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With almost two decades of experience in interior design, Katayoon Aghili defines her mission as 鈥渃reating spaces that reflect the homeowners鈥� lifestyle and that, at the same time, elevate their spirit and transform their home into a sanctuary.鈥� Helping clients live better through design is one reason Aghili loves working at Copenhagen, a contemporary furniture store with seven locations across Arizona and Texas. For Aghili, a designer at Copenhagen Scottsdale, the changing of seasons is about so much more than fun and festivities. 鈥淲ith inevitable change comes new promises of rewriting our destiny,鈥� Aghili says, 鈥渁nd re-evaluating our needs, wants, and values to create a more fulfilling life.鈥�
Mindfulness can be a powerful tool for helping us along this path. The leading mindfulness researcher Jon Kabat-Zinn describes this state of mind as 鈥�,鈥� while Aghili defines it for herself as 鈥渂eing present in every moment of our lives.鈥�
Research suggests that , from cardiovascular fitness to cognitive function and, of course, mental health. What鈥檚 more, small exercises can make an instantly felt impact 鈥� 鈥淢indfulness can be as simple as putting down your pen and taking a deep breath, changing your posture, or moving your fingers to get more blood flowing,鈥� Aghili suggests.
By extension, mindful design can be defined as design that encourages 鈥�.鈥� 鈥淎s American adults,鈥� Aghili says, 鈥渨e spend 90% of our lives indoors, often dealing with stress at work or home. As a result, it鈥檚 important to create environments that calm and center us, whether through meditation or simply being mindful throughout our day.鈥�
Aghili has noticed a growing trend among her clients of creating spaces dedicated to emotional or spiritual health. 鈥淚n the past five years,鈥� she notes, 鈥渃lients have shown more interest in their spiritual well-being and their ikigai (Japanese for 鈥榣ife purpose鈥�). If a client has to choose between an exercise room or a well-being space, they will often choose the latter.鈥� For Aghili, it鈥檚 clear that people are extending the spirit of mindfulness to their design decisions.
Even if you don鈥檛 have an extra room that you can convert into a meditation or yoga space, there are still elements you can focus on to make any area in your interior more conducive to mindfulness.
Minimize clutter. Studies have shown that excess clutter can take a toll on mental health, . Make sure there鈥檚 enough empty space in your home so that every area can be easily reached and used for its full purpose. You may want to invest in an organizational system to keep your spaces neat, though even smaller pieces like a storage ottoman or a lift-top coffee table with compartments under the tabletop can help keep your space tidy and your mind on track.
Add touches of nature. According to Edward Wilson鈥檚 biophilia hypothesis, humans are innately drawn toward nature. This attraction isn鈥檛 only aesthetic 鈥� research shows that exposure to nature (even indoors) can . Aghili says, 鈥淗aving a gorgeous green plant, a humble fresh arrangement of flowers, or greenery picked from your garden and placed in a beautiful vase can remind you of your ikigai.鈥� Don鈥檛 have a green thumb? Artificial plants will work too 鈥� like this lush and full-bodied mango tree.
Let in the light. Human physiology is deeply responsive to natural light, relying on it for everything from . Open the curtains or blinds to take advantage of the sunlight 鈥� and feel more centered and in tune with your body and nature. Create a warm nighttime ambiance by layering multiple light sources 鈥� such as the Spiral Floor Lamp, which has a graceful form with fully dimmable bulbs.
Make it personal. A mindful space should remind you of what you value most. 鈥淪urround yourself with meaningful objects,鈥� Aghili says, 鈥淭ry a beautiful collection of postcards, a group of framed pictures, or a piece of art that calms your senses and brings you joy every time you gaze at it.鈥� Browse Copenhagen鈥檚 wide selection of art to find something that speaks to you, from a serene image of ocean waves to the vibrant Color Eyes Quadriptych.
Sense your sound levels. A quiet atmosphere is helpful for meditation and yoga, as well as for concentration in general. Consider whether one or more rooms in your house would benefit from sound-dampening panels 鈥� or use noise-cancelling headphones. A rug 鈥� like the pink-hued Caldera 鈥� can have a similar muting effect, while also adding a soft accent to a mindful space.
The amount of time that Americans spend sitting has increased in recent years, . Fortunately, our furniture can help us be more mindful of our bodies, encouraging us to stand more often, as well as to be more aware of our posture and comfort level when we do sit.
Give yourself a lift with a sit-stand desk. Aghili says, 鈥淎 sit-stand desk is a great way to be mindful of our health, making it easy to stand up every hour for at least 15 minutes.鈥� BDI鈥檚 Soma collection features intuitively designed lift desks in multiple sizes, from the 72鈥� deluxe version that comes with a programmable control paddle, child lock, hanging hook, and surge protector 鈥� to the Compact Lift Desk which Aghili praises for its 鈥渕inimalist design that鈥檚 great for smaller spaces.鈥�
Embrace ergonomics. Stressless庐 recliners are arguably some of the most intentionally designed chairs on the market, from their integrated frame that shifts to provide lumbar support in any position, to their sturdy bases made with 32 layers of beechwood. 鈥淭hese chairs are incredibly comfortable,鈥� says Aghili. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association, and available in three different sizes. A Stressless庐 chair is the perfect place to relax at home and practice gratitude.鈥�
Dine meditatively. In addition to living room and office chairs, Stressless庐 offers ergonomic dining chairs 鈥� like the Mint and Laurel 鈥� that offer superior back support and seats that lightly recline, letting you lean back to fully savor your meal. When shopping for dining chairs, you may also want to pay attention to features that would make a chair support a straight posture for meditation. A firm yet comfortable seat, a low and straight back, and a profile lower to the floor 鈥� as seen in models like the Flex or Hype 鈥� can make it easy to repurpose a chair for meditation.
As a last useful tip, practice mindful purchasing as well. Resist impulse-buying and carefully consider the purpose of each item you bring into your home, as well as the level of use and benefit you expect to get from it. By making tweaks to your environment and curating furniture that supports your well-being, your home can cultivate calmness, intention, and a greater connection with your body, mind, and environment. If you鈥檙e curious about how your home interiors can help you be your best self in the coming year, chat with our expert design team at your local Copenhagen today — with Arizona locations in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, and Tucson; and Texas locations in San Antonio, Austin, and El Paso.