Feeling the drain? If you’re like me, you love the hustle! But, we can easily burn out if we don’t have a refuge for serious downtime. We all look forward to relaxing at home after a long day of work. However, your house can be just as chaotic as the office if your interiors aren’t designed properly. Is your personal space designed for rest? To promote tranquility and create a stress- free environment, keep natural elements in mind. Earthy architectural materials, like stone or wood floors in simple linear patterns, are key factors for a zen home. Even if you don’t have that option, add texture and softness with layers like a wooly shag rug or a tweed carpet in hallways or underneath furniture to anchor the arrangements. One of the blogs I follow, Fresh Home, suggests the rug be a similar shade to your flooring or in earth tones like beige, brown or gray. This harmony will reduce contrast, appearing calm and restful. You can get some fantastic rugs from places like Bazaar velvet, so shop around until you find the perfect rug for your house.

I also believe that fresh florals and lush green plants add so much to our living spaces. I always have potted orchids, in chic vessels, around the house. Clusters of cut flowers look fantastic and modern in a single color. Another cool blog Canvas, by Saatchi Art, notes that green plants help purify the air and provide a restful vibe. Part of the jet set? Low-maintenance sculptural succulents like aloe, jade and rubber tree are great choices. Care is minimum and their clean lines compliment cool, contemporary artwork. If you love art like I do, visit Saatchi and you’ll be hooked.

Aquariums are also very relaxing and I love the sleek look of a modern salt water tank. Still, I think I would prefer a more natural Koi pond and I fantasize about getting a local pond contractor to incorporate one into my landscape someday. These graceful carp represent strength, courage and good fortune. I can use all of the good luck I can get, but fish are quite a commitment! For now I settle in a comfy spot and play Zen Koi from Landshark Games and Lucky Koi by Pocketfruity. Within a few minutes, my stress starts to melt away. I also enjoy art that features water and the beauty that lies within.

As you can see, the interior design of your space has so much to do with how it feels to be there. But don’t forget function… Another key component to a zen home is minimalism. In other words- limit your stuff. Cluttered spaces make cluttered minds. Everything you own should have its place. Organize your closets, cabinets and shelves with cool boxes or colorful woven baskets. Keep supply drawers neat and orderly with pretty drawer liners and dividers. This way, surfaces are clear and distractions are limited. All the fun containers in my son’s room, below are from The Container Store.