Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese Philosophy That Embraces a Beautifully Imperfect Home

Make It Your Own

"Wabi-sabi is a philosophy rather than a set of rules or parameters to follow. Wabi-sabi for me may not be wabi-sabi for you. Don't take the term as is," says Wong. "In fact, a lot of Japanese (or rather, foreign) words lose their depth when they get translated into English, so it's important to understand that there's more substance to this abstract term."

This is a way of life, and that means it's going to look different for everyone. One person may fill their space with neutrals, while another brings in color. But both will keep the décor authentic to their sense of style and celebrate the natural world.

Embrace Wear and Tear

"Wabi-sabi embraces wear and tear as a natural and organic process while being able to find beauty in it," says Wong. Rather than stressing over a ding in your coffee table or tarnishing on metal items, celebrate them as a marker of a life well lived.

Choose Organic Materials

Not all materials will develop a beautiful patina that echoes the wabi-sabi philosophy. Natural materials will age well over time, while synthetic materials are more likely to look tired. "Organic materials will age gracefully," Wong says. "Wabi-sabi is about choosing organic materials like wood and shikkui plaster, which is a type of Japanese plaster that is made out of seaweed fibers. They're natural and age really nicely."

Allow for Growth

Wabi-sabi emphasizes welcoming the passage of time both in life and your home. Nothing is ever perfect or finished—it's all a journey. "Allow for growth and evolution in your spaces. This sounds abstract but it simply means not to strive for perfection, but rather a high enough and realistic standard that at the same time still provides a level of comfort," says Wong.

This means that even if your home isn't your dream space today, you can still find beauty and comfort in it now.

Invest in Quality

"Invest in nice pieces that you will have for life instead of buying one that serves as a means to an end. Higher quality items age with you. Of course, repair them when the time comes instead of replace," says Wong.

These items encourage seeing the craftsmanship and beauty in them, while romanticizing the details. You can more fully immerse yourself in your surroundings when there are fewer, higher quality items.

Tell Your Own Story

Not everything in a wabi-sabi space should be purchased or intentionally designed from the home. Part of wabi-sabi is bringing in elements from the natural world that tell your own story. These items should evoke the senses and bring back personal memories. "It can mean picking up rocks from random trips and using them as bookends or table centerpieces," says Wong.

Lean Into Simplicity

"Simplicity reigns supreme in wabi-sabi, with an emphasis on minimalism and uncluttered spaces that evoke tranquility and understated elegance," says Lerner. Each item in your space should feel intentionally chosen. Nothing is there by chance.

Choose Earth Tones

While you should use the colors that speak to you, wabi-sabi traditionally incorporates neutrals that are found within the natural world. "The use of earthy, subdued colors and textures further enriches the serene and authentic ambiance," says Lerner. "Embrace a subdued, earthy color scheme to evoke a connection to nature and foster a peaceful setting."

Look for Organic Shapes

"Seek furniture and decor featuring organic shapes and subtle flaws that celebrate each piece's unique charm," says Lerner. Furniture with rounded lines and soft edges evokes the curvy, organic silhouettes we see in nature, particularly when they are made from stone, wood, and other natural materials.

Incorporate Homemade Items

Seeing the handprints of real people on items is another way to feel connected to the moment and time. "Integrate handmade goods and artisan crafts, bearing the artisan's touch and narrative," says Lerner. This forces you to pause and consider who made the item, what inspired them, and how humans are capable of creating beautifully imperfect art.

Find Beauty in Age

Your home becomes an inviting, peaceful place to be when you embrace the elements of wabi-sabi that discourage seeing our physical world as something to be thrown away as it ages. "Embrace the passage of time in your living space," Lerner says. "Welcome patina, signs of use, and the natural maturing of your possessions. By cherishing the beauty in imperfections and impermanence, craft a home that is cozy, welcoming, and profoundly intimate."