Meditation has been around for centuries. Until recently, people had only two choices to meditate: by joining a monastery or leaving the general hustle of the world behind entirely and traveling to isolated hermitages. Things have changed so much! Now, homeowners are transforming their homes into custom experiences where they can find their center.
Interior decorator Sarah Susanka says it best, “In Western culture, sacred space was almost always outside the home. By creating a place in your home, you’re building the practice into your everyday life.”
And that’s so important! Personal spaces should act as peaceful reflections of our true selves. A place to meditate channels positive energy and rest, exactly what a home should be. Meditating at home has grown increasingly popular because of that. In this digital age, we’re busy living out fantasies of constantly being “on” and practicing active, hectic lives. So, what is the best way to meditate at home? And most importantly, how can you design a home to reflect that honest, important practice?
The Process of Defining an Ideal Space:
In order to make your custom home meditation space impactful on your meditation process, you need to define the core elements that should be within the space. Here are a few elements you can feature to understand how your “meditation” renovation can come to peaceful fruition.
DECIDE WHY YOU’RE MEDITATING
Are you meditating for stress? Are you meditating for spiritual guidance? Mindfulness? Gratitude? Inner awareness? Defining this will help you build a theme for your meditation space. If you’re meditating for gratitude, you should surround yourself with items you love in a bright, open space, like framed photos of family members, for example. If you’re meditating for stress, perhaps an outdoor meditation space is more your style. If you’re meditating for inner awareness, surrounding yourself with colors that give you cool, blissful thoughts are best, like light blues and soft pinks. Color will be a huge part about how you meditate, so make sure it’s on par with what you need. Don’t rule dark colors out – some people say deep colors makes them feel safe and protected.
CHOOSE A SPACE AWAY FROM DISTRACTIONS
Early morning is a perennial favorite time to meditate. So, choose an area for your home remodel that is quiet and peaceful in the early morning hours, specifically. The location shouldn’t be a space you work, sleep or watch anything on the screen.
THE SPACE SHOULD FEEL LIKE YOU
Meditation is a very vulnerable process so you should feel the inner workings of your true self in the space. Consider items that will make you feel close to your soul: warm blankets, chimes, crystals, affirmation stones, beads, artwork or a Buddha statue. Everything in the room or outdoor space should appeal to your senses and fill you with positive vibes you can actively reflect on.
MINIMAL DECOR IS KEY
When it comes to meditation, less is more! Incorporate cushions or stools with simple design (or none at all) or a textured area rug.
CREATE A FOCAL POINT
This item is what you will focus on. It could be a window, an item of greenery or a mirror.
MEDITATE OUTDOORS
Fresh air is really important. Fill up a porch with a soft area rug and faux fur throw pillows. Outdoor candles can be strewn about, with low standing tables (to hold meditation books and reflection journals). Now, if you want to truly decorate the space, a porch is the best idea. There, you can incorporate dreamy textiles and calming textures. However, that doesn’t rule out a grass space with flowers and gardens. You don’t need a big area, but fountains and rocks also act as a beautiful space to meditate amongst the birds and fresh air. Landscapers, like those at Mom’s Design Build, can help you concept a really unique space like this. Remember, if you’re taking the meditation tour outdoors, make sure all of your items (rugs, cushions etc.) are waterproof friendly.
SOFTEN THE LIGHTING
No overhead lights, please! Standing lamps should be what you’re working with here. If your space isn’t outdoors, incorporating natural items will also add to this “natural” feel. Seriously, pull plants, rocks and flowers into the space.
IF YOU’RE GOING ALL OUT, CREATE A MEDITATION STUDIO
This is a bigger home design feat than shimmying something peaceful together in a quaint corner of your home. However, this is a great option if you have a spare room you never use and will always come in handy. This space can model a yoga studio of sorts, with wide wood plank flooring, Himalyan salt lamps scattered about and meditation cushions. The best part of this home remodel is that it’s simple and symmetric – an easy and effortless upgrade to your home. If you can, building in spacious windows will offer natural light and air during the summer months.
GO BOHEMIAN
Bohemian decor is often the most common incorporated in meditation spaces. Add tribal textiles and patterned pillows, an egg chair or whimsical curtain netting.
SOUND IS IMPORTANT
I read something once that a fresh fountain should be incorporated into every meditation space. Sensory elements are key. Sounds that are intentional (like a waterfall) will drown out the distracting sounds (Writer’s Note: no pun intended, hehe).
A powerful meditation space is all about harmony and balance. If you don’t have space in your home for a meditation room and aren’t digging the outside option, you can always build a meditation shed! High-end cedar sheds are a beautiful option to make your own and can be paired beautifully with french doors and ample windows.
If you want to learn more about your meditation space options, Mom’s Design Build can help!
