INTERIOR TRENDS | The wabi-sabi design aesthetic

Get inspired by the wabi-sabi aesthetic for your interiors and design

Several philosophy-driven trends have emerged that blend a way of living with home design and aesthetics. Wabi-sabi is a prime example—a Japanese philosophy that embraces mindfulness, the slowing down of life, and the beauty found in imperfection.

I first anticipated this trend in early 2018, publishing an article and mood board on how to decorate in Wabi Sabi style. Updating this article that I originally wrote in 2021, a concise guide on wabi-sabi in design, proves that nearly seven years later, this aesthetic is more relevant than ever. An example of how something initially labeled as a trend can evolve into a timeless concept.

Today, I am sharing additional insights and inspirations related to the wabi-sabi design and philosophy.

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Wabi-Sabi Philosophy

Wabi-Sabi originates from simplicity and authenticity, offering a departure from modern society’s obsession with perfectionism by embracing imperfections in a meaningful manner.

At its core, Wabi-Sabi is a philosophy that celebrates the beauty found in natural imperfections. It appreciates the aesthetic of things that are “imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.”

Rooted deeply in Chinese Zen Buddhism, Wabi-Sabi reflects the Buddhist teachings on the three marks of existence—impermanence (無常, mujō), suffering (苦, ku), and emptiness or absence of self-nature (空, kū). It can also be traced back to a 16th-century fascinating g Japanese legend that you can read here.

Wabi-sabi can be described as “the most conspicuous and characteristic feature of what we think of as traditional Japanese beauty” Leonard Koren

|| Be inspired: How to decorate your home in a zen style

Via Shou Sugi Ban House, via

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Wabi-Sabi Design

How to translate the Wabi-Sabi concept into interiors and design?

Of course, we are simplifying things here, as Wabi-Sabi is much more than a passing trend for creating beautiful interiors. As mentioned earlier, it’s an aesthetic deeply intertwined with Japanese history, not easily replicated in other cultures. Nevertheless, there are significant aspects that can inspire our homes and projects, imparting a unique touch and atmosphere different from what we’re accustomed to.

“Wabi” refers to finding beauty in asymmetry or imbalance, a departure from the Western ideal rooted in Greek culture that emphasizes symmetry and balance.

“Sabi” captures the beauty of aging and imperfection, embodying the concept of life’s impermanence through the passage of time in tangible objects.

|| Be inspired by Japanese design and style:

Ogata shop&restaurant in Paris, ph ITALIANBARK

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Wabi-Sabi Interiors+Design

Introducing a touch of Wabi-Sabi into homes can impart warmth and authenticity, grounding spaces in a sense of naturalness.

This aesthetic embraces earthy and muted tones as its primary color palette—eschewing artificial colors in favor of hues inspired by traditional Japanese materials like earth and mud. This harmonious blend of browns, greys, beiges, and natural greens defines the color scheme of a Wabi-Sabi inspired interior. Such a palette creates serene and harmonious spaces where natural light interacts with muted colors, evoking a feeling of enveloping luxury and comfort.

Complementing these colors are natural materials and undyed fabrics such as jute, linen, and reclaimed wood. Handcrafted and handmade pieces like natural rugs, textiles, and ceramics play crucial roles as decorative elements, selected for their intrinsic meaning and historical significance. For instance, Kintsugi pottery exemplifies the Wabi-Sabi philosophy by repairing broken pottery with gold lacquer, thereby giving new life to the object while honoring its imperfections.

Explore our gallery of projects and images inspired by Wabi-Sabi aesthetics for further inspiration.