Team KBB

Welcome the wabi-sabi concept to your bedroom with these tips

Posted on 15th December 2024

Design philosophies come in and out of favour over the years, but there are some that have stuck around with great success. Today, KBB journo Laurie Davidson explores the Japanese concept called wabi-sabi…

So, what is wabi-sabi? Said to be more of a feeling than a concept, it is the ancient Japanese philosophy that encourages you to find the joy in simplicity and imperfection.

Roughly translated, the phrase means ‘wisdom in natural simplicity’ or ‘awed beauty’. It’s easy to see how embracing imperfection rather than always striving for things to be perfect can lead to a feeling of contentment in any area of life, including interiors.

Wabi-sabi bedroom design with low-platform bed and wood panelling. — Wabi-sabi is known for its ‘less is more’ approach to create a tranquil scheme. Blue Moleanos Limestone, from £240 per sq m, Cullifords.

The origins of wabi-sabi can be found as far back as the 16th century, when it was a philosophy mostly applied to the arts, such as poetry and Zen gardens. These days, it’s filtered into our homes, with many recognising that including imperfect pieces can give a space a sense of authenticity and peacefulness.

Think of a small crack on a plate, for example, or a faded piece of fabric – wabi-sabi is an appreciation of something that becomes more beautiful as it ages. One expression of this is Kintsugi art, the Japanese practice of repairing broken pottery with gold, for a unique result.

Tips for embracing this philosophy

Incorporating this practice into your bedroom isn’t as hard as you think. Start by taking on the ‘less is more’ approach, and instead of throwing items away as they age, look at those imperfections as a way of bringing in individuality.

When furnishing your bedroom, opt for organic, sustainable materials, unglazed and unpolished finishes, and raw or irregular textures. That irregularity will help you avoid a sterile, uniform look that can be associated with more minimal schemes.

Wabi-sabi bedroom with stone surfaces and a low-hanging pendant. — Textured walls and floors (with Peronda’s Alchemy Pearl tiles, from £26 per sq m, from Tile of Spain), unglazed surfaces and a pendant light hung to one side, add interest to this scheme.

Include furniture in weathered wood, along with matt or limewash paint and decorate with fittings that age naturally, like polished brass.

Nothing should be too perfect – this philosophy is all about embracing the imperfect. Get it right and you’ll have created a bedroom scheme that’s not only beautiful but harmonious too. For more ideas and to get your moodboard going, scroll down…