Design for Wellbeing with these Ayurvedic Interior Hacks
By: Naveera Perera
@homepublication
How to create a soothing space.
Unlocking the Secrets of Ayurveda: A Collaboration with Siddhalepa
The Beautiful Societies joins forces with Siddhalepa Ayurveda, a leading Sri Lankan Ayurvedic company, to bring you a series on harnessing the power of Ayurveda for your well-being.
In this series, you'll:
Gain insights from the source: Learn directly from Siddhalepa's registered Ayurvedic doctors, all People of Color (POC) experts preserving this heritage.
Discover practical applications: Explore time-tested practices to integrate Ayurveda into your daily routine, addressing concerns like sleep, stress, and overall well-being.
Transform your life: Unveil the holistic philosophy of Ayurveda and empower yourself to achieve optimal health, naturally.
This collaboration takes you to the very heart of Ayurveda in South Asia. Get ready to embark on a transformative journey towards a healthier, happier you.
True wellbeing is multifaceted and requires us to look within while also focusing on what is outside and around you to achieve inner peace. Afterall, it is well known that your surrounding environment can positively or negatively impact your overall wellbeing. This is why wellbeing extends to also considering the design of the spaces you live in or the space you call home.
Your home is not merely a physical space but a sanctuary of vibrations and energies. The good news is that putting in the effort to improve the interior design or architecture of your living space and creating balance in your home can additionally help you to achieve other aspects of wellbeing. For instance, if finding stillness is part of your mental wellbeing goals, making changes in the environment you live in is guaranteed to help you.
Whether you are building a house or recently moved into a new place, the ancient science of ayurveda has some tips on how you can attract good energy in your living space. To understand the technicalities associated with ayurvedic interior design, we spoke to an Ayurvedic expert, Dr Gihani Weerasekara.
Dr. Gihani Weerasekara is a registered ayurvedic doctor at Siddhalepa Ayurveda in Sri Lanka, a renowned
ayurvedic company who own ayurvedic hospitals and spas.
Weerasekara has completed her BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery) at the University of Colombo, a diploma in Ayurvedic Panchakarma and a certificate in Herbal Cosmetology.
What is Ayurveda and How Can it Benefit Your Home?
Simply put, ayurveda advocates for holistic living. Contrary to common misconceptions, “the ancient healing practice of ayurveda is not just limited to food and exercise”, says Weerasekara.
Instead, ayurveda additionally offers “valuable insights on interior design and architecture which if incorporated into your living space can help you to create a harmonious environment that promotes wellbeing and balance.”
One aspect of ayurvedic design is known as ‘Vastu Shastra’ - the “ancient Indian architectural science that guides the orientation, layout, and placement of elements within a space to optimise positive energy flow and enhance well-being”. In other words, vastu shastra takes into account the laws of nature and the universe on how frequencies are created within the spaces you live. Having the right type of frequency can ensure your home attracts positive energy, bestowing prosperity and happiness on you and your loved ones.
As all things in ayurveda, positive energy is typically optimised when the tridoshas, inclusive of Vata, Pitta and Kapha are balanced. They are made of different states of matter.
Vata: Associated with air and other elements which are responsible for movement.
Pitta: Combination of fire and water which influences digestion metabolic activity.
Kapha: Associated with water and earth and is in control of lubrication and structure.
Other than instilling balance and harmony, Weerasekara additionally confirms that ayurvedic interior design complements healing spaces as it “creates spaces that support physical, mental, and spiritual well-being”.
Simple Ayurvedic Hacks for a More Balanced Space
Ayurvedic home decor tips to soothe your mind are not totally different to the calming interior tips you encounter on a daily basis but the physical environment you live in plays a vital role in helping you to balance your doshas.
Here are a few ways to make your home dosha-friendly.
Purchase Furniture or Ornaments Made of Natural Elements
Weerasekara notes that “the flow of energy, which is known as ‘prana’ aims to create a harmonious balance between natural elements”.
For this purpose, she advises to incorporate “materials like wood, stone, and clay to connect with nature, which promotes grounding and tranquillity”. In terms of the kind of ornaments, decor and furniture you place at home, Weerasekara says to “choose wooden furniture and decor items, as wood represents stability and grounding”.
However, she warns that “furniture with sharp edges creates energetic blockages and that you should soften the corners with plants or fabric drapes”.
Natural elements can also be added as ornaments. For example, Weerasekara suggests that you can “integrate stone elements such as sculpture or pebbles to connect with the earth element”. She additionally advises you to “opt for metal accents like brass or copper to balance energy”.
In essence, incorporating all three ayurvedic doshas on some level would make a difference in look and feel.
Tailor Your Essential Oils to Your Dosha
For those who feel comfortable with essential oils, she suggests lavender and chamomile among others to be two of the best. If you are however looking at essential oils for specific doshas, Weerasekara recommends the following:
Warm and Calming Oils for Vata Dosha
As vata is made in combination with the air element, people with this dosha are often cold, dry, light and mobile, thereby requiring warm and grounding essential oils to balance it. For instance, oils that are made of plants that taste salty, soar and even sweet are considered to be most beneficial. Here are a few oils Weerasekara recommends:
Sandalwood to ground, calm and soothe you.
Sweet oranges to warm and uplift you.
Rose to balance and nurture you.
Jasmine to promote relaxation.
Lavender to calm you.
Sweet and Flowery Oils for Pitta
Pitta dosha is characterised by their sharpness, hotness, lightness, quickness and even sometimes their oiliness. To balance this, dry, nutritional and calming oils are recommended. More specifically oils that are made of plants that taste sweet, astringent, and bitter are good options. Weerasekara suggests the following:
Lemon oil: refreshes and soothes you.
Orange oil: calms any fiery emotions.
Tangerine Oil: balances intensity.
Coriander oil: aids digestion and cools your body against excess heat.
Strong and Pungent Oils for Kapha
Made with water and earth elements, kapha doshas are moist, cold, slow, and heavy in nature. To balance it, substances that are dry, light and stimulated are essential. One way to identify the most effective essential oil to balance this kind of dosha is to opt for oils made of plants that taste particularly pungent or bitter. Weerasekara provides some examples:
Ginger oil: warms your body.
Clove oil: stimulate circulation.
Cinnamon oil: balances heaviness.
Cardamom oil: aids digestion.
Jasmine oil: adds vibrancy.
Practise Colour Therapy for Your Dosha
Even small things like the colours of your walls and furniture can make a difference as they have the potential to interact with our chakras and other kinds of body energies.
Weerasekera recommends that as a general rule, neutral and earthy colours for walls and furnishings are good to create a soothing backdrop. However, if you are looking to address a specific dosha, she suggests the following as per ayurvedic colour psychology.
Earthy Colours for Vata Dosha
Vata Dosha personalities are very creative although they can easily be distracted and at times, overwhelmed. To counter this, Weerasekara advises to surround yourself with calming shades of colours like blue and green which promote relaxation and balance.
Pale and Mild Colours for Pitta Dosha
The fiery and passionate nature of pitta-dosha finds a sense of cool and calmness when surrounded by colours like white, light blue, green, yellow and orange. To ensure you choose the right shades, pastel colours are a good reference point as you should avoid bright or neon-like shades of the said colours.
Energising Colours for Kapha Dosha
Kapha doshas are some of the most peaceful, but they tend to get quite lazy. Hence, they require colours that motivate them. Weerasekara notes that vibrant and warm hued colours like red and orange can help with adding an energised and vibrant aesthetic into their home, allowing them to channel their inner drive to chase their dreams.
Use Air purifying plants
Weerasekara asks you to consider “incorporating air plants into your decor” as “they purify the air and bring a touch of nature indoors”. Additionally, she elaborated that “ayurveda recommends several medicinal plants that you can grow indoors”. This includes:
Tulsi (Holy Basil)
“Considered sacred in Ayurveda, tulsi has medicinal properties and positive energy” emphasises Weerasekara. Weerasekara also assured that tulsi is an easy plant to grow and maintain at home, and it also helps in “purifying the air and warding off negative energies”
Aloe Vera
“Known for its cooling and healing properties, aloe vera is rich in antioxidants” says Weerasekara. She also added that aloe vera “boosts digestion, helps manage diabetes, and promotes weight loss”.
Snake Plant
“As excellent air purifiers, snake plants are believed to have protective energy” noted Weerasekara. As an added bonus, “they are low-maintenance and thrive indoors”.
Lemongrass
Weerasekara shared that “besides adding flavour to dishes, lemongrass has health benefits. It aids digestion and has antioxidant properties”.
Neem Leaf
“Neem is renowned for its antibacterial and antiviral properties” which according to Weerasekara, makes it one of the most beneficial indoor plants to grow at home.
Use your compass
Weerasekara highlights that “ayurveda also emphasises the importance of direction when it comes to designing your own home”. Weerasekara therefore advises on the following placements.
Your living room
Weerasekara highlighted that “when it comes to the living room, ayurveda suggests that it should face the northeast, northwest, north, or east”. She further went on to state that “if possible, consider positioning your living room near the kitchen for better flow of energy”.
Meditation and prayers
Weerasekara notes that northeast is “ideal for meditation or prayer spaces, as it resonates with spiritual growth”.
How to place your furniture
According to Weerasekara, the “southeast signifies prosperity” while the “southwest represents stability”.
Hence, she commented that key pieces of furniture, such as “sofas and beds should be placed along the south or west walls for stability and prosperity”. When it comes to the sofa in particular, she advises to “position it against a wall for balanced energy flow”. She moreover added that you should “arrange sofas and chairs in a circular or semi-circular layout so as to encourage conversation and connection”.
On top of this, if “your front door is in good condition, it represents wealth”. To maximise prosperity in terms of wealth, she suggested “placing a beautiful plant and light on either side of the door to draw positive energy”.
Embrace Biophilic design
As it is always great to keep your indoors lit, Weerasekara recommends that you “embrace natural light by opening curtains during the day and candle light in the evening, which creates a serene ambiance”.
This complements the infamous biophilic design, which refers to houses that are designed to make the most use of the natural environment. One way to do this is by promoting the use of direct nature. In this respect she also suggests having “spaces showcasing views of nature”.
Declutter regularly
Weerasekara recommends that every space in your house should be decluttered as “energy should flow freely without hindrance”. Doing so, can additionally “help you to declutter your mind”.
To start off, she suggests making a pile of “items you no longer need or use”, and then completely removing them afterwards. She went on to detail that organising your storage, keeping your desks and the hallway free, and “avoiding the placement of furniture in pathways or near doors” is key to decluttering.
To add some colour and to attract some good energy without having to clutter your home, she suggests to “add a beautiful mirror and fresh flowers” in the hallway.
Use crystals and gemstones for tranquillity
Weerasekara says that “crystals and gemstones are thought to have healing properties and can be used in your home to promote positive energy”.
However, she notes that “crystals and gemstones should be placed in the appropriate direction to enhance their energy. For example, to promote peace and tranquillity they should be placed in the northeast direction”.
