What is Zen?
Zen is a state of calm attentiveness whereby one's actions take its course by intuition rather than by conscious effort. In this hectic and buzzing world we live in today, we could all use a little Zen in our everyday life. Here at Zen Koen, we aim to help you create that calming space at the comfort of your own home.
Having your zen space can be rewarding - a space for contemplation, reflection on your sense of wellbeing, reduce the stresses in your life and practise mindfulness. The benefits are definitely worth your time designing your space with us.
In this post, we will be sharing with you 5 ways to create your ideal zen space in your room.
1. Pick A Zen Spot In Your Room
To remind yourself to be mindful, you can first pick a spot in your room that makes you feel the most peaceful. It would also be a spot where you can peacefully tap into your meditation and yoga practices. It is preferred to have natural lighting during the day - this can be beneficial for your skin and overall concentration. In the evening, create a calming ambience by lighting scented candles or treat your senses with incense.
To enjoy the maximum zen, you could add the following into your zen space:
- Use a rug or cushions to make the spot cosy.
- Furnish it with your favourite house plants or paintings.
- Stock your room with towels, yoga mats and beverages such as tea or kombucha.
Leave your electronic devices outside of your sanctuary. One useful way to practice mindfulness is to indulge yourself in activities that keep you from checking your phones. Having this zen space will be the first.
2. Find The Right Colour Scheme
A zen inspired design is all about natural colours, the soft tones, such as white, grey, shades of beige or pink beige. These colours have the power to induce a sense of relaxation and calmness. Having chromatic harmony between the various elements is very important, as well as the visual continuity between your furniture, rug, and walls. You may also choose to add a tinge of dominant colour with matching objects and textured textiles such as white with moleskin or beige with rosewood to add contour to a room with monochrome theme.
To help you decide on your ideal colour scheme, you can do up a mood board to create that serene feel in your corner. Remember, neutral pastel nuances like beige and chiffon are a good start.
3. Eliminate Clutter
Less is more. Clutter can inhibit relaxation. Keep accessories to a minimum. Clear your room with as many items as possible, leaving only the essentials. Feel free to include ornaments that may bring you extra peace. Wooden touches usually do the work!
You may feel that the more you get rid of, the more calm and uncluttered your space becomes. You would, in turn, feel less overwhelmed by your own clutter. This way, you would find yourself being more focused on the present and have more mental capacity to acknowledge your thoughts and feelings.
4. Invest In The Right Furniture
In order to achieve true mindfulness through interior design, cohesive furniture can be a game changer.
When it comes to designing the zen spot, you can organise a balanced look where old meets new. For instance, chick poufs, bean bags and floor pillows will give you a and down-to-earth and Moroccan style inspired arrangement. You can even take a step further to transform it into a cosy little reading space with a comfy daybed cushion on top of a soft fluffy area rug if your space allows! Most importantly, it has to make you feel present and one with your zen space.
5. Stay Present
Practising mindfulness sounds like a simple exercise, but that is definitely not easy to do! It is difficult to keep your mind from zoning out and going through the relentless list of daily tasks subconsciously.
Mindfulness is about being intentional with how you spend your time and being present in the moment. Being an active participant in your life by actively paying attention to what is going on around you requires you to rewire the way you think and act on a daily basis.
Mindfulness is a practice. Mindfulness is a respite.
Stay mindful.