What is wabi-sabi?

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese philosophy that celebrates the beauty of imperfection. In the home, this translates into calm, organic shapes, natural tones and materials that aren't perfectly smooth or symmetrical. A pendant light in the wabi-sabi style often has an asymmetrical shade with a subtle texture. That gives the light a playful, characterful feel, while the soft curves and natural colours keep everything calm.

Materials and look

Most of our wabi-sabi pendant lights have a shade with a stone or cement effect. That texture comes from materials such as polyform, resin, or a blend of cement and resin: robust and rustic in appearance, but light in weight. Thanks to subtle differences in the texture, each light looks slightly different. The colours stay understated: white, off-white, sand beige and dark, natural tones. The light spreads softly, creating a serene, relaxed atmosphere. If you like this natural look, take a look at our pendant lights in travertine or natural materials too.

Which interior style does wabi-sabi suit?

Wabi-sabi fits seamlessly with the Japandi style, where Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian warmth come together. It also comes into its own in a Scandinavian or minimalist interior, where the calm, organic shape stands out. Above the dining table, a wabi-sabi pendant light gives a soft, atmospheric glow; in the living room, it works as a gentle centrepiece; and in the bedroom, it brings a serene, calming feel.

Which light source suits a wabi-sabi pendant light?

Most of our wabi-sabi pendant lights are fitted with an E27 lampholder, while some have a G9 lampholder, and a few come with a bulb included. Choose warm white light (around 2700K) for the soft, relaxed atmosphere that suits this style. If you'd like to adjust the light, many models are dimmable with an external dimmer, or you can choose a 3-step dimmable pendant light, which needs no separate dimmer. The exact bulb fitting you need, and whether a bulb is included, are always listed in the product details.

Buying wabi-sabi pendant lights at LumenXL

Because each shade is slightly different, every wabi-sabi pendant light is one of a kind. For the dining table, hang your pendant light 80 to 100 cm above the tabletop; most cords are easy to shorten, so it suits both high and low ceilings. Order by 2pm for same day shipping.