How To Create A Meditation Space In Your Home

There comes a time when everyone needs to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and all the stressors that come with it. While it can be hard for many people to find the time and space for relaxation, you deserve to take a break every so often. With a little creativity and thought, you can transform a place in your home into your own meditation space. We talked to designers and yogis to learn how.

Why Should You Create A Meditation Space In Your Home?

If you’re unsure about creating a meditation space in your home, let’s first talk about the history, uses and benefits of meditation.

“Meditation has been used for centuries throughout various religious groups and yogis alike, gaining popularity as today’s world becomes more loud and chaotic,” said Michelle Thielen, founder of YogaFaith.

Thielen said meditation is becoming more popular in society because it silences the chaos of everyday life and brings peace, calm and balance into our lives, families and homes.

Laura McKinnon, yoga teacher and studio owner, said meditation is known to manage stress, but there are numerous other benefits to the practice as well.

“Studies have shown that it can support our overall emotional well-being, increase mental clarity and focus, improve sleep, energy, breathing and strengthen the health of the body by enhancing the immune system, reducing blood pressure and lessening inflammation,” said McKinnon.

McKinnon suggests that those interested in meditation start their practice by creating a space in their home dedicated to it.

“Creating a dedicated meditation space in your home supports a consistent and regular practice by having it available,” McKinnon said. “A defined space also allows for an easier transition; consciously stepping away from the busy outer world to turn inward.”

Alex Wilson, yoga teacher and wellness coach, said personal in-home meditation rooms are beneficial to those beginning meditation because they create a designated area for the practice of meditation, which gives beginners a little more control over their environment.

“For instance, if you live with others, they’ll know not to disturb you when you’re in your meditation space,” Wilson said.

Wilson also said that meditation spaces can be used for seated meditation or as a quiet place to pray, reflect or journal. If it’s big enough, meditation spaces can even be used for yoga practice.

“Really, you can use your meditation space for anything you like,” Wilson said. “You could even use your meditation space as a quiet retreat to momentarily escape the chaos that exists in your daily life.”

Tips For Creating A Meditation Space In Your Home

Now that you’ve learned more about the practice of meditation, let’s see what it takes to create a designated meditation space in your home.

Find A Space

The first step to creating a meditation space in your home is to find a space. “Find a quiet comfortable place where you won’t be disturbed,” Wilson said. It’s best if you have an entire room that you can convert into a mediation studio, but if not, there are plenty of other options.

You can set up your space in a closet, alcove, nook, storage space, corner of a room, on your porch or in your garden.

Thielen said that many people choose to set up their space in one of the smallest rooms or spaces in their house to allow for more privacy. She also recommends placing it away from louder parts of the home away from a TV or child’s room.

To create even more privacy from other people living in the house, Wilson suggests putting up a curtain.

“The most important things to consider (when finding a space) are your personal comfort and your ability to eliminate potential disturbances,” Wilson said. “I personally prefer to meditate in a space that’s dimly lit because the light is distracting to me.”

Fill Your Space

Once you’ve chosen your designated meditation space, you can begin to make it beautiful and fill it with items that have meaning to you.

You can keep your space as minimal or as filled as you would like. “The idea is to create a space that feels special and harmonious to you,” McKinnon said.

If you prefer to have a simple space, Wilson said all you really need is a comfortable meditation seat.

To create your comfortable seat, you can use meditation pillows, regular pillows, blankets, bolsters, yoga blocks, a chair or anything else that’ll make you feel comfortable and supported in your space.

When choosing items to place in your space, it’s really up to you.

“Make it your own,” Wilson said. “If you’re an artist, maybe you’d enjoy filling your space with art or keeping books of poetry nearby for inspiration.”

Thielen said it should contain items that bring you peace and tranquility. If simplicity and minimalism bring you peace and there’s nothing else you want to include, you don’t need any more items.

But if you do want to put special items in your space, here are some ideas:

• A candle, incense, or essential oils to create tranquility through smell and relax your body and mind
• Soft or textured items if they bring you a sense of calm
• A journal to write thoughts, impressions or prayers
• Pens, pencils, colored writing utensils
• Yoga mat
• Dimmer light or lamp
• Beads or malas
• Statues
• Crystals
• Singing bowls
• Photos
• Feathers or other natural elements
• Sacred items or symbols
• Plants
• Wall chimes
• Calming music or instrumentals
• A decorative basket, table or altar to store your items

Make Your Space Meaningful

Now that you’ve included meaningful items in your space, you can still do more to keep your space sincere and worthwhile.

First, determine its purpose. What will you use your meditation space for? Will it just be a place for a quiet getaway or do you plan to get more out of it by praying or meditating?

Next, make it private by establishing boundaries with the other people living in your house.

“If it’s your space, make it sacred,” Thielen said. “No pets or kids allowed.”

Cindy Rogers, yoga instructor and meditation center creator, said it’s most important that those practicing meditation keep their spaces sacred.

“Having a meditation center allows me the time to easily slip away and pause,” Rogers said. “Everyone around me, like my husband and kids, know that when I’m in that place, I’m taking some ‘me’ time.”

Rogers said it’s entirely unspoken, but everyone around her understands and respects her little place.

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