be, and no more.
Think pure and simple, elegant, minimalist, functional and beautiful without being flashy or unnecessarily elaborate.
Modesty is the best policy! If you are drawn towards photographs of pared back, minimalist kitchens when you flick through magazines, then a Japanese style kitchen is prefect for you – and you will love this principle.
Shibui is a wonderful Japanese Zen principle that basically means something is beautiful by being understated. In other words, the object or space being described is exactly what it is supposed to be, and no more.
Think pure and simple, elegant, minimalist, functional and beautiful without being flashy or unnecessarily elaborate.
Achieve this by using flat fronts on your cabinets as opposed to detailed routed ones. Also choose colours that are natural and muted as opposed to ones that shout at you, like bright primary colours.
Stick to a functional layout that is practical and serves its purpose instead of trying to add quirky and clever design elements just for the sake of it.
Use simple style handles with square clean lines or, better still, opt for completely handless cabinets.
Stick to a functional layout that is practical and serves its purpose instead of trying to add quirky and clever design elements just for the sake of it.
Use simple style handles with square clean lines or, better still, opt for completely handless cabinets.
Perfectly imbalanced
Another great Japanese principle of Zen aesthetics that I love is Fukinsei. But this is one that some of you might not like … especially if you love everything to be perfectly symmetrical.
This principle embraces imbalance, asymmetry and irregularity. It celebrates the fact that there is something beautiful and engaging about asymmetrical balance. The Zen symbol itself is drawn as an incomplete circle, representing the imperfection that is a natural part of existence.
Using this principle in your kitchen design is easier than you might think, mostly because the majority of kitchens are best suited to an asymmetrical layout, largely due to the shape of the room and the items that need to be accommodated within the space.
Basically, if it’s not perfectly symmetrical … then it’s perfect!
Another great Japanese principle of Zen aesthetics that I love is Fukinsei. But this is one that some of you might not like … especially if you love everything to be perfectly symmetrical.
This principle embraces imbalance, asymmetry and irregularity. It celebrates the fact that there is something beautiful and engaging about asymmetrical balance. The Zen symbol itself is drawn as an incomplete circle, representing the imperfection that is a natural part of existence.
Using this principle in your kitchen design is easier than you might think, mostly because the majority of kitchens are best suited to an asymmetrical layout, largely due to the shape of the room and the items that need to be accommodated within the space.
Basically, if it’s not perfectly symmetrical … then it’s perfect!
Embrace the outdoor world
Japanese culture embraces nature. They respect it and live in harmony with it. Here in Australia, we are lucky to live in a climate where much of our daily lives revolve around the outdoors.
Add some plants to your kitchen space to bring the outdoors in – maybe in the form of some potted herb plants.
If your kitchen is positioned in an area of your home that allows you to have large, fully opening windows and doors that break the division between inside and out, then go for it.
Japanese culture embraces nature. They respect it and live in harmony with it. Here in Australia, we are lucky to live in a climate where much of our daily lives revolve around the outdoors.
Add some plants to your kitchen space to bring the outdoors in – maybe in the form of some potted herb plants.
If your kitchen is positioned in an area of your home that allows you to have large, fully opening windows and doors that break the division between inside and out, then go for it.
Ditch the clutter
The aesthetic principle of Kanso refers to the elimination of clutter and omitting non-essentials.
Keep your kitchen design fresh, clean, neat and tidy by keeping unnecessary items off your benchtops – this goes back to my first point of carefully planning to ensure you have a home for everything.
Strip back the contents of your kitchen cabinets to their bare essentials and you will have mastered this principle. You’ll be surprised how much space you can free up, and how much clearer your mind will feel if you get rid of all those appliances and gadgets you have never used or have retired to the back of your cupboard for the day you ‘might’ need them.
The art of decluttering, Japanese style
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Would you plan a Japanese-style kitchen?
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The aesthetic principle of Kanso refers to the elimination of clutter and omitting non-essentials.
Keep your kitchen design fresh, clean, neat and tidy by keeping unnecessary items off your benchtops – this goes back to my first point of carefully planning to ensure you have a home for everything.
Strip back the contents of your kitchen cabinets to their bare essentials and you will have mastered this principle. You’ll be surprised how much space you can free up, and how much clearer your mind will feel if you get rid of all those appliances and gadgets you have never used or have retired to the back of your cupboard for the day you ‘might’ need them.
The art of decluttering, Japanese style
TELL US
Would you plan a Japanese-style kitchen?
MORE
4 Japanese Homes That Proudly Speak to Their Surroundings
So Your Garden Style Is: Japanese
Japanese Houzz: Living Simply in a Minimalist Family ‘Nest’
Japanese houses tend to be small and compact, which means their kitchens, too, are smaller than what we may be used to. Occupants of these small Japanese homes have learned how to live in these spaces comfortably while still ensuring they have everything they need at hand.
The key is being organised. Carefully plan your space so everything you need within your kitchen has a place, to ensure you always find what you’re looking for, and that all of your cupboards and drawers are uncluttered and easy to navigate.
Write a list of everything you need to store in your new kitchen so you don’t forget anything and use this to help with the planning process. You might find you need more shallow drawers than you first thought for the likes of tea towels and utensils. Also measure your small appliances so you can plan wide and deep enough to store them off your benchtop.
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