A place to unwind

Spaces : The design of your meditation room should be simple and free  from clutter. Decor elements should  not be loud or garish either, write Neera Gulati.

For many, a home is never complete without a prayer room. To make a room attractive, a combination of furnishings, carvings and art work play equal roles. It is the same with a prayer room as well. The only thing that one should plan is the budget. Also, today, a prayer room is not restricted only to being a place for duties.

People have understood the concept of meditation and the prayer room can be a sacred space in your home where you can unwind without daily distractions. A meditation room can be inside your home, on a porch area or in the garden.

A well-planned meditation room in your home can help you unwind from the stress of daily life. Meditation rooms should be designed to reflect your needs and preferences. The design should be simple and free from clutter. The meditation room design you choose will reflect the energies that you want to create. Spend some time to dwell on what brings you happiness and joy, what will create an energy within you that allows you to feel at peace and what objects or symbols empower you.

In your meditation design, consider using certain objects to bring focus, clear energies or feelings of peace. Use objects that remind you of higher beings. You might like to consider statues of your favourite deities, angels or goddesses. Candles of a particular colour can help you focus on certain emotions or concepts while you meditate. The aroma of candles can also help you meditate.

Musical instruments like bells can be used to clear the energies. Create a focus of meditation with a dream board. Take some time to create a poster board of what you want to create in your life. A small area filled with sand is a good way to create a sacred Zen garden in your meditation room. You can also create a mini garden that reminds you of a peaceful outdoor location.

Whether your life is urban or rural, whether your home is a sprawling estate or a studio apartment, you can create a special place for simple reflection, traditional meditation, ritual and ceremony.

If you are going to design a meditation room that will be a part of your own home, then think about which rooms in your house are the quietest. Often this means selecting the room that is farthest from the road or street you live in. If it is impossible for you to avoid the noise, then pay extra attention to the acoustics of the premises that you select.

Double glazing and solid doors can be added to your meditation rooms, which can reduce the levels of incoming sound. If you have windows in your meditation room and you wish to have complete control over light levels, then you need to install black-out blinds or heavy curtains. Curtains often add charm and coziness to meditation rooms.

The visual effect of soft folding drapery can be quite relaxing. Heavy curtains, in addition to providing excellent light control, present a cocooned ambience. In contrast, lighter curtains made from sheer fabric will add a delicate, wispy softness. The alternatives: roller blinds, vertical blinds and Venetian to name a few, are all perfectly suitable but are more contemporary in appearance.

You may use sliding or folding screens to create a partition, if you don’t have a separate room. They are perhaps more suited to minimalistic design themes.

The role of light

Think about how much light you want in your meditation room. You might like it completely dark or have some very dim lights in certain areas. You may even want to have brighter lights in your room. Fluorescent lights are never chosen as they have been shown to cause fatigue and even anxiety.

Natural light, however, can work well and help you feel calm. Keep your room free from the outside world.

Decor elements

The decorative elements should be simple and not overwhelming to the eye. A meditation room that gives a view of a pond or a garden can be a great option. You can also create a waterfall in your room to create a calming effect.

A potted plant along with it can set the mood too. A meditation room should be comfortable, simple and free from distractions. Avoid bright, saturated colours by purchasing subtle, toned down shades and make your own meditation room colour by adding earth tones to regular paint. A stereo system for playing meditation music or mantras should be placed in a meditation room.

If you are designing a meditation room and you are short on storage space, then you may also need to introduce a small cupboard, side table, etc.

A certain calmness comes from the presence of nature’s gifts. Introducing a little foliage in your meditation room is an excellent way to add life to your space. Aesthetics, functionality and atmosphere play key roles in designing a meditation room.

Surround yourself with beauty and objects like statues, fresh flowers, candles, etc. Your walls should have calming colours like white, blue or yellow for a relaxed mind.
Since this space is to meditate, it would be better if you add some natural objects like stone, wood, water, fire and air as an inspiration to build a space that will bring you closer to nature. 

(The writer is an interior designer.)