How to create a wabi-sabi bedroom

If you’re all about stripped-back, simplistic design, timeless pieces, and calming colours, the wabi-sabi aesthetic could be for you. 

Rooted in Japanese philosophy, wabi-sabi is the idea of rejoicing in imperfections and natural beauty. When translated, the term quite literally means “finding beauty in imperfection.” It’s about living with humility, simplicity, and being at one with nature.  

In this guide, we’ll dive into the world of wabi-sabi, uncovering what exactly the term means when we apply it to bedroom design, and how to bring the spirit of it into your own bedroom, from understated colour palettes to earthy, natural elements.  

Whether you’re starting from scratch or simply looking to soften your space with some down-to-earth finishing touches, these ideas will help you create a sleep environment that feels instantly lived-in and serene.

The wabi-sabi philosophy is all about slowing down, enjoying your space, and surrounding yourself with things that feel soothing for the soul – making it an ideal aesthetic for the room you need to feel the most relaxed and rested in, the bedroom.

Now, let’s look at some practical design tips on how to embrace the wabi-sabi philosophy in your own bedroom at home…

1. Wabi-sabi bedroom colour palettes

Starting with your foundations, wabi-sabi is pretty specific when it comes to colour schemes. They should be chosen with care, ideally drawing from nature as a source of inspiration. Here are our top three choices that are sure to get better with time:

Moss green and walnut wood

This colour combo is a no-brainer for bringing your wabi-sabi bedroom to life. The moss green brings softness, whilst the warm wood tone adds richness to your room, without overpowering it. Both tones lend themselves to introducing a plethora of texture to your bedroom design, too. Together, they feel organic yet totally grounded – think mossy forest floors against the backdrop of 100-year-old trees.

Tone-on-tone beige

Next up, we have a tonal beige colour palette. You will often see beige appearing time and time again in wabi-sabi interiors. This is because this neutral shade brings a soft, serenity to any space, and is a great alternative to white or cream. Plus, it’s easy to build on. Try layering up your beige tones to wrap your room in a warm hug.  

Muted plum and cream

Another classic wabi-sabi colour combo is muted plum and cream. The deep, purple shade brings quiet drama, offset by the dreamy softness of cream for balance. When paired together, these tones bring a sense of depth and stillness, perfect for those who want a slightly moodier colour palette in their bedroom. 

2. Choose a low-rise bed to feel grounded

You will often see low-rise or platform beds in a wabi-sabi bedroom because they embody the design trend’s core values: simplicity, feeling grounded, and having a deep connection to nature. Sleeping, quite literally, closer to the earth, can help you feel that connection to the outside world, helping you to feel more rooted and perhaps even sleep better.

Our Philomena Wooden Platform Bed Frame is the perfect choice, with its low-rise design and classic wooden finish. Simply dress with some crumpled linen sheets (no need for an iron, if you ask us!) and an earthtone cushion or two, and you’re good to go.  

3. Dial up your textures

Wabi-sabi materials are all about embracing nature. From raw, natural materials like wood and stone furniture, to hand-made textiles and accessories, all of these fabrics are excellent for bringing a wealth of texture to your space.  

Mixing up your materials is key. By layering contrasting textures, you’ll create an inviting space that’s full of depth. Here are our top three textures to experiment with in a wabi-sabi bedroom…

Weathered woods

Wooden furniture is a natural choice for this kind of bedroom, for its obvious link to natural materials. Choose a wood that looks a little rougher, weathered and well-loved for a more authentic feel.

If you need something new, but want that instant rustic charm, our Dakota furniture collection works really well – particularly in the dark vintage oak finish.   

Get the look: 

Smooth stone

Stone isn’t a common material in bedroom design, but it works beautifully for the wabi-sabi aesthetic. This smooth, hard surface brings a sense of permanence and quiet strength to any room. Plus, it can be extremely grounding. Some examples of stone pieces are ceramic ornaments, pots, vases, slate trays, or even a stone-based lamp.   

Soft, washed linen

When it comes to your soft furnishings, there isn’t a more suitable material for a wabi-sabi bedroom than washed linen. It’s organic, comfy, and even gets better with age! Simply pop on your duvet and pillows, and you’ve got an effortlessly relaxed (and irresistibly soft) bed to dive into. Try layering up multiple sheets and draping any top layers over the top for a cool, undone look.

4. Play around with size and scale

Proportions are super important for this design style. Ideally, you want to have high ceilings and low furniture, to enjoy as much airy space as possible. However, we understand that not everyone’s houses are built this way…!  

 So, to create the illusion of a taller space, try hanging long curtains that go right down to your floor to create the feeling of higher ceilings. The opposite goes for furniture. Keep things long and low with low-rise cabinets and chairs, and platform bed frames, such as our Hayden bed. Magique!  

5. Be intentional with your accessories

Wabi-sabi décor is very minimalist – that means no clutter! It’s about making big statements with fewer quantities, so be very selective with the pieces you choose. Here are some ideas to spark inspiration…

Choose large-scale artwork

Remember the importance of scale? Sometimes, simplicity is better. That’s why we’d suggest investing in one single piece of art, such as a large canvas, to hang above your bed and complete your decor. Look to abstract designs and modern paintings to fit the vibe. Bonus points if it has an animal or nature theme!  

Hand-thrown ceramics 

A staple of wabi-sabi style, hand-thrown ceramics celebrate everything that this design aesthetic stands for – they’re made slowly, intentionally, and with love and care. Use rough, simplistic pieces with uneven edges, perhaps even a visible fingerprint on the side! That’s the beauty of imperfection!

One person who nails this trend is influencer @weworewhat who collects treasures over time and presents them effortlessly in her wabi-sabi home. See above how she’s arranged her shelving with different shapes, sizes, and textures, but all in the same colour scheme, for a stunning look. 

Thrift for timeless pieces

Give thrifting a go! Second-hand shopping is an excellent way to find one-of-a-kind pieces for your home and is certainly in keeping with the wabi-sabi philosophy. Hit up your local charity shop, flea market or car boot sale and see what treasures you can uncover. 

If you need a little more guidance, it’s a good idea to look out for pieces that appear to have lived many lives – aged ceramics, reclaimed wooden stools, antique mirrors. When you curate your decor this way, your bedroom is sure to tell many tales. How whimsical!

Let your bedroom design evolve gracefully over time with the wabi-sabi aesthetic. From investing in timeless furniture pieces, using natural materials, and carefully curating your ceramic collection, it’s easy to bring some of this beautifully stripped-back design style to your bedroom.