Summary

The article provides five tips for transforming a small living space into a more spacious and serene "Zen" environment, using strategies like multifunctional furniture, visual illusions, neutral colors, textures, and organization.

Abstract

The author discusses how a friend living in a minimalist micro apartment of 184 square feet managed to make his living space appear larger and more tranquil. The friend, influenced by his mother's advocacy for a zen home, implemented key changes such as acquiring multipurpose furniture like a sofa-bed and a standing desk, employing visual illusions with mirrors and acrylic furnishings, painting walls and cabinets in neutral colors to enhance brightness, incorporating textures to avoid a sterile environment, and maintaining meticulous organization. These strategies not only maximize the use of space but also create a seamless flow throughout the apartment, making it a comfortable and inviting place to live.

Opinions

The author's friend believes in the value of transforming existing space rather than seeking a larger one, as evidenced by his decision to improve his micro apartment instead of moving.
The friend's profession as an actor with an irregular work schedule necessitates a flexible living space, which is achieved through the use of multipurpose furniture.
The mother of the friend is portrayed as a proponent of creating a zen living space that one desires to spend time in.
The article suggests that bold colors can make a space feel smaller, while neutral colors

5 Tips to Make Your Living Space More “Zen”

From someone living in a minimalist micro apartment

A friend of mine was recently featured in a photo spread by Toronto Life magazine. Why? Because he’d used the recent lockdown to transform his cramped bachelor pad into a bright, spacious, and serene oasis of tranquility.

The entire square footage of his apartment is 184 square feet.

He thought about getting someplace bigger, if he was going to be stuck inside all day. But his mother convinced him it made more sense to transform his existing space. She is a “huge advocate of making your home zen, and where you want to be.”

Here are the top five ways that he was able to transform his space. You can use these tips to improve the quality of your living space as well, however large it is.

1️⃣ Multipurpose, movable furniture

His most important change to the apartment was replacing a queen-sized bed that filled the room with a comfortable sofa-bed. Because he’s an actor, a profession known for irregular work schedules at the best of times, he found ways to get high quality at a discount. He picked up the $4,500 retail sofa bed for only $700 on Facebook Marketplace.

Using a standing desk eliminated the need for a desk chair. The desk serves double duty as a kitchen table, with stools stowed underneath it. When it’s not in use, the desk tucks neatly away into the kitchen. Another tuck-away piece of furniture is a refurbished antique steamer trunk on wheels which can be pulled out to function as a coffee table or ottoman.

2️⃣ Visual illusions

One key aspect to making the studio apartment seem larger and more spacious is strategic use of visual illusions. The far wall in the longest dimension features a mirrored wardrobe. That allows it to reflect the entire width of the apartment, in effect making it seem twice as wide.

The entertainment console is made of acrylic that you can look right through. So are the trays that sit below it. Visually, they don’t exist. There’s no chance of accidentally bumping into the unseen console, because the refurbished trunk mentioned above tucks underneath it.

3️⃣ Neutral colors

Bold statement colors draw your attention, and make the walls or furniture seem closer than they actually are. Painting the walls and cabinets in neutral colors lets them recede. Additionally, using lots of white allows the apartment’s natural light to reflect off of surfaces, making it brighter.

By using a cohesive palette across the kitchen, living room, and bathroom, the space flows from one area to the next. If each area had its own color scheme, the apartment would be visually broken into three much smaller spaces.

4️⃣ Textures

With all the use of neutral colors, you run the risk of creating a boring, sterile environment. Textures allow you to transform it into a comfortable oasis of serenity instead of looking like a soulless hotel room.

My friend replaced a painted accent wall with a faux brick accent. To soften a corner, he used a black and white floor vase filled with fluffy cotton blossoms. He also added a white shag carpet that’s slightly larger than his folded-out bed. That way, his feet sink into welcoming, warm carpet when he gets up, not cold floor tiles.

5️⃣ Organization

The final step of his transformation was to make sure everything had a place where it belonged. He downsized his vinyl record collection that took up a lot of space, replacing it with digital music files. He kept only his favorite, most meaningful pieces of artwork, and displayed them in coordinated frames.

This makes it simple to tidy up, either when switching tasks or at the end of the day. He claims that he can get everything put away in less than five minutes.

Conclusion

You don’t need a lot of space for your home or apartment to feel spacious and inviting. You only need to use the space you have wisely.

Instead of furniture that performs only one function, invest in multi-functional furniture that can easily be moved around as needed.

Make the most of your space and natural light with visual illusions and reflective surfaces.

Keep to a simple, cohesive color palette of neutrals to unite the different areas of your space.

Add warmth and personality with inviting textures.

Finally, make sure everything has a place where it can be put away. Then regularly take the time to put it there.

Transform your environment for the better, and you will experience a matching transformation in your attitude.