15 Mindful Decorating Tips To Give Your Home More Zen Vibes

Cottage

Quaint is the vibe this traditional yet unpretentious style evokes. It dates back to 18th-century Germany where textiles were homespun and furniture was handmade. Get the look today with rustic wood floors, wood furniture with clean lines, and a neutral color palette. Keep curtains airy and minimal — cottage style is all about the interplay of light and texture — and lighting soft and abundant.

Maximalism

After years of living in stark shades of minimalism, maximalism is the outburst we needed in 2024. Here, art is free to take up a whole wall, bookshelves can overflow with trinkets and tchotchkes, and color is always the answer. The trick is to tie it all together with a through line — like the blues in the room above — and aim for a 50-50 space-to-stuff ratio.

Coastal

Grandmas aren't the only ones who get to live that coastal life. This timeless aesthetic is all about natural elements and muted neutrals, like sandy taupes, and grayish blues. Keep it light and airy with sheer curtains and an abundance of space, and even if “coastal” is only a state of mind, you’ll want to add a few borrowed-from-the-beach accents — think sea glass, driftwood, and dune grass.

Art Deco

Whether you throw parties like you’re Jay Gatsby or start your two-hour bedtime routine at 7:30, art deco can work for you. The glamorous style originated in 1910s France and fanned out across the globe in the ‘20s, peaking in the U.S. in the ‘30s shortly after Prohibition ended. It’s all about jewel tones, oversize statement pieces, and geometric light fixtures. Repetition is art deco’s MO: Repeat elements, such as one simple shape, a contrasting color, or similar patterns, throughout your room or home.

Minimalism

Tried-and-true minimalism isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. A successor of 20th-century Bauhaus, the pared-down style is a celebration of simplicity, not to mention one of the easier looks for mere mortals to achieve. While an open-concept space is minimalism’s calling card, you can invoke it with clean lines, plenty of lighting, and a few pieces of can’t-live-without decor. Pro tip for that clutter-free life: Invest in furniture that doubles as storage.

Eclectic

While “eclectic” may conjure up an anything-goes approach, the style is not as haphazard as it sounds. Yes, it allows you to pick and choose from multiple aesthetics, but there is a method to the madness: Use one style for your furniture and then mix in two to three complementary styles for your decor. Any more styles, and you’ll risk veering into hodgepodge territory — though we’ll never say never.

Scandinavian

Similar to minimalism but a bit warmer and earthier, Scandinavian style is a clean, simple look. It warms things up by working in organic elements like wood, rattan, and plants as well as muted colors (who among us can resist a mauve moment?), soft textures (chunky knits, where art thou?), and clean lines in hyper-functional furniture (Ikea did not come up with that all by itself).

Japandi

There's a lot to love about Japanese and Scandinavian design. Both aesthetics emphasize neutral and earthy colors, sustainable materials, and the great outdoors (plants, branches, and solids woods). Japandi design brings the two decor trends into one happy, harmonious place, influenced by the subtle differences in each design. There's the comfort and warm minimalism of the Scandi style combined with the elegance, attention to detail and wabi-sabi, or rustic simplicity (wabi) and beauty in imperfection (sabi), of the Japanese side.

Mid-Century Modern

A design born out of 1950s America, mid-century modern is a versatile style that feels both timeless and vintage. Its trademark look is furniture with strong clean lines paired with bronze metal accents, geometric shapes, and bright pops of color. Given mid-century modern’s popularity over the last decade, plenty of home stores sell convincing replicas, but flea markets, garage sales, and vintage stores are teeming with the real deal.

70s Modern

A bit more daring in its approach, 70s modern decor is mid-century modern’s younger, less conservative cousin. There’s a sense of playfulness with bean-bag-like sofas and globe-shaped lamps. Look for bold colors (earthy tones like olive green, mustard yellow, burnt orange, and chocolate brown), eclectic patterns (waves, globes and checkerboards), and materials like walnut wood, chrome, and shag carpeting. Modular furniture is also a hit with coziness and cool top of mind.

This Eagle Rock home designed by Kirsten Blazek of A 1000X Betteris a "Japandi-inspired haven," says builder Walreed Delawari. Japandi is a design aesthetic that combines Japanese and Scandinavian interiors, and is almost synonymous with quiet luxury. The reproduction of Mario Bellini's Camaleonda modular sofa is stunning and cozy at the same time -- perfect for reading a book or lounging with friends. Looking for a perfect white? Kirsten used Benjamin Moore Simple White (OC-117) around the home.

The A 1000X Better design features clean and minimal Japanese elements with a warm Scandinavian palette. The credenza is Crate and Barrel's Honore Oak Wood Media Console by Athena Calderone.

"The home is clad with wood and painted in dark green and earthy tones, giving a cozy yet quiet luxury vibe," says Walreed. Look for muted tones, unique textures, and soft design elements to achieve the ease and comfort of this design. The dining table is Crate and Barrel's Paradox in Natural Oak.

This curved black fluted island is the prominent feature of the kitchen, mixed with marble countertops and shelving for an elegant (yet so not boring) look.

Bringing in artwork, plants, and vintage rugs (with restraint) make the room feel lived in but clean and uncluttered.

Dream bathroom, anyone? Small vases and decor inside the shower create a comforting room to relax and unwind.

This Los Angeles home by Allprace Homes is a "soft interpretation of Catalan modernism, " says builder James Mulyadi. Designer Shanty Wijaya wanted to honor the home's original Spanish-style design. "Although this specific aesthetic tends to be busy, Shanty reduced the intensity of the design by creating softer moments and incorporated neutral color palettes throughout the home," adds James.

The Allprace team achieved a calm and soothing feeling, James notes, by keeping more eye-level design elements more muted and creating tension by using busier patterns and non-traditional elements on the ceiling and floor level, like this Bibiena Variegato Terracotta tile that we're currently obsessed with.

The custom barrel vault scalloped ceiling adds a unique dimension to the space while keeping it warm and cozy. The dreamy Six Penny Sofa and Lulu and Georgia Boucle Swivel Chair accentuates the cozy luxury of the space. The curvy coffee table comes from Restoration Hardware.

This Montecito home is "a soulful take on the modern farmhouse," says Tamara Kaye-Honey, founder, principal and creative director at House Of Honey. The family of five from the Bay Area wanted a home with a sophisticated vibe that was not too precious, yet filled with lots of personality and character, she adds.

"We take our design seriously," says Tamara, "but always with a wink and a smile." A doorway to the outside frames the homeowner's bold artwork.

"It is an eclectic curation of old and new, with décor tailored to personally reflect its owners," says Tamara. This office space is the perfect canvas for clearing your head. Quiet luxury inspires creative thinking too.

As a backdrop to the more decorative pieces, Tamara used calm, natural and understated materials like travertine, oakwood slats, blackened steel, and sandstone to achieve a quiet luxury aesthetic.

Art pieces by Jason Koharik, an LA-based artist, function as lighting too. These Salt cubes, a sand-blasted white milkglass cube in three sizes, are mounted to the ceiling over the huge Bianca Lasa marble island.

Tamara and team achieve a home design that she says is unassumingly sophisticated, modern, and rich with personality and humor.

"Timeless luxury" is how Joelle Kutner of Ome Dezin describes this Los Angeles home. "The home has a dreamy pink and neutral color palette, which gives the entire space a calming and contemporary feel," she says.

Joelle and her cofounder Jesse Rudolph drew inspiration from a 2018 trip to Europe from Paris to Barcelona. Some key elements: checkered flooring, playful patterns, and unique shapes. This marble sink stands out in an otherwise minimal powder room.

We're totally getting European cottage vibes in the living room.

A Lulu & Georgia bed and Frank Gehry wiggle chair by Vitra show the mix of old and new in the inspiring space.

The mix of wood, marble, and checkered tile let the materials speak for themselves -- very little actual decor needed.

The tile in the living area is from Arto and speaks to the overall Spanish-style architecture. We love the look that feels quiet and timeless but also cozy and cool.

"Invest in pieces that will stand the test of time and be authentic to your style," says Hawaii-based designer Shaolin Low of Studio Shaolin. This neutral bath plays with pattern to create more visual interest.

Comfort is key in a quiet luxury design. "My definition of Quiet Luxury is based on a visual calmness within a neutral palette that lets your mind rest, your soul find some inner peace in a busy life, and envelop you in quiet moments," says Laura Freeman of Merits Design Group.

"The use of high-quality, enduring materials such as marble, brass, and natural woods that age gracefully over time," adds Shaolin.

What do you think of the quiet luxury trend? Find more home decor inspiration in our Home Decor page.

Main photo: Design: House of Honey | Photography by Victoria Pearson

Venice, Italy

Bali, Indonesia

Once an idyllic paradise, Bali now suffers from traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and overcrowded beaches. The island’s resources are strained under the weight of mass tourism, but there are efforts underway to promote sustainability like putting a moratorium on new hotels.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Overtourism has led to erosion and damage to this ancient Incan citadel. A quota system and mandatory guides are helping preserve this popular South American destination.

Tulum, Mexico

Once a tranquil paradise known for its pristine beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, and eco-chic vibe, Tulum has become a cautionary tale of overtourism. The surge in popularity, fueled by Instagram-worthy scenery, has brought overcrowding, environmental strain, and rising costs. The Guardianreported that locals are being pushed out by developers and despite the thinking that tourism helps local communities, poverty nearly doubled between 2015 and 2020. Local ecosystems, including fragile mangroves and coral reefs, are threatened by unchecked construction and pollution too. The local ruins have implemented stricter rules like no food or drink to limit trash and environmental impact from tourists.

Santorini, Greece

Instagram fame has turned this once-serene island into a tourist hotspot. Narrow streets are perpetually clogged, and locals are struggling with soaring costs of living due to tourism demand. The government has since capped the number of daily cruise ship visitors to keep overtourism at bay.

Cinque Terre, Italy

Known for its colorful cliffside villages and breathtaking coastal views, these once-quiet fishing towns now see millions of visitors annually, way more than they can handle. To combat issues like congestion and cruise ships, local authorities have introduced visitor caps and encourage sustainable travel to protect Cinque Terre’s charm.

Reykjavík, Iceland

Is there anyone not going to Iceland these days? A small country with breathtaking landscapes, Iceland has been overwhelmed by tourists flocking to Instagram-famous sites like the Blue Lagoon and Diamond Beach. It's best to travel during the off season (November to April) and travel to lesser known spots like the Sturlungalaug hot spring.

Maya Bay, Thailand (Phi Phi Islands)

This iconic beach, popularized by the DiCaprio film The Beach, suffered ecological devastation from hordes of visitors and anchored boats. Coral reefs were destroyed, and the beach was closed for years to allow recovery. It has since reopened after a huge revitalization project, but they have introduced visitor caps.

Kyoto, Japan

Traditionally quiet streets of this ancient capital city now teem with tourists during peak season. An increase in litter from tourists has required the city to install more trash bins to handle the crowds, and peaceful geishas are often chased down for photos. To mitigate the problem, Kyoto is considering running special buses to popular sites to reduce overcrowding, and temples and shrines are encouraging visitors to come early in the morning.

Mount Everest, Nepal

The ultimate challenge for adventurers, Mount Everest has experienced overcrowding on the slopes and at base camps, leading to dangerous conditions, with litter and human waste piling up on the mountain. Permits are now harder to get, and stricter regulations for climbers are being enforced.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

The Game of Thrones effect brought an influx of fans to this medieval city. Overcrowded streets and cruise ship arrivals have made it difficult to appreciate its beauty. The local government is taking steps to limit daily visitors and impose stricter cruise ship regulations.

Lisbon, Portugal

Short-term rentals dominate the housing market now, thanks to affordable flights and the digital nomad craze. This has led to skyrocketing rents and displaced locals. Historic neighborhoods are inundated with tourists, making them less charming too. Everything from public transport to waste management struggles to keep pace with the influx. I went in December and it still felt a bit like Disneyland. Douro Valley and Madeira might be more favorable destinations any time of year.