Creating a zen garden in the home is one of the simplest ways to incorporate a sense of calm into a busy life. Zen gardens can be constructed in a backyard or on a dining room table. People dont need to spend much money to create a zen garden or to learn the skills necessary to create one.
All that is necessary is to choose a few decorative elements and to place them in a way that allows the individual to relax in their own space. Zen gardens feature decorative elements that is stripped away of anything unnecessary. In this way, the mind and the eyes has a chance to rest without being visually overwhelmed by numerous design element.
Each decorative element that is included in a zen garden was carefully chosen by the designer and for a purpose. Each element brings a sense of peace to the individual who enters the garden. Following these ideas will result in the creation of a zen garden that fulfills each of these needs.
Beautiful Decorative Ideas For Your Zen Garden
1. Raked Gravel Areas
One of the most important features of any zen garden is the gravel area that is raked to appear as though it is water. Fine gravel of either white or gray colors is the best choice for gravel. A wooden rake rakes these gravel areas in a way that allows for an individual to focus and to relax.
People who practice zen use these gravel areas to allow their minds to calm and to refocus on their breath. Using gravel of a consistent size ensures that there are no sharp line in the gravel area. Using 2 to 3 inch of gravel allows for an even growth area for plants and does not enable weeds to grow.
When stepping in the gravel area, an individual will hear a crunching sound that grounds them in the present moment. Large flat stones are another essential feature in zen gardens. The stones should be naturally shaped instead of looking for perfectly even stones.
2. Large Flat Stones
The stones should be placed off of the center of the gravel area. This placement allows for an asymmetrical arrangement of the stones that keeps the individual’s eyes from resting on any one spot within the garden. Using a large flat stone allows for mountains or islands to be depicted within the garden.
Using smaller stones allows for the depiction of stepping stones that allow individuals to cross the gravel area. Using too many stones within the garden may become overwhelming for the individual when viewing the garden. Using three to five flat stones will provide enough visual interest to the individual without overwhelming the senses.
3. Small Stepping Stones
Using dwarf Japanese maple trees adds another level of interest to a zen garden. The leaves on these trees are very fine and change colors throughout the year from bright green in the spring to crimson in the autumn. In the winter, the leaves fall from the trees.
4. Dwarf Japanese Maple Trees
These trees are bred to have slow growth and to stay small so that they can be incorporated into the small sizes of zen gardens. Using a single maple tree allows for the shadow that it creates to cross the gravel area at different times of the day. Using full size trees may overwhelm the small area of the garden.
Using a young tree in a pot will work well for those interested in adding this element to their zen garden. Moss is another decor element in zen gardens. This moss will grow well in shaded areas where grass does not like to grow.
5. Moss
Using moss in a zen garden allows people to have a natural carpet within the garden. Moss does not need to be fertilized or mowed when it is established in the garden. Moss features a deep green color that contrasts to the warm colors of the stones within the garden.
To encourage the growth of moss in the zen garden, the area needs to be kept damp and any leaves that fall on the moss should be removed. Using moss allows for the illusion that the garden has been created for decades and maintains a sense of timelessness within the space. Using lanterns allows for both function and symbolism to be included in the zen garden.
6. Lanterns
Many of these lanterns are made of stone or ceramic and feature an opening for an incense stick or candle. When not lit, these lanterns provide visual interest to the garden. Placing the lantern off to the side of the garden rather than in the center allows for it to feel like a discovered treasure.
Many of the existing lanterns are aged to suggest the passage of time. For those interested in a more moddern garden, metal lanterns in sleek design will work just as well. However, they should be modest in size.
Adding these lanterns allows an individual to have a sense of peace while the light from the lantern lights the surrounding area of the garden. Adding bamboo fencing to a zen garden will allow individuals to define the boundary of the garden. The fence does not need to be solid though.
7. Bamboo Fencing
Instead, tall stalks of dried bamboo can be lashed together to allow for the addition of sound to the garden. Adding bamboo fencing allows individuals to visually separate their yard from remaining areas of their yard. They can also use the fence to screen any views of unattractive areas of their yard.
Bamboo fencing is semi-transparent such that it allows for the visibility of the interior of the garden to be viewed from outside of the fence. However, it does still allow for the privacy of the garden to remain intact. This fencing creates a visual boundary yet leaves the area open for individuals to walk in the garden and to leave it as they please.
One of the easiest ways to add the sense of sound to the zen garden is to add a water feature. Many of these features are constructed of bamboo and are tipped to allow the water to hit a stone that will echo throughout the garden. This sound is sometimes used to scare deer away from vegetable gardens.
8. Water Features
However, it serves as a reminder of the importance of staying in the present moment. The addition of water to the garden will also attract birds to the garden. Adding water to the garden allows for the area to be visually and sensorily interesting for the individuals who visit it.
Many water features will be modest in size to avoid being too distracting from the zen garden. For these water features to remain tranquil, a small bowl will catch the water to avoid splashing the raked gravel area. Beyond the maple trees and moss, there are other plants that can be used in a zen garden.
One of these options is mondo grass that features dark blades. Another choice is to add a dwarf black pine that features a rugged aspect to the garden. However, extreme restraint should be used when adding more plants to the zen garden.
9. Mondo Grass and Dwarf Black Pine
Too many varieties of plants will overwhelm the area. For visual interest, different varieties of plants should be selected by their texture, their shape, or the interest that they present during certain seasons of the year. Providing an object for individuals to contemplate will enhance the zen garden.
An object that might be placed in the garden is a small Buddha statue. Another choice is to use smooth river rocks that are carved with a single kanji character that holds meaning. These objects should be integrated into the garden such that they feel as if they belong to the garden rather than having been placed into it.
10. Buddha Statues or Kanji Stones
Using a seated Buddha that is partially hidden in a plant will allow individuals to take a few minutes to reflect on their days. Using a Buddha statue allows for individuals to connect to their zen garden and will become most powerful when discovered in their garden. Pieces made from natural materials will weather over time to appear as if they belong to the garden itself.
Finally, there are various ways to complete the zen garden. One of the options is to add a wooden bridge to the garden. The bridge does not need to be large though, only wide enough for an individual to cross to a spot that has visual interest to them.
11. Wooden Bridges
Another choice is to add a ceramic bowl to the garden that may contain a flower that blooms each day in their yard. These final touches will allow the garden to be visually interesting yet to remain tranquil in its purpose. Each aspect of the garden has a purpose and an individual should be able to connect to each of them while within the garden.
12. Ceramic Bowls
While building a zen garden with these features is difficult, there are a few suggestions for how to begin. Start with one idea and then add the other ideas as the garden begins to take form. The empty spaces between each of the features is not an empty area to be filled with yet another decorative item.
These spaces allow an individual to breathe and to relax in their mind. Visit the zen garden often to make adjustments. Add a stone or redraw a line in the gravel to show an individual’s love for there garden.
Allow the care and maintenance of their zen garden to become their meditation practice. While creating a zen garden can last for decades, it is the individual’s presence in the garden that will change them the most. Creating a zen garden within the home is an essential practice for any individual who wishes to relax and to find peace in their lives.
However, there are a few guidelines for creating such a garden. Starting with one or two ideas will allow individuals to focus on creating their garden as opposed to adding too many features that may overwhelm the area. Adding additional features that contrast with the existing features of the garden rather than competing with them.
Using too many different plants of various types may overwhelm the individual who visits the garden. Focus on plants with specific features such as there texture, there shape, or the interest that they have during certain months of the year. Creating a feature for individuals to contemplate their lives will add another layer of importance to the garden.
Placing a statue of a Buddha or smooth stones that have a single kanji character will allow individuals to feel connected to the garden. Using natural materials that weather to look like part of the garden rather than placed into it. Finally, adding the last finishing touches to the garden will make it visually appealing.
However, these additions should of been inevitable after planning the garden. For example, adding a wooden bridge that is only wide enough for one individual to cross over water to another spot of interest in the garden. Adding a ceramic bowl that may have a flower that blooms every day in the yard.
However, no further additions should be made since these will enhance the visual interest rather than create a sense of peace within the garden. By following these steps, individuals will have a successful zen garden within their homes. However, individuality is encouraged within the garden.
Any suggestions can be used or discarded as appropriate to each individual. Following these guidelines, though, will ensure an effective zen garden for each individual in the home.
