Wabi-sabi at home: finding calm in simplicity

In a world filled with constant stimulation and perfection, the desire for calm is growing. More and more people are looking for interiors that are not only beautiful, but also meaningful and authentic. The Japanese concept of wabi-sabioffers a different way of seeing beauty: one where simplicity, imperfection and time take centre stage.

But what does wabi-sabi really mean? And how can you bring this philosophy into your own home?

What is wabi-sabi?

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese aesthetic philosophy that finds beauty in imperfection, transience and simplicity.

• Wabi refers to sobriety, quietness and simplicity.

• Sabi refers to the beauty of ageing and patina.

Together, they form a vision in which objects do not need to be perfect to be valuable. On the contrary: it is the traces of time that give depth and character.

Why wabi-sabi feels so relevant today

In our contemporary world, we are surrounded by mass production and rapidly changing trends. Everything must be new, sleek and flawless.

Wabi-sabi offers a counterbalance.

It invites us to:

• choose more consciously

• own less, but better

• recognise beauty in authenticity

• leave space for silence and calm

A wabi-sabi interior does not feel busy — it breathes.

Wabi-sabi in your interior: 5 practical principles

1) Choose natural materials

Materials that live and age naturally fit perfectly within wabi-sabi:

wood with visible grain

ceramics with a raw texture (such as Bizen or Shigaraki)

linen, cotton and wool

stone, clay and paper

The less processed, the better.

2) Embrace imperfection

In a wabi-sabi interior, nothing needs to be perfect.

A handmade vase, a vintage object with patina or an asymmetrical form bring character and authenticity. Small irregularities are not flaws, but signs of craftsmanship.

3) Work with space and emptiness

Wabi-sabi is not about filling a space, but about leaving things out.

Leave space between objects.
Choose one meaningful piece rather than many decorative items.

Emptiness is not a lack, but an essential part of the aesthetic.

4) Choose objects with a story

Within wabi-sabi, objects carry emotional value.

Think of:

• vintage Japanese Kokeshi

• hand-thrown ceramics

• heirlooms

• objects marked by time

Not trends, but stories take centre stage.

5) Use soft, earthy colours

Wabi-sabi colours are never loud.

Think of:

• earth tones

• sand and clay

• deep indigo

• off-white

• muted shades

Colours that bring calm into your home.

Japanese objects and wabi-sabi

Many Japanese handcrafted objects naturally embody the wabi-sabi philosophy.

Bizen and Shigaraki ceramics show organic kiln effects.
Kokeshi dolls reveal subtle traces of handwork.
Vintage objects tell a story shaped by time.

They are not made to be perfect, but to carry meaning.

Calm as a new luxury

In a world where everything must be faster and more perfect, calm becomes a form of luxury.

Wabi-sabi teaches us to look differently — not at what is missing, but at what already exists.

Perhaps that is the essence of wabi-sabi:
finding beauty in simplicity.

Discover wabi-sabi at Tamashii

At Tamashii, we select objects that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also carry a story.

Pieces that reveal the beauty of time, craftsmanship and imperfection — exactly as wabi-sabi intends.

→ Discover our collection.