Life can be stressful and demanding, and our minds can sometimes be cluttered with a thousand different things. Meditation and yoga are two activities that help some people reduce stress and be present in the moment.
Getting to a yoga studio or peaceful, quiet place outside the home may not always be feasible. One solution? Create a meditation room right in your own home. You can use your meditation space for both yoga and mindfulness practices. Here are some of our top tips on how to set up a meditation space:
Find a Quiet, Peaceful Room or Small Space
Whether you are a novice or seasoned in meditation, it is nice to minimize distractions – so when choosing your meditation spot, pick a quiet room or area. You should try and select a space that is further away from the busy hubs of your home (such as the kitchen or family room) and one without a television.
An avid meditator on our team prefers to meditate in a room with a window. The window allows her to take advantage of the natural noises, scents, and conditions outside – such as chirping birds, a breeze, or the sound of rain.
If you plan on practicing yoga in the room, ensure that there is adequate room for a yoga mat and space around the mat for poses.
Set Up Your Meditation Lighting
You can powerfully enhance your meditation space by simply adding in certain lighting. The proper lighting can help you set your mind at ease: think of a golden sunset, the twinkle of fireflies against the night sky, and the rich glow of a fire. Light also impacts your mood in various ways, including your energy, appetite, sleep, and emotion.
One of the most common lights used in yoga studios and other meditative areas is the Himalayan Salt Lamp. Himalayan Salt Lamps come in various sizes and shapes, but all of them give off a beautiful, tranquil warmth. Some options include the traditional raw cut lamp, basket or bowl of small salt rocks, or compact nightlight style. If you’re looking for a dual-purpose salt lamp, consider choosing one that also functions as an oil diffuser, such as this option by Pure Enrichment.
Another option that will create a similar ambiance is to use battery-operated flameless candles. While traditional candles provide the same effect, you want to clear your mind of worrying during meditation. You do not want to be constantly opening your eyes to check on any open flames. Our preference for flameless candles is those that flicker since they most closely mimic the effect of real candles.
You can choose any ambient light source that relaxes you. Studies have shown that studies have shown that blue, red, pink, and green are four light colors to aid in relaxation, so opting for one of those hues is advantageous. The options are limitless and include moon lamps and light therapy lamps.
Add Soothing Fragrances & Sounds
Scent and sound also have a powerful impact, and it’s easy to bring both into your meditation space. Essential oil diffusers, reed diffusers, and aroma humidifiers are easily accessible, and there are many affordable options on the market. While the best scent to disperse in your meditation space is subjective, some top favorites include:
- Lavender, particularly when you are meditating before bedtime or anytime you are ready to rest
- Sandalwood, since its earthy smell is known to help connect you with nature
- Sage, because the deep, rich scent helps to uplift your spirit and settle your nerves
Sound is also quite important. While many like to meditate in complete silence, others may find the noiselessness unsettling. Add a Bluetooth speaker to your space. You can quickly connect it to your phone and stream various sounds.
If you’re still finding your mind wandering, try any spa-centric playlist or station on a streaming service such as Spotify or Pandora. Many of these playlists will feature serene piano songs or Tibetan Bowls. Natural sounds, such as rain, light thunder, ocean waves, and bird noises, are also top choices. For other suggestions, check out 10 Types of Meditation Music to Listen to from Declutter the Mind.
Choosing Calming Décor
You won’t keep your eyes closed the entire time you’re in your meditation space – and when you do have them open, you want your visual surroundings to keep you in the right frame of mind.
Choose a color palette that is calming, such as green. Green has been found not only to be comforting but also brings with it a feeling of renewal and positively influences the mind and the body. Nature is green, so add succulents, a terrarium, or other plants to the space.
Other common decorative items in meditation rooms include crystals, tapestries or wall hangings (think mandalas or dream catchers), and spiritual statues. Don’t forget a comfortable pouf or floor pillows if you prefer to sit on something other than the floor! If your meditation room is on the first floor and has an accessible window, hang wind chimes outside. The beautiful noise will carry inward on a windy day.
If you’re going to be practicing yoga in the space, it may be beneficial to install a mirror(s). The mirror will help you check out your poses and postures, so you can make corrections that will improve your practice. You’ll also feel quite motivated when you catch a glimpse of yourself crushing different handstands.
There are endless decorating ideas for a meditation room or yoga space on Pinterest – so if you feel stuck, know that suggestions are a search away!
Do Not Forget Your Storage
Many people enjoy reflection upon finishing their meditation and do so by reading poems or journaling. Add a small bookshelf to house your texts and journaling supplies – and use yoga blocks as quick bookends. wicker baskets make a great place to keep rolled-up yoga mats and blankets for savasana.
Your meditation space should not be cluttered; however, most of us do not have an empty room in our home waiting to be used for this purpose. If you find yourself clearing out a guest room, a corner of a basement, or a home gym with an unused treadmill from 2009, you may consider renting a self storage unit. A self storage unit will provide you with a new home for the things you do not want taking up space in your meditation area. Prime Storage has storage facilities nationwide, packed with a variety of storage solutions to fit your needs.
Creating a meditation space is lovely because the room can be multi-purpose. With its calm vibes, it is also an excellent place when you need to focus on a detail-oriented hobby (needlepoint, anyone?) or want to catch up on your reading. Use your peaceful space at any point in the day when you need to calm your mind – and it can also be utilized for other fitness regimens.
No matter how you use your meditation space, it is meant to bring you inner peace and clear your mind of the day’s stresses.
