Kitchen Workbook: 8 Elements of an Asian-Style Kitchen
Craft a kitchen that celebrates the serene, organic simplicity of Asian design
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating... More »
The appeal of an Asian-style kitchen lies in its fundamental sense of serenity, spiced with a touch of the exotic. Materials with a strong connection to nature, smooth and harmonious lines, and an unexpected surprise or two add up to a space that exudes peace and balance yet whispers of an underlying strength. Here's how to translate the look for your kitchen.
More kitchen style guides
More kitchen style guides
| Balance and harmony. The Asian aesthetic places a strong emphasis on harmony, in terms of materials as well as design. Pay attention to balancing visual elements such as color, form and weight. In this kitchen the dark range hood offsets the island, and the lighter ceiling beams echo the cabinetry. |
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Organic materials. Surfaces with a connection to the earth feel most at home in Asian-style kitchens. Consider woods, subdued stone or even butcher block. More contemporary materials, such as concrete or glass, have a place here as well, but be sure to balance them with natural ones so that the kitchen doesn't feel cold or harsh.
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Elements from nature. Asian design places a strong emphasis on bringing the outdoors inside through plants and natural motifs. Consider adding touches of glass or acrylic that has bamboo, grasses or leaves embedded within it, as in the shoji screen–style panels that front this kitchen window. You could also line cabinet panels with split bamboo stalks or add potted bamboo plants or wheatgrass to infuse the space with a sense of life.
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Minimalist design. Asian interiors are about simplicity, and that includes the kitchen. An Asian-style kitchen should feel serene and understated. Keep the layout sleek and streamlined, with no visual clutter to interrupt the sight lines. A galley kitchen, as shown above, works particularly well, but any configuration can be successful as long as it has a smooth flow.
| Simple cabinetry. Cabinetry in an Asian-style kitchen has clean lines and is free of ornamentation. Some cabinets have a Shaker-like quality, while others are frameless. Keep hardware crisp and minimal to match. |
Dramatic contrast. Asian kitchens often contain an element of drama, such as the black refrigerator panels against the pale cabinetry of this space. Consider adding an unexpected element to spark the room: a touch of gilt, an unusually shaped island, a statement lighting fixture.
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| Natural flooring. Flooring in an Asian-style kitchen feels organic and warm. Bamboo is a fail-safe choice, but consider slate or another natural stone as well. Exotic hardwoods also look appropriate. |
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Dabs of red. Red is a strongly symbolic color in many Asian cultures, signifying happiness, good fortune and auspicious beginnings. Although Asian décor tends toward the monochromatic, a few hints of bold color can energize a kitchen done in this style. Limit them to small accents such as dishware to avoid disturbing the serene feel.
More:
East Meets West: Adding Asian Design to a Modern Home
5 Homes Full of Far Eastern Influences
9 Elements of Asian Style
More:
East Meets West: Adding Asian Design to a Modern Home
5 Homes Full of Far Eastern Influences
9 Elements of Asian Style
Comments
Hugh McKinnon Realty over head venting -commercial grade to outdoor venting, over gas stoves with high BTU'S in Asian kitchens ... they use a wok ,flash cooking.. not big on downdrafts...and seldom use their ovens... could see a steam oven being useful in an Asian kitchen,
14 months ago · Like
julesdakota33 WOW I really like the style here nice work !
14 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on March 27, 2012.
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