10 tips you need for a Wabi Sabi interior design style home

Wabi Sabi doesn’t look for perfection, contrary to the world we live in right now. Social media has made it even worse, whereas now people compare each other, their looks, life, and accomplishments with those they follow on Instagram.

The word ‘wabi’ means rustic simplicity and quietness, while ‘sabi’ alludes to the beauty and serenity that comes with time and age.

This ancient Japanese philosophy, established in Zen Buddhism, encourages you to accept and enjoy life as it is: imperfect. The sooner you embrace this, the faster you can start to really appreciate the beauty of the natural world as a whole.

To put together a Wabi Sabi feel in your home, you need to add quirkiness to it, such as old dinnerware and handmade, and touches of natural materials to give your space a cozy feeling. Not only that but you will start investing in sustainable and unique pieces. The Wabi-Sabi look cannot be achieved with machine fabricated elements but rather it needs handcrafting, natural elements and imperfect objects. The Wabi-Sabi aesthetic thrives in earthy colors such as white or grey. Less is more – items should be chosen wisely. 

Read on to learn 10 tips to “Wabi Sabi” your home.

 

Embracing your home's history

Old homes have their own unique character, and should, in our opinion, be maintained as much as possible. They are a legacy of the Styles of the past, its people, lifestyle, and history. There is charm in the imperfection of a worn out floor or a noisy door. If you restore your floors, Windows, and furnishings, leaving the dents and scuff marks is an homage, and maintains the soul of the house.

 

Fix mends with gold leaf

By now you have probably already heard of the Japanese art Kintsugi, where broken pottery is fixed with gold, silver or platinum. The idea behind this is to preserve the history of an object instead of disguising it. This perfectly fits Wabi-Sabi as it embraces imperfection.

 

Vintage and Antique furnishings

Adding vintage and antique furniture and accessories add warmth and character to your room. You can also get great pieces on a budget and add a unique touch to your home like this amazing apothecary.

 

Impermanent elements

The best “impermanent” element in a room is a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Flowers are welcoming, inspiring and mood boosters. Bringing color and numerous benefits to your home, you can never go wrong with it.

 

Incomplete art 

When it comes to artwork, sketches fit the bill when it comes to including the Wabi-Sabi philosophy in your home. These are usually studies, explored ideas, that doesn’t feel perfect or complete, but more dynamic and open-ended. The one here presented is from the artist Richard Stark.

Concrete Floors

Concrete floors are another amazing choice for flooring, besides wood, as these also age with time. They get stains and cracks and are usually not perfect, to begin with.

 

Handmade Objects

Handmade objects, again, add some soul to your home collection. It was made by someone, with individual attention and will most likely be slightly different than all the other pieces, and therefore unique. Handcrafted pottery is really on trend right now, and you can even make your own dishware and create a beautiful table setting with plates made to your own taste, adding to the organic Wabi-Sabi look.

 

Antique mirrors

Mirrors can give a touch of glamour to your space while still staying true to the Wabi Sabi look. They reflect light, illuminating the space as well as giving the sense of a bigger one. Antiqued mirrors keep that same aesthetic of an imperfect piece that tells a story. If you already have a mirror to transform, there are tons of tutorials online to teach to accomplish the antiqued finishing.

 

Natural materials

Natural materials in its raw state such as wood and stone, or straw as the above exemple, will bring that natural energy rushing right into your home.

 

Textured Walls

Last but not least, one of the essential aspects of Wabi Sabi is textured walls. This can be concrete, wood, brick or wallpaper with seedy structures and exfoliated parget.

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