Zen is a way of life that elevates simplicity to an art form through an extremely intimate, brutally pared-down search for meaning. This minimalist attitude is embodied in Zen design, which makes use of natural materials, light and space patterns, and a near-monastic avoidance of clutter.
A Zen home is designed to be soothing, meditative, and visually pleasing. The same principles that apply to life planning apply to interior design.
Flow
In order to set the energy free in a location, all obstructions must be removed. You won’t be able to knock down all of your walls, but you may imagine your home as a stream of clear water — an open, unconstrained environment in which rooms blend into one another, doorways become near-invisible gateways, and the eye is pushed forward into empty space.
Remove all ornamental door frames, ceiling medallions, attention-getting curtains and wall art, and patterned wallpaper, if possible. Make your own cloud to live in and let your imagination run wild. You’ll have to remove more than just the beautiful lintels. You’ll have to get go of a lot of your belongings.
Color
Zen is both a route to enlightenment and a light-based design idea. Instead of illumination, rely on daylighting and artificial light that simulates sunshine and may be lowered to create mood. The colors shown by the light you bring into your house are most soothing and harmonious when they’re as natural as sunlight.
All of these undemanding colors mix into a peaceful symmetry that underlines an unfussy expanse of space. Bamboo, stone, or stripped plank floors; matte white or soft neutral walls; vanishing, light-reflecting white ceilings; upholstery and drapes of unbleached fibers or natural hues
But, just as nature has its kingfishers and pomegranates, don’t be afraid to add a splash of color to your otherwise neutral surroundings. A bright blue floor cushion in the den, a red lacquered table in the entry, or a rust-colored pendant over the dining table may all enliven a space.
Storage
To live like a monk, you don’t have to be one. Keep enough stuff to get by and revere your ancestors’ mementos, but keep the majority of it hidden most of the time. In the twenty-first century, storage is critical to living in Zen style.
You might not be able to live without the flat screen, sound system, computer games, or the family’s laptop collection, but they don’t have to be on display all of the time. Books, media, clothes, kitchenware, and sports equipment are stored in built-in cupboards that blend in with the walls.
In the mudroom, keep boots, sneakers, racquets, jackets, and shopping bags in a salvaged wabi-sabi cabinet. Floor-to-ceiling laminated kitchen cupboards as white as the walls store your china and utensils. Sort through your clothing to see what you actually wear before hanging them in the closet.
Versatility
McMansions are the polar antithesis of Zen design, yet cramped quarters aren’t conducive to relaxation. Commit your spaces to multitasking to solve a missing-square-footage problem. A single carved Buddha and a meditation tea light can be displayed on that length of blond wood Scandinavian dresser. Your meditation wedge doubles as a chair cushion when not in use.
The carved African stools and Shaker chairs in the living room fold back to create a yoga space. With a full keyboard, wall-hung violins, and a djembe that doubles as a sculpture, a Murphy bed frees up the guest room for music practice.
A green wall of potted herbs and miniature veggies for simple salads, as well as a focal point in the room, is created by a braced tower of repurposed apple crates in a sunny area of the kitchen.
10 Steps to Make it Zen
As these erratic and stressful times make it increasingly difficult to find tranquility and relaxation in our lives, one of the few options left is to create a peace haven in the comfort of our own home. This is the reason why zen principles applied in interior design have increased in popularity and become a trend of modern days. But what does zen actually mean?
In Japanese, Zen refers to meditation. In interior design, it reflects balance, harmony and relaxation.Although zen is not a proper design style and does not come with a book of strict rules, it is often associated with minimalism, simplicity and purity of lines. It is rather a way of arranging your home and creating an atmosphere that offsets the stress and hassle of your daily routine. Fancy achieving that in your own home? Consider these 10 simple steps to turn your home totally zen.
- Go for earthy colours
- Place softness at your feet
- Choose natural and light fabrics
- Play with soft and natural light
- Keep furniture simple and natural
- Keep ornaments and decorations to a minimum
- Enhance your room with natural scents
- Remove electronic disturbances
- Bring in calmness with green plants
- Eliminate clutter
