Wabi-sabi is an ancient Japanese concept which encourages simplicity and naturalness in daily life. This beautiful philosophy takes into account complexity while prioritizing simplicity.
One easy way to bring wabi-sabi into your home is by clearing away unnecessary possessions, so your most meaningful objects stand out more clearly. Additionally, try adding handmade or artisanal pieces such as rustic tables or bowls made using kintsugi (the Japanese art of repairing cracked pottery). Also consider bringing greenery into the space through indoor plants like fiddle-leaf fig or hoya plants – perfect examples of adding greenery!
Embracing Imperfection
Wabi-sabi design celebrates imperfections and transience through simplicity and natural materials, celebrating beauty that is slightly worn – think textured wood furniture or artfully mussed linen sheets as examples of Wabi-sabi’s beauty.
Wabi-Sabi decor can create an inviting and cozy environment in any space, using soft neutral colors like beiges, browns and muted greens for an earthy aesthetic. Add natural elements into your room like plants or rugs made from organic materials – or try mixing up styles!
Wabi-Sabi emphasizes displaying personal items with stories to tell. Don’t hide that old, rusty teapot or chipped vase; rather let it tell its own unique tale of use and love over years of service. Wabi-Sabi philosophy also honors local artisans; consider supporting small businesses by purchasing handcrafted pieces that showcase their craft while celebrating imperfections as part of this philosophy.
Embracing Texture
Integrating natural elements into your home helps create visual balance. Look for items with links to nature or earth, like wood, stone and linen fabric – this creates an organic vibe in your space and keeps getting better with each wash!
Thrift shops can be an excellent source for finding wabi-sabi accessories. When exploring, look out for items with rustic simplicity or understated elegance such as old BBQ lids, planks of weathered wood, woven baskets filled with worn linen, blackened oven trays and more – you may just strike gold!
Rough textures create an inviting space and bring touchable qualities into any room, in keeping with wabi-sabi design principles. Patterned wallpaper or fabric designs can also add depth and texture; just don’t overwhelm a room with too many designs! Instead, mix smooth and rough surfaces, or incorporate patterns on one surface but solids on others into the mix for an authentic wabi-sabi experience.
Embracing Natural Statements
Wabi-sabi is all about appreciating nature’s imperfections, and an easy way to do this is through choosing organic materials for furniture and decor. Wood, wicker, hessian and other natural materials create visual balance within any home – without necessarily having to look rustic! Harrison says modern wooden furnishings still fit within the realm of wabi-sabi style.
An easy way to bring nature into your home is by adding plants, flowers and branches as decor items. Instead of hiding these pieces away in a dusty cabinet or closet, display them proudly so you can admire both their beauty and character.
Keep in mind, however, that wabi-sabi does not equal clutter. An exquisite teapot will not shine among cluttered china cabinets – clear out your home to make room for special items that speak to you!
Embracing the Imperfect
Wabi-sabi is the art of appreciating imperfect beauty. This can mean accepting natural materials with inherent imperfections such as linen pillowcases with uneven weave or wood furniture with uneven grains; or forgoing over-styling or perfecting the appearance of things.
Instead of worrying overly about ironing your curtains or aligning everything perfectly around the dining table, try adopting a casual, rustic aesthetic instead. This may involve allowing linens and fabrics to become slightly wrinkled over time or being intentionally mismatched by artful scattering of misfit items around them.
Wabi-sabi can also be practiced by adding natural elements into your home, like branches or twigs in vases, leaves and flowers on the kitchen table or sticks stuck together in a wooden bowl. You might also consider including some handmade pottery pieces or adorable projects from friends as part of this practice – supporting small businesses while celebrating its aesthetic!
