How to Turn Your Home Into a Zen-Inspired Space
Make these simple changes to turn your home into a haven for your frazzled nerves
We happen to be inhabiting a place in time where we seem to keep running on the metaphorical treadmill to acquire more and more things. Buddhism-inspired Japanese Zen philosophy, however, is a study in contrasts. It teaches us to find solace in emptiness, beauty in imperfection and elegance in simplicity. And when these principles are infused into the language of interior design, they can transform your home into a meditative retreat from the outside world.
Here are a few ways to bring in Zen-inspired design into your home.
Here are a few ways to bring in Zen-inspired design into your home.
Use muted earthy colours
Zen-inspired spaces instil a sense of calm into the environment. Bright colours, even pastel shades, are believed to be high energy in character. Muted, neutral and earthy colours are usher in a feeling of calm and quiet.
The aim is to keep all distractions, big and small, at bay. Solid neutral colours are an easy and cost-effective way to do that. You could also go for furnishings in muted tones.
Zen-inspired spaces instil a sense of calm into the environment. Bright colours, even pastel shades, are believed to be high energy in character. Muted, neutral and earthy colours are usher in a feeling of calm and quiet.
The aim is to keep all distractions, big and small, at bay. Solid neutral colours are an easy and cost-effective way to do that. You could also go for furnishings in muted tones.
Bring in a platform bed
Stillness in Zen culture is about cultivating inner peace that enhances self-awareness and a sense of equanimity. This principle finds manifestation in interior design through permanent fixtures, such as platform beds.
Platform beds are a common feature in Japanese-inspired Zen designs. They are made of a platform built of wood set low to the ground . A mattress is simply placed on top and there is a deliberate absence of anything else in order to preserve the stillness of the place.
Stillness in Zen culture is about cultivating inner peace that enhances self-awareness and a sense of equanimity. This principle finds manifestation in interior design through permanent fixtures, such as platform beds.
Platform beds are a common feature in Japanese-inspired Zen designs. They are made of a platform built of wood set low to the ground . A mattress is simply placed on top and there is a deliberate absence of anything else in order to preserve the stillness of the place.
Install a water feature
Zen spaces evoke tranquility and calmness, both within and without. The sound of flowing water inside the house creates a soothing and harmonious music that uplifts the energy and calms the mind. If creating a central water feature like the one in the image is not possible, consider bringing in one of the plug-and-play indoor water fountains that are easily available off the rack. Place them in the dining room, living area or a courtyard – better still, in a place where the gentle sound of running water can somehow get amplified.
Zen spaces evoke tranquility and calmness, both within and without. The sound of flowing water inside the house creates a soothing and harmonious music that uplifts the energy and calms the mind. If creating a central water feature like the one in the image is not possible, consider bringing in one of the plug-and-play indoor water fountains that are easily available off the rack. Place them in the dining room, living area or a courtyard – better still, in a place where the gentle sound of running water can somehow get amplified.
Bring in minimalism and simplicity
A simple life is a part of the Zen gene code. Everything unnecessary is stripped away so that the negative space created ends up becoming a part of the design itself. What results is a captivating bare aesthetic.
The first step to move towards minimalism is to get rid of all clutter from your house. Things not in use can be donated and the rest can be neatly hidden away in storage units. For furniture, go for clean-lined, contemporary, light, no-fuss pieces. Create a sense of lightness by choosing simply designed items.
A simple life is a part of the Zen gene code. Everything unnecessary is stripped away so that the negative space created ends up becoming a part of the design itself. What results is a captivating bare aesthetic.
The first step to move towards minimalism is to get rid of all clutter from your house. Things not in use can be donated and the rest can be neatly hidden away in storage units. For furniture, go for clean-lined, contemporary, light, no-fuss pieces. Create a sense of lightness by choosing simply designed items.
Rearrange your layout
In addition to removing unwanted things and objects from our surroundings, Zen urges us to find balance and harmony with the things that remain.
You can achieve this by rearranging furniture, creating perpendicular angles in their placement and basically by removing anything that disturbs the flow and harmony of a space. You can also use subtle colours and complimenting textures and lighting to create that balance.
This bedroom combines a simple and clean layout with a neutral two-tone colour theme to fashion the most serene vibe.
In addition to removing unwanted things and objects from our surroundings, Zen urges us to find balance and harmony with the things that remain.
You can achieve this by rearranging furniture, creating perpendicular angles in their placement and basically by removing anything that disturbs the flow and harmony of a space. You can also use subtle colours and complimenting textures and lighting to create that balance.
This bedroom combines a simple and clean layout with a neutral two-tone colour theme to fashion the most serene vibe.
Go for green
Embracing nature as a part of our being and vice versa is an essential tenet of Zen philosophy. To create a soothing space, bring in nature. Use potted plants or even bring in a tree or two inside the home. Sand, stones and rocks can be used to enhance the naturalness of the living space along with wood and bamboo.
You could also create a green corner in your kitchen or on a window sill and grow plants and herbs. If you’re not gifted with a green thumb, simply place a few bonsai plants around the house.
Read more:
Simple Ways to Create a Calming Minimalist Garden
Houzz Tour: An Ahmedabad House With an Inside-Outside Connection
Tell us:
Which design elements would you like to incorporate into your own home? Tell us in the Comments section below.
Embracing nature as a part of our being and vice versa is an essential tenet of Zen philosophy. To create a soothing space, bring in nature. Use potted plants or even bring in a tree or two inside the home. Sand, stones and rocks can be used to enhance the naturalness of the living space along with wood and bamboo.
You could also create a green corner in your kitchen or on a window sill and grow plants and herbs. If you’re not gifted with a green thumb, simply place a few bonsai plants around the house.
Read more:
Simple Ways to Create a Calming Minimalist Garden
Houzz Tour: An Ahmedabad House With an Inside-Outside Connection
Tell us:
Which design elements would you like to incorporate into your own home? Tell us in the Comments section below.
Zen advocates openness in all aspects of life and a big part of that involves being one with nature, to stay close to it. This living area is the perfect example of how one could bring in the outside by letting in the light. The cynosure is the glass-panelled wall that bathes the room in natural light and allows vast green views of the outdoors. Create a similar vibe by exploring every avenue of natural light in your house.