This is the interior trend taking homes by storm in recent months known as Wabi Sabi, a Japanese aesthetic characterised by its simplicity, asymmetry, neutral colour palette and clutter-free approach. Based on the Buddhist teachings, Wabi Sabi is centred on an acceptance of transience and imperfection.
Essentially, the principals of Wabi Sabi are based on living simply, keeping only your sentimentals and decluttering your home of unnecessary objects. Wabi Sabi is so much more than an interior décor trend. It describes a lifestyle based on being content with little and making the most of what you have. It’s also about honouring the passage of time and displaying the beauty of age in certain objects throughout your home.
So, in order to achieve this fine balance of living in a clutter-free space but also holding onto some of your oldest, most beautifully weathered pieces, here is a Westernised spin on Wabi Sabi:
1. Embracing the beauty of age
Perhaps a lesson to learn in our personal lives too is learning to embrace the bruised, battered and weathered beauty that comes with aging. Wabi Sabi encourages home owners to hold onto these authentic items and proudly display them in their homes, rather than intentionally making something look worn or replacing it with something new. This may include a worn leather couch, or old, solid wood furniture. These items can be juxtaposed next to fresh, new linens, carpeting or drapes for a natural, lived-in appeal.
2. Harnessing natural materials
Wabi Sabi is all about embracing what is natural, organic and most-inspired by the earth we call home. This home interior trend focuses on honest, raw and organic materials – less plastic and more natural woods, ceramics, stone, concrete, glass and marble.
3. Keep your colour palette natural
The Japanese trend also focuses on naturally occurring colours of nature to be incorporated throughout the home for a fresh and calming feel. These colours are typically derived from those seen in nature- when you look at the ocean, the mountains, the desert, the sky etc. Some of the most popular colours include cool grey, blue, white, cream and stone hues.
4. Drawing inspiration from nature
By this we mean bringing some of the outdoors, in. Wabi Sabi is also characterised by heading outdoors for inspiration and bringing this indoors as the ultimate accessory to tie your room together. Items such as sticks in vases, branches as a table centre piece, tall grass in standing pots etc. The idea is to let this natural foliage fall and hang loosely, perfection is not the end goal!
5. Let the light in
Finally, this trend is all about embracing natural light – which in itself is probably the best light to filter into your home. It doesn’t cost a penny and creates its own beauty in all its dappled glory. Wabi Sabi encourages home owners to keep windows free of heavy curtains, using lightly-coloured drapes where necessary. You’re also encouraged to open windows on a daily basis to let out old smells and encourage new ones into your home.
Draw some inspiration from the simplicity and effortlessness of Wabi Sabi. Lose the perfection and embrace the worn and wrinkled. Curate and collect – but be sure to edit. Let go of clutter, from the kitchen to the bedroom – do you really need 10 pairs of jeans and a jersey in every colour?
Reject rigidity and conformity in your home and your life – it could be a completely cathartic experience for both you and your family!