After the second fallout of the Delta Variant amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic in mid 2021, our team working from home, and our client in quarantine, SDA Architects conceived Japandi Home. The initial brief for the renovation of this pool house was for its interior to have an "immediate sense of serenity" that roused the feeling of being peaceful. Influenced by loneliness and angst during quarantine, SDA Architects explored themes of escapism and empathy which led to a “Japandi” style concept design – the nexus between “Scandinavian functionality” and “Japanese rustic minimalism” to invoke feelings of “art, nature and simplicity.” This merging of styles forms the perfect amalgamation of both function and form, centred on clean lines, bright spaces and light colours. Grounded by its emotional weight, poetic lyricism, and relaxed atmosphere; Japandi Home aesthetics focus on simplicity, natural elements, and comfort; minimalism that is both aesthetically pleasing yet highly functional. Japandi Home places special emphasis on sustainability through use of raw furnishings and a rejection of the one-time-use culture we have embraced for numerous decades. A plethora of natural materials, muted colours, clean lines and minimal, yet-well-curated furnishings have been employed to showcase beautiful craftsmanship – quality handmade pieces over quantitative throwaway items. A neutral colour palette compliments the soft and hard furnishings within, allowing the timeless pieces to breath and speak for themselves. These calming, tranquil and peaceful colours have been chosen so when accent colours are incorporated, they are done so in a meaningful yet subtle way. Japandi home isn’t sparse – it’s intentional. The integrated storage throughout – from the kitchen, to dining buffet, linen cupboard, window seat, entertainment unit, bed ensemble and walk-in wardrobe are key to reducing clutter and maintaining the zen-like sense of calm created by these clean lines and open spaces. The Scandinavian concept of “hygge” refers to the idea that ones home is your cosy sanctuary. Similarly, this ideology has been fused with the Japanese notion of “wabi-sabi”; the idea that there is beauty in imperfection. Hence, the marriage of these design styles is both founded on minimalism and comfort; easy-going yet sophisticated. Conversely, whilst Japanese styles can be considered “sleek” and Scandinavian, “rustic”, the richness of the Japanese neutral colour palette aids in preventing the stark, crisp palette of Scandinavian styles from feeling cold and clinical. Japandi Home’s introspective essence can ultimately be considered quite timely for the pandemic and was the quintessential lockdown project our team needed.

Churchtown

Dreyer Architecture

The kitchen is the hub of this family home. A balanced mix of materials are chosen to compliment each other, exposed brickwork, timber clad ceiling, and the cast concrete central island grows out of the polished concrete floor. The walk in pantry is a key element of the functionality of the kitchen.

Gamma Beta

Josh Wynne Construction

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Tampa with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and timber.

Acorn Again - Modern Minimalist Kitchen

Woodhull of Maine

The renovations to this home feature a bright and open, modern kitchen Trent Bell Photography
This is an example of a midcentury galley eat-in kitchen in Portland Maine with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel benchtops, metallic splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and timber.

Eichler No. 2

User

Midcentury u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, white appliances, concrete floors, a peninsula, grey floor, white benchtop, timber and vaulted.

Kitchens

Stephen Sugg Photography and Video

Midcentury galley kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, black floor, grey benchtop, exposed beam and timber.

Mondrian Mid-Century

Moderne Builders

This is an example of a midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, a peninsula, beige floor, beige benchtop, exposed beam and timber.

Old School Apartments - PHASE 1

Akita Komar Architects

Contemporary rustic design that blends the warmth and charm of rustic or traditional elements with the clean lines and modern aesthetics of contemporary design.

Nouvea Bungalow

Steven Allen Designs, LLC

Nouveau Bungalow - Un - Designed + Built + Curated by Steven Allen Designs, LLC
Inspiration for a small eclectic galley eat-in kitchen in Houston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, solid surface benchtops, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and timber.

New Recycled Brick House

Baker Drofenik Architects Pty Ltd

Contemporary home for young family in inner city
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and timber.

Photo of a midcentury u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, white appliances, concrete floors, a peninsula, grey floor, white benchtop, timber and vaulted.

Walking the talk in a Passive Home

New Zealand Certified Builders Association

Natural world takes centre stage in the spacious kitchen with timber-covered island and ceilings.
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern galley eat-in kitchen in Other with stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, grey floor and timber.

Park Place

Vertical Arts Architecture

Design ideas for a large country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop, a farmhouse sink and timber.

Narrabundah Townhouses

Studio Black Interiors

Narrabundah Townhouse Development. Finishes include polished concrete floors, timber cladding, elba stone and a soft palette of grey, white and timber veneer. Interior Design by Studio Black Interiors. Build by REP Building. Photography by Hcreations

Dining room

Sophie Piesse Architect, PA

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Raleigh with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, brown splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, black benchtop and timber.

New Recycled Brick House

Baker Drofenik Architects Pty Ltd

Contemporary home for young family in inner city
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and timber.

Gamma Beta

Josh Wynne Construction

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Tampa with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and timber.

Nouvea Bungalow

Steven Allen Designs, LLC

Nouveau Bungalow - Un - Designed + Built + Curated by Steven Allen Designs, LLC
This is an example of a small eclectic galley eat-in kitchen in Houston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, solid surface benchtops, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and timber.

Tesuque Soft Contemporary Adobe Home

Pink Dwelling

This is an example of a large u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, beige floor, grey benchtop and timber.

Kitchen with Concrete Floors and Timber Design Ideas

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to planning your kitchen design. Where do you even start? Gathering some inspiration in a photo gallery is always a good starting point, as looking at different kitchen designs often brings up ideas you haven’t even thought of yet.

Browse Photos of Kitchen Designs for Inspiration and Collect Your Ideas

You can browse through photos of all kinds of kitchen styles, layouts and sizes on Houzz to get started before jumping into any design software or contacting a local professional for help. Here’s a few considerations to keep in mind when planning your kitchen.

1. What Makes a Good Kitchen Design, and Why is it Important?

For starters, you want to find a balance between aesthetics and function. You may have heard of the ‘kitchen work triangle’, which refers to the space between your fridge, sink and stove. You want everything within easy reach when you’re working in the kitchen and look beautiful at the same time. It’s a good idea to take note of both when browsing our photo gallery.

2. Consider Your Space to Determine Your Kitchen Layout

Firstly, consider the space you have, and the limitations that come with it. Do you have a small kitchen and need to maximise your workspace and storage? Can you allow yourself some more space and a big island with seating? Are you designing your kitchen from scratch or renovating an existing design? Which appliances do you already own and what are their measurements? Are there windows you need to take into consideration when planning cabinets? How do kitchen, living and dining areas connect? Depending on your space and needs, you want to use a shape that suits you. U, G, or L-shaped kitchen, with or without island or peninsula? Know your dimensions, plan cabinetry carefully and consider the placement of your appliances. You don’t want to end up with a finished design, only for your significant other to question where the fridge is supposed to go. Consider from the start where your fridge, oven, microwave and sink goes to save yourself from starting again from scratch - remember the kitchen work triangle! You also want to plan the layout of your cabinets. Maybe you’re planning for a pantry and can do with less storage space in your kitchen, so that your design can be one without upper or lower cabinets for a different look. A corner cabinet can be a smart storage solution if you want to keep the look clean and simple.

3. Decide on a Kitchen Style, But Don’t Forget Practicality

You want the style of your kitchen to reflect your personality and taste. We have curated a large array of kitchen styles here at Houzz, from traditional to contemporary to transitional and everything in between. Consider what your cooking style is for a start - Italy is known for its cuisine, so italian kitchen designs are generally popular. Also consider ergonomics - depending on how much time you spend in your kitchen, the height of your counters can make a big difference to your overall health. You also want to consider colour and finishes of cabinets, countertops and splashbacks. Which colour do you want your cupboards to be? Simple, timeless white or rather making a statement in black? Maybe rather a rustic wood? Also consider the colour of your floor - if you have dark floors, you may want to keep cabinets lighter. You could also go for an all-white look and choose black appliances for contrast. Once you know which style you fancy, don’t forget how you will be using the space. You want to keep cooking in mind, as well as how easy to clean and maintain the space will be. How many cooks do you need to accommodate? Do you have kids around? How much storage do you need? Maybe you want to go for open shelves rather than cabinets and allow for easy reach of key items you use when cooking. Again - remember the triangle! Lastly, choose lighting that both enhances the look of your kitchen as well as your cooking performance, providing light in all the right places.

4. Be Conscious of Your Budget

No matter what you plan for your kitchen design, cost is always a big factor. Be sure to plan with your budget in mind. It may make more sense to go for a modular kitchen design rather than custom build. You can save a lot of money if you get at least 3 estimates from professionals before locking in the job. And don’t forget to allow a 20% buffer for emergencies. Once you are ready to hire a pro, our directory will help you find one, no matter where you are. So whether you're looking for an Interior Designer in Melbourne or an Architect in Sydney, you can be sure to find a qualified expert for the job!