What is wabi sabi decoration?

Do you know what Wabi Sabi decoration is?

No, it is not a new variety of sushi, though it does hail from the same place. Japanese influence has arrived in decorative aesthetics.

Simplicity, authenticity, naturalness, or imperfection are some of the adjectives of the Wabi-Sabi philosophy—the new trend for decorating your home that doesn’t actually follow trends.

This decorative style values and appreciates the art of imperfection and accepts the cycle of life. It finds an authentic beauty worthy of admiration in simplicity, irregularities, and nature, standing in contrast to the ostentatious and mass-produced items so typical of modern decorative aesthetics.

It is based on honest and relaxed decoration with a sober and austere character that conveys a certain order, while shunning the rigid symmetry typical of minimalism.

And what is a Wabi Sabi house like? Well, one that breaks many of the typical rules of decoration.

This decoration advocates for neutral colors that resemble those found in nature or suggest the passage of time—ranging from greens, browns, and wood tones to grays or snow whites. The same applies to materials and textiles, where the focus is on the organic and the natural, such as linen, jute, bamboo, wood, cotton, or wool.

It is an aesthetic that calls for just the right amount of decorative elements, prioritizing antique and unique pieces, often with a rustic finish. Since these items usually have an unfinished or imperfect style, they align with the philosophy that anything with a history manages to bring soul to a home. By decorating only with the essentials, spacious areas are created that provide “breathing room” and allow the beauty of each element to be appreciated.

Because defects and imperfections are considered beautiful, these characteristics are also found in the structure of the home—such as old wooden columns and doors embellished by the passage of time, or rough walls with exposed cracks, free from ornaments or artifice.

This philosophy and Eastern-inspired aesthetic will grant the home and its rooms a sense of calm, comfort, and, above all, authenticity.