what is wabi-sabi? principles of wabi-sabi design

modern farmhouse brick in black gloss

whether we’re waxing poetic about zellige tile or pondering the distinctive beauty of eastern earthenware, it’s no secret we have a love for handmade tile in all its imperfections. we’re not the only ones, either. accepting and even celebrating imperfection is one concept you’ll find in wabi-sabi, a japanese philosophy centered around all that is transient, incomplete, and imperfect.

what is wabi-sabi design style?

wabi-sabi is deeply ingrained in japanese culture, so it can be difficult to define its meaning in just a few words.

before we dive in, let’s get one thing straight: wabi-sabi is a worldview that can be applied to many aspects of life—it's much more than an interior designer talking point. its ideals have influenced the work of many western designers and artists, which could explain why it has such a strong hold in the design space.

american artist leonard koren, whose book wabi-sabi for artists, designers, poets & philosophers helped introduce wabi-sabi to the western world, describes the concept as “a beauty of all things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. it is a beauty of things modest and humble. it is a beauty of things unconventional.”

the history of wabi-sabi philosophy

when we ask, "what is wabi-sabi style?" it's important to remember that the history of wabi-sabi is somewhat elusive.

while wabi-sabi is a distinctly japanese philosophy, it developed over several centuries while drawing buddhist influences from china. if you understand zen teachings about simplicity, connecting with the natural world, and focusing on the present moment, wabi-sabi will sound familiar.

the term “wabi-sabi” first appeared in japanese literature in the 16th century. at the time, the term was associated with the tea ceremony, or chanoyu, which had adopted unpretentious aesthetics as a reaction to the opulence and extravagance of the preceding era. chanoyu remains one of the most well-known expressions of wabi-sabi today.

looking at the words “wabi” and “sabi” individually: both words have many meanings. in a nutshell, “wabi” originally referred to the loneliness of living in nature. “sabi,” on the other hand, meant “lean” or “withered.” over time, these words have taken on more positive connotations, with “wabi” referring more to subdued, austere beauty and “sabi” referring more to the patina objects develop over time.

the irony is that in japan, few people use the phrase “wabi sabi” in the context of style or home design, and using the phrase in that context of japanese interior design might earn you a puzzled look. in other words, the packaging of wabi sabi as a design style using that moniker is a particularly american one.

principles of wabi-sabi interior design

so, what is wabi-sabi design? simplicity. harmony. mindfulness. the beauty of imperfection. they’re all words you could use to describe the fundamentals of wabi-sabi.

embracing imperfection

wabi-sabi interior design embraces the idea that imperfections can enhance the beauty of an object or space. cracks, irregularities, and signs of wear are a testament to the passage of time and an object’s history.

minimalist simplicity

minimalist wabi-sabi interior design focuses on what is essential and meaningful. as a result, it tends to favor the simple things, avoiding clutter and excess ornamentation.

harmony with nature

interiors that incorporate wabi-sabi ideals feel at harmony with their surroundings and make use of natural materials and natural elements. this is because wabi-sabi recognizes the interdependence of nature and human beings and seeks to strike a sense of balance between the two.

mindfulness and awareness

wabi-sabi encourages a deeper appreciation for the present moment, including thoughts, feelings, senses, and experiences. that means noticing the beauty and imperfections in your everyday life and surroundings.

quality and craftsmanship

handmade items (like zellige and its lookalikes) have beautiful imperfections and irregularities, both things that wabi-sabi deeply values and embraces. within wabi-sabi, there is a deep respect for craftsmanship and the skillful work of artisans.

timelessness over trends

wabi-sabi design style embraces timelessness over fleeting trends by celebrating imperfection, simplicity and the beauty of natural aging. it favors organic materials, earthy tones and handcrafted, natural elements that develop character over time. unlike trend-driven designs, wabi-sabi encourages a lived-in aesthetic where weathered textures, asymmetry and raw finishes create a serene, enduring space.

how to bring wabi-sabi style into your home

you’re likely already seeing how these principles translate into interior design. as you contemplate incorporating wabi-sabi into your own home, here are some key concepts to keep in mind.

create textural contrast

because wabi-sabi has such a strong connection to nature, wabi-sabi inspired homes tend to make heavy use of natural materials for textural contrast. think: real stone, raw wood, and organic textiles.

choose muted, earthy tones

while wabi-sabi interiors may have any color palette, earth tones like brown, green, beige, grey, and terracotta tend to play a starring role. when it comes to paint and home decor, muted colors and matte finishes are especially popular.

favor natural materials

again, wabi-sabi favors natural materials like stone, wood, and clay for their inherent qualities and ability to evolve over time. (we’re imagining the lovely patina of brick over many years.)

create balance with asymmetry

unlike some other design styles that make use of strict symmetry, wabi-sabi style uses asymmetry and irregularity to create a sense of balance and harmony. it’s all about creating a place that feels natural and authentic.

be intentional with negative space

interiors within the wabi-sabi aesthetic also use negative space to create a sense of balance. beauty is found not only in the subject but also in the emptiness around it. for some, the absence of clutter and excess decoration can even serve as a reminder of the impermanence of material possessions.

play with natural light and shadow

light and shadow shape our understanding of the natural world, so they play a central role in wabi-sabi as well. sunlight can highlight the imperfections in stone tile, for example, while shadow might emphasize the uneven texture of raw, unfinished wood.

highlight personal connection

wabi-sabi encourages individuals to forge deep connections with themselves, others, and the objects that surround them. the deep patina of a cement tile floor, for example, could evoke memories of the many friends and family members who have passed through a space.

editing down

because wabi-sabi design emphasizes simplicity and minimalism, it typically involves editing down a space to include only items that are essential or cherished. you could say less is more here.

as our friend leonard koren puts it, “pare down to the essence, but don't remove the poetry.”

applying wabi-sabi style to your next tile project

if wabi-sabi speaks to you, you can certainly apply its principles to your next tile project, be it a wabi-sabi kitchen, living room, or bathroom.

it’s only natural

look to natural materials, for starters. zellige, which is traditionally made in morocco from local clay, is known for its perfectly imperfect feel (as are terracotta and eastern earthenware). brick and stone are also great options, as they can lend incredible texture to a space.

if it’s a tile that draws a connection to a home’s natural surroundings, chances are it would fit nicely into the wabi-sabi aesthetic.

patina is perfection

it’s also helpful to imagine the kind of patina your tile will develop over time. every tile evolves differently, but you can generally expect cement, terracotta, and any type of porous, unglazed tile to show the most dramatic changes over the years. according to wabi-sabi philosophy (and those of us here at clé), these changes are to be embraced and even encouraged.

for something that still develops a patina, but in a much subtler way, you’ll want to look into glazed ceramic or glazed brick tiles.

a show of hands

one more thing to consider is craftsmanship. handmade tile, with its subtle inconsistencies, varying tones, and textural differences, bears the mark of the artisans who crafted it. no two batches of handmade tile are exactly alike.

by incorporating handmade options into your project, you can embrace imperfection in a way that is central to wabi-sabi philosophy.

looking to create your own wabi-sabi living room, bathroom—or any other room? we carry a wealth of handcrafted options, from terracotta and brick to cement and stone. see our collections to find a tile option that resonates with you and your home.