8 Ways to Zen Up Your Home and Living Space

Boost your moods, increase creativity and reduce stress. Zen up your living space.

1. Declutter
2. Opt for earthy colours
3. Place soft materials for your feet
4. Simple and natural furniture
5. Keep ornaments and decorations to a minimum
6. Enhance your room with natural scents
7. Bring in green plants for calmness
8. Remove electronic disturbances

Here are some ways to Zen up your home:

1. Declutter

Keep accessories to a minimum or eliminate them altogether, as clutter can inhibit relaxation. Clear your room of as many items as possible and keep only the essentials, but feel free to add whatever may bring you extra comfort.

2. Opt for earthy colours

Earthy colours are a mixture or tonalities of browns and tans, which can include richer colors containing some brown, such as orange, red, green, yellow, purple, and blue. They tend to more muted and flat colors. A zen inspired design is all about natural colours, in soft tones, such as white, grey, shades of beige or pink beige, which have the power to induce a sense of relaxation and calmness. Chromatic harmony between the various elements is very important, as well as the visual continuity between walls, furniture and floors.

3. Place soft materials for your feet

Wool carpets provide a real sense of comfort but require a higher level of maintenance. However, if you choose a carpet, you may refine your zen décor and reinforce the cocooning sensation of the room by associating several carpets made of wool or pure cotton. Parquet is always a safe choice, as well as any massive wooden flooring. White, greyish or any light coloured parquets are especially refined but you can also choose coloured parquet provided it matches the rest of the room.

4. Simple and natural furniture

Zen style furniture is characterized by simple and clear lines, avoiding complicated detail and excess ornamentation. The furniture should be high quality and made of natural materials as these bring a sense of warmth and relaxation.

5. Keep ornaments and decorations to a minimum

For wall decorations there is the same word of order: simplicity. Avoid collections of paintings or photos and keep only those that are especially dear to you. For a fully harmonious and playful library, cover all your books in monochrome paper.

6. Enhance your room with natural scents

A homemade linen spray, soy or beeswax candles, and essential oils are all-natural ways to enhance your room with fresh scents, which can not only be calming when it’s time to sleep, but also invigorating when it’s time to wake.

7. Bring in green plants for calmness

Not only do indoor plants enhance the overall appearance of a space, but they’ve been shown to boost moods, increase creativity, reduce stress, and eliminate air pollutants—making for a healthier, happier you. Indoor plants don’t just look good—they can make us feel good, too. However, avoid flowers which need special maintenance or may emanate disturbing scents.

8. Remove electronic disturbances

Electronic devices are most often a source of distraction and therefore do not integrate in a fully zen decor. However, 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 specially designed cupboard. As well, make sure you hide all wires and cables that could distort the serene atmosphere of the entire setting.