DEEP REFLECTIONS

FROM MEDITATION ROOMS TO CONTEMPLATIVE NOOKS FOR A CUP OF TEA, RELAXATION ZONES ARE RESHAPING SELF-CARE AT HOME

- FEATURE Keith Flanagan

If there's any place we can relax, home ought to be the safest bet. But home is also full of everyday distractions: stacks of dishes in the sink, pings from our phones, even the whirring of pneumatic drills or leaf-blowers from the street. These are just a handful of reasons today's homeowner might carve out space that invites relaxation – and few capture the mood quite like a meditation nook.

'This desire for dedicated sanctuaries within the home resonates particularly well with the growing cultural focus on wellness and self-care,' says designer Anna Jach. 'These thoughtfully designed spaces serve as essential refuges for meditation and relaxation, ultimately enhancing quality of life and giving a chance to reset.'

Relaxation areas, of course, are not entirely new. But the boldest examples tend to be aspirational, popping up in decorator show houses (where designers experiment for dream clients), or commissioned by celebrities and wellness CEOs (perhaps part of a luxurious fitness wing). But there are lessons to be learnt from these high-concept designs that trickle down to areas within reach.

'In our work, these spaces aren't always separate rooms,' says architect Lenka Vávra of Studio Plyš. 'They're gentle interruptions in the rhythm of a home that invite pause.' Relaxation spaces can thus be as simple as a window seat with a contemplative view of nature. A repurposed wardrobe can transform into a cocooning niche with a cushioned bench and mood lighting. Unused room beneath a staircase can be put to use with clever joinery – perfect for a quiet read.