Perfectly Imperfect: An Introduction to Wabi-Sabi Interior Design

Rooted in centuries of tradition, wabi-sabi is a concept that fully embodies the culture, lifestyle, and mindset of the Japanese people. Should you ever find yourself in the Land of the Rising Sun, you may notice that its people possess a fondness for and are sentimental about animate and inanimate objects alike, regardless of their condition. They repair broken pottery with gold lacquer, for example, in an art called kintsugi, and find beauty in the scattered patterns of falling leaves or the way wood shows its age.

Wabi-sabi philosophizes that imperfection is, itself, a state of beauty. It recognizes that life can never be perfect, and that aiming for perfection can only be an exercise in futility. As a design philosophy, it emphasizes asymmetry and modesty, the wild yet graceful beauty of nature, and how the inevitable passage of time can enhance the appearance of objects. Simple and minimalist, it’s also a thoroughly modern style that can help bring more peace and serenity into your home.

Wabi-sabi 101

While usually credited as a Japanese philosophy and way of life, the concept of wabi-sabi actually stems from the culture of traditional Chinese Zen Buddhists. It is founded on three basic principles: impermanence, imperfection, and incompleteness.

Yes, it can seem, on the surface, to highlight certain decidedly negative aspects of life. However, the teachings of wabi-sabi encourages looking past the fact that life is inherently flawed, and that it is best enjoyed when we accept the way things are, rather than how we wish they could be.

It is said to date all the way back to ninth century Japan, or possibly earlier. According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, wabi (侘) means “subdued, austere beauty,” while sabi (寂) can be translated as “rustic patina”. The beauty of wabi-sabi is, therefore, not in what is readily apparent in the here and now. It can instead be found in the spaces between, and in the wisdom that can only be accumulated over time.

How to apply wabi-sabi in your home

Wabi-sabi bears many similarities to other modern design philosophies that are popular today, such as minimalist or Scandinavian/Nordic interior design. The differences lie in the intent, though. Where the Nordic concept of hygge emphasizes carefully-organized warmth, and minimalism prioritizes absolute perfection, wabi-sabi stresses the importance of respecting authenticity. Items and furnishings are valued for their history, as well as the qualities that make them unique, including their flaws and imperfections.

Decorate with intention

Mindfulness is one of the foundational principles of wabi-sabi. It’s not enough for everything in your home to have a place; it should also be purposefully chosen to serve a specific function. You’ll want to choose pieces based on how you want to live your life, rather than how beautiful or expensive they are.

Modern room dividers, such as the ones available here on our website, are an example of furnishings that combine both function and form. They allow you to separate a single room and define each space as its own area, so that you can use them more effectively. In a bedroom, modern room dividers provide a modicum of privacy for dressing and getting ready. You’ll find that our catalog includes many designs for modern room dividers that suit the wabi-sabi aesthetic.

Make use of natural materials

Appreciating the beauty of nature in all of its chaos and wildness is yet another foundational tenet of wabi-sabi. Using furnishings and decor made out of natural materials is also one of the easiest ways to decorate your home according to the wabi-sabi color palette.

For big pieces of furniture, go with natural wood that is finished in a way that allows its natural patterns to shine through. For textiles, it’s best to go with untreated fabrics and fibers. Doing so will fill your home in the warm tones of beige, brown, and gray that are characteristic of wabi-sabi design.

Learn to let go

Wabi-sabi is a great interior design philosophy to lean into when you feel overwhelmed because, like Scandinavian and minimalist interior design, it encourages you to live with less. Removing the clutter from your living spaces can contribute greatly to your health and overall well-being.

Making use of the Konmari method developed by author and organizing consultant Marie Kondo is an easy way to figure out which possessions you should keep. The Konmari method of organizing consists of gathering all of your belongings in one place so that you can see everything that you own, and only keeping the items that spark joy. Anything that you don’t use, need, or want, should be discarded. From there, you should be able to find a place for each item.

Treasure your possessions

As previously discussed, wabi-sabi involves finding beauty in the imperfectness of life. This mindset applies to everything in your home, from big pieces of furniture to decorative items. Look for ways to repair or repurpose your old things, and find beauty in their flaws.