8 Elements of an Asian-Style Kitchen
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Continued...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Continued...
