What Is Wabi Sabi Design? - Check The Most Popular 2022 Trend
Interior design trends are constantly changing. After the popular arrangements referring to Swedish and Danish styles, the time has come to appreciate imperfections and rejecting the currently promoted fashion. Wabi Sabi is a Japanese philosophy, used more and more often in interior designs. It refers to minimalism, evanescence and lack of attachment to material objects. Wabi Sabi interiors are characterised by simple furniture, a minimal number of accessories and a kind of carelessness, which has its charm. Wabi Sabi means wrinkled linen curtains and sitting cushions scattered around the floor. Such interiors are particularly attractive for young people.
Live Wabi Sabi - what is the philosophy of Wabi Sabi?
Wabi Sabi originates in the Land of the Rising Sun - Japan. The main premise of this philosophy refers to finding beauty in simplicity and subtlety. The term abi can be translated as poverty or restraint. Sabi on the other hand is an artistic term which can be translated as covering things with the patina of time. Wabi Sabi definition refers to a philosophy of style that refers to finding beauty in humble and not quite perfect things.
The style coming from Japan is, therefore, a complete opposite of what has been popular in interior design. Where everything has to be perfectly matched to create an ideal combination together. Wabi-Sabi is not just an interior design style. It’s also a way of perceiving one’s surroundings originating in the Buddhist Zen philosophy.
Wabi Sabi design for interiors - what are the characteristics of this style?
Wabi Sabi design can be characterized by a reference to nature and simplicity. Undoubtedly, natural materials are its most important elements:
- natural wood,
- stone,
- wicker.
It’s best if those materials are marked by use. As for decorations, Wabi Sabi art is definitely dominated by ceramics, such as small candle holders and pots.
Wabi Sabi design - colors
Live Wabi Sabi - according to Buddhist philosophy. Earth colors are perfect shades for this style:
- beige,
- brown,
- shades of grey,
- white.
Because of the colors referring to earth, Wabisabi interiors seem significantly warmer and cozier. Additionally, they make the room seem larger. It is particularly important for interiors with little space, e.g. a small living room or bedroom.
Neutral colors on walls also promote quicker relaxation, e.g. after a long day at work. One can calm down and nap in such an interior.
Wabi-Sabi - characteristic materials
Wabi Sabi meaning also refers to the lack of attachment to the quality of products. For this reason, natural materials dominate in this type of interior design. Wood and stone are a perfect choice, as they complement the interior well.
When choosing fabrics, it’s recommended to pick linen. This material gets easily wrinkled, so accessories made of it always look crumbled - it perfectly fits into Wabi Sabi design.
The philosophy also concerns evanescence and time passing, in extension - wearing out the furniture used in the interior. Scratches on furniture, cracks on dishes and even damaged walls are inherent features of this style.
You can get an interesting effect by using a special method that makes the plaster look as if falling off.
Wabi Sabi design - what interiors is it suitable for?
Wabi Sabi design looks good in basically any interior. It is perfect in a living room and bedroom. If you decide to use it, you have to accept the passing of time - meaning the gradual damage of the furniture and other objects. The lack of attachment to new objects is crucial for this style, so it might be a good idea to search for second-hand furniture, which has interesting history and age. Currently, many manufacturers offer collections of furniture, customized specifically for the Japanese philosophy.
Wabi Sabi design - accessories
When searching for accessories that match Wabi Sabi art and philosophy, refer to nature. A piece of bark with moss and a few small candles might make a good decoration. A single flower in a small vase also matches this style perfectly.
You can also make imperfect decorations using DIY method - for instance, a candle holder. You can decorate it using a tree branch, with a few leaves, or other ecological elements.
📍 What is Wabii Sabi?
Wabi Sabi originates in Japan. Wabi means restraint and poverty, while Sabi is an art of covering objects with patina. Wabi Sabi definition mostly refers to the philosophy, and recently it has grown into an interesting and intriguing interior design style.
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