19 best Japandi kitchen ideas

Although I wish to challenge myself with a new design in the kitchen, I’m caught up in my daily tasks. Today, I’d like to talk about “Japandi,” one of the interior design styles that’s been gaining much attention lately. So, in this article, we will discover together the 19 best Japandi kitchen ideas that will inspire you.

What is Japandi (Japandi Style)?

Simply put, “Japandi” or “Japandi Style” is a combination of Scandinavian design (from Northern Europe) and Japanese-style design. It’s a new design that blends the East and the West.

“Japandi” is composed of spaces that fuse the Japanese artistic element of the philosophy of “Wabi-Sabi” with the comfort and warmth of Scandinavia, known as “Hygge.” By the way, “Hygge” refers to a “cozy space” or “pleasant time.”

Both Japanese and Scandinavian design aesthetics emphasize simplicity, natural elements, comfort, and sustainability. While it may not seem particularly novel to us Japanese, it appears very fresh to Westerners.

19 Creative Japandi kitchen ideas

Engage the senses with a blend of textures. The cool smoothness of modern design finds its counterpoint in the rough warmth of natural fibers. In the kitchen, where practicality reigns, introduce tactile elements that invite a moment of pause, a connection to the earth’s quiet beauty.

One of the key rules of Japandi design is a color palette that comes from nature. The Japandi kitchen is therefore characterized by a calm color palette and the use of organic materials. A discreet color palette is what defines Japanese and Scandinavian interiors. “We believe that the most important thing in a Japandi kitchen is that it draws colors from nature and what is inherent or natural to the materials used. The warmth of the wood, complemented by calm neutral tones such as beiges and soft grays or discreet whites, creates a kitchen that radiates warmth and sophistication, embodying the essence of Japandi design.

Lamps are not just functional; they are a luminous element of decoration in the Japandi kitchen. Choose several layers of kitchen lighting that combine form and function, such as pendant lights with clean lines and wall lights made from natural materials.

The use of skylights or large windows without panels is popular in this aesthetic, allowing plenty of natural light into the space. Use spotlights, wall sconces, and lamps if necessary to draw attention to corners of the space that may not receive much natural light.

These elements not only illuminate the space but are also key elements of the design, creating an overall atmosphere.

The Scandinavian influence will come to life with light wood tones in your lamps. They will give your kitchen a warm glow, enhancing the feeling of lightness.

In collaboration with kitchen manufacturer Nordiska Kök, artist Emma Bernhard combined Scandinavian straightforwardness with Japanese elegance in her house in the tranquil Torekov on the southwest coast of Sweden, creating her dream kitchen in the modern Japandi style. To accentuate the three functional components of the design – row, island, and wall cabinet – she chose a deep black that stands out clearly from the bright rest of the room. The strict structure and monochrome of the MDF fronts also provide an optical and haptic contrast to the organic textures of the concrete floor and the wooden wall cladding. And yet, Emma Bernhards’ design appears balanced despite or perhaps because of the dominant contrasts.

A Danish kitchen in New York? It’s a match! The two interior designers, Selma Akkari and Rawan Muqaddas, deliberately focused on exciting contrasts when renovating this apartment in Brooklyn’s chic Cobble Hill district. No wonder they chose a model by the Dane David Thulstrup for the kitchen, who is known above all for his skillful combination of solid and ultra-modern elements.

In his handleless design “Plate,” he lets cool, industrial-looking aluminum, eye-catching marble, and dark wood play together elegantly. The absence of upper cabinets ensures that the kitchen unit and island look more like pieces of furniture and thus integrate visually better into the living area. With this design, the interior designers also emphasize the airy, contemporary atmosphere of the apartment without losing the historical character of the building.

Thomas Lykke’s work has always been shaped by his great love for wood. So it’s no surprise that the Danish designer (who, by the way, is one of the creative minds behind OEO Studio) sought active support from Garde Hvalsøe, a company specializing in elegant custom-made kitchens, to implement his own kitchen.

For Lykke’s apartment in an old building from 1896 in Copenhagen’s Østerbro district, they jointly created a tribute to Danish craftsmanship, which shows its airy and modern side here in the processing of solid natural materials – oak, marble, and stainless steel: The central element is an island that appears to float on its stainless steel base – it was placed between the two French windows to let in plenty of light and not obstruct access to the balcony.

Focus on simplicity and functionality, with clean lines and a clutter-free environment.

Open shelves invite light and air, transforming your kitchen into a serene space where essentials are artfully displayed.

Make a statement with durable and stylish concrete countertops. Their unique character adds a modern touch that seamlessly blends with the natural warmth of your Japandi space.

Discover the perfect balance of form and function. These stylish pendants offer practical illumination while making a bold design statement in your Japandi kitchen.

At the heart of the Japandi kitchen with black and wood, a subtle balance between strength and elegance is revealed. Inspired by Japanese aesthetics, this interpretation of the Japandi style boldly marries the deep shades of black with the warmth of wood.

The touches of black, reminiscent of traditional Japanese ink and charcoal, give the kitchen a distinct character and striking visual depth. In contrast, the wood, whether natural or lightly tinted, brings an organic and warm touch, creating a harmonious dialogue between modernity and tradition.

This alliance creates a space where sophistication blends with simplicity, where functionality meets refined aesthetics. Each element, from the minimalist shelves to the sleek countertops, is carefully selected to offer both comfort, practicality, and timeless beauty.
This black and wood Japandi kitchen is a celebration of contemporary elegance, rooted in respect for natural materials and visual balance.

Minimalism and streamlined decor are cornerstones of the Japandi style, especially in the kitchen, where functionality blends with aesthetics. In a Japandi kitchen, each object is chosen for its necessity and intrinsic beauty.

At the heart of a Japandi kitchen, the understated and refined furniture in light wood plays an essential role in creating an atmosphere that is both warm and contemporary.

This furniture, often characterized by straight lines and an absence of embellishments, embodies the essence of functional minimalism. The light wood, with its natural hues and soft texture, brings an organic elegance that harmonizes perfectly with the Japandi aesthetic.

Japandi design draws inspiration from the natural world, so furnishings with curved silhouettes and perfectly imperfect textures work well. It’s also a nod to the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection and embraces uniqueness.

This kitchen beautifully merges Scandinavian minimalism with just the right amount of texture. The upper cabinets and corner pantry offer ample storage without feeling overwhelming, while the open shelving unit with its light, grainy backdrop echoes the countertop below, creating a pleasing sense of symmetry. The result is a space that feels both airy and inviting, a perfect balance of form and function.