Zen, a state of calm attentiveness.
Like many of you, it seems a far cry for me to ever achieve a Zen state in my life. Raised in a family of seven, 5 of them boys, did not leave room for any quiet much less calm in our house when I was growing up. Follow that up with having three boys of my own. At least I had the background knowledge for what was to come. Never a dull moment.
But I think we all hope to achieve that perfect calm Zen feel in our homes and in our minds. A place away from the crazy, hectic world.
Zen in home decor has increased in popularity over recent years. In hopes of achieving that goal, we need to create the proper atmosphere. We achieve this by looking at our rooms with a discerning eye.
Creating calm and serenity, Zen is all about creating a clutter free, open space, using calm color palettes and simplicity in home decor. Balance your decor by bringing in organic features and smells that nature provides. To achieve this, we must make every decor piece count.
Organize to Declutter
Let’s begin with what to me is the most difficult aspect to Zen in the home, creating that clutter free space. To many that means to purge, a difficult thing for most. I do not believe we need to purge everything if we organize well. You may find that you are hanging on to many duplicates or outdated items that are easily discarded or passed on.
When organized, the ‘stuff’ or ‘things’ we have collected over the years can be placed into calm, pleasing-to-the-eye decor groupings. Beautiful wicker baskets and natural materials, shelving of rattan and wood help us group, organize, and display belongings while bringing in an earthy, natural feel. Use rustic wooden ladders to display throws and bring in the homey feel of old times.
Calm Color Palettes
Color palettes that suggest nature will set the stage for that Zen sense of calm. Think of the sky, with its blues, soft purples, wispy whites, and soft grays. The soft pastel colors of spring flowers in a lush green garden. Warm and earthy tones of deep reds, sandy neutrals, and contemporary grays. Choosing nature as your color palette will create a space that feels peaceful and welcoming, creating that sense of calmness and peace in your home and, therefore, you.
Textures and Materials
Choose wall art that creates a sense of peace in you, that speaks to your soul. For me that would be beach scenes, waterfalls, and nature art. Choose simple wall decor that represents good emotional feelings and a sense of calm to you.
Choose decor with organic features and that is made from natural materials such as warm, earthy wood and warm toned baskets. Use trays made from cork, wood, or rattan, mixed medium wall art, and stoneware or clay vases and pots for your faux or real plants.
Soften the decor and brighten the room by accessorizing with light textiles. Not only light in the colors of natural tans, whites, and soft grays, but light in the type of material used. Use soft cotton, silk,and satin. Soft, lightweight fabrics are essential to achieving a connection to nature and your inner peace.
Use lots of pillows and throws for a welcoming, comfortable space. Soft, lush rugs and comfortable chairs in colors of nature can soften areas. Make your space where you want to go when life gets too hectic and you need mental peace. Cozy up on the soft rugs and pillows to rest your mind and take a break from the chaos of the day.
Greenery
Many escape to the outdoors, taking walks in the woods and parks to find peace. Something about nature and being outside lowers stress, lifts spirits, and leads us to begin to become calm and peaceful. Bring that feeling of the outdoors into your home through greenery.
Sure, it’d be great if we all could have real plants and they thrive, but life is busy, and many of us suffer from a lack of a green thumb. Lucky for us that the industry has come a long way at making easy-to-care-for, faux plants that not only look real, but feel real as well.
Adding a little greenery can create a big impact. A faux plant on a shelf, a potted olive stem, trailing wisteria on your tiered trays as well as orbs of natural vines or soft pastel flowers with a butterfly can easily be added to a neutral vase to quickly and easily bring nature into your home.
Smells
Aromatherapy is used to induce relaxation, but you choose what that means to you. Many say lavender and jasmine are ideal for creating a calming environment and peacefulness. For me it is vanilla, lemons, and mints. Choose scented candles and essential oils that do not overwhelm, but create a sense of calm in you, and help you let go of negative emotions.
The best part of this is room diffusers and purifiers have become technified. You not only can choose different scents for different times of the day, you can schedule the amount of scent they give off and the background colors they emit.
Conclusion
Wherever you choose to create your Zen space and atmosphere, be sure to maintain consistency and balance by using similar materials, colors or shapes. And sometimes you need to start with a refresh. We have a quick little guide to get you started.
Zen interiors are meant to promote peace and serenity within your home and should be somewhere you enjoy being, where you feel at peace.
