Wabi-Sabi Interior Design at London Design Week 2023
The highly-anticipated London Design Week returns for 2023 and is set to be an inspiring event, celebrating the best of international design. One of the highlights to keep an eye out for is Wabi-Sabi interior design. Though a respected interiors aesthetic, Wabi-Sabi is more than a design trend; it is a philosophy of life that can transform your every day. Read on to learn more about this Japanese art ideology featuring at London Design Week, and how to implement it in your home.
What is London Design Week?
London Design Week is an annual affair showcasing emerging and established designers from all over the world. The London event attracts many visitors and seeks to wow the public with innovative design ideas and upcoming trends. Art, design, and architecture enthusiasts can enjoy workshops, industry talks, impressive art installations, and more. London Design Week 2023 will take place 13 – 17 March.
Wabi-Sabi: The Beauty of Imperfection
The true magic of Wabi-Sabi is the way it celebrates the beautifully imperfect. With origins in Japanese art and Buddhist philosophy, the meaning of Wabi-Sabi is profoundly endearing. ‘Wabi’ refers to focusing on spiritual riches over the material and the beauty inherent in simplicity. ‘Sabi’ asks us to consider how time passes us, in addition to a beauty found beneath exterior appearances.
Consider these 7 Wabi-Sabi principles:
- Fukinsei – Imperfection
- Kanso – Simplicity
- Koko – Internal beauty
- Shizen – Natural
- Yugen – Mysterious and profound beauty
- Datsukozu – Unworldliness
- Seijaku – Tranquility
The gift of Wabi-Sabi lies in the way it helps you flow with life — it transforms your perceptions. You once winced at that coffee table with the chip on it; now you have come to revere it. The recognition of a charm found in the imperfect extends to your daily experience – your self-perceived flaws are now the fountain for which you build compassion and true respect for yourself and others. In design and life ethos, Wabi-Sabi invites you to let go of the fruitless pursuit of perfection.
Four Simple Ways You Can Implement Wabi-Sabi Today
- Choose Asymmetry
It’s time to do away with the desire for balance. An authentic Wabi-Sabi interior style chooses decor with an uneven shape and a ‘worn’ look that suggests a rich history. Focus on antique, rustic furnishings. If you feel calm and content when you walk into the room, you’re on the right path.
2. Nature, Always
Now is the time to delve deeper into biophilic design, bringing natural elements into your home for a moment away from the modern world’s chaos. Eco-friendly, sustainable materials reign here. Wabi-Sabi interiors centre around wood, ceramics, linen, and stone. Concrete can complement these materials due to its pure rawness — consider a granite stone basin to bring this element into your bathroom.
Use colours that embody the earth — neutrals, shades of brown, and greens. Brass, copper, and bronze will suit your Wabi-Sabi aesthetic impeccably.
3. Embody Simplicity
Slow down and enjoy the seemingly mundane moments of life. When you make your bed, take your time. Aim not for a perfectly creaseless final result. A crinkle here and a small fold there can make your space feel more natural. A Wabi-Sabi bedroom design means ‘imperfection’.
Home fixtures should match the desire for slowness, such as a clawfoot freestanding bath, fitting for those moments of meditation and life contemplation.
4. Celebrate Uniqueness
Your Wabi-Sabi furniture ought to include one-of-a-kind pieces that age like fine wine. No mass-produced, ‘fast fashion’ style furnishings. Antique stores, flea markets, and even online marketplaces allow you to explore the historical treasures that enrich your home. However, this is not the time to purchase every unique piece you find; Wabi-Sabi also means minimising your clutter and disposing of anything that doesn’t bring you joy.
Discover more Wabi-Sabi style inspiration with Japandi Style: Your Guide to Achieving the Look.
Do you desire the look and feel of understated luxury? Enjoy a complimentary design consultation to perfect your Wabi-Sabi style today.
