creating a wabi-sabi kitchen: tips to inspire you

understanding the essence of wabi-sabi kitchen design

there are many ways to create a wabi-sabi inspired kitchen, and they all revolve around several key facets of the wabi-sabi view. embracing imperfection, leaning into simplicity, favoring craftsmanship, and seeking harmony are just a few of them.

homing in on kitchen design specifically, you can expect to see heavy use of natural materials, textural contrast, muted colors, asymmetry, and negative space.

incorporating wabi-sabi elements into your kitchen

let’s look a little more closely at wabi-sabi elements that could play a starring role in the kitchen.

select materials inspired by nature

you’d be hard-pressed to find a wabi-sabi kitchen that doesn’t feature natural materials. picture a natural travertine backsplash with marble countertops, a terracotta tiled floor, reclaimed wood shelving, and linen textiles.

embrace rustic finishes and patinas

speaking of natural materials: the wabi-sabi view embraces how these materials change over time. a brick floor whose patina hints at heavy foot traffic, wooden accents that are worn from years of use — these types of finishes make a wabi-sabi inspired space feel lived-in.

choose earthy tones and muted colors

a wabi-sabi inspired space is made up of muted colors and earthy tones. this is where you’ll prize a neutral palette of browns, tans, greys, greens, and terracottas. these natural hues complement organic materials and help create a serene space.

embrace imperfection and authenticity

if you have chipped bowls, patinated copper pots, or worn napkins, reconsider the urge to repair or replace them. the wabi-sabi japanese philosophy embraces these kinds of imperfections and even celebrates them for the personal memories they hold. the same goes for the imperfections you’ll find in natural materials.

maximize natural light and airiness

in a space that prioritizes the use of natural materials, it only makes sense to incorporate natural light as well. sunlight can highlight the imperfections in stone tile, for example, or emphasize the uneven texture of raw, unfinished wood.

balance function and beauty

wabi-sabi’s focus on minimalism means that you should incorporate only objects that are useful, or particularly beautiful. an object need not be both — incorporating a little of each, in fact, can help you achieve that just-right balance of function and beauty.

tips for a wabi-sabi kitchen

when it comes to creating a wabi-sabi kitchen, we (naturally) have some opinions about tile. making the right tile choices, after all, is one of the most powerful ways you can infuse your space with a wabi-sabi view. more on that below — along with a few other interior design ideas we often see.

choose artisan floor tiles

in a kitchen centered around the perfectly imperfect, artisan floor tiles are a natural fit. this type of handmade tile adds character with its subtle variation in size, color, and texture. we’re especially fond of stone, brick, and terracotta here.

choose earthy tones for walls and backsplashes

when adding color to your walls and backsplash, opt for earthy tones like terracottas, greens, and soft browns. raw terracotta tile is an excellent choice here for obvious reasons, but you might also consider a glazed brick or zellige tile in this color palette.

opt for distressed or reclaimed wood cabinetry

if you’ll be installing new cabinetry, opting for distressed or reclaimed wood is a great way to infuse a lived-in feel from the get-go. wabi-sabi inspired spaces favor love-worn objects over the shiny and new.

create a focal point with natural stone countertops

of all the kitchen countertop materials out there, natural stone makes the most sense in a wabi-sabi space. go for dolomite if you’d prefer a classic white, or get adventurous with boldly streaked calacatta gold.

incorporate open shelving

open shelving is an excellent way to introduce open space to the kitchen — and encourage editing down. this is where you’ll want to display your most prized possessions, be they beautiful or functional.

display rustic kitchenware

speaking of open shelving: rustic kitchenware might be just the thing to display on yours (if rustic kitchenware is you, of course). beautiful, functional, rich in patina — it checks all the wabi-sabi boxes, so to speak.

use woven baskets for storage and organization

woven baskets are another type of item you might find in a wabi-sabi kitchen, especially if they are of the handmade variety. practical with natural textures, they can bring beautiful function to a pantry, open shelving, or cabinets.

add potted plants or fresh herbs for greenery

considering how central nature is to the wabi-sabi philosophy, potted plants and fresh herbs fit well into this type of kitchen. consider adding a houseplant you find to be especially useful, or introduce a bit of function as well by keeping frequently used herbs close by.

select lighting fixtures with organic shapes and materials

while wabi-sabi inspired spaces make heavy use of sunlight, no kitchen would be complete without adequate lighting. as you choose overhead, accent, and task lighting, look at fixtures that feature natural materials or organic silhouettes.

mix and match furniture pieces for a lived-in feel

wabi-sabi inspired spaces feel lived-in. transient. thoughtfully curated. whether you’re choosing a table, chairs, or an island for your kitchen, remember that mixing and matching (and introducing well-loved pieces) is encouraged.