wabi-sabi living room design ideas & inspiration

what is a wabi-sabi living room?

before we dive in, it’s important to remember: wabi-sabi is a worldview that can be applied to many aspects of life. american artist leonard koren once described it as “material poverty, spiritual richness.” its ideals have influenced many an artist, which is why it has so much influence in interior design.

a wabi-sabi inspired living room can be so many things: minimal, lived-in, considered, authentic, ever-evolving. in it, you’ll find imperfection, transience, and natural elements, all embraced as they are. wabi-sabi invites you to slow down and appreciate impermanence.

elements of wabi-sabi living room design

many elements of the wabi-sabi style of living apply to the world of design. most especially: embracing imperfection, integrating natural materials, avoiding clutter, balancing form and function, and incorporating the old and new.

embracing imperfection in design

wabi-sabi finds beauty in imperfection. irregularities, cracks, and signs of wear enhance an object’s beauty rather than taking away from it. for a living room, that means leaning into the room’s historic character, embracing the patina of aging marble tile, or celebrating the knots and scratches of natural wood furniture. it also means you aren’t tied to creating symmetry.

integrating natural materials and textures

natural materials like stone, clay, wood, and linen reign supreme in the wabi-sabi view. a wabi-sabi inspired living room prizes these materials above all, be it with terracotta tile flooring, wood accents, or linen textiles. the result: a calming space with an organic feel.

creating a serene and uncluttered space

speaking of calming spaces: a wabi-sabi living room should feel minimal and uncluttered. rather than relying on excess furniture and decor, this kind of room leaves spaces open and only introduces elements that are carefully considered (like the above natural materials). in other words, less is more here.

balancing beauty with functionality

while wabi-sabi philosophy sees beauty in simplicity and imperfection, the living room still needs to be highly functional. any elements in this kind of space are beautiful while also serving a purpose. that could mean a handcrafted wooden bench with hidden storage, or a limestone tile floor that stands up to heavy traffic.

we love the way english textile designer william morris puts it: “have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”

incorporating the old and new

wabi-sabi design incorporates a balance of old and new. it’s why every wabi-sabi space you meet has a sense of lived-in comfort. mixing antique pieces with modern designs creates an interesting juxtaposition that gives the space character.

picture: an industrial modern coffee table paired with an antique linen settee, or a contemporary canvas print hung over a well-trafficked cement tile floor. combining the old and the new gives the room depth and warmth.

wabi-sabi living room ideas & inspiration

there are as many ways to create a wabi-sabi inspired living room as there are, well, living rooms. by embracing handmade materials, natural elements, and pieces that age gracefully, you can build a home that is tranquil, calming, and undeniably your own.

incorporate handmade artisan tiles

it’s no secret that we love handmade tile — no two tiles are exactly alike, and that’s exactly its beauty. artisanal tile lends a handcrafted quality to any space it graces, with its many perfectly imperfect variations.

while any type of handmade tile can give a living room floor or wall a wabi-sabi feel, we’re partial to natural stone, cement, brick, and terracotta. these develop a lovely patina that we encourage wabi-sabi followers to embrace, one that only gets better with time.

another option we’ll never stop espousing? authentic zellige, which is gets its artisanal qualities from a process that involves hand glazing, firing in ancient kilns, and hand cutting.

embrace weathered elegance

let’s stay on patina for a minute, as it’s exactly the kind of thing that can make a living room feel wabi-sabi inspired. this is the time to embrace weathered elegance. beyond tile flooring that acquires a patina as it ages, you can also look to details like reclaimed wood furniture, linen upholstery that softens over time, and leather armchairs that show their wear the more you enjoy them.

take inspiration from nature

remember when we said organic materials reign supreme in wabi-sabi inspired living rooms? they’re your first step in taking inspiration from nature. handmade tiles offer this, of course, when they’re made of limestone, marble, slate, travertine, brick, and terracotta. you might also consider accents made of wood, rattan, linen, and bamboo.

of course, you can also go literal here and incorporate elements like plants, flowers, or stones into your living room. these touches reflect the simplicity and imperfection found in nature because, well, they are nature. just keep the colors muted here and let those natural textures take center stage.

use neutral, muted colors

a note on color: wabi-sabi inspired spaces tend to gravitate toward neutrals such as creams, beiges, pale grays, and wood tones. you’re also likely to see earth tones, like green and terracotta (which we like to think are neutrals in their own right).

if you are planning to infuse a little color, try adding subtle hints here and there with textured throws, pillows, or rugs. the overall look should feel warm and calming.

weave in personal touches

while a wabi-sabi inspired living room leans on the minimal side, it isn’t without decoration. the key is to thoughtfully incorporate objects that hold personal meaning — or that you find both beautiful and useful.

personal touches like items foraged from nature can bring a cozy and intimate feeling into the room. (shells, feathers, and stones, for example.) maybe you own a tapestry handcrafted by a loved one, or a vase you picked up during your travels abroad. these are all things that can help create a living room that nourishes your spirit.

remember that less is more

wabi-sabi living rooms are minimal and uncluttered. they embrace empty space. let the above principles of favoring neutral colors and thoughtfully incorporating objects be your guide here.

and where you see an empty wall or open corner? the balanced move might be to simply let it stay that way.

choose items that age gracefully

remember: a wabi-sabi inspired space is meant to be lived in — and look lived in. (that’s especially true of living rooms, of course.) as you plan your room, consider how you can allow it to age gracefully over time. it starts with fixed features like the flooring and walls, incorporating materials that acquire a beautiful patina with time. but it also applies to objects that are meant to be well-loved and cherished.

when nicks and stains do happen, remember that they are to be embraced, even celebration. every imperfection in your decor tells a story.