Wabi-sabi: Discover the Japanese concept of valuing beauty in imperfect things

Have you ever heard of the style wabi-sabi🇧🇷 It's not just perfect, symmetrical things that are beautiful. Imperfections also have their value.

You know that kind of old furniture and even a little damaged that you're thinking about changing? Hold on to this idea for a bit and get to know the wabi-sabi style.

What is wabi-sabi?

Wabi-sabi is a concept that came from Japan, from Buddhist ideals. It encourages an appreciation of the imperfect, impermanence, and incompleteness.

It means the understanding and acceptance of aging and the beauty it brings. This conception is applied in several situations, but mainly in the area of decoration.

Wabi-sabi as decoration

Can you imagine not needing to hire when some things break, but turning them into decoration? Wabi means rustic, while sabi means time and the marks it creates.

In decoration, the simple and the modest are valued, which alone already have their value and beauty. The idea is to accept the imperfection of the objects and the decoration they form together.

Can't imagine how it applies in practice? Let's tell you!

wabi-sabi decor

Wabi-sabi decorations can be applied in many ways. Among them are:

  • Ceramics;
  • Organic elements;
  • Lighting;
  • stripped fabrics;
  • Rustic elements;
  • Unique pieces;
  • earthy tones;
  • Bright colors.

These are some forms of decoration that can make your home a little more wabi-sabi-style.

ceramics

Ceramic pieces are used a lot in Japan. They have a uniqueness and, when accidentally broken, a technique called kintsugi is used.

The kintsugi consists of filling the broken corners of the ceramic piece with gold dust, resulting in the formation of some marks, such as scars.

With these marks, the ceramic object comes to represent strength and uniqueness, thus acquiring more beauty.

organic elements

This concept also has great appreciation for the mutation that comes from time and life. Change is part of life, both in opinions, in personal growth, and in appearance.

Nature is constantly changing, and the organic elements that compose it are also part of the wabi-sabi concept. Through the insertion of organic objects in its decoration, a simulation of life takes place in each space.

It can be used through flowers, wood, animals and irregular shapes. Everything that refers to nature.

When setting up your apartment, remember to add some flowers to the environment, wooden tables and everything organic, remembering that everything is changeable and ages over time.

Lighting

The natural lights produced by the sun entering the window or by candles complement the space of rustic and organic items very well and maintain the same natural concept.

Therefore, advise engineers and architects to insert as many windows as possible and get exceptional natural light in your home.

In addition, it is possible to strategically position candles, close to the bed and environments that are not very well lit by the sun.

stripped fabrics

The insertion of fabrics over furniture and objects also gives the place an organic feel. So fabrics in light and earthy tones half “thrown” over the sofa, table, bed, etc., give the place a wabi-sabi style.

rustic elements

The rustic is also a component of the wabi-sabi concept, as it refers to the natural. Objects made of wood and stone with rough cuts, raw and with scratches bring the idea of natural and imperfect, in addition to making your piece unique.

That is, no flat parts and mass-produced. You can opt for it but letting your hardwood floor age over time and appreciating the beauty of imperfection and its unique shape can be cool too.

unique pieces

The unique pieces in the wabi-sabi style, as already mentioned, bring this concept of uniqueness that life has. Each object has its cycle and is special in its own way.

In this sense, it is worth mentioning that handmade pieces in the environment bring this idea and reinforce its exclusivity.

earthy tones

The earthy tones make reference to the soil, nature and the organic, in addition to bringing a very relaxing climate. Have furniture and objects that refer to the brown and beige color palette and create this natural atmosphere.

Bright colors

The light colors refer to the idea of purity and slightly break the earthy tones. Merge the two to acquire a harmonious environment.

Understanding imperfection is often difficult. Admitting failures, the end of a cycle and the finitude of all things can be complicated at first, but accepting these facts and imperfection brings peace of mind and value in all things, as being unique.

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