Living a Zen lifestyle is more than just living in a home devoid of clutter, colour or too many things. Zen is more a way of life, than just an interior design style.

To create a home that suits a Zen lifestyle, look for natural materials, design with patterns of light and space in mind, and let go of anything you don’t really need. The Zen lifestyle also fits into the new Sustainable Lifestyle trend where you get rid of anything you don’t need, and when you do replace stuff you do it in a sustainable way.

Here are some examples of homes that have been designed to help their owners to live their lives in a more Zen, and sustainable, way with minimal furniture, relaxing spaces to sit and think, lots of light and plenty of natural timber.

1. Make way for natural light

Very simple, low-set timber furniture can add a Zen vibe when combined with lots of light like in this D Apartment home. Leaving enough open space is also an important part of creating an interior design scheme that suits a Zen lifestyle. The area from the entrance into the dining and living spaces of this apartment has been left almost completely empty, with only two simple objects available for contemplation. A home designed for a Zen lifestyle doesn’t need to be completely empty or devoid of life; adding a few items that are important to you will also help you to relax and feel comfortable.

2. Built-in tea drinking area

This Ang Mo Kio home has a very Japanese vibe due to the use of pale timber, soft colours and sheer curtains. The very Zen built-in tea drinking and relaxing area in the living space creates a calm oasis for contemplation. In the kitchen and dining space of the apartment, the Zen calmness continues by separating the cooking space with doors and using pale timber of all the cabinetry in the main space.

3. Built-in storage

The Zen idea of thoughtful placement of objects in space can be seen in this Canberra apartment. Simple furniture in neutral tones, built-in storage and a lack of decorative items fits perfectly into the Zen lifestyle. The very pale timber floors, simple furniture, and pale blue sofa creates a soothing space for reading. By building a platform in the master bedroom, even the sleeping area can be given a Zen vibe with all unnecessary clutter hidden away - a perfect space for thinking and sleeping.

4. Low-set furniture and multi-use items

Low-set furniture, and multi-use items like the beanbag, show how this Compassvale Bow family home can still be Zen in its concept and design. Again, pale timber is combined with open space and limited decorative items to create a Zen feel for this living space. The bedroom of this home offers a very simple room for sleeping with no distractions.

5. A mix of muted colours

Muted colours can be used in a Zen inspired interior design scheme to create zones for various activities. The muted pale shades in this Bukit Batok West apartment, are contemplative rather than jarring to the eye and the mind. More muted colours have been used to define the kitchen space from the dining and living areas. There are some decorative touches but by keeping the colours similar and the materials natural, the overall Zen vibe remains. The bathroom space is also for relaxation and contemplation.

6. A sofa that reflects nature

The sense of balance in space and light that comes from the Zen lifestyle can be seen in this Bukit Panjang apartment. A pared back interior with few items, white walls and simple floors, the addition of a few pops of colour gives a focus to the room. The Zen lifestyle is one of little clutter, open space, and natural materials. The blue sofa especially echoes the colour of the sky, creating a calming space for living. Natural materials, soft colours and the grouping of items creates a sympathetic rhythm in this interior design which suits the Zen lifestyle.Designed by: Adroit Interior Design

7. Spaces for sipping tea, reading and contemplation

And lastly, like in the Ang Mo Kio home, the creation of spaces especially for enjoying tea, reading or contemplation in their homes is important for people who are interested in enjoying a Zen lifestyle. The tea space in this Matilda Court apartment is a great example. In the kitchen space of the same apartment, the use of multiple upper and lower cabinets has created a neat and uncluttered area for meal preparation that has its own Zen vibe. Hiding away clothes and the other bits of our daily life in a specially created area also helps to emphasise how important the lack of clutter is if you are looking to have a Zen lifestyle in our busy world.Designed by: Areana Creation

Looking for more interior design tips on how to create your perfect home? Read our story about how to decorate your home with stylish displays; discover how to get an expensive-looking home makeover for under $50k; or learn more about what sort of flooring is best for your home.

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