Whether it's the ping of notifications from your phone at all hours of the day and night, trying to squeeze onto a packed train on your morning commute or navigating the self-checkout at the supermarket without any unidentified items in the bagging area, everyday life can be pretty overwhelming at times.
If you're looking to add a little more serenity and calm back into your life, why not start in your kitchen? Japandi style, born out of a combination of Japanese and Scandinavian design influences, encourages you to turn your home into your sanctuary and form a greater connection with the space around you.
Cate St Hill is a stylist, designer and author of The Japandi Home, a guide to the design movement. She says: "While the Japandi look is popular at the moment, it's really about forgoing trends and decorating with honesty and authenticity. You can do this by choosing tactile, natural materials over the synthetic or artificial, and carefully considering the design choices you're making. In a Japandi-style kitchen, simplicity is favoured over ornamentation or superfluous details."
Read on to learn more about Japandi style, including our favourite products to easily introduce the theme into your own kitchen.
Jump to:
- What is Japandi home style?
- The ultimate Japandi kitchen inspiration
- Our favourite ways to embrace Japandi style in your kitchen
What is Japandi home style?
If you're scratching your head about what constitutes Japandi home style, don't worry. The design aesthetic combines two styles your probably already familiar with. Cate St Hill defines Japandi as "an aesthetic style that marries the cosiness of Scandinavian design with the simplicity of Japanese minimalism".
She says: "There's a very delicate balance between uncluttered restraint and rustic tactility – although a room might feel pared-back, there's warmth which comes from natural materials, organic textures and neutral tones."
The ultimate Japandi kitchen inspiration
Ollie Templeton's east London kitchen
Chef Ollie Templeton is co-founder of the London restaurant Carousel. His kitchen is large, bright and airy, making the most of clean lines and natural materials. "I would say [my kitchen] is modern and Scandi-inspired," he says.
"I wanted to make a room that felt spacious, and that was simple and easy to navigate. What I love about my kitchen is the light, the space and the minimalism of it. I couldn’t live without my small cast iron rice cooking pot I bought in Japan a few years ago. I probably eat a meal with rice three times a week at home, so it comes into regular use."
Jason Atherton's family kitchen
Chef Jason Atherton runs 13 restaurants across the globe, including in Dubai and London. His home kitchen is a warm, welcoming space which balances dark wood cabinetry with natural light from the large windows.
"We designed our kitchen to strike a balance between a professional space for me, and one that is a home for my wife and children," he says. "We prioritised creating a perfect space that lets us socialise with friends and family. We love the large glass windows that let in plenty of natural light."
Cate St Hill's minimalist kitchen
Cate St Hill shares her south London home with her sausage dog, Francis. Her kitchen is light and bright, making the most of natural materials and a minimalist design. "With Japandi interiors, there's a focus on design made to last, and nowhere do you need that more than in a kitchen, which needs to function and stand the test of time," she says.
"You can create a clean, clutter-free look by installing integrated appliances or a concealed extractor fan so cabinetry looks seamless. I also love the idea of a coffee station or pantry where you can hide away ugly smaller appliances, helping to keep worktops free and airy."
Our favourite ways to embrace Japandi style in your kitchen
ProCook Damascus 67 Chopping Board
- Available from ProCook (£39)
A high-quality chopping board is a kitchen essential and this walnut one looks beautiful as well as being practical. The board is reversible and one side has a groove to catch juices if you're carving a joint of meat. It looks beautiful enough to use as a cheese board, too.
Katto knife set with walnut handles
- Available from Katto (£378)
A good set of knives will transform your kitchen skills. This set from Katto looks beautiful with a choice of different woods for the handles including walnut, beech and rosewood. The blades are made from Japanese steel and have a hammered finish. When we tested this set we were impressed by how easy they feel in the hand and how well balanced they are.
Available from:
Katto (£378)
Arket ceramic plant pot
- Available from Arket (£47)
Adding some greenery to your kitchen is a brilliant way of adding some more balance to the space and bringing nature in. It could be with a herb that you use to add to your dishes, or with a houseplant that endures throughout the year. This pot from Arket is made from glazed terracotta and has a dark brown finish that's perfect for embracing Japandi style.
Available from:
Arket (£47)
Daylesford sailor teapot
- Available from Daylesford (£35)
This teapot has a simple, structural design that would look elegant on your table when serving tea, or displayed on an open shelf. Handmade in India, the teapot is made from ceramic and has a cream finish providing the perfect neutral tone for a Japandi style kitchen.
Available from:
Daylesford (£35)
Fellow Clyde kettle
- Available from Healf (£95), Amazon (£99), Harrods (£125)
If you're a tea lover or love your coffee from a French press, an efficient and beautiful kettle is a must for your kitchen. Fellow is best known for its coffee equipment, and this electric kettle has a matte black finish and top handle that makes it perfect for fitting into a Japandi-style kitchen.
The White Company Fareham basket
- Available from The White Company (£55)
Adding the warmth of natural material to your kitchen can be a great way of injecting some Japandi style without making large changes to the space. This storage basket from The White Company is made from natural seagrass and hand woven in India, and is perfect for storing tea towels and aprons for your kitchen.
Available from:
The White Company (£55)
Our Place set of four dinner plates in char
- Available from Our Place (£65), Selfridges (£65)
When designing the aesthetic of your kitchen and dining space, it can be easy to think about the big things. But something as simple as the plates you use can have a big impact on the feel of your kitchen, especially if you're crafting a tablescape when hosting.
We love these dinner plates from Our Place made from chip-resistant ceramic, as the minimalist design and deep colour are right on trend for Japandi style. Plus the range of plates and bowls are designed to ergonomically stack together for easy storage.
Available from:
Our Place (£65)
Selfridges (£65)
Graham & Green ceramic salt cellar
- Available from Graham & Green (£14)
A salt cellar is perfect for keeping next to your cooker, ready to season dishes as you cook. This model lends itself to the minimalist style and clean lines favoured by the Japandi style, plus the wooden spoon introduces another element of natural materials into the kitchen.
Available from:
Graham & Green (£14)
Ferm Living Serena stoneware cup
- Available from Nordic Nest (£22), Selfridges (£29)
Whether for your morning coffee or a cup of tea before bed, the ritual of enjoying a warm drink is key to the Japandi lifestyle, which encourages us to take pleasure from everyday tasks. This cup, made from clay, is shaped by hand, making each one unique. Each colour, too, is individual thanks to the reactive glaze which changes depending on where the cup is placed in the kiln.
Available from:
Nordic Nest (£22)
Selfridges (£29)
H&M large marble pedestal bowl
- Available from H&M (£39.99)
While clean lines and uncluttered surfaces are favoured in Japandi style, you may wish to have a centrepiece on your kitchen table or island. This marble bowl from H&M makes an affordable option, with a pedestal adding height to catch the eye.
Available from:
H&M (£39.99)
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