2020. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, no? We’re living through a time of huge uncertainty. And to a greater or lesser degree, it’s been affecting our mental health.

In times like these, psychology experts advise us to control the things we can.

We can’t control what’s happening in the world. And we can’t predict what will happen going forward. But there are things we can do to influence our immediate surroundings.

Finding (and enhancing) your Zen place is one of the best things you can do for yourself, and your mental health, right now.

What do we mean by “finding your Zen”?

As a word, “Zen” relates to a Japanese form of Buddhism focused on meditation and being present in the here and now. Zen is also used to describe the feeling you get when you slow down; finding peace with yourself and with the world. (A tall order at the moment, we know!)

For the most part, Zen comes from within. But the right external environment can make the process of discovering and nurturing it that little bit easier.

How can your environment contribute to your Zen?

The world is hectic — now more than ever. So finding time to breathe, concentrate and recalibrate is essential, day to day.

Where we spend our time can have a powerful effect on our mood and wellbeing, just as much as what we’re doing. Rooms can either sap our energy or nourish the soul.

When a space is designed with Zen in mind, it’s welcoming and calming. It helps you to relax, connect with yourself and create the positive mindset you need to thrive and shine.

What does a “Zen place” look like?

At home, your Zen place should be a cocoon: a relaxing, happy space where any worries of the day are left at the door. While working, your Zen place should help you to keep a clear head. It’s somewhere you can concentrate, be creative, get stuff done, and feel comfortable too.

There’s scope for Zen in your interior design, wherever you sit on the minimalist / maximalist scale. But what your Zen place looks will depend upon who you are. Why? Because it’s a space designed to make you feel good.

The right space can give you all the right feels. And here are our top tips to create Zen in any location.

Breathe Zen into your home and office

Tidy

A clear space equals a clear head. But do you need to go full Marie Kondo and give away all your worldly possessions? No, not really.

Clutter is subjective. Some people feel nurtured by a minimalistic space. Others feel good surrounded by souvenirs that tell their life story.

The key to Zen is having everything clean and ordered. Old coffee mugs and jumbled papers have no place on your desk. And any “clutter” around the home should be curated and displayed with care.

Invest in cosy lighting

Natural lighting rates high on the Zen scale. During the day, open blinds and pull back curtains to let as much light in as possible.

On duller days and evenings, lamps help increase the cosy factor. Bring light to the darker corners of your room or office and choose bulbs that cast a gentle, warm light.

And don’t forget candles, too. Their soothing ambience is an essential part of any Zen design, particularly if they’re scented with all-natural, aromatherapy oils.

Bring the outdoors in

What feels insurmountable inside your own head, is often easily solved by stepping outside. That’s because being in the wilderness (or just your local park!) can bring an incredible sense of clarity, wellbeing and oneness with the world.

So when designing a Zen interior, it makes sense to bring a little of the outdoors in.

Buy flowers. Forage for foliage. Make sure every room has at least one pot plant. And open your windows (even for short spells during winter).

Use organic textiles

Textiles help to soften a room and make it feel more inviting. Choose organic textiles, though, and you get ultimate comfort and Zen. Plus, top quality textiles deliver a kind of decadence that makes us feel treated and cared for.

Introduce throws, cushions and rugs made from organic textiles like wool, cotton, linen and velvet into your interior.

And never skimp on textiles for your bed or on your couch. These are the places you spend most of your down-time and where you go to recharge. So make them comfortable and indulgent.

Hang some artwork

Artwork has the ability to soothe and calm your mind — especially if it transports you to a different place or reminds you of happy times.

Only ever hang artwork you love.

Pick out photographs of family, friends or favorite vacation destinations. Find art featuring colors that speak to your soul! And make sure that everything you put up on your walls makes you feel good.

Rearrange

When it comes to interiors, it’s often possible to do a lot with what you’ve already got.

That spot with beautiful morning light? Make space for a cosy armchair and a side table big enough for a cup of tea and a good book.

Got a breathtaking landscape view from your office window? Move your desk so you can gaze up at it, and feel inspired throughout the working day.

You can also reconfigure the layout of your rooms, creating more space and flow to move around within them. Little changes like this can have a big effect.

Create your calm, for whatever the world has in-store

A few interior design tweaks may be all you need to realize the Zen place of your dreams. But if you feel in need of expert support, contact Titanium space today for a free consultation.

With a unique approach — driven equally by human psychology and aesthetic design — we create calming, restorative and inspiring spaces that look good and make you feel good, too.

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Finding your Zen place (and learning to cope in times of uncertainty)