Designing wabi-sabi hospitality spaces with smooth fabrics

We love finding fresh ways that our performance fabrics are used in the real world to create relaxing environments. Today we're looking at the hospitality world, where we've seen a rise in the popularity of interiors inspired by Wabi-Sabi design. This Japanese aesthetic relies on natural textures and a soft colour palette, so it's easy to see why FibreGuard fabrics are a perfect match. It's a win-win for designers: our fabrics are practical and easy to maintain, but still totally in sync with this cool Japanese design approach.

Ready to get inspired?

What does 'Wabi-Sabi' mean?

So? what exactly does ‘Wabi-Sabi’ mean? Well, as with many design terms such as ‘hygge’ in Danish, there isn’t a direct English translation. ‘Wabi’ refers to a pared-back, simple beauty, while ‘Sabi’ signifies a rustic patina, the kind that might occur naturally with age. Together, these two words represent a celebration of simplicity and unrefined beauty.

In hospitality settings, Wabi-Sabi designs are a great fit because of their laid-back ‘come as you are’ aesthetic. The perfect way to welcome your guests and put them at ease in their new environment.

What are the colours for Wabi-Sabi style?

Although our focus in this blog is on upholstery fabrics, we can’t talk about Wabi-Sabi interiors without mentioning colour. Earthy tones inspired by nature lie at the heart of the wabi-sabi colour palette. The idea is to reflect the beauty of the natural world while creating restful, grounding spaces in which to relax.

"Wabi-sabi design is a celebration of natural and imperfect beauty. Fabrics and fibres that are perfect for wabi-sabi interiors are those that incorporate natural textures and elements such as bouclé, or those with linen, cotton, and wool characteristics." - The FibreGuard textile design team. Read more: Wabi-sabi: the stress-free design style we need.

Here’s a quick rundown of the colours most closely associated with this pared-back look:

• Muted earthy tones: Soft browns, clay, terracotta, and umber that connect to natural materials
• Gentle greys: From charcoal to lighter stone shades that suggest weathering and age
• Subdued greens: Sage, moss, and olive that reflect nature's palette
• Natural indigos and blues: Particularly those achieved through traditional dyeing methods
• Subtle whites and creams: Not stark white, but softer shades with warmth or slight discoloration
• Faded blacks: That appear slightly worn rather than stark and new

What is Wabi-Sabi design style for hotels?

Wabi-sabi hotel spaces embody three key features that create a serene and harmonious environment for guests. First of all, the hotel rooms must have a minimalist, uncluttered feel. Wabi-Sabi, as a design philosophy, focuses on simplicity and the elimination of unnecessary elements, making way for a clear and peaceful atmosphere.

Secondly, the use of natural materials creates an organic serenity. In incorporating elements like wood, stone, and plants, hotels can create a connection with the natural world, fostering a grounding effect.

Finally, find a way to create a feeling of openness and ease. Open layouts, large windows, and unobstructed views are hallmarks of Wabi-Sabi hotels, creating a sense of freedom within the space.

These three key features of minimalism, natural materials, and openness work together to provide guests with a refuge from the fast-paced world, allowing them to find a deeper connection to their surroundings.

What to learn from three different Wabi-Sabi hotel destinations

Age-worn smooth finishings and surfaces at The Grand, Belgium

In the case of The Grand at Nieuwpoort, Belgium, many of the interiors feature a smooth, pale wood table as a pleasing visual centrepiece. This historic hotel is being transformed into an elegant apartment building and retail space on Nieuwpoort’s seafront. We have two suggestions for hospitality designers looking to incorporate its lessons:

1. Identify key areas such as flooring or seating where smooth materials like polished wood or stone can bring additional visual impact.
2. Select a specific piece of furniture made from a beautifully smooth material to create a focal point.

Wabi-Sabi colours shine at the Oku Hotel, Ibiza

At the stylish Oku Hotel, Ibiza, earthy tones and contrasting natural materials bring an organic vibe to the space. Poured concrete elements sit alongside dark woods and dappled plaster finishes.

Our suggestions from this beautiful example include:

1. Introduce layers of smooth fabrics to add character and depth to your scheme. Materials that work well for layering include close nap velvets and fabrics with a silky feel.
2. Combine smooth materials with contrasting elements such as grained woods or textured rattan seating to create a balanced scheme with visual interest.

Flatwoven upholstery fabrics take centre stage at the Contessina Suites & Spa, Greece

The Contessina Suites & Spa, Greece is an oasis of calm on the island of Zakynthos. It features contemporary interiors with pale fabrics adding to the feeling of openness.

The fabrics at Contessina were supplied by our sister brand, FR-One Fabrics. ‘Nali’ is a smooth woven fabric with a natural look and feel which can be used for both upholstery and drapery.

What to take from this location's approach?

1. Use furniture sparingly and keep it low to the ground. This will give the illusion of higher ceilings and create a more spacious feel.
2. Consider your lighting choices carefully. Smooth surfaces can be enhanced with quality lighting, giving the space a subtle glow and a welcome sense of serenity.

Bonus!

Casa Hormiga is another beautiful example of these colours at work. It's a wonderfully rustic hotel and spa on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Guests are welcomed into a tranquil sanctuary featuring textured local materials and a soothing palette of greys, browns and beiges.

Perfect Performance Fabrics for Wabi-Sabi Style Rooms

To sum up, the ancient Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi is perfectly suited to hospitality spaces, thanks to its celebration of natural materials and calming, muted colours. Using smooth materials within wabi-sabi design enhances the soothing effect and helps to create relaxing spaces in which your guests will immediately feel at home.

What makes FibreGuard fabrics uniquely suited for wabi-sabi spaces is their ability to maintain this sense of tranquil authenticity while offering modern performance benefits. The organic textures and earthy palette of our collections complement the wabi-sabi philosophy of finding beauty in simplicity and imperfection, creating environments that feel both timeless and grounded.

Easy to clean, our wide variety of fabrics are ready to welcome your guests. From hotel bedrooms to lobbies, FibreGuard fabrics are durable enough to withstand all decoration use purposes. This durability doesn't compromise the tactile quality and natural aesthetic that wabi-sabi spaces demand—instead, it preserves the intentional elements of your design while allowing for the gentle evolution that is central to wabi-sabi philosophy.

Our performance-based fabrics are stain and splash resistant, requiring only the most basic cleaning know-how. Check out our How To Clean FibreGuard Fabrics page to see for yourself. This practicality means your wabi-sabi inspired spaces can maintain their serene atmosphere without excessive maintenance, allowing the natural beauty of your design choices to be the focus.

By choosing FibreGuard for your wabi-sabi hospitality spaces, you create environments where guests can truly disconnect, finding peace in surroundings that honour simplicity, authenticity, and the gentle passage of time.

Heard enough? Let’s create remarkable hospitality spaces, together.