Mindful Design and How to Incorporate it into Your Home

Posted on December 4, 2021

Mindfulness has been a buzzword for quite some time, but do you know what it means? It’s the concept of being consciously present for each waking moment, and that means tuning in to the space around you and everything that is happening. In terms of interior design, mindfulness means promoting introspection through architectural composition, furniture arrangement, and design elements that create harmony inside your home.

If you want to incorporate mindful design into your home, here are a few tips that will help you do it successfully.

Avoid Distractions

Observe the space as a whole. What do you see?

If your view is constantly interrupted by furniture, decorations, and clutter, then you are far away from the concept of mindful design. Chaos in your place of living can also cause chaos in your mind, so the first thing you’ll want to do is get rid of the clutter. Keep only the things you use and need (genuinely sentimental items fall into this category). Neatly organize in a storage room the items that you use only occasionally. The rest, give to charity.

As for the furniture, also keep the essentials. Get rid of chunky pieces and try to get the ones that have tall legs so that it looks like there’s more space on the floor.

Rest Your Eyes with Soothing Colors

Our mind responds to different colors differently. While our perception of colors can be subjective, there are some general rules about which hues are associated with which emotions. For example, red, especially in interior design, can cause agitation. Warm hues of yellow and orange encourage communication and positivity.

For a mindful home, you will need soft, earthy, and neutral colors to avoid distractions. Use them for your walls and furniture to create a wholesome space.

A Place to Disconnect

Gadgets and electronics have become an essential part of our lives. While we know that we can’t get rid of them completely, it’s a fact that they cannot be in harmony with what we define as mindfulness. That’s why you should have at least one room where you can disconnect from technology. It can be a small space where you can reduce anxiety with breathing exercises, practice yoga, or simply sit quietly and reflect on your day.

Connect with Nature

After disconnection, let’s talk about connection. Human beings feel better when they spend time outdoors surrounded by trees, water, and plants. Some of these elements can be transported into your home. The effect won’t be the same, but it will definitely make you more relaxed. Here are a few ways to incorporate natural elements into your interior design:

Use real wood for floors, furniture, and details.
Make a stone or brick accent wall.
Use natural fiber and materials for rugs, bed sheets, pillows, blankets, etc.
Allow an abundance of natural light to enter your home (install bigger windows, get rid of heavy draperies, use sheer curtains, or leave the windows bare).
Install a fireplace.
Add a fish tank with colorful fish or another water feature.
Scatter some green houseplants throughout the interior. You can also install a green wall or plant an herb garden in the kitchen.

Discover Your Trademark Scent

In mindful interior design, it’s very important to engage all the senses, including smell. While you should try out a lot of different scents to see which one relaxes you the most, keep in mind that familiarity is an essential part of mindful décor. It allows you to recall pleasant memories and to feel safe and at home. Find your favorite fragrance, incense, or an aromatic candle – and stick to it.

Self-realization through Décor

We spend most of our time inside our homes. The space and the objects that occupy it can affect how we think and what we do. You can turn your home into a place of self-realization. Find items that reflect your vision of what your life should look like and arrange them strategically throughout the space so that you can constantly be surrounded by things that inspire you. For example, if your dream is to travel to some exotic place, incorporate photographs, artwork, or accessories that mirror your goals. If your goal is career-related, introduce motivational items and messages into your working area.

In Closing

When we choose to see our homes as a reflection of ourselves – and vice-versa – we’re finally able to look at home design from a more mindful perspective. Let your living space inspire you, and let yourself pour your personality into it. The result will be a home you love spending time in and that perhaps even entices you to be a better person every day.