Designing your apartment based on Zen principles can give you a more relaxed and peaceful state of mind. Though you may not be familiar with the terms and quotes Zen masters recite, you can still give your home a slice of nirvana. Here are some tips you can follow in order to have that mystic eastern feel in your home.

What is Zen?

Zen can be very hard to understand for those who have just encountered it because they will usually encounter paradoxical questions such as “what is the sound of one hand clapping?” and phrases such as “To become the Buddha, you must kill the Buddha” which can easily confuse you. So what exactly is Zen then? Unfortunately, the ambiguity of Zen does not allow it to be pinpointed with a specific definition.

First of all, Zen is not a religion. This is because they do not have priests, scriptures, and dogmas that guide or determine what a Zen monk should do. Second, it is not a philosophy. Zen does not have any systematic form of presenting their ideas unlike your typical western philosophies. The best way to describe what Zen is that it is a state of mind that heightens our awareness to the here and now without relying fully on our opinions and ideas.

Zen interior decorating uses the harmonious interaction of space and form within your home or apartment. This gives you a more soothing and relaxed feel, giving you the great amount of rest which you deserve.

The Zen approach to interior decorating promotes minimalism. Zen uses the bare essentials within a dwelling and each item in the house has a specific use. The best colors to use to have that Zen touch in your home are earth tones such as brown. Lighting is also important for a Zen home, and this is achieved by letting more sunlight through large windows. Read the rest of this entry »