wabi-sabi style decor Wait… wabi-what? While design trends of the last few decades — like Feng Shui and Japandi — have largely centered around precision and simplicity, there is a new decor style in town. And it’s riding in on a wobbly wagon with scratches on the side and a hint of rust around the wheel wells. Wabi-sabi, which decor trend experts believe will take off in 2018, is all about embracing imperfection. If you’re more messy bun than taut ponytail, you’ll welcome this new set of design rules. If you’ve grown to embrace your Type A personality and all the lint rollers and symmetrical lines that go with that, you may still be able to find a bit of the wabi-sabi spirit anyway.

What Is Wabi-Sabi?

Wabi-sabi is based on an ancient Japanese worldview, and it’s all about embracing the beauty of the imperfect. Though it’s hard to articulate the meaning and philosophy of wabi-sabi exactly, its notions of hidden beauty and humility are similar to the west’s ideas of beauty as grandiosity and radiance. In terms of design aesthetic, think handmade bowls with uneven edges and vases with a dent in the side. Authenticity is a key tenet of wabi-sabi, so organic materials are also a major part of the movement. Decorating your spaces in wabi-sabi style is all about feeling at home among the simple things. Perhaps the best part of creating a wabi-sabi design is that the rules are malleable and, since perfection is not the goal, you can make it your own.

Creating Your Own Wabi-Sabi Look

You can shop for inspiration for this design trend nearly anywhere. Flea markets in particular will leave you spoiled for choice, but you don’t have to go sifting through large exhibits of antiques to complete a wabi-sabi look. Just keep simplicity in mind, and look for natural decor. Here are a few starting ideas:

Wabi-Sabi Walls

The wabi-sabi color palette skews white and earth-tone colors to reflect the beautiful simplicity of nature. A neutral-painted room will provide you with a calm spaciousness that will show off your other wabi-sabi pieces. What’s more, these colors never go out of style, which might give you an extra boost of confidence as you reach for the paint roller. Your wall lighting can also bring a sense of wabi-sabi to your home. Choose wall sconces in wood or metal that buck the typical look of a sconce – that means you can ditch the traditional vertical shade. Try our Gravy LED wall sconce in wood veneer or felt fabric, which will add a touch of charm to your living areas and match a simple wall color.

One-of-a-Kind Decor

Hand-blown glass is by its very nature imperfect and unique. Display hand-blown artistry in the form of vases or bowls with flowers or marbles to give an exciting punch of color to your entryway. Ceramics are also inherently imperfect. Even an expertly thrown bowl will have its own character; a thumb print on the side or a small scratch at the bottom give the piece a hidden personality. Feature ceramic decor around your rooms, or mix and match your dishware for a wabi-sabi surprise in your kitchen.

Natural Materials

Fabrics are an important facet of wabi-sabi. Instead of perfectly crisp polyester bedsheets and throws, use organic cotton and other natural fabrics. Wrinkles, faded dye, and other imperfections aren’t just accepted – they’re encouraged. You can also consider a simple leather sofa for your living room; feeling content with the simple things is a key aspect of the wabi-sabi lifestyle. The leather will show some weathering and wear over time, but that’s the whole idea. It’s also a great excuse to go ahead and put your feet up without feeling guilty! Wabi-sabi incorporates the simple nature of other Japanese design aesthetics, but it also lets you enjoy a little bit of loving untidiness. If you’re ready, dive in and embrace the aesthetic of wabi-sabi – perfection has always been dull, anyway. Contact The Back Store today and speak to our knowledgeable team about how you can create a more wabi-sabi home with our simply elegant and luxuriously comfortable pieces.