Creating a Mindful Living Space

Lighting a Space Just Right

Lighting is essential to any interior. Psychologists have found a direct correlation of lighting to mood. Bring in natural light as much as you can. When not using natural light  it's crucial to select lighting schemes tailored specifically to various spaces in the home. For example the introduction of  low-tech devices like Knauf and Brown’s Standard Table Lamp, which can only be turned on by manually connecting a circuit helps users consciously engage in everyday objects in a mindful way. The idea is that, by removing the on-off switch, the act of turning on a lamp becomes more contemplative. .Knauf and Brown believe that "If we are mindful of domestic objects — that is, if we approach them with a heightened meditative-like sense of awarenes, we we will no longer consider them disposable."

Knauf and Brown's table lamp does not have an on or off switch. It challenges the way people interact and engage with their objects at home.   

Colours can trigger specific emotional responses. Therefore it is integral to select colours that creates a sense of warmth and brings harmony to your living space. An important way of bringing balance into a space is through nature. Breaking down the divide between the outside world and the interior space leads to the emotional well-being of the people living in it.  Brighten your space with greenery. Flowers and plants are a fantastic way of bringing freshness and vibrant energy into your house. Additionally, they clean out negativity and bring positivity. Surrounding yourself with objects in your home made from natural materials or organic shapes and elements to produce a calming, restful and balanced atmosphere. Invest in pieces of natural or raw materials such as wood, marble, clay and cork. The uniqueness of earthy materials adds character and warmth to your abode(via Dezeen) or keep a room from feeling cold or bland.

Changing for the Better

Let yourself be inspired by your living space.“Shifting furnishings around and staging them differently can feel like a renewal,” says Joseph Ferrari, a professor of psychology at DePaul University. Little changes like adding a throw or accent cushions to your living room couch for warmth and texture, painting your walls creates newness in a small yet significant way to your existing home. The secret to creating a mindful space is to ensure you activate as many of your senses as you can and being more conscious of the items that inhabit your world. A peaceful and calm environment is the stepping stone to a more content lifestyle and helps to welcome more positivity into your life.