I, Mark Roemer, understand the importance of having a personal space in your home where you can escape the daily stress and devote your mind and soul to a higher power. The purpose of the room is to cleanse your soul and renew the energy that’s lost during the day or prepare you for the day ahead. Having a calm and spacious room is important for meditation. So, here are a few tips to make your room feel bigger and calmer for when you begin meditating.
Get rid of clutter
The simplest way to make your space feel bigger is by getting rid of clutter. If you have a room dedicated to doing meditation, get rid of everything inside it other than the essentials, such as a mattress, a speaker for playing calm music, a jug of water, and a place to keep aroma candles. You can also get a chair and some pillows.
Everybody cannot readily enter a meditative state. It takes time and patience to train the mind to enter a state of singularity where it’s detached from everything around you. Getting rid of any clutter is only the first hurdle towards achieving tranquility.
Let there be natural light
Natural light enhances your mood; if this isn’t possible, think about getting a ‘sun lamp’ that mimics natural daylight. Natural light affects your mind both visually and physically.
The warmth of the sunlight as it streams in during the day induces a sense of calm and serenity. Moreover, the human mind relates dark as congested and suffocating, while light with freedom and enlivening. By letting in natural sunlight, you make the room more breathable, making it feel bigger than it is when you start meditating. The same applies to artificial light.
Neutral hues
Beige and cream colors are the usually recommended colors for meditation rooms. That’s because they make the room appear bigger. You can pick any color you want, but make sure it’s a lightly shaded one.
You could argue that white is the best for meditation, and it’s true, but it can be a little overwhelming for sensitive people. Plain white and black can stir up strong emotional reactions that can distract you. Cream-shaded colors, however, convey peace and security.
Neutral hues are the usual convention, but if you find it easier to enter zen mode with a different color, then go with it, no matter if it’s dark or light. If it works for you, it’s good enough.
Add mirrors
Mirrors instantly add a couple of square feet to your room. There is no need for a wall-sized mirror. Instead, get a square mirror that’s the same height as you and place it in front of you when you meditate. The reflection doubles the space of your room, making it look bigger than usual.
Pillow placement
If you are using a pillow for meditation, then place it at least six inches away from the wall. This is an old furniture arrangement trick. When you leave space in between the pillow and the wall, it makes the room feel bigger than usual.
Some people even place their pillows in the center of the room. So, when their eyes are closed, they will not touch any walls no matter which way they lean. It’s another trick that makes them feel as if they are floating in a void. The sensation you feel when meditating and at the peak of your concentration is somewhat similar to this.
So, by not placing the pillow near a wall and closing your eyes, you are imitating the void and will have an easier time concentrating on its peace and tranquility than on everything around you.
Ambient sounds
Music has been the go-to escape for people for thousands of years. It’s not a must-have in every meditation room, but having some ambient music helps you get into the Zen mode by enhancing your concentration.
Some people live near traffic, where the constant noise can be quite distracting. While some use earmuffs, others prefer the sound of the waves or forest to lull them into a meditative state. You can try both and see which one fits.
You should also pick only ambient music because lyrics can be distracting. Ambient music not only makes your room appear bigger than usual but also ferries your mind and soul to some distant far-off beach, rainforest, cabin, etc.
Aromatherapy and fresh air
Always ensure the meditation room has a constant supply of fresh air. In addition to refreshing your mind and making your room feel more spacious, clean air boosts your brain power and improves your mental and physical health.
Once the room is set, get a few scented candles or fragrance sticks, light them, and leave them in a corner before you start meditating. They do not make your room appear any bigger, but they help you concentrate. Scented candles are perfect for masking unwanted smells, so if your neighbor is having a barbeque or if someone left the toilet door open, you won’t be bothered by the smell.
Getting rid of gadgets
Based on usage statistics, 47% of Americans consider themselves addicted to their smartphones. That’s a staggering number, but in reality, the number can be much more because many won’t admit they are addicted.
If you want to play music, use a small speaker and an SD card to store the audio. If you want to play stream music, switch on DND mode so that you won’t receive any notifications.
Smartphones or any piece of technology such as a TV or a music system is not only distracting but also takes up space. Your meditation room should be devoid of any such gadgets, and when you enter, leave your phone outside.
Conclusion
I, Mark Roemer, suggest that you look around your home, and sit inside every room to figure out which is the quietest. Look for a nice, relaxing place where you won’t be disturbed and can meditate in peace. The healing powers of meditation can work wonders for your mind and soul, and hopefully, these tips will help you rearrange the furniture so that when you meditate, the space around you feels bigger than usual.