The Zen philosophy has always carried a bit of mysticism and wisdom. In the past decade, more designers and homeowners have started using Zen ideas in interior design projects. Now, it’s evident that Zen can help many families find peace and relaxation after a long day of work.
Perhaps, creating an environment that corresponds with your mindset is something many fear to try. Still, the Zen interior design is capable of going way beyond the aesthetic aim. The style takes direct inspiration from nature, aiming at creating a practical and cosy environment.
As a result, Zen-style interior design is perfect for small homes like HDB flats and Condos.
What is Zen Interior Design?
As you may know, Zen stems from Buddhism, which has a massive impact on most Asian cultures. Therefore, it’s safe to say that both teachings have a lot in common. Ultimately, Zen embraces the concept of leading a balanced lifestyle that’s harmonious with nature.
As for the Zen interior design, everything translates into open and practical spaces that create a calming environment.
Top 7 Key Elements of Zen Style Interior Design
If you’ve heard about Minimalist interior design or Scandinavian interior design, then you’ll probably find lots of Zen inspiration. In a sense, all three styles have very similar concepts. Still, some specific elements of the modern Zen interior design help you achieve the atmosphere. Here are the 7 aspects of every Zen-style interior design:
Clutter-free atmosphere
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One of the key features of every Zen interior design is restraint and omission. In other words, you’d want to keep what you only need. The aim is to achieve a sense of clarity while retaining sync with the world. Implement electronics wisely and do your best to create a serene atmosphere.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you should leave your open plan concept entirely empty. You can still have your dedicated TV, dining and rest areas. Just make sure you get rid of anything that you won’t need. That way, you’ll ensure you’re not over cluttering your space.
Stick to the simplicity in your design
After you cut down the distractions to a minimum, you’ll make enough room for what matters. Zen interior design embraces the idea of keeping it straightforward but stylish. This means that you should restrain yourself from creating an overly decorative and overstated interior. As a result, your HDB will look fresh and clean.
Keep it natural
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Another critical element that stems from the Japanese Zen interior design is the touch of nature. The idea here is to achieve a “living” atmosphere by recreating the abstract natural world. The easiest way to do it is to implement patterns and concepts that have to do with these sensations.
For example, you can mix illumination and plants to create a filter. Moreover, you can experiment with your window treatments to play with the sun and shadows. The result may not always give you the best brightness capabilities, but it will undoubtedly achieve the Zen ambience.
Maintain an understated look
A cardinal principle of Zen is to maintain subtlety. This applies to modern Zen interior design in full effect. After all, the power of giving off hints is often stronger than full disclosure. In other words, it’s a good idea to leave something to the imagination as curiosity will add an element of interest. Simply limit the fancy decoration and use a piece or two to awaken the creativity of the viewer.
Embrace asymmetry
Surprisingly, one of the peculiarities of the Zen style interior design is asymmetry. The sense of imperfection will exude the symmetry of the natural world. The aim is to make the guests “find” the missing particles of the environment for themselves.
Sometimes, the best way to keep the interest is to leave the story incomplete. In such cases, you are free to leave combinations unfinished. That way, you’ll provide viewers with a platform for co-creation.
Leave a place for imagination
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While some modern Zen interior design projects may not restrain from contemporary elements, you don’t have to try hard. As already noted, leaving some aspects of the interest will make the interior more unique, especially when going for Zen.
A simple interruptive “break” in your living room or open concept design will work as a creative breakthrough. An easy way to do this is to mix different shades of colour to break up your home’s monotony. You can safely experiment with hues to achieve the desired mood.
Ultimately, your Zen interior design will leave room for the viewer to contemplate.
Create a sense of tranquillity
Perhaps, the idea of creating a calm and serene environment persists in all minimalist designs. Still, the Zen principle aims at establishing a different type of peaceful tranquillity. There, the homeowner can have a high-quality rest after a long day of work.
In a sense, the modern Zen interior design’s solitude comes from the mix of nature and a neat look.
The use of monochromatic and natural patterns here is a must-have. Also, don’t forget to apply ideas from Japanese Zen interior design. The use of dark and bright wood tones will create a contrast and further increase the cosy vibes. You can even step it up a notch by implementing some bamboo dividers or window treatments.
Final Thoughts
More people have started looking for ways to make their homes calm and relaxing in the past decade. The strain from the everyday commitments indeed accumulates a lot of stress. Luckily, Zen-style interior design will make your 4-room HDB or Condo a safe haven after a long day of work.
While it’s often easy to distinguish, Zen interior design will readily influence any interior style. This is especially true for designs with similar philosophies. Its signature feature has to be the elements from Japanese culture as well as the overall asymmetry.
If you love understated looks that leave a lot to the imagination, this style will perfectly fit your personality.
This article first appeared on https://www.swissinterior.com.sg/blog/home-interior-with-zen-interior-design. Find out more about interior design ideas and top services in Singapore at Swiss Interior today.