Asian Inspired Kitchens

Most experts agree that the kitchen is one of the most challenging areas in a home, at least when it comes to design. Kitchens are unique in home décor because they have to combine style and function, while still blending in with the rest of the house. Many décor themes give you just one or the other. But if you think you have to spend a fortune on the perfect kitchen, think again—there are lots of kitchen design ideas out there just waiting to be tried. These days, one of the most popular themes is the Asian-inspired kitchen.

Asian kitchens—and the rest of an Asian home, for that matter—are all about efficient design and striking aesthetics. Asian designers are also very keen on practicality; that is, they tend to pick cheap elements that nevertheless last a long time. That’s why more and more people are opting for Asian-style kitchens—it allows them to get more for less and really make the most of their design budget. If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to liven up your kitchen, Asian design is certainly worth a try. Get started with this simple guide.

Choose warm colors.

Colors are probably the first thing you’ll have to decide on, especially since they stand out more in the simple layout of an Asian kitchen. Focus on deep, warm colors that make the place look more intimate. Consult a kitchen photo gallery or design catalog to see which colors work with the ones you already have. That way, you won’t have to do a full paint job—it’s just a matter of adding a few splashes of color here and there.

One of the most popular color schemes in Asian kitchens is red and black. Red provides lots of warmth and energy, while black is more relaxing and toned down. The two create a nice contrast together, so all you need is a neutral backdrop such as white to tie them together. Make sure to distribute all colors evenly around the room, so that you don’t have any space that’s dominated by one color.

Go natural.

Natural materials take center stage in Asian kitchens. Wood and bamboo should make up most of your design elements, or if you can afford it, throw in some stone, granite and marble. Going natural is not just more attractive; it’s also a great way to start an eco friendly kitchen. Some materials are sturdy enough on their own without any chemical treatments—they may cost a bit more, but it’s an investment that always pays off.

Fabrics are also a good way to introduce natural materials into your kitchen. They also help soften the look of the space, especially since wood and stone tend to look a bit cold. Use a bamboo kitchen rug, a cotton tablecloth, or soft wool throws for the chairs or coffee table. You can also choose natural fabrics for your curtains—it’s a good way to diffuse the light around the room and help it look brighter.

Make an efficient floor plan.

A good floor plan is one that’s open and conducive to work. That applies to kitchen design in general, but it’s even more visible in Asian kitchens. Asian designers are strongly influenced by feng shui kitchen design, which favors wide open spaces, lots of light, and smooth, easy traffic flow. There are lots of rules in feng shui and it would take a lot of work to follow them all, but keeping your kitchen warm and open is a great start.

Start by organizing your kitchen and getting rid of clutter. If you have any appliances you barely use, put them away in a bottom drawer where they don’t get in the way. Take the items you use every day and put them where they’re easily accessible, such as the counter or the cabinets above the sink. Free up as much floor and counter space as possible so that you have more room to do actual kitchen work.

Keep it well-lit.

As mentioned above, light plays a key role in Asian kitchen design. Asians are used to cooking in bright daylight because most kitchens started out as simple enclosures in the backyard. That’s why Asian kitchens are always brightly lit, often with natural light. So make the most of any sunlight that gets into the room. Plan your kitchen lighting so that just one or two fixtures can illuminate the entire space, with only some accent and task lights to support it.

If you have a large window, take advantage of it and use it as your main light source during the day. You can get blinds to change the brightness as needed. If you have small windows, maximize incoming light by adding mirrors, glass, and other reflective surfaces that can distribute the light around the room.

Anyone who’s been keeping up will notice the increasing presence of Asian design in interior décor. With sleek surfaces and simple lines dominating today’s homes, Asian elements simply make the perfect fit. And the best part is that it’s easy to pull off—you don’t need a professional designer or a huge decorating budget to create the Asian look in your home. Like interior design in general, all it really takes is a bit of creative thinking.

The first thing you’ll want to do is open up your space. Asian designers follow the rules of feng shui, an ancient art geared towards attracting good energy and driving out the bad. This concept hinges closely on openness, so you want to keep your home as wide and spacious as possible. It doesn’t matter what size the room is; the point is to maximize the space you already have without giving up form or function. Get rid of clutter, open up some windows, move your furniture around, and free up floor space around the middle.

Next, you want to focus on the kitchen. Kitchens are central to many décor themes, and Asian design is no exception. A well-designed Asian kitchen can become the focal point of the home and make it much more welcoming. Choose natural materials such as wood and stone whenever possible, and invest in some Asian cookware such as wok pans and Chinese bowls. If possible, keep a straight path from the living room to the kitchen, and from the kitchen to the backyard. This helps it integrate better with the rest of the home.

Lighting is also an important part of Asian design. Asian homes rely largely on natural lighting, so make use of it as much as you can. Make the most of large windows if you have any—simply open them up or, if the weather doesn’t allow it, put a sheer curtain over it to diffuse the light around the room. Using reflective surfaces such as mirrors can also bounce the light on the walls, allowing you to light up the space more effectively. If you have a good view, all the better—just keep the window clear to keep it fully visible.