Ways to Incorporate Wabi-Sabi Interior Design and Wallpaper in Your Home

Wabi Sabi has its beliefs originating from Japan dating back to the 15th century. Long before Wabi-Sabi took over the world of modern interior design, it was first popularized as the “Zen” way of life. Rooted in Japanese Buddhist beliefs, it steers away from the modern society’s obsession with perfection and focuses on the present life. It is a way of perceiving life, with the aim to emphasise the beauty of transience and the allure of age and wear. "The Wabi Sabi cultivates all that is authentic by recognising three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is complete and nothing is perfect." a quote by Author Richard R. Powell in his book - Wabi Sabi Simple: Create beauty. Value imperfection. Live deeply. 

Incorporating the Wabi-Sabi interior design concept is much more than just following color template or design style. Instead, it is about designing living spaces thoughtfully by focusing on simplicity and authenticity while make mindful design choices. It eliminates unnecessary clutter down to the essentials.

Wabi Sabi Interior Design Tips For Your Home

From being more intentional about your home decor to looking at your everyday items and routine, There’s no clear cut way to emulate or translate the wabi-sabi philosophy into home decor. Here's how to bring the art of wabi-sabi into your home.

1. Pick items that grows with time and grace

A key feature of a wabi-sabi home is the appreciation of the natural aging process. Focus on picking out high quality items that can weather well and look great with age. Look for hand me downs - wood furniture, brass fixtures and even an accessory such as ceramic vase that has been passed down from through generations, that can add a focal point to your home’s interior and a great conversation starter.

2. Embracing the art of imperfections

Imperfections remind us that nothing is permanent and perfect, and this is how wabi sabi is applied in creativity. A great example of wabi sabi is the art of kintsugi - where cracks on pottery (or your chipped tea cup) are filled with gold lacquer that emphasizes and embraces its faults and damage. 

3. Be intentional with the decor you pick for your home

Be mindful and selective when it comes to buying homewares for your home because it defines how one would live their life. Wabi Sabi is a philosophy of life that teaches us to value the present and everything we have.

4. Embrace greenery and natural elements

Find beauty in everything around us, accepting imperfection, using natural and organic materials, and keeping it all very minimalistic and basic. Wabi sabi is about creating a connection with nature.The use of organic materials, asymmetry, simplicity, and opting for natural touches such as plants are some of its key components. Natural materials such as rattan, wood, bamboo, clay pottery are the best decor pieces for a wabi-sabi home. Don't be afraid to introduce unevenly glazed pottery with imperfect shapes, they add a character to your space.  

5. Be mindful of your everyday life

Wabi-sabi is a way of life and a philosophy. Take time to slow down and appreciate the beauty in everyday objects around your house and in your usual routine. Such mindful living brings moments of pleasure to what would otherwise be a standard day.

Wallpapers ideas for the Wabi Sabi interior design look

Wallpapers are a great way to bring wabi-sabi art into your home, a focal point that brings together the wabi sabi interior design in your home.

Wabi-Sabi Interior Design Wallpaper #1: Kasumisou Japanese, Wallpaper

Inspired by Kasumisou (which means gypsophila, commonly known as baby’s breath in japanese), we’ve designed a wallpaper which features a warm, organic arrangement of Gypsophila twigs and flower buds that instantly brings softness and serenity to a space.

Its flexible design can be oriented in portrait or landscape orientations, making it suitable for wide or tall walls in your space

Pictured: Kasumisou Japanese, Wallpaper

Wabi-Sabi Interior Design Wallpaper #2: Kintsuguroi Japanese, Wallpaper

Inspired by the Kintsugi philosophy, this design uses our metallic gold substrate, exposing joint lines that shimmer in the light.

These beautiful gold lines show itself differently according to the intensity and direction of light that change naturally throughout the day.

Pictured: Kintsuguroi Japanese, Wallpaper

Wabi-Sabi Interior Design Wallpaper #3: Shoji Japanese Wallpaper

A modern take on the traditional shoji screen, this borderless design sets bring calmness and quietude to a space.

Its flexible design can be oriented in portrait or landscape orientations, making it suitable for wide or tall walls in your space.

Wabi-Sabi Interior Design Wallpaper #4: Ara's Trees, Wallpaper

Infuse your space with serene tranquility through Ara's Birch Tree, Mural Wallpaper, a captivating design showcasing majestic birch trees that seemingly reach for the sky.

Pictured: Ara's Trees, Wallpaper

Wabi-Sabi Interior Design Wallpaper #5: Misty Mornings, Wallpaper

Bring stillness and calm to your senses with the Misty Mornings wallpaper. Paired with simple furniture, this is sure to bring zen to anyone any time of the day. 

Pictured: Misty Mornings, Wallpaper

Wabi-Sabi Interior Design Wallpaper #6: Crackle, Wallpaper

The crackle wallpaper is meant to be a reminder of the beauty of imperfection. Evenly spaced random dark crackles construct a graphic line pattern, adding structure to the room but in an earthy, dynamic way. 

Pictured: Crackle, Wallpaper

Wabi-Sabi Interior Design Wallpaper #7: Breathe, Nature Wallpaper

Breath in and breath out. Let the wallpaper “Breathe” give you a reminder to lower your shoulders and take a few mindful deep breaths during the day.

Pictured: Breathe, Nature Wallpaper

Wabi-Sabi Interior Design Wallpaper #8:  Zen Japanese, Wallpaper

This Japanese-inspired wallpaper brings about a wondrously calm atmosphere and focal point in your home with its softly draping cherry branches. An oasis, a place of zen—it's not hard to achieve that right in your very own home.

Pictured: Zen Japanese, Wallpaper

Wabi-Sabi Interior Design Wallpaper #9: Bamboo Garden, Wallpaper

Inspired by the magnificent forest of bamboo. It provide a beautifully calm atmosphere and focal point in your home. Stunning natural wooden tones create a stillness that will not only help you feel more calm and relaxed but also produce airy, lightweight feature wall in your own space.

Pictured: Bamboo Garden, Wallpaper

Wabi Sabi Interior Design Wallpaper #10: Moon Zen Japanese, Wallpaper

This Japanese inspired Moon Zen wallpaper creates a beautifully calm atmosphere and focal point in your home. Cherry branches drape beautifully against a full moon, bringing about a stillness and zen that instantly relaxes and soothes.

Pictured: Moon Zen Japanese, Wallpaper

Wabi Sabi Interior Design Wallpaper #11: Herringbone by Sophie, Pattern Wallpaper

Herringbone by Sophie, Pattern Wallpaper perfectly embodies the Wabi-Sabi philosophy, which celebrates the beauty of imperfection and transience. The simple, yet elegant herringbone design aligns with Wabi-Sabi’s appreciation for minimalism and natural beauty. Ideal for any room, whether it's the living room, bedroom, or home office, this wallpaper evokes a sense of calm and contemplation.

Pictured: Herringbone by Sophie, Pattern Wallpaper

Wabi Sabi Interior Design Wallpaper #12: Brush, Mural Wallpaper

Immerse yourself in the artistry of confident brushstrokes with Brush, Mural Wallpaper. This design captures the tactile beauty of chalk paint on a sophisticated grey base, perfectly embodying the Wabi-Sabi philosophy of embracing imperfection and simplicity. 

Pictured: Brush, Mural Wallpaper

Wabi Sabi Interior Design Wallpaper #13: Anna, Watercolor Bamboo Japanese Wallpaper

Transform your room into a serene haven with Anna, Watercolor Bamboo Japanese Wallpaper. This design, featuring soothing hues of blue, nude, and brown, mimics the tranquility of a bamboo forest. The soft, misty watercolor effect and subtle bird illustrations add a touch of nature, creating a calming ambiance. Ideal for those seeking a Wabi-Sabi interior!

Pictured: Anna, Watercolor Bamboo Japanese Wallpaper

Wabi Sabi Interior Design Wallpaper #14: Graphic Hills, Pattern Mural Wallpaper

Introduce the essence of wabi-sabi into your home with the Graphic Hills Wallpaper. This design embodies the beauty of imperfection and the allure of simplicity through its gentle grey hues and fluid, wavy lines. The pattern creates a mesmerizing 3D effect with abstract depth, reflecting the wabi-sabi principles of appreciating natural imperfections. The visually textured surface mimics the soft, crinkled appearance of paper, adding an understated elegance and serene charm to any space.

Pictured: Graphic Hills, Pattern Mural Wallpaper

Wabi Sabi Interior Design Wallpaper #15: Misty Fir Woods, Landscape Mural Wallpaper

Invite the essence of Wabi-Sabi into your home with Misty Fir Woods, Landscape Mural Wallpaper. The misty landscape evokes a sense of calm and tranquility, transforming your space into a serene retreat. Embrace the imperfect, the transient, and the natural with this enchanting wallpaper, perfect for creating a harmonious Wabi-Sabi interior.

Pictured: Misty Fir Woods, Landscape Mural Wallpaper

Conclusion: Quick checklist to achieve the Wabi-Sabi Interior Design look

1. Pick items that age with grace

2. Embracing the art of imperfections

3. Be intentional with the decor you pick for your home

4. Embrace greenery and natural elements

5. Be mindful of your life. 

6. Remember, Wabi Sabi is a philosophy and way of life. Embrace it and incoporate it into your everyday life.

With these tips in mind, you should be well on your way to creating the perfect Wabi-Sabi interior design.

Why choose Hello Circus’ wallpapers?

We understand your wall comes in different shapes and sizes. Each wallpaper is therefore customised to the dimensions of your wall, making each wallpaper unique to your home. We also sell by per meter square (Height x Width x Unit Price) and not by rolls so that you only pay for what you need for your wall.

Check out our guide on how to measure your wall for wallpaper!

Benefits of our wallpapers

• High Quality: Our wallpapers are printed on high quality non-woven paper in factories with the highest standards from Europe. They are reinforced with nylon fibres to make the wallpaper stable and resilient.
• Matte and non-reflective: Our non woven wallpapers are coated with soft and non-reflective matte finishing.
• Safe and non-toxic: Our products are printed using stain resistant, VOC-free (Volatile Organic Compounds) inks on breathable, PVC (Polymerizing Vinyl Chloride) free paper. This ensures that your family and more importantly, your kids are not exposed to toxic chemicals which are usually present in traditional paint and wallpapers, all of which may have harmful health effects. 
• Antimicrobial Protection
• Wallpaper washability: All our wallpapers are washable, meaning that their surface is resistant to damage, and any domestic dirt or water stains can be wiped with a damp cloth or sponge.
• Resistant to colour fading: Our production technology is designed to ensure optimum resistance to colour fading.
• Fire resilient: Our wallpapers are fire rated in accordance with EN ISO 11925-2.

Read more about our wallpaper materials.

Interested to get our wallpaper?

For wallpaper quotation: Please click on “Get Quote/Buy” of the product page that you like and submit enquiry with wall dimensions. Check out our bestsellers wallpaper collection to get inspired! Installation is available as an add-on service for selected countries.

Feel free to contact us if you have are interested in the following:

• Bulk orders
• Corporate orders
• Selling with us
• Collaborations
• Press features