Feeling overwhelmed, overworked and in need of some time out? Perhaps a personal meditation room is the answer. As the name suggests, this is a quiet space designed to be conducive to the practice of meditation, breathwork, yoga or any other form of mindfulness. Of course, people have been meditating in their homes and in nature for millennia (the oldest archaeological evidence dates back some 5,000 years), but a dedicated meditation room is a more recent innovation. Much like the rise of at-home saunas, steam rooms, spa rooms and gyms, it speaks of our growing preoccupation with all things wellness since the pandemic.
The rich and famous – and the tech bros – were among the early adopters. In 2022, as we all began to return to the workplace, Google unveiled new meditation chambers at its San Francisco offices, complete with immersive light and sound sequences. In 2023, Drew Barrymore revealed in an interview with New York Magazine that she’d converted her walk-in wardrobe into a meditation space, its flamingo wallpaper covered with sheets of paper bearing hand-written affirmations. And last year, we heard of Liam Gallagher’s rented Cotswold mansion, where a meditation room was helping him to embrace a more monastic lifestyle. The list doesn’t end there: Cate Blanchett, Jada Pinkett Smith and Goldie Hawn are also fans of these contemplative spaces. So what does the ideal meditation room look like? And do we really need one?
If you’re hoping to practise meditation in the truest sense of the word, you will need a space that enables complete detachment. ‘Meditation is arriving at a state of mind where the ego has disappeared, and there is a sense of oneness with everything,’ explains the Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt, whose personal approach to meditation (and indeed to design) is rooted in ancient philosophy. ‘A meditation room may be completely different from the rest of the house. What matters is that it expresses a serene quietness. It is an emptiness that needs nothing more – here, proportion becomes the only decoration. The room’s style may be extremely pure, or it may follow the Japanese spirit of wabi-sabi, the humble beauty of imperfection. But above all, it should radiate an almost sacred, silent and serene power – one that belongs to no particular religion, yet feels deeply spiritual.’
However, a quick Google image search reveals that most people are taking a rather different approach – more Drew Barrymore than Dalai Lama – with a focus on comfort and relaxation. ‘It’s less about a set formula and more about creating a mood that instantly slows you down,’ says Janine Stone, whose luxury design and architecture firm is well-versed in wellness spaces. ‘Light, tone and material should all contribute to that sense of ease – soft light, tactile finishes and a balanced palette will help to quiet both the eye and the mind.’
Some companies are even designing pieces with self-care spaces in mind. Sofa.com, for instance, has introduced the ‘Ren’ chaise longue, which can connect to an existing sofa or stand alone as an ideal spot for a moment’s peace. ‘For a deeper sense of calm, consider incorporating feng shui principles and the five elements,’ suggests Nicky Emlick, Sofa.com’s creative director. ‘For example, wood could be symbolised by organic rattan textures, fire through candles and warm lighting, and earth with lush greenery and plant pots. You don’t need an entire room – even a small corner can be transformed with a few thoughtful touches.’ Interior designer Clare Gaskin agrees: ‘With the right approach, you could have a wellness space anywhere – a landing nook, a bathroom or an intimate snug. Comfort, colour, lighting and natural materials all play their part, as does biophilic design.’
.png)
‘What’s most interesting is how personal these spaces have become,’ says Janine, who works with many discerning, high-net-worth clients. ‘Everyone’s idea of a personal sanctuary is different. For some, it’s silence in the truest sense; for others, it’s a place where you can read or enjoy a glass of wine in your own company.’ Her team recently completed a Middle Eastern-inspired relaxation room for a client in Kensington. ‘It was influenced by the majlis – spaces where people gather on low furniture to relax and reflect,’ she explains. ‘They wanted a place to retreat when the house was empty, to pour a whisky, read and enjoy the quiet.’
But, as Clare reminds us, ‘true wellbeing in design isn’t about luxury – it’s about how a space allows you to breathe, pause and simply be’. She has seen this in action not only through her projects for private clients, but also through her charity work with Design Havens for Heroes and Furnishing Futures, which support frontline workers and women rebuilding their lives after domestic abuse. ‘Those projects, though very different in scope, share the same heart: creating nurturing environments that restore calm and dignity,’ she says. ‘Wellness may feel like a contemporary term, but it’s always been central to our work. The spaces we live in have a profound influence on how we feel.’
So do we really need a meditation room? Perhaps not. But it seems we could all benefit from a space that encourages us to be more mindful and restful amid our busy lives. How that looks will be different for everyone, so ask instead of asking yourself ‘what do calming rooms look like?’, ask ‘what will the space that relaxes me look like?’, and go from there.
.jpg)
