GRAFF, leaders in luxury brassware, and Cosentino, leaders in sustainable surfaces, share their advice on incorporating wabi-sabi and Japandi minimalism to achieve the ultimate spathroom aesthetic.
2024 saw the rise of the ‘spathroom’, with homeowners looking to spa design for interior inspiration in their own home. The bathroom remains a place to reset, relax and indulge, with the spathroom remaining a mainstay in interior design.
In 2025, the spathroom takes inspiration from wabi-sabi – the ancient Japanese philosophy that encourages us to find the beauty in simplicity – and Japandi minimalism, combining the “less-is-more” aesthetic of Japanese and Scandinavian interior design.
When it comes to brassware, Ziggy Kulig, CEO of GRAFF, advises: “Our everyday lives are stressful, and the bathroom has become a refuge where we can unwind and recharge at the end of the day. Pared-back Japandi design and interiors that embrace wabi-sabi have, unsurprisingly, become popular as we seek to eliminate clutter and create a retreat that makes us feel at ease.
“Japandi and wabi-sabi design ethos emphasises minimalism and clean lines: in the bathroom, look to GRAFF’s M.E. collection, which features sleek, modern lines and an organic silhouette that complements the simplicity and minimalist aesthetic associated with Japanese design. Prioritise elegant finishes such as solid brass or brushed nickel to enhance the natural wood, stone and biophilic colours synonymous with Japandi and wabi-sabi interiors.”
For bathroom surfaces, look to natural stones and textures for inspiration, says Katie Parry Stone, Retail Manager at Cosentino UK. “Wabi-sabi and Japandi interiors are known for their ‘less is more’ approach, so it’s important to prioritise bathroom surfaces that create a minimalist yet characterful backdrop. This design ethos is also known for its use of organic finishes, variety of texture, and natural colour palette, in order to embrace imperfections and bring personality to otherwise pared-back spaces.
“Cosentino’s new Dekton Pietra Edition range is perfect for wabi-sabi spaces; inspired by natural stone, including limestone and marble, Dekton Pietra Edition embraces the natural beauty of stone with authentic texture, subtle imperfections and earthy tones. Or look to the lighter marble colourways from Silestone Le Chic, such as Eclectic Pearl: a soft white with warm grey marbling, which embraces the irregularities of natural marble for a luxurious feel whilst still providing a muted and tranquil finish that encapsulates Japanese minimalism.”
