Zen is a branch of Buddhism, a way of thinking, and an art of living. To decorate a home the zen way is to relate zen principles to everyday life, which highlight simplicity and harmony with nature. There is no right or wrong. You don't need a bamboo mat or shoji screen to make your home more zen-like. Zen decoration is flexible and unlimited. It all depends on how you visualize harmony and want to transform it into a tangible picture.

One unique and well-known characteristic of zen decoration is its minimalism or anti-ostentation. When entering a zen-style room, we often feel a sense of airiness and space right away. It does not mean, however, that we should make the room as empty as possible. The "space" here does not simply refer to emptiness, but rather a perfect balance between the occupied and unoccupied space. Choose your furniture items carefully and arrange them in a way that promotes calmness and relaxation.

The space outdoors is important as well. Think of your garden or backyard as an extended space of your inside rooms and try to build a connection with nature. A floor-to-ceiling glass window, for example, can create a sense of intimacy between the indoors and the lush garden beyond.

It can be difficult to reconnect with nature if you live in a hectic city. Everywhere you look, there are skyrocketing towers and traffic. The good news is you don't need to move into the forest to build an authentic zen home. Just bring nature inside your house and ignore the chaos. Imagine your home as your sanctuary. Strengthen your harmony with nature by using natural materials and earth colors. Go for wood flooring and furniture. Wood represents growth and aliveness as well as brings a relaxing sensation to the home. To complement the tones and textures of wood, you can also decorate your home with items made from natural fabrics such as silk, hemp or paper.

In a zen-style room, a screen or curtain is a more popular option for a room divider than a full-length wall. Think of a space as your soul; you wouldn't want it to be nailed down or closed up by a wall. A screen helps define separated areas without completely dividing the space. A sense of continuity and flexibility thus remains. Choose screens made from paper, latticework or sheer fabrics that diffuse the light and partially obscure the view beyond. They help create contrasted light and shade, and bring variation and depth into interior design.

Having a bath or shower can be more than just a daily cleansing routine, but a time of relaxation and enjoyment. The Japanese have had a long tradition of cherishing the rejuvenating and soothing qualities of their volcanic springs in public baths. In Thailand and Bali, at dusk, sarong-clad villagers indulge themselves in canals or mountain streams to cool off from the scorching tropical weather. To create a zen bathroom, decorate it with items that can help you reunite with nature, and cultivate refreshment and calmness from this cleansing ritual. Bring forth earthy picturesqueness with textural stone and wood, but don't forget about the concept of simplicity. For example, you can use a small ladder to hang your towels, or turn a large clam shell into a lovely soap dish.