Wabi-sabi: embracing the perfectly imperfect home

Wabi-sabi is the ancient Japanese philosophy of finding beauty and serenity in the imperfect. If you want to incorporate this ancient philosophy into the style and design of your home, here are a few ways to start.

• Use handmade items: wabi-sabi is about authenticity, so favor decorations and furniture that aren’t mass-produced. Hang a painting made by a family member instead of a print, and shop at local boutiques and flea markets instead of big box stores.

• Get rid of clutter: it’s hard to find the peace of mind wabi-sabi offers when you’re surrounded by clutter. Getting rid of things that you don’t use and organizing the things you need will bring tranquility into your home.

• Bring the outdoors inside: organic materials like wood and natural stone are a big part of the wabi-sabi philosophy. Using these materials and filling your home with live plants will bring positive energy into your home.

Wabi-sabi is about finding beauty in imperfection. Don’t be afraid to bring something into your home that makes you happy, even if it doesn’t match the rest of your decor.