Japandi Minimalist Zen Matcha Stand

I love making matcha tea and find the craft of it to be both beautiful and delicious. I recently got a new matcha making set and have been keeping it all in the drawers in my kitchen. I think the set is too aesthetically pleasing to keep stored away in a dark place. So for my main project, I plan to design and build a Minimalist Zen Matcha Stand. This stand will provide an intentional and aesthetically cohesive space for my matcha tools, enhancing both the ritual and display of making tea.

My inspiration comes from the Japandi and Minimalist Zen aesthetics, which emphasize simplicity, natural materials, and balance. Through this project, I aim to create an elegant and organized station that brings tranquility and functionality to my kitchen.

This project also gives me an opportunity to practice woodworking, a skill I have not worked with extensively before. I am excited to explore different woodworking techniques and learn how to create a high-quality piece that reflects my artistic vision.

Aesthetic & Design Influences

Minimalist Zen and Japandi aesthetics both embrace simplicity, functionality, and a deep connection to nature, creating spaces that feel tranquil and effortlessly elegant. Minimalist Zen, inspired by Japanese design principles, focuses on balance, negative space, and an uncluttered environment that fosters a sense of calm. Japandi, a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian styles, adds warmth through natural materials like wood, linen, and stone, blending the sleek functionality of Nordic design with the timeless craftsmanship of Japan. Both aesthetics prioritize intentionality, every object has a purpose, whether it’s a handcrafted ceramic cup or a softly glowing paper lantern. The result is a harmonious space that feels both serene and inviting, where organic textures, neutral tones, and thoughtful design choices create an atmosphere of quiet sophistication. My key elements include:

• Natural wood textures – to maintain a warm and earthy feel.
• Neutral tones – like beige, soft browns, and muted greens for harmony.
• Intentional organization – where every object has a purpose and a place.
• Uncluttered surfaces – maintaining a sense of tranquility.
• Layered Shelves – for interesting places to look

My inspiration also comes from existing matcha stations, such as:

• Japanese tea ceremony setups – where every element is deliberately placed.
• Nordic shelving designs – which incorporate open storage with natural aesthetics.

• Traditional tea houses – key design principles = simplicity and elegance 

These inspirations helped me refine my design ideas, ensuring that my matcha stand will be both functional and visually appealing.

Alternative Aesthetic: Cyberpunk Maximalism

As an alternative aesthetic, I explored Cyberpunk Maximalist. :

• Materials: Metal and glass with neon LED accents
• Colors: Electric blues, pinks, purples, and high-contrast elements
• Technology: Could include digital displays for tea temperatures or an automatic whisk system
• Design: Overloaded with patterns, bright lights, and chaotic placement

What I sketched above would be what this opposite aesthetic would look like to me. Lots of neon colors, patterns and things on each shelf. It would be a lot to look at and your eyes would not know where to put themselves. The colors would be neon so not super pleasing when thinking about making a drink there. Cyberpunk would mean it is high-tech so maybe it would even have some electronics in there somewhere or something.

Ultimately, I decided against this aesthetic because it contradicts the calming nature of making tea. However, it was a fun exploration in contrast.

Initial Sketches & Design Plans

I developed multiple sketches to explore different layouts, focusing on multi-level shelving to keep the setup visually interesting and functional. Some key features:

• Top shelf – for displaying the matcha bowl, mugs, and some sort of plant
• Middle level – for matcha canisters, whisk, and frequently used tools
• A lower space – to store smaller additional items and maybe smaller mugs

I also explored different wood joinery methods to determine how to construct the stand without visible screws or hardware, maintaining a seamless look.