Having a meditation space in your home is the perfect way to relax, unwind, and practice mindfulness. However, many apartment dwellers find it somewhat difficult to meditate in their unit because of various distractions, loud noises, and lack of space. The good news is, there are several ways to practice mindfulness - and many techniques don’t require a lot of space. To help get you started, we reached out to experts from Denver, CO to Cincinnati, OH to share their best tips on how you can create a meditation space in a small apartment. Read on to see what they had to say.
1) Ask for quiet time
It can be difficult to find a place where you won’t be disturbed when creating a meditation space in a small apartment. While you can meditate anywhere, pick a place where you’ll be comfortable and most free from distractions. Let others in your home know that this is your quiet time and ask them not to disturb you while you are meditating. - LiveWellFlow
2) Incorporate grounding elements
Bring together aspects that will ground you, center you, and encourage you to actually use the space. Grounding elements that you can decorate your space with can be Himalayan salt lamps for the perfect mood, luscious greenery, or meditation pillows. Sit on your meditation pillow in the morning, feel the sunlight touch your skin, and write down 5 intentions for your day. - Isabelle Houle, Blu Wellbeing Massage Team
3) Designate a special space for meditation
No matter how small your apartment is, consider designating a space in your apartment that’s free of clutter with adequate space to sit comfortably. Consider lighting that’s adjustable and set the atmosphere for relaxation by inviting in a cool breeze from an open window, snuggling up with a warm blanket, or infusing your space with a scent of your choice using essential oils, a scented candle, etc. Although it’s not necessary, you may want to have a pen, notepad, or journal nearby to note any reflections from your meditation. - Sherrell Moore-Tucker, MS, E-RYT
Every meditator, whether novice or experienced, benefits from a dedicated space to practice in. You'll want to identify a corner or niche that isn't heavily trafficked and can easily be kept neat and tidy. Set the space apart with artwork or a wall hanging that feels soothing, something comfortable to sit on, and an altar to serve as a focal point. You can adorn your altar with flowers, candles, photos, incense, crystals, or any other objects that are significant to you. Breathe deeply, relax, and enjoy. - Kendra Vita, MS, NM-2, LPC intern
4) Keep in mind the present moment, sacred space, and inner focus
Present moment: Make your meditation space yours, not someone else’s. You can do this by using an image, perhaps of someone who brings a spiritual connection to your mind, or by incorporating an object that’s sacred for you, like a stone, plant, wood carving, or any other item(s) that help you settle into the present and provides you with a continuous reminder to return to the present.
Sacred space: Create separation for this space. If it’s in your bedroom, put it against a wall where you aren’t facing your bed, your dressers, clothes, etc. because you want it to be its own sacred space.
Inner focus: Make the space aesthetically pleasing and in a way that helps to turn your attention inward - away from the distractions of your daily life and towards the inner undistracted, unaltered, and pristine nature of your mind. - Minding the Bedside
5) Pick a place that makes you feel calm and comfortable
When creating a meditation space in a small apartment, choose an area that elicits the most calm in you. Add items such as singing bowls, incense, pictures, and figurines to inspire and motivate your meditation practice. Finally, try to reserve this area solely for meditation - Artem Zen
Meditation is the practice of settling into your body and emotions so you can expand your awareness to the higher states of bliss, joy, and peace that are all around you. The most important component in creating a meditation space big or small, which is unique to each of us, is to be comfortable. I love adding ingredients of nature to my meditation space, such as crystals for their ability to enhance and amplify the peaceful energy, plants for their green reflecting their vitality and life force, and sounds such as classical music with the sounds of nature throughout. - Jerry Mikutis, yoga and Reiki teacher
6) Set your intentions for the space
Take a moment to set your intentions for your meditation space. You can also burn sage, palo santo, or other herbs. Use healing crystals like Clear or Smoky Quartz to help clarify your energy and intentions. You can purchase these crystals and other metaphysical products on our website and at spiritual stores. - Diamyn’s Crystal Bar
7) Create a corner of joy
Position your meditation space in front of a window, poster, or plant that makes you happy. Oftentimes, especially for beginner meditators, it can feel more comfortable to meditate with your eyes open. Meditating with a pleasant view helps people feel an appreciation for the practice and feel calmer. - Liberate Studio
8) Cut the clutter
We suggest choosing a spot in your home that gets plenty of natural light. Keep it clutter-free and noise-free to avoid distractions. A meditation pillow in soothing colors and air-purifying plants like Peace Lily will add to the zen vibes. - LiveWell 360
Creating a space that’s free from clutter and low traffic is most ideal for meditation. Seek out colors that spark calm and relaxing thoughts. Organize the space to be available at any time you need to access it. Make it inviting with pillows on the floor or a comfortable chair and have a journal handy for reflection. - Tianna Christine
9) Meditate where you eat
Keep your dining table clutter-free and place anything on it that makes you feel calm and relaxed such as a plant, a candle, some incense, a bowl of crystals, or a photo. Make sure the table is clean and clear before you go to bed, and meditate first thing in the morning before it gets used again. Choosing a different chair to sit on each time, sit with your feet flat on the floor, straighten your spine, and with one hand resting on your belly and the other on your chest, focus on the way they expand and relax with each breath. - Meditation Sunshine Coast
10) Incorporate a diffuser
Try investing in a mat, plant, diffuser, and essential oils. Using a diffuser when meditating will promote aromatherapy inhalation, which may help the mind focus, promote relaxation, and promote positive energy. It is also important to allocate a small area in the apartment that resonates with your vision. - Jonas Muthoni
11) Make sure the space is mobile
For small spaces or small apartments, I would recommend having a meditation space that is moveable or mobile — that could be a special journal and favorite pen, a candle, a special crystal, or a dedicated meditation plant. That way it's easy to display as something that’s a part of your home, but you can also move it with you wherever you decide to meditate. This also allows you to have a flexible meditation practice and it's not confined to one area. Especially these days where everyone is working remotely and we're sharing the same space with many, having a flexible space makes sure your meditation practice is always with you. - Brenda Umana, MPH, 500-RYT, creator of Mother of the Mind
12) Use a bookcase to display your spiritual tools
To create a meditation space in a small apartment, you can buy a 2 to 3-tier bookcase and install a few shelves around the room to display your spiritual tools. Use the top of the bookcase to place some of your favorite items like crystals. On the rest of the shelves, display anything else that you may need for your spiritual practice. To save even more space, you can buy a reading pillow to support your back and meditate right on your bed. - Kakou Lamour
13) Meditate where you feel physically safe
When cultivating a meditative space in your home, I would be mindful of which area you feel the most physically safe. Meditating where there’s mostly furniture and objects with rounded edges can subconsciously create a sensation of psychological safety. Often we can put ourselves into a state of vigilance when surrounded by sharp corners and jagged edges, which can certainly deter where we want to channel our attentiveness. - Adam G. Walterbach, LCSW, Psychotherapist
14) Utilize scented candles
Mental relaxation can help improve mental wellbeing, which is why scented candles are ideal for relieving stress, relaxing the body, and clearing the mind. Combine a ginger and lemongrass candle with your meditation or yoga sessions to stimulate your senses and calm your body. - The Positive Company
15) Add mindfulness checkpoints throughout your apartment
You can strategically place paintings, knickknacks, or whatever you'd like throughout your home in spots where you tend to space out. For example, you can place items in the shower, at the kitchen sink, at your desk, etc. to serve as gentle nudges to be mindful as you go about your day. Whenever you notice one of those mindfulness checkpoints, take a moment to take a deep breath and check-in with how your body is feeling. - Skip the Small Talk
16) Try using a meditation app
Most people create a space for meditating with a meditation cushion, incense, a favorite crystal, a meaningful keepsake, or a tiny buddha statue. Thanks to the miracle of technology, anywhere you have your headphones on can become your peaceful place because peace is found within. Using a meditation app like Tranquil Me will give you that special experience, just for you, anywhere and anytime. Get comfortable in an easy chair, lying on your bed, or while traveling, and be transported to inner peace with binaural beats and expert guidance. Of course, the zen surroundings at home will help you carry that calm further into your day and night. - Tranquil Me
17) Let the sunlight in
The ideal place to meditate is close to a window. Nature provides a fast track to mindfulness. Open up the blinds and the windows to facilitate airflow while you meditate. Also, the lighting should be soothing. If you can't be near a window, choose ambient lighting that is as natural as possible. - The Oasis Alliance