Everyone has those days where notifications, to-do lists, and the general chaos that is everyday life feel overwhelming. On days like those, you probably just want to run off somewhere peaceful and breathe for a bit.
That’s what zen spaces do. They’re like personal retreats that are made for nothing other than relaxing and peace. Before you pack and plan your escape, you might be interested to know that you can create your own little zen space at home, no matter the size.
If you want to see how, read on.
Creating the Atmosphere
The first step is to pick a spot. The second step is setting the mood because you want an atmosphere that feels like a sigh of relief when you step in.
You want things to be simple because Zen spaces are minimalist and don’t do well with a lot of distractions. Not every corner needs something in it, so it’s perfectly fine to leave some spaces totally empty. Each item you have in there needs to have a purpose, and if it doesn’t, it needs to go.
For furniture, you want it to be low and natural.
A simple wooden table will do just fine! You also want to pair it with a soft cushion (even a Japanese tatami mat is a great option here) so that you get that max ‘organic’ feel. Whichever direction you go with, just keep in mind that you want to keep the layout open and uncluttered — clean.
As far as colors go, stick to soft, soothing tones. Whites, beiges, and muted greens are your best choices. Also, bring in natural materials like wood and linen to add warmth and texture. Don’t forget about the lighting. During the day, let in as much natural light as you can, and when the evening comes, switch to soft, ambient lighting (dim lamps, a few candles, etc.).
Avoid harsh overhead lights at all costs because they don’t exactly sound calm.
Bring Nature into Your Outdoor Space
The easiest way to bring life to your zen space is to bring the outdoors in. Nature is calming, even if we don’t realize it.
Start with plants. That doesn’t mean you need a jungle, just something simple like a peace lily or a snake plant.
Perhaps even a bamboo stalk. They’re all beautiful, and apart from cleaning the air, they add just the right touch of life and color. If you want to go a bit further, you can add a small water feature. A little tabletop fountain is all you need to hear that trickling water sound that will completely change the atmosphere of the space.
Sheer curtains are also great to have because, although natural light is magnificent, you still don’t want it to be harsh, and curtains can help here. And crack a window open whenever you can to let the fresh air in. It makes everything feel lighter.
How to Adapt Your Zen Space to Your Environment and Lifestyle
Remember that your zen space doesn’t have to look like a page from a magazine. In fact, it shouldn’t. It should look and feel like YOU. That means your home, your climate, your daily life, and your personal preferences.
Where do you live? That makes a big difference in which features you use, especially outside.
Let’s say you’re in Arizona and you want an outdoor zen space.
Arizona had extreme heat and scorching sun, so the focus needs to be on handling evaporation and choosing materials that won’t fade or crack. You can add a deck to keep things comfortable, but a pool would probably be even better. And speaking of pools, a pool contractor in Phoenix will give you completely different advice from a swimming pool contractor Langhorne PA residents would rely on. That’s because the climate in Pennsylvania is completely different, with cold winters, freezing temperatures, and plenty of rain.
The point here is, don’t get so lost in the way you want your space to look that you forget to think about functionality.
Aside from the weather, your zen space has to fit your actual life. If you like having friends over, then the space needs to be bigger and feel welcoming to other people. On the other hand, if you prefer being alone and curling up with a book, then keep things more intimate. A cozy corner with a good chair might be all you need.
The most important thing is to make this space personal, so bring in your favorite colors, plants, art, or even meaningful objects that make you smile.
Play around and see what you like. There are no rules here.
Conclusion
Once you’re done designing your zen space, remember that this isn’t something that’s actually finished.
It’s perfectly fine to switch things up every few months if that’s what you feel like. There’s no zen police coming to make sure you arranged the cushions right.
The only thing that matters is that you have a spot that feels like you, where the noise isn’t as loud and where life feels easier and more pleasant. There’s plenty of advice in this article, but if you don’t like muted greens or beiges, your zen space can be hot pink and lilac.
Who cares!
If you like it, then it works.