Without hesitation, CeCe Wilck-Hays knows which room in her Southlake home is her favorite. Whenever the Trinity Broadcasting Network producer needs a recharge, she heads to her “sanctuary”—a small, crystal-filled space where she can practice yoga, read, or meditate.
“All I have to do is walk through the door and I feel a wave of calmness,” says the mother of two college-aged daughters. “After everything we’ve been through this past year, we owe it to ourselves to have a place where we can feel totally at peace.”
According to a recent ASID trend report, CeCe has plenty of company. One result of the pandemic year’s “great pause” is that people are becoming more intentional about creating spaces dedicated to inner recovery and restoration.
“Designers have the opportunity to support their clients as they look to their homes for increased peace and mental wellness,” Susan Chung, ASID’s vice president of research and knowledge, told AdPRO.
Case in point: Los Angeles designer Sarah Bernard incorporates questions about personal wellness into her client interviews. “I think we’ve always needed restoration, but maybe now, because of all the things, we’ve collectively arrived at a place where people are being more open and honest with their needs,” she says.
“You talk to people about what makes them feel inspired. What might boost their mood on a tough day?”
It can be as simple as a corner in a room or a cushion, according to Dallas’ Breathe Meditation and Wellness owner Jenn Moulaison. “Designating a space within your home is an essential component to starting, maintaining, and sustaining a successful meditation practice.”
Here, how to create your own personal, zen-inducing home oasis.
Keep It Minimal
When designing your meditation space, keep décor to a minimum and avoid clutter for fewer distractions. “Meditation is the practice of clearing your thoughts, which creates a state of stillness, and quiets and cleanses the mind,” says Yogmata Keiko Aikawa.
Let Nature Nurture
When creating sanctuaries for clients, artist Cheryl R. Riley begins by asking them to think of a natural place they feel the happiest: desert, coral reef, forest, sea, or mountain. She then finds ways to represent that place in objects, art, light, texture, and sound—“things that put you in touch with the most healing thing, which is nature.”
Shift Into Neutral
Soft, tonal colors will help create a more restful state—think warm whites, light earthy tones, and ocean-inspired blues. Interior designer Gala Magriñá also notes that designs with light wood, wide plank floors, and muted walls can “bring in the sense of lightness and serenity.”
See the Light
All it takes is a couple of dismal days to remind us of the sun’s healing powers. If possible, choose a space that has abundant natural light.
To control other lighting sources, Gala recommends installing dimmers. “It’s a wonderful and super restorative way to enhance your meditation.”
Scents and Sensibility
Experiment with fragrance—candles, incense and diffusers—to set the mood. Lavender, vanilla, and jasmine are known for their soothing properties; citrus, eucalyptus, and peppermint energize and promote a sense of well-being.
Air Apparent
Air purifiers can help clear your space of toxins. “A lot of meditation practices require deep breathing, so this is great for breathwork,” says Gala.
Some indoor plants—English ivy, bamboo palm and spider plants, among others—can help improve air quality. An added bonus: greenery makes any space more inviting, bringing the feeling of outdoors, in.
Make It Your Own
Incorporate favorite items, from wall art and decorative items to pillows and rugs. It’s your sanctuary—so make it personal.
For CeCe, it’s her brass Ganesha, one of the most-worshipped Hindu deities.
“This little pot-bellied elephant is believed to clear obstacles and pave the way for us to move forward in life. And who doesn’t need that just about now?”
