Creating a relaxing Zen haven is a great way to escape the noise and commotion of the outside world. A Zen interior helps in creating a more grounded home space –making you regain your inner peace.

What Is A Zen Interior Space?

Many would imagine a spa, complete with plants, water features, and soothing ambient music when mentioning Zen. But, it's really so much more. Zen interior design has its origins in Japan and is closely connected to the practice of meditation. 

Zen design is inspired by actual practices of Zen while incorporating nature into your décor. Although Zen is not a proper design style with a set of precise guidelines or strict rules, it is frequently associated with minimalism, purity of lines, and simplicity. It's more a method of arranging your home and creating an ambience that helps offset the day’s stress and lets you unwind from your daily grind. Hence, Zen approach is drawn from the principle that creating a balanced and relaxing environment enhances your wellbeing. 

This is why the use of Zen concepts in interior design has grown in popularity and become a modern-day trend.

So, how does this designing approach look like in action? Japandi interiors and organic modern designs are great examples. This translates to rooms with natural materials throughout and feels serene all around; with soothing colors that calm the senses; and has basic, streamlined furniture accentuating the "less is more" aesthetic. When put together, all these elements make up a home that inspires quiet retreat, rest, and wellness.

Although the look is simple, finding the right pieces can sometimes be a challenge. To help you get this look for your interior, let's break down what a Zen home needs to have. Here are 8 design ideas to help you create a serene and calm haven that's stylish.

1. Comfortable, clean lines

A calm space makes a comfortable home. So, when choosing furniture pieces, go for simple shapes that offer a lot of comfort. For instance, a sleek sofa works best in a smaller living room, while a huge sectional with clean lines is ideal for a bigger space.

2. Choose a soothing palette

Soft, natural colors infuse a Zen-inspired design, such as grey, white, and hues of pink beige --which induces a sense of calmness and relaxation. Visual continuity between walls, flooring, and walls, as well as chromatic harmony between various articles, is particularly important. You can always blend a dominant color with matching objects and textured items to bring contour to a monochrome space, such as beige with rosewood or white with moleskin. To create variety, play with varying degrees of your favorite color or fuse two matching colors. 

3. Invite green in

Plants bring about a feeling of serenity and happiness, and rooms with greenery invite life to your interiors. Bringing in plants is a way to add color to minimalist, simple spaces.  Not to mention, they naturally purify air and give off oxygen! 

In a modern Zen room, a few tall plants can jazz up empty corners. Moreover, hanging terrariums or bonsai trees, for example, are excellent choices and are frequently used in Zen décor.

4. Simplify ornaments and decorations

The same word of order applies to wall decorations: simplicity. Clutter-free and minimal styling goes hand-in-hand with Zen interiors. Try not to over-style the items and furniture that you display. This includes showcasing only a few select items on shelving and tables and putting only a few pillows on your sofa. Avoid collections of photos or paintings and keep only those that are especially meaningful to you. This simplistic approach will produce plenty of breathing room within your spaces.

5. Let in soft, natural light

A dark, cave-like interior doesn’t exactly inspire a Zen feel. For a completely relaxing space, replace harsh fluorescent lights with soothing, nature-inspired or candle lights. Place various light sources that allow you to regulate the intensity and the areas that will be illuminated. Avoid using a strong, direct light source from the ceiling and instead combine a floor lamp, a lamp set, and indirect lighting. You can also layer a lot of candlelight which always gives spaces a sense of peace. 

6. Opt for natural & light fabrics

The same rule should apply to fabrics: natural, comfy, and light. The curtains are an essential part of your Zen décor as it offers a sense of intimacy while minimizing noise and blocking air drafts. Give it special attention by selecting natural textiles like wool, linen, or bunting wool and incorporating them to the rest of the room. To achieve a more intricate ambiance, pair them with light-modulating blinds to create a distinct atmosphere.

7. Enjoy softness under your feet

Parquet floors are always a safe choice, as well as massive timber flooring. Grayish, white, or any light-colored ones are especially refined –although colored parquet is also an option as long as it complements the rest of the room. Resin floor finishes can also be very comfortable if you want a modern or loft atmosphere. Wool carpets are extremely cozy, but require more maintenance. If you choose a carpet, however, you can enhance the room's cocooning effect by incorporating multiple wool or pure cotton carpets into your Zen décor. Just remember to match the floor and carpet's color, or that they stay in the khaki, grey, or moleskin hues.

8. Enhance your room with natural scents and sounds

Some natural ways to enrich your room with fresh aromas include a homemade linen spray, essential oils, and soy or beeswax candles –which is calming when it's time to sleep and invigorating when it's time to wake. 

Zen practice includes incorporating nature's sounds, and other calming sounds, to your home. If the noise outside is not soothing, consider installing wind chimes (or playing meditation music) inside.

Ready to put together your own Zen space? We hope these basic tips would help you get started.

 

Content Credits

https://blog.modsy.com/style-ideas/minimal-design/zen-home-design-ideas-for-calming-spaces/

https://www.mymove.com/home-inspiration/decoration-design-ideas/how-to-make-your-home-totally-zen/