How To Use Zen Design To Change the Feeling of a Room

The art of Zen design is a philosophy of interior design that emphasizes simplicity, minimalism, and harmony with nature. Zen designers strive to create spaces that are calming, relaxing, and conducive to meditation and contemplation. With a little planning and intuition, you can create a Zen room that is a haven of peace and relaxation in your home.

Intuition is a powerful tool that can be used in interior design to create spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. It is the ability to understand something without the need for conscious reasoning. In interior design, intuition can be used to:

• Identify the needs of the home: An interior designer can use their intuition to understand the client's needs and wants, even if they are not able to articulate them clearly.

• Create a space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing: Intuition can be used to create a space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, without sacrificing one for the other.

• Choose the right colors, materials, and textures: Intuition can be used to choose the right colors, materials, and textures for a space, creating a cohesive and inviting atmosphere.

• Solve design problems: Intuition can be used to solve design problems, such as how to make a small space feel larger or how to create a sense of flow in a room.

• Make the space feel unique and special: Intuition can be used to make a space feel unique and special, reflecting the personality of the client.

Here are some of the key principles of Zen design that I incorporated into two rooms in my own home and photos of the end results:

• Simplicity: Zen designs are characterized by their simplicity and lack of clutter. This is achieved by using clean lines, uncluttered furniture, and natural materials.

• Minimalism: Zen designs are also minimalist, meaning that they use only the essential elements to create a space. This helps to create a sense of calm and serenity.

• Harmony with nature: Zen designs often incorporate natural elements, such as plants, water, and wood, to create a sense of harmony with nature.

• Balance: Zen designs are balanced, both visually and physically. This is achieved by using symmetry, proportion, and scale to create a sense of order and harmony.

• Flow: Zen designs flow smoothly from one space to the next. This is achieved by using open spaces, natural light, and uncluttered furniture.

I spend quite a bit of time in these two rooms, so I felt that it was important to employ the Zen philosophies in them to ensure they are healthy and happy places for my family and I to enjoy. The concept of Zen design is especially important for neurodivergent family members that are easily triggered in spaces that are overstimulating with too much color, clutter and sensory input. It is important to adapt to these triggers and create spaces in our homes to make everyone feel calmer and at ease.

I’ve also learned that I need my own sanctuary so I can not only be there for myself, but also be there for my family when they are in need, so I created my own space that allows me to be productive at work and enjoy the sights and fresh air of nature. It also doubles as a wellness space for me to decompress, including reading (although I wish to swap out to a more comfy chair next to the book case when time and money allow), as well as practice meditation, yoga and exercise.

Living room: neutral colors, uncluttered, natural (oak flooring, plants, natural light), symmetrical, simple furniture

Office: neutral colors, uncluttered, natural (oak flooring, plants, natural light), symmetrical, simple furniture

When used effectively, intuition can be a powerful tool for creating interior spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. However, it is important to remember that intuition is not the only factor that should be considered in interior design. It is also important to use knowledge, experience, and practicality to create spaces that are both beautiful and functional.

Here are some additional tips for using intuition in interior design:

• Pay attention to your gut feeling: When you are working on a design, pay attention to your gut feeling. If something feels right, go with it.

• Be open to new ideas: Don't be afraid to experiment and try new things. Sometimes the best designs come from unexpected places.

• Trust your instincts: If you have a strong feeling about something, go with it. Your intuition is often right.

• Get feedback from others: Sometimes it can be helpful to get feedback from others on your designs. This can help you to see things from a different perspective and make sure that your designs are meeting the needs of the home.

By following these tips, you can use your intuition to create interior spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.