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how to design a biophilic meditation room

in biophilic how to

Whether we talk about meditation room, yoga room or quiet-time room, we’re referring to a space dedicated to self care, that closes the door to the hurricane of thoughts that crowd our brains every day.

In the times we’re currently living, we all have many more thoughts, questions and uncertainties than usual. So it’s even more important to plan for proper quiet time. And – now more than ever – it has to be done at home.

Airy meditation room with many pendant lights made of natural fibres.
Credit: Kostas Chatzigiannis Architecture - Photo by Joshua Tintner

meditation room: an essential for future living?

Our world moves fast, leaving little to no time for calm. Yet we all need some time to slow down in order to preserve our wellbeing and mental health. And this need is coming up stronger and stronger in recent years.

More people decide to turn a spare room in their home into a meditation room, and meditation rooms are also becoming increasingly popular in the workspace.

More in general, people are – more than ever before – on the lookout for slowing down activities: from meditation, to social media detox, art therapy and journaling.

Total white meditation room with a few plants and plenty of natural light.
Credit: Good Vibes Northcote

meditation rooms + biophilic design

A meditation room shares some key features with what biophilic design calls refuge. Indeed, it needs to be:

So let’s see how to translate these three features in the design of a meditation room.

Meditation space on a room with a fully glazed wall and a view onto nature.
Credit: The Organic Company

comfortable

To make a meditation room comfortable, there are a few elements to think about:

Meditation room with a full-height window looking into a patio rich in greenery.
Credit: Conservatorium Hotel

soothing

Since it is a space for grounding, it’s paramount for a meditation room to feel soothing. Here are some elements to think about:

Total white meditation room with a tree-shaped portion of the wall covered with real bark.
Credit: Bamford (via Instagram)
Meditation room with a green wall feature, stone walls and little pebbles on the ground.
Credit: Andriy Maheha (via Behance)
Big meditation room with huge windows and textures window treatment.
Credit: Kerry Hill Architects

shielded from the rest of the space

Clearing the hustle and bustle of thoughts from the mind requires concentration. So – just as a working space – a meditation room also needs to be separated from the rest of the home. Ideally in a dedicated room, a meditation space can also be created in a corner of a calm room. In this case, a curtain or room divider will be enough of a separation.

Meditation space with felt poufs that resemble rocks and wood branches a room divider.
Credit: Laurie Owen Interiors (uncertain source, please contact me if you're the owner of this photo)

how to set up a quiet-time corner without moving from home

If designing a meditation room is a full interior design project, setting up a quiet-time corner can be an easier task. And – given the times we’re living – we would all benefit from some more quiet time in our days. So here’s a quick checklist to create one in your own home.

  1. Choose a tranquil space Namely, a space where you can be alone. There’s no one-fits-all rule here as it all depend on when you’re going to practice your quiet-time and how you and the people that live with you use the space. For instance, if you live alone, virtually any space can become a quiet-time space. If instead you live with other people but your quiet time is going to be early in the morning before everyone else wakes up, the middle of the living room can be just fine! Also – if the weather allows – don’t forget that a balcony is also a great location.

  2. Make it comfortable and soothing Whether it’s clearing out clutter, selecting a relaxing track, moving around few plants or escaping on the balcony, try to create an inviting and calming space where you really feel good. Read through the article again and try to tick as many boxes as possible on the “comfortable” and “soothing” areas.

  3. Schedule your quiet-time Last but certainly not least, plan your quiet-time and respect it diligently as if it were a job appointment.

Meditation space on a room with a huge green wall and plenty of plants around.
Credit: MNDFL (via Instagram)
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