Are you hoping to make your home feel like a quiet, peaceful retreat away from life's worries? We might have found the perfect look for you. Wabi sabi design ties together several influences, resulting in a stunning finish that will feel like a sign of relief every time you come home.

Sounds nice, right? Like a breath of fresh air after a long day. And this look is achievable by combining the right ingredients: a dash of natural materials and earthy tones, a sprig of asymmetry and a sprinkle of functional furniture. In this blog, we're covering how to mix these elements together for a delicious finish (sticking with the cooking metaphor). Ultimately, we'll provide guidance on the look's main components and how it compares to similar styles. Let's get started!

Wabi Sabi Interior Design: Definition and History

Wabi sabi is a Japanese design philosophy and aesthetic principle that celebrates imperfection, impermanence and the beauty of natural simplicity. Rooted in Zen Buddhism, it's less about perfection or lavishness and more about authenticity, balance and a harmonious connection with nature. In interior design, wabi sabi focuses on creating serene, meaningful spaces that embrace the imperfect and transient aspects of life.

So, where does this come from exactly? Since Zen Buddhism dates back to the 5th century BCE, there's a lot of time and influence that could've inspired this design. The story of wabi sabi style goes back to the 16th-century Japanese legend about Sen no Rikyu and his tea master, Takeeno Joo. In this tale, Takeeno Joo asks Rikyu to clean and rake the garden to perfection. To finish his work, Rikyu shook a cherry tree to allow flower petals to fall abstractly around the raked landscape.

Present-day wabi sabi interior design uses this legend as a catalyst to avoid formal and lavish designs and instead embrace imperfection and functionality in your home. For example, selecting family heirlooms and a functional sofa to adorn your living room rather than sleek, new decor and furniture.

Here's a quick breakdown of the name:

• Wabi: Means less is more, or subdued, austere beauty.
• Sabi: Means rustic patina or attentive melancholy.

Key Components of This Look

With such a beautiful and meaningful history, there are countless ways to accomplish this look in your own home. Focus on creating a space that's not perfect and that works for your lifestyle, but also follow these core principles that make the design so stunning:

Natural Materials

Nothing screams wabi sabi quite like a room full of nature-inspired materials. This could be a hardwood table with woven chairs around it, undyed linen drapery hung above your windows or an eye-catching concrete accent wall. Embrace the imperfections that these types of textures bring to your home, and have fun mixing and matching various elements to create visual interest.

Neutral and Earthy Color Palette

To stick with the calming theme that wabi sabi follows, muted tones like brown, green, gray, beige and terracotta work wonderfully in your space. Basically, any colors that you could find in the great outdoors since this design focuses on replicating the natural world.

Simplicity and Minimalism

When you enter an eccentric room full of knick-knacks, it might make you feel a bit overwhelmed. On the other hand, a simple room with minimalist furniture might feel serene and quiet. While there's nothing wrong with any style of room, if you're attempting to create a peaceful space, err on the side of minimalism.

Embracing Imperfection

Just like the cherry blossoms landing imperfectly on the raked garden in the legend, you can take liberty in your home to avoid anything that looks too pristine. This could mean using reclaimed, repaired and recycled decor that has a story and makes your space feel lived in, cozy and welcoming.

Asymmetry

While traditional design uses symmetry to keep a room balanced, wabi sabi doesn't follow this practice. Instead, it uses asymmetry and abstract decor to replicate nature — which has tons of imbalances since it's not man made or following a particular pattern.

Connection to Nature

On top of using earthy tones and natural materials, you can pull inspiration from nature by using organic shapes and including lots of greenery. Find some plants that can fill empty corners or fill beautiful vases with your favorite flowers to bring the outdoors in.

Soft Lighting

Rather than bright overhead lighting, opt for wall sconces, floor lamps and other softer options. This helps the space feel less like a doctor's office and more like a place you'd want to curl up for the evening. Play around with layered light fixtures so you can avoid bright fluorescent bulbs without feeling like you're sitting in the dark.

Handmade and Timeless Pieces

Whether it's a ceramic centerpiece for your dining room table or a piece of artwork by a loved one hung in your living room, unique, handmade pieces speak volumes. Not only do they show off your personal style but they also make your space unique — especially if you're decorating with items made by your family.

Comfort and Functionality

To get the wabi sabi look, functionality is key, but not at the expense of comfort. Instead of going fully minimalist, select multi-functional furniture that has multiple uses and takes up less space. That way, your rooms can feel like a five-star resort without looking cluttered.

How Wabi Sabi Compares to Similar Styles

In the world of interior design, there are quite literally thousands of different ways that you can decorate your home — which is why it's so fun! Many styles pull elements together from other design options, creating a unique fusion that's all its own. Wabi sabi is completely its own style, but there are several options that are closely aligned with it.

Here's a quick breakdown of how wabi sabi design compares to similar styles:

Wabi Sabi vs. Japandi

Wabi sabi and Japandi share a deep appreciation for minimalism, simplicity and functionality. Both prioritize a clutter-free environment, allowing only meaningful and useful pieces to take center stage. Natural materials like wood, linen and stone are integral to both aesthetics, creating a connection with nature. Muted, neutral tones further enhance the calming theme both looks follow. While Japandi combines the clean, modern lines of Scandinavian design with Japanese elegance, wabi sabi embraces imperfection, avoiding the clean-cut lines Japandi is known for.

Wabi Sabi vs. Zen

Rooted in Japanese aesthetics and influenced by Zen Buddhism, both wabi sabi and zen design emphasize mindfulness, simplicity and a love of nature. These styles cultivate a tranquil, meditative atmosphere by eliminating unnecessary distractions and focusing on intentional design choices. The main difference is that Zen interiors are often more structured, with clean lines and symmetry. Wabi sabi embraces the organic unpredictability of life, allowing natural imperfections and irregularities to shine.

Wabi Sabi vs. Rustic

Natural materials reign supreme in wabi sabi and rustic designs, celebrating the raw beauty of elements like aged wood, unpolished stone and handmade ceramics. Warmth and coziness define both styles, with a focus on organic textures and an appreciation for craftsmanship. However, rustic interiors often lean in a heavier, more traditional aesthetic with reclaimed wood furniture, exposed beams and vintage farmhouse elements. In contrast, wabi sabi takes a softer approach, leaning more toward serenity than the wild west.

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