How to Create Calm, Meditative Spaces Inspired by Axel Vervoordt
Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt has built an international reputation for interiors that radiate tranquillity. Known for his muted colour palettes, natural textures, and mastery of light, Vervoordt creates homes that feel more like sanctuaries than showpieces. His work offers valuable lessons for anyone hoping to design spaces that encourage calm, reflection, and inner peace.
Courtesy of Axel Vervoordt
The Philosophy of Stillness
At the heart of Vervoordt’s approach is a belief in the power of simplicity and silence. Rather than crowding a room with furniture or decoration, he gives objects and architecture room to breathe. This balance between fullness and emptiness mirrors the meditative qualities of Japanese aesthetics and resonates with those seeking serenity at home.
Courtesy of Axel Vervoordt
Muted Colors for a Restful Atmosphere
Soft, neutral colours define Axel Vervoordt’s palette. Shades of white, beige, taupe, and grey create an environment that feels timeless and soothing. These muted tones do not overwhelm the senses but instead set the stage for quiet contemplation. Subtle variations in color provide depth without disrupting the sense of calm.
Natural Materials That Ground the Spirit
Wood, stone, linen, and clay play central roles in meditative interiors. Their textures connect inhabitants to the earth and provide a grounding energy. A weathered wooden bench, a raw stone accent, or simple linen drapery can transform a room into a space that feels authentic and elemental. The imperfections of natural materials contribute to a lived-in warmth rather than a staged perfection.
Courtesy of Axel Vervoordt
The Power of Light and Shadow
Axel Vervoordt treats light as an essential material. Large windows invite daylight to flow through rooms, while soft linen curtains diffuse brightness into a gentle glow. In the evening, subtle lighting casts delicate shadows, creating a contemplative atmosphere. This dynamic play of light and darkness invites quiet moments of pause.
Objects with Meaning
Meditative spaces benefit from restraint in decoration. Rather than filling shelves with countless items, Axel Vervoordt chooses objects of personal or historical significance: a ceramic vessel, a sculpture, or a piece of antique furniture. These objects are curated not for display alone but for the stories and energy they carry.
Courtesy of Axel Vervoordt
Designing for Reflection
The ultimate goal of Axel Vervoordt’s home is to nurture stillness. Open layouts, uncluttered pathways, and spaces for solitude, whether a reading corner, a meditation alcove, or a serene garden view, encourage mindfulness in everyday life. The home becomes more than a shelter; it becomes a place to restore balance and clarity.
Axel Vervoordt’s interiors prove that calm is not a luxury but a choice. By embracing muted palettes, natural materials, meaningful objects, and the poetry of light, anyone can create meditative spaces that inspire reflection and peace. In homes shaped this way, silence speaks, emptiness comforts, and beauty unfolds in its simplest forms.