20 Japandi Kitchen Cabinet Styles You’ll Love

If you’ve ever walked into a space and instantly felt your shoulders drop in relaxation, you’ve probably experienced the magic of Japandi style. It’s where Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian warmth meet in perfect harmony. In the kitchen, this design philosophy is more than just pretty cabinets and clean lines — it’s a way of living. Imagine the calm of a Zen garden mixed with the coziness of a Nordic cabin.

Japandi kitchens are not just about looks. They focus on smart storage, natural textures, and a feeling of openness that makes cooking and gathering a joy. If you’ve been dreaming about upgrading your kitchen, your cabinets are a great place to start.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through 20 Japandi kitchen cabinet styles that balance simplicity and comfort, blending tradition and modern living. These ideas are personal favorites — tested, observed, and loved.

1. Minimalist Matte White for Airy Calm

When you think Japandi, minimalist matte white cabinets are the first to come to mind. They’re the kind that make your kitchen feel like a blank page ready for any culinary adventure. I once visited a friend’s Tokyo apartment where the cabinets were a creamy matte white paired with pale oak handles. It was so calming that even the clinking of dishes felt meditative. Matte finishes avoid glare and keep the mood soft. Combine them with open shelving or light wood accents for warmth. The result? A space that breathes, feels larger, and works for both morning coffee rituals and late-night cooking sessions.

2. Natural Oak Harmony for Organic Warmth

Natural oak has that golden, honeyed tone that instantly feels like home. In Japandi kitchens, oak cabinets bridge the Japanese love for nature and the Scandinavian love for comfort. I once helped a neighbor choose solid oak fronts for her cabinets. The moment they were installed, her small galley kitchen looked twice as inviting. Pair oak with white quartz countertops or soft grey walls for a balanced look. The beauty of oak is its grain — each line tells a story. And in Japandi design, stories are part of the charm.

3. Bamboo Slatted Cabinets for Texture and Eco-Friendly Charm

Bamboo is light, strong, and grows fast — making it perfect for eco-conscious Japandi kitchens. Slatted bamboo cabinet fronts add a subtle texture that plays with light and shadow. I saw this style in a Kyoto café, and the way morning sunlight filtered through the slats made the space glow. The best part? Bamboo works beautifully with stone countertops and open shelving. You’ll get that crafted-by-nature feeling without compromising durability.

4. Two-Tone Japandi Blend for Subtle Contrast

If you want a little more personality, go for two-tone cabinets. Imagine soft grey uppers paired with warm oak lowers. This style keeps the room grounded but avoids monotony. I tried this in a rental makeover — swapping out only the bottom cabinets for oak while painting the top ones in muted beige. Suddenly, the space felt intentional. The contrast is gentle, never jarring, which is key to Japandi style.

5. Floating Wood Cabinets for Airy Layouts

Floating cabinets — mounted slightly above the floor — can make your kitchen feel weightless. They create a shadow line that tricks the eye into seeing more floor space. I first noticed this in a Copenhagen home where walnut floating cabinets looked like they were hovering. They paired it with hidden LED strips underneath, making the kitchen glow softly at night. It’s practical too — easier floor cleaning and a fresh, modern touch without losing the warmth of wood.

6. Soft Beige Simplicity for Timeless Comfort

Soft beige cabinets might sound plain, but in Japandi design, they’re like the warm sand between your toes. Beige pairs perfectly with wood accents, white tiles, and greenery. I used beige cabinets in my aunt’s open kitchen, and she swears her morning tea tastes better now. The color doesn’t fight for attention — it simply holds the space together, making it a restful place to cook, chat, or just breathe.

7. Black Accents for Bold Japandi Drama

Sometimes, Japandi kitchens benefit from a little drama — and matte black cabinet handles or lower cabinets can provide it. Black in Japandi isn’t loud; it’s grounding. Think of it like the ink stroke in a Japanese painting. I’ve seen black base cabinets with light oak uppers, and the balance was stunning. Add black pendant lights or taps, and your kitchen instantly feels like a curated space.

8. Glass-Front Cabinets for Light and Display

While Japandi leans toward minimalism, a few glass-front cabinets can break the monotony. They’re perfect for displaying pottery, wooden bowls, or even dried herbs. I once helped style a kitchen with frosted glass doors — enough to blur the contents but still catch the light. It added depth and made the kitchen feel personal without cluttering it visually.

9. Vertical Grain Wood for Height Illusion

Using wood panels with a vertical grain on cabinets can subtly make your kitchen feel taller. I stumbled on this trick in a tiny Osaka studio, where vertical oak cabinets stretched the room visually. The grain naturally draws the eye upward. It’s a small design choice, but it changes the way you feel in the room — less boxed in, more open.

10. Muted Green Serenity for Nature Connection

Japandi thrives on nature references, and a muted sage or moss green brings that forest calm indoors. I painted lower cabinets in a dusty green for a coastal home project. Paired with light stone counters and rattan stools, it felt like a summer retreat all year. Green is grounding but lively — perfect if you want your kitchen to feel fresh without being loud.

11. Hidden Handle Cabinets for a Clean Look

Integrated handles — cutouts or grooves instead of attached hardware — make cabinets look uninterrupted and sleek. I saw this in a Tokyo tea house kitchen where not a single handle was visible. It felt calm, almost meditative, because nothing stuck out visually. If you’re after pure minimalism, this is the way to go. Plus, cleaning is a breeze without knobs catching grime.

12. Open-Shelf Upper and Closed Lower Combo

A common Japandi layout is having closed cabinets below and open shelves above. It keeps everyday items accessible while letting you showcase ceramics or cookbooks. In my own kitchen, I replaced upper cabinets with open oak shelves, and it instantly opened up the room. Just remember: in Japandi style, even open shelves should feel curated, not crammed.

13. Walnut Depth for Rich Warmth

Walnut cabinets bring a deep, chocolate tone that feels luxurious yet grounded. I helped a friend choose walnut veneer for her city kitchen, and it turned into the heart of her home. The dark wood contrasted beautifully with her light concrete countertop. In Japandi design, walnut adds maturity and depth, especially in larger kitchens where lighter woods might feel too airy.

14. Whitewashed Ash for Light-Lovers

Whitewashed ash gives you the grain of wood with a pale, sunlit finish. It’s like coastal Scandinavian charm meeting Japanese restraint. I once stayed in an Airbnb in Stockholm with ash cabinets, and every breakfast felt like it was lit by northern sunlight. Pair it with linen curtains and minimalist ceramicware for a gentle, timeless kitchen.

15. Horizontal Slats for a Modern Edge

Horizontal slatted wood cabinets add a subtle texture that feels crafted but not busy. This style works especially well on lower cabinets or pantry doors. I saw it in a modern Kyoto apartment where the slats caught the afternoon sun, creating soft shadows. It’s Japandi with a whisper of mid-century modern flair.

16. Warm Grey Neutral for Everyday Ease

Warm grey is the quiet friend of the color world — dependable, calming, and never overpowering. Grey cabinets with wooden accents strike that perfect Japandi middle ground. I used warm grey on a client’s small kitchen renovation, and it made the room feel instantly balanced. The color hides fingerprints better than white but keeps the airy feel intact.

17. Frameless Cabinets for Seamless Flow

Frameless cabinet construction gives you full access to the interior while keeping the outside smooth. It’s a staple in modern Japandi kitchens where flow and simplicity matter. I first appreciated it in a Helsinki kitchen — the cabinets felt like one continuous surface, letting the wood grain shine without interruptions.

18. Low-Sheen Finishes for Soft Light Play

High gloss is too loud for Japandi, but low-sheen finishes let light play gently across surfaces. I chose a satin finish for a small kitchen remodel, and the way it reflected morning light made the space feel alive yet calm. It also hides smudges better than matte, making it a practical choice for busy households.

19. Mixed Material Accents for Layered Interest

Sometimes a touch of stone, cane, or even metal can break the monotony without breaking Japandi rules. I once combined oak cabinets with cane-front inserts for a client who loved texture. It gave the kitchen a handmade, lived-in charm while staying minimal. Think of it like adding a scarf to a simple outfit — just enough personality.

20. Floor-to-Ceiling Cabinet Walls for Zen Order

For ultimate storage and a clean look, go for full-height cabinets. They eliminate awkward gaps and give you a wall of order. I saw this in a Japanese countryside home where a floor-to-ceiling oak cabinet wall stored everything from tea sets to linens. It kept the rest of the kitchen open and serene. In Japandi, hiding clutter is key to keeping the space calm.