Design Elements to Help You Achieve Zen Through your Home Decor

Different cultures typically have varied forms of artistic expressions that allow its people to commune with their environment. In fact, throughout history, we can see various examples of man "interacting" with nature through the artistic creations he has produced. For the Japanese, their concept of interacting with nature has been richly influenced by the profound ideological tradition of Zen Buddhism, specifically the continued effort to restore balance and maintain harmony between man and nature.

This concept of achieving harmony has come to dominate almost every aspect of daily life for the Japanese. From religion, social norms, politics and art, the Japanese have sought to maintain this balance. At present, an increasing number of Westerners have come to discover and appreciate this principle amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life. Nowhere is this concept more evident than in varied examples of Zen architecture and interior design that have pervaded modern homes and offices across Europe and America.

The main elements of interior design embracing the Zen frame of mind include minimal furnishings, clean lines, and carved wood wall art. By integrating similar pieces at home, you can infuse your home decor with that much sought after serene and relaxing atmosphere you would love to go home to after a long, hard day at work. If you have ever wondered how it actually looks like, try to visualize a traditional Japanese dwelling with large panels for walls and very simple and minimal implements. If you still cannot figure it out, here are a few simple tips to help you achieve Zen at home.

The first rule is to minimize clutter. You simply cannot achieve peace of mind with too many trinkets strewn here and there. Try to throw away those that you do not need and stick to the barest essentials. When it comes to personal stuff, remember that it is quality and not quantity that should matter. Second, the entire look of the room should feature clean and simple lines, defined spaces, as well as low-impact and very simple furniture. Moreover, the colors and patterns of the wall, the furnishings, and the floor should be neutral and very earthy. Next, the room should have as much natural light as possible. Heavy curtains, drapes, and other excessive stuff do not promote openness and interaction with the outside world.

Although the Zen interior design principle espouses minimalism, this does not mean however that you can forgo using accent pieces. In fact, when cleverly used, these pieces tie up the whole Zen "feel" of your home decor. You may use traditional wooden wall plaques with designs such as lotus trees, rivers, mountains and other nature-inspired themes that evoke serenity and gentle relaxation. These examples of carved wood wall art, typical of any Asian decor, will make the "look" more authentic. You can also incorporate Japanese inspired paintings, scrolls, and other simple decorative elements to further highlight the relaxed atmosphere of the room.

Using these simple tips, you may be able to create your own refuge at the most inexpensive manner.

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