Zen Buddhism has affected our cultural niche in many ways, and there are many reasons for it. As a school of Mahayana Buddhism, Zen is a popular school of thought that teaches embracing a more peaceful and restful lifestyle. The rules of Zen Buddhism vary depending on the topic, such as ways on how to look at the future, how to treat people around you, how to sleep and also how to arrange your home environment (also known as the Chinese art of Feng Shui).  

Following some of the Zen Master tips on the benefits of Zen Buddhism, we bring you the sacred art of creating a peaceful and calming home.

Treat the natural tones as if they were your guests

Colors are everywhere around us, and if we have the wonderful gift of seeing them, it can’t go unnoticed what a huge effect they have on our everyday lives, especially emotions. Red makes us angry or tense, green and yellow bring us joy while natural colors have a calming and soothing effect. If you really wish to be one with nature, fill your home with ceiling-high green plants that will create a one-of-a-kind experience in any room. Earthy tones are also known for their soothing and inviting qualities, as well as their power to create a sense of immense wellbeing and inner peace. In a Zen-inspired home you should involve natural colors as much as you can. Tones such as white, grey, shades of beige and brown have the most relaxing and calming qualities.

Stop hoarding and look towards a decluttered future

Hoarding is just another form of procrastination. By pilling up clothes, books, old CDs and other stuff, you can easily find yourself trapped in your own home. The feeling of unfinished obligations and past experiences won’t let you move on until you declutter your living environment. Decluttering has been shown to induce the feeling of relief and freedom, since getting rid of unnecessary things is a way of decluttering your life, as well. Creating a space for relaxation and stress reduction means literally creating more space. In order to free your mind, you must free your home from the passed-on baggage that has been haunting you through your clutter.

Stay true to simple décor

Too many kitsch and brightly colored décor elements won’t do you good if you opt for a Zen oriented home. Instead, keep the details as simple as you can. When it comes to flooring, parquet is always a good choice, as long as you choose white, brown or beige notes. Resin floor can also be an impressive choice for a comfortable and soothing home environment.  Carpets, however, might not be a good flooring solution for a Zen home. They take up a lot of space, which causes the room to seem smaller and compressed, and they can be easy stress triggers if they get dirty or ruined in any way. Rugs are a better choice, and you can surely find room for a simple yet stunning jute rug in any room. Walls and ceilings should be left plain or just covered with a single picture that you find relaxing. Be careful to keep the number of details to a minimum in order to avoid the cluttering mistake.

Bring light into your life

The Zen Buddhist monarchs always recommend meditating and spending time in the open air. The light and the natural environment bring your mind to a more peaceful and resting place. If you don’t have the opportunity to spend time in nature as much, then bring nature to your home. One of the ways to this is to let natural sunlight into your home as much as you can. Keep those curtains wide open and greet each sunny day with a smile. You can also replace the harsh fluorescent lights with calming, nature-inspired light bulbs, or simply candles. Play with the sources of light so that each area of the room is lit just enough to make you feel comfortable and relaxed.

Beware the claws of technology

Not only do they disrupt the nature of the Zen room, but they also run contrary to the true meaning of rest. Electronic devices in the room remind us constantly of everyday stressful experiences and leave us unable to fully achieve our much needed inner peace.

Every day, just as you come home, you should remove all electronic devices from your view. Hide your phone in a cupboard, cover your TV with a decorative blanket, place a plant over your laptop and put all your worries away. With the right light, décor elements, free space, a natural-feeling surrounding and technology out of the way, you will feel the benefits of a peaceful home in no time.

About the author:

Tracey Clayton is a mom of three girls. She feels she knows a thing or two about raising happy, healthy and confident kids. She’s also passionate about traveling, fashion and healthy living. Her motto is: “Live the life you love, love the life you live."