What Is Wabi-Sabi Style? This Japanese Aesthetic Is Trending

For the not-so-neat among us, the cool, gleaming look of modern minimalism or quiet luxury was never going to work out well. And that’s where a more forgiving and organic approach to home decor—called wabi-sabi—comes into play.

If you’re looking for a more lived-in, but still lovely, design aesthetic, take a page from this traditional Japanese approach, which has found a whole new set of fans lately. Learn more about wabi-sabi—and how to bring it home.

What Is Wabi-Sabi Style?

Wabi-sabi isn’t strictly a design approach, but a traditional Japanese philosophy that embraces flaws and imperfections, and celebrates the impermanence of everything in life. One of the coolest examples of how this is approached is the practice of using gold metal to repair broken ceramics. Rather than hide the damage, the delicate lines of gold highlight and celebrate it.

“Wabi-sabi style is really interesting right now,” says Malka Helft, founder of Think Chic Interiors. “We’ve seen a big shift toward bringing nature indoors already, and wabi-sabi embraces that—bringing in plants, incorporating natural wood and interesting textures, and embracing imperfections,”

Helft sees a lot of beauty in this approach to living and decorating. “The core of wabi-sabi is just to stop seeking perfect. Perfect is machine-made—natural and handmade will have imperfections that make it even more beautiful.”

How to Add Wabi-Sabi Style to Your Decor

You probably already have everything you need to bring a little wabi-sabi into your home. Here’s how to do it.

Focus on natural materials

To embrace wabi-sabi, you want to bring elements of nature into your home. Think wood furniture or accessories, plants or flowers, natural stone, and fabrics like cotton, wool, or even silk.

Look for handmade accessories

Start scrolling through Etsy—or better yet, engage in a grandmacore craft or two to bring a little wabi-sabi to your home. Handmade and imperfect items—whether that’s a quilt you fell in love with at a craft fair or a drawing by your child—will add warmth and a personal touch to your home.

Don’t overdo your decor

While wabi sabi embraces a slightly more haphazard decorating style, you don’t want to head all the way over to maximalism. “Because it comes from Japanese culture, there’s still a lot of minimalism to it,” Helft says. “It’s not supposed to be over the top.” So you’ll still want to focus on keeping everything as clutter-free as possible.

Choose soothing colors

If you are planning a larger update—like a new paint job—choose natural shades like blues, greens, and creams that will help give your home a more chill, relaxed vibe. Natural wood tones like oak and walnut are also part of the vibe.

Add plenty of textures

Texture is important to wabi-sabi style, Helft says. “Natural materials are something you can feel and have a texture—it’s not just a stamp. You’ll have knots in a wood table, or a leathered texture to a stone countertop.” If you’re purchasing accessories, don’t shy away from mixing and matching textures to create interest.

Benefits of Wabi-Sabi Style

Wabi-sabi is a design philosophy that can be incorporated into pretty much any architectural style out there, Helft says. “It will work with everything. You can use oxidized metals like copper in a Victorian to give it wabi-sabi style, and natural stone works everywhere.” And there’s a lot to love about wabi-sabi interior design; here are a few benefits of this style.

It embraces imperfections

If you’re living with kids or pets that may give your home a bit more of a shabby chic look than you’re going for, wabi-sabi may be for you. The style embraces things like worn edges, a chipped vase, or a slightly frayed rug as adding beauty to your home decor. “It really adds warmth to your home,” Helft says.

It’s a use-what-you-have decorating style

You don’t have to go out and get all new stuff to bring a little wabi-sabi to your home. Take a look at what you have in your cupboards or basement—you may find the perfect little knick-knack or a delightfully off-kilter vase that you can fill with flowers from your backyard.