Why Japanese Cupboards Always Feel Less Chaotic Than Ours

One thing I kept noticing during my trip to Japan – whether I was in a home, a hotel or even a little café – was just how tidy their cupboards were. Not overly organised in a Pinterest-perfect kind of way, but calm. Ordered. Not bursting with things or mess. And I found myself asking, “Why do their cupboards feel so much more manageable than ours?”

Turns out, it’s not about having more storage. In fact, many Japanese homes have less space than we do. But the way they design and use their cupboards makes all the difference. There’s thought behind it – and respect for what goes inside.

Let’s break down what we can learn from Japanese cupboards and how we can apply those ideas to our own.

They’re built to be functional, not just big

We often think more storage will fix everything. So we build massive wardrobes or kitchen cabinets, assuming that space alone is the answer. But in Japan, the cabinetry is often far more compact, yet somehow more functional.

The key is clever internal layout. Shelves are spaced with actual usage in mind. Sliding doors are common, especially in tight areas where swing doors would get in the way. And vertical space is used beautifully, with stacking drawers or slim compartments that make full use of the height.

Rather than stuffing things in, the storage feels designed around daily life. That’s something we can all do more of – starting by asking what we actually use, and then shaping our storage around those needs.

Nothing goes in without intention

Japanese storage isn’t about hiding things away. It’s about giving things a proper home. There’s usually less in the cupboard to begin with, and what’s there tends to be neatly stored – with labels, compartments or just clean lines.

If you’ve got a cupboard you haven’t opened properly in weeks, it’s probably time to have a look. Take 15 minutes and just see what’s inside. Not everything needs to be emptied out – you know I’m not a fan of that chaos. But you can gently scan through and remove what’s no longer serving you.

From there, look at how it’s arranged. Are items shoved in wherever they’ll fit? Or do they have a zone or category? Could you use dividers or shelf risers to make better use of the space?

Vertical storage is king

In Japan, they’re brilliant at using vertical space. Whether it’s stacking bento boxes or filing cutting boards upright instead of laying them flat, there’s this lovely awareness that up is just as valuable as out.

In our homes, we tend to spread things rather than stack them. But a few simple changes can make all the difference – magazine files for Tupperware lids, upright racks for baking trays, even clear drawers stacked for toiletries.

The result? You see everything at once, and you’re far less likely to forget about that item you shoved to the back months ago.

There’s no shame in storage tools

In the West, we often think we should be able to organise perfectly without help – as if a ‘real adult’ just magically knows how to keep things tidy. But in Japan, using trays, boxes, drawer dividers and labels is just part of the norm. It’s not about being fancy – it’s about making your cupboards easy to use.

I love this mindset because it removes the guilt. You don’t have to have it all sorted in your head. A well-placed basket or drawer insert can do that work for you.

So next time you’re in Daiso or a home store, look for items that could help. Not flashy storage – just practical tools that make your life easier.

Shikata ga nai – a little mindset shift

There’s a Japanese phrase, shikata ga nai, which roughly translates to “it cannot be helped” or “it is what it is.” It’s not about giving up – it’s about accepting the current state of things and working from there.

I found that mindset helpful when looking at my own kitchen cupboards after coming home. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the mess or annoyed at myself for letting it get to that point, I approached it gently. “Right, this is where it’s at. Let’s tidy it up bit by bit.”

If you’ve got a cluttered cupboard that’s been bothering you, give yourself a break. Start small. Just one shelf. Use what you’ve got. Then add a tool or two if it helps. And remember – it’s not about perfection. It’s about clarity.

Let your cupboards feel like a breath of fresh air

In the end, Japanese cupboards feel calmer because they’re not stuffed. They’re not chaotic. And they’re not over-designed either. They’re just thoughtful. Practical. Used properly.

We can create that same feeling at home without gutting everything or spending a fortune. A few changes in layout, a few tools, and a shift in how we think about our stuff can go a long way.

And who knows – the next time you open your cupboard, you might actually smile instead of sigh.