The key precept to a Zen inspired home is “less is more.” Zen is space, cleanliness and order. Space absent of element is as important as the elements that immerse into it. Space allows the elements within to unite in connectivity and invites us to focus, contemplate, meditate, create, breathe and move with vision and purpose.

In response to its minimalist appeal, Zen is a design that is relatively inexpensive to achieve. It is also a concept that invites earth's natural resources into the scheme of things to create lifepace harmony and balance.

If you presently maintain a lifespace of more or less clutter (whether organized or unorganized) and truly desire to scale down your furnishings, consider pausing here and consulting with Insight 8: “De-Cluttering Your Space” for suggestions on how to carry out this undertaking. There is much to be said about creating open spaces and introducing a minimal of furniture to allow the room to “breathe” and have its’ being. The more open the space, the less chi’ becomes obstructed which can cause stagnation. Scaling down furnishings and keeping the room well ventilated will allow chi’ to revitalize and pass through its’ space freely, contributing to renewed oxygen and ions beneficial to one’s health.

The art of Zen is to combine the essence of function with carefully chosen aesthetics without the competition of many other elements existing within the space. Zen Design attends to one’s inner needs and outer comfort while reflecting light and highly expansive spaces that lend harmony and balance with nature.

When creating your Zen theme, contemplate on the following key elements:

Furniture
In designing your Zen Room appoint a few furnishings to the space. These pieces can be of Asian design or a style that’s complementary to the Asian style. To assist you in your plan, it will be helpful to note that original Zen furnishings are those of shoji screens (latticework panels covered with translucent white rice-paper), tatami (woven straw mat), tansu (wood stair-step cabinet), hibachi (low lying square or rectangular wood table with center opening traditionally used for heating tea), futon (tufted mattress cushion), Japanese wooden upright standing chest in any height and a traditional platform bed. You may already possess furnishings in a style that will easily adapt to a Zen theme; or perhaps, contemplating purchasing Japanese pieces to achieve the look of Zen.

Non-Asian furnishings complementary to a Zen theme are small to moderate in scale, of plain and simple design, visually of lightweight material consisting of clean, straight lines, medium to dark wood finish and offers the essence of comfort and functionality.

Ideas for non-Asian style furnishings that are harmonious with a Zen theme can reflect the following wood pieces: a commode, low standing rectangular or square coffee table and backless sitting bench. Also adaptive to Zen is a simple, wooden, non-decorative style upright bookcase, flat top rectangular storage chest of short to medium height and a tall cabinet with a flat top that flank double-doors.

Contemporary designed pieces can be integrated into the Zen theme to ignite interest and pretention. In making this selection, one must carefully attend to the design details of the piece to ensure compatibility. An example would be a simplistic in style black leather chair or sofa of small to moderate scale with fine straight lines.

Subtleness in design invites the viewer to complete the uncompleted. Look to choose quality over quantity. A minimal of furnishings in a space requires less money for purchases, less time to clean and more time to savor in enjoyment.

Space Planning
Zen space is like brushstrokes on a blank canvas where the artist has created no boundaries in allowing the nature of the design to meet the needs of its inhabitants. To achieve the Zen concept of “less is more,” plan your space with minimal amount of furniture. Create open passageways and ample spacing between furniture for circulation of chi’, easy body movement and relaxation. Creating an open concept in space planning will create the illusion of light, airy and expansiveness within a room.

If you possess a large size room that will play host to a multitude of functions, try creating a space within a space. Ideas reflecting this concept can be achieved by placing a trio of floor pillows in a quiet corner of a bedroom room for meditation and yoga. A Japanese shoji screen can demarcate a dining area within a living room when positioned to separate the two spaces. Tall freestanding plants will close off a space for exercise and fitness. A large size accent rug placed under a furniture grouping can denote a conversational area away from the entertainment section of the room. In creating a variety of layouts, remember to leave enough space between functional groups to achieve open, free-flowing pathways. Empty space creates contemplation and focus where the whole is more engaging than the sum of its individual parts. Strive to create an asymmetrical balance in the placement of furniture as it lends a natural, unpredictable and dynamic spatiality.

Accessories - In order to sustain focus and contemplation, objects introduced to creating a Zen room are limited to a few Where there's simplicity, there’s a sense of clarity, beauty and meaning. The following are accessories ideas that can be introduced into the simplicity of your scheme:

Japanese lanterns (tabletop, floor or hanging models), Asian-inspired waterfall (free-standing floor model or tabletop model), aquarium, Zen garden (sand/rock garden), kimono appointed as a wall hanging, Buddha, Zabuton (large square floor cushions used for sitting, kneeling and reclining), Zafu (round cushions used for meditation), variety of candles, incense, natural bonsai, Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement), lotus and orchids, gong, shoji screen, blue and white porcelain urns, vases and other accessories, Japanese hand molded natural clay pottery, cranes, hand designed silks (wall art, pillows or fabric for furniture upholstery) bamboo, tea set, hand woven baskets, mirrors and Asian inspired accent carpets.

Note: when placing “like” items together, try grouping them in odd numbers (i.e. 3, 5, 7, pillows on the sofa or 7, 9, 11 rocks in the Zen garden) as it creates visual interest that’s more lasting and stimulating to the eye. Creating an asymmetrical (uneven) balance in the layout of furniture and accessories is the way of Zen.

Light – Natural Light is a key element in the Zen space. In keeping with Zen philosophy, windows should be free of clutter to allow fresh air to enter along with the distribution of natural light. Task lighting can consist of contemporary metal tubular floor lamps and desk lamps that can adjust in height and direction for illuminating functional activities. Ambient lighting can highlight the Zen theme with Japanese tabletop or floor style lanterns. A simple canister spotlight casting an upward glow on a majestic plant creates a striking interplay of shadow and light. Lighting can be dispersed behind a Japanese screen or in a string of white lights interwoven around a tall, aspiring indoor tree. Artwork displayed on the wall and about the room can be placed on center stage when highlighted with directional ceiling fixtures. Use mirrors to disperse light into darker areas of the room.

Window Treatments That are Zen View – Zen inspired window treatments can be opaque pleated shades and vertical or horizontal blinds in neutral colors. Select a light- weight window treatment that will invite the element of air and natural light into the space, while closing it off to promote privacy. Shoji screens perform many functions when used as a window treatment. Its rice paper panels filter the amount of light that enters the space, promotes a sense of privacy and will conceal unsightly outdoor views.

Color Zen-sibility - Zen color is pure, bold and striking. Consider introducing hues in blues, black, white, teal, gold, burgundy, purple and other rich jewel tones - into your scheme of things.

Zen Visioning It Altogether (design steps):

1. Define how you will create first impressions and comfort upon entering your space.
2. How do you want your space to feel?
3. How will nature element be used to achieve this feeling?
4. Decide on any other elements and how they will be used in your room’s design plan.
5. Create a Color Scheme for this room (one or two dominant color(s) for major areas, i.e. walls, flooring or furniture and one or two accent color(s) used for accessories, i.e. lamps, pottery, rugs, curtains, picture frames, candle holders, pillows).
6. What dominant colors will you choose for this room?
7. What accent colors will you choose for this room?
8. Define the Theme for this room.
9. Describe the Accessories that will go into this room.
10. Describe the Furniture that will go into this room.
11. Describe the Window Treatment for this room.
12. Define the Lighting for this room.
13. How will you use Cardinal Direction to plan your furniture arrangement?
14. What elements will you use to support spirituality?
15. What forms of symbolism will represent vision?

Following these steps will take you to completing your vision of a Zen design theme. You can complete and forward the "Zen Visioning It Altogether" profile to: lifespacedesigns@yahoo.com for feedback and assessment.

"With Zen in Mind" from author's book, "Decorating Your Lifespace with Inner Vision - ( 52 week) Interactive Journey to Insight, Inspiration & Enlightenment" guides you in designing your home through inner vision with "Free" interactive assistance of an Interior Designer throughout the book!

*Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Decorating-Lifespace-Inner-Vision-ebook/dp/B00C8W2...

*Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/decorating-your-lifespace-with-inner-vis...

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Lifespace Paperbacks:
The African & Native American Medicine Wheel, Japanese Lifespace Home & Office Decorating Books and Decoders available at:
*Lifespace International: http://www.lifespacedesigns.com.

Paperbacks/E-Books: The Native American & African Medicine Wheel, Japanese Lifespace Home and Office Decorating Books and Decoders are also available through the following booksellers:

*Amazon:
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Author's Bio: 

Author is a residential/commercial feng shui consultant, interior designer, writer and behavior therapist. She is the principal owner of Lifespace Interiors Int'l. and holds an Applied Science Degree in Interior Design, B.S. in Family Counseling and M.A. in Guidance & Counseling. Author has written and published books, in addition to numerous columns for int'l. magazines on the subjects of interior design & feng shui. Offering 30 yrs. of experience in interior design and feng shui, services were rendered in designing residential homes, corporate offices, restaurants, daycare centers, law firms, convenience stores, physician's offices, education and church establishments. Author has lived and practiced her profession in the U.S., Japan & Europe.

Lifespace Paperbacks:
The African & Native American Medicine Wheel, Japanese Lifespace Home & Office Decorating Books and Decoders available at:
*Lifespace International: http://www.lifespacedesigns.com.

E-Books/Paperbacks: The Native American & African Medicine Wheel, Japanese Lifespace Home and Office Decorating Books and Decoders are also available through the following booksellers:

*Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author...

*Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/willa-roberson-mitchell

Kobo:
http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=%22Willa+Roberson-Mitchell...