PART III: A ZEN-INSPIRED HOME IN JUST 10 STEPS

7. PLAY WITH SOFT LIGHTING

Everyone feels the immediate benefits of being in a light and airy environment. Our body needs nourishment not only from food but from vital energy found in air and natural daylight. Natural daylight is always the best design solution for a Zen-driven space; invite as much light as possible into your home.

For a fully relaxing space, replace harsh, overly vibrant lights with calming and soothing lighting fixtures or candle lights.

Play with a mix of different sources of light, such as floor and table lamps, recessed halogen, or LED installations, which will allow you to highlight certain features and areas to be lighted. One of my favorite sources are concealed lighting systems to accentuate ceiling or wall details and introduce depth into a room design. Taking advantage of color-changing LED strips is a sophisticated method to transition the mood of a room from day to night. The mood-enhancing benefits of certain colors have been proven in many studies. Pink, for example, is gently warming and loving. It relaxes the muscles and is a great choice to use in the evening for a relaxing bath as you can see in the far-right picture.

If you like diffused light, you may opt for scented candles or the warm glow of a fireplace. Try to keep your lighting set to a mid to low level. Installing dimmers will not only help you to control the intensity of light, but also give you the opportunity to create different atmospheres that will enhance the mood and intimacy of your Zen-inspired decor.

8. INVITE NATURE INTO YOUR HOME

Green is the color of relaxation. It clams the mind and has a balancing and healing effect on the body. By inviting nature into your home, you not only create soothing vibrations, but also benefit from better air quality. Plants absorb noise as well as pollution emitted from electrical equipment. Bonsai trees, blossoms, or lucky bamboo, for example, are great choices and are often included in Zen decor. If you don’t have an outdoor garden, you can integrate the Zen garden ideal within your interior room, using plants, twisted trees, and pebbles.

Air plants are another great option if you do not have the time or green thumb to create an indoor garden. They are extremely low maintenance and can be combined with beautiful arrangements of stones, crystals, wood, or sea shells and placed on a table or hung from the ceiling.

And as a final touch, add flowers. They focus the mind on beauty and tranquility. When selecting flowers or leaves, think in terms of color, scale, and style that matches the architecture of your home. Always select an uneven number of flowers. An arrangement of three single flowers or just a few flowers can often look more stunning than a large bouquet.

“FLOWERS ARE USUALLY THE LAST INGREDIENT I ADD TO CREATE LITTLE FOCAL POINTS FOR THE EYE TO REST AND ENJOY.”

9. IMPROVE THE AIR YOU BREATHE

Ideally, a Zen room would be free from disruptive electronic devices. But since modern technology, household appliances, and entertainment systems have become an essential part of our modern lifestyle, it is important to be aware of their negative effect on us over the longterm. The build up of positively charged ions and electromagnetic radiation can be a source of distraction and sometimes cause chronic diseases. So how do we take control of electronic smog and improve our indoor air quality?

If you need to have your TV set in the bedroom for instance, make sure you place it in a discrete area or hide it in a wall unit or cabinet where the TV can be concealed at night. Open windows at different sides of the home to create cross ventilation as many times during the day as possible. Change your AC filter regularly, at least every second month. I always recommend to my clients to invest in a high-quality air purifier with ionizer that discharges the air and also cleans it from mold spores, bacteria, pollen, smoke, and other allergens.

10. CREATE A MOOD

The final stage of creating your soulful Zen-inspired home is to add layers of sensuality to the finished scheme. The art of Zen is not only about what you can see: smell is also an important ingredient in the overall experience of feeling tranquil. Scented candles, essential oil diffusers, flowers, or a combination of each, are natural ways to enhance your home with fresh scents, which can lift your spirits but also will help you calm down after a stressful day at work. Various scents and aromas create different types of energy. Sandalwood or Geranium, for example, can help you fall asleep; Lavender and Tea-tree have a purifying effect; and oils like Peppermint and Clary Sage stimulate the mind. Essential oils can be used in several ways as a room fragrance: Add a few drops to a bowl of dried flowers or pot pour. I like to use electric aroma diffusers because they are easy to use and can be run all day. Another great way to infuse your entire home with a favorite scent is to add a few drops onto your AC filter. The scent will diffuse each time the AC clicks on.

Here are some of my favorite shops:

1. My Zen
2. The Monastery
3. Urban Zen
4. Viva Terra