Cover Quiet rooms, intentional lives: what to consider when designing spaces for calm
Quiet rooms, intentional lives: what to consider when designing spaces for calm
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In an age where the home has become both sanctuary and stage, the design of quiet rooms is emerging as a powerful expression of wellness and wellbeing. More than a trend, meditation spaces reflect a conscious shift toward interiors that nurture both body and mind
Wellness at home is no longer confined to the kitchen or the bath. Increasingly, homeowners are carving out intimate corners devoted to stillness, breathing and presence. These meditation rooms or “quiet rooms” serve as restorative enclaves within the domestic landscape, balancing the energy of a space while offering refuge from the demands of daily life.
But what makes a meditation room effective? Is it the interplay of natural light and shadow, the tactility of organic materials or the subtle layering of scent and sound? For Monique Borja Gonzalez, entrepreneur, mother, wellness enthusiast and founder of YogaLove, it is all these elements and more. In this conversation, she shares her insights on designing quiet rooms that go beyond aesthetics to create atmospheres of true wellbeing. The conversation is as soothing as the products she creates, perfect for those seeking to anchor their homes in wellbeing.
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Above Monique Borja Gonzalez, founder of YogaLove
Above A curation of YogaLove products that are naturally made, soothing, and most of all, effective
Monique Borja Gonzalez, founder of YogaLove
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You’ve created YogaLove as a sanctuary through scent and ritual. What makes a space, beyond the mat, feel like a true refuge for you?
For me, refuge is about boundaries and energy. A room becomes a refuge when it is respected. The moment you step in, you know it’s a space for presence, not for calls or distractions. The mat is the anchor, but what surrounds it (the quiet, the intention, the care) is what transforms it into a sanctuary.
When designing a quiet or meditation room, what are the first elements you consider? Is it light, scent, sound or energy flow?
It’s really a layering of elements. Natural light is grounding, wood brings warmth and personal touches like crystals, if you believe in them, can hold meaning and energy. For me, the rituals are essential: incense for clearing, candles for presence and essential oils for grounding or uplifting, depending on what you need in that moment. That’s why I built YogaLove around aroma, it anchors me and transforms any space instantly. And of course, sound plays its role too; sometimes it’s music, but often it’s just silence. All of this comes together to create a flow that feels open, safe and deeply personal.
Many homes today are multi-purpose and busy. How can one carve out a corner of stillness even in a small condo or city apartment?
Stillness doesn’t need a whole room; it just needs intention. It can be as simple as a chair by the window, a cushion in the corner or a small shelf with a candle and a plant. What matters is that you designate it and claim, ‘this is my space to pause, to breathe, to come back to myself’.
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Above Scent is central to YogaLove. Fragrance is memory, emotion and energy all in one
Above Stillness doesn’t need a whole room; it just needs intention. A lit candle is an example
Scent is central to YogaLove. Fragrance is memory, emotion and energy all in one
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Scent is central to YogaLove. How do you see fragrance shaping the emotional experience of a room?
Fragrance is memory, emotion and yes, energy all in one. A single aroma can transport you instantly, calm the nervous system or lift your mood. At home, I use sage for clearing, eucalyptus for freshness and YogaLove candles and oils for grounding. Scent transforms not just the room but how you feel within it. I host a Tuesday yoga group at home, and I’ve noticed that even before we begin, the moment they step in, the mix of scents and music already shifts the mood, the chatter slows down, the steps soften. It’s like the practice starts the minute they arrive.
What natural materials or elements do you gravitate toward when creating serene spaces?
Wood, plants, stone, anything that connects you back to the earth. I love the texture of raw wood, the freshness of greenery and the simplicity of woven rugs. Nature doesn’t need much adornment; it already speaks for itself. And of course, natural light; let as much in as you can.
Do you believe stillness in design is achieved more by subtraction (what you take away) or addition (what you layer in)?
I think it’s a bit of both. You do need to clear things out. Too much clutter makes it hard to feel calm. But at the same time, the little touches make it inviting. Those layers bring warmth and personality in, so the space doesn’t feel too contrived or cold, but instead more lived in.
Beyond objects and materials, how important is intention in shaping the energy of a room?
Intention is everything. You can have the most beautiful design, but if the energy of the room isn’t respected, it won’t feel sacred. When you enter with the mindset that this is a place of calm, that energy becomes imprinted into the space.
Above Earthy materials such as this stone table working with scent and the wooden covers of the materials
Above A single aroma can transport you instantly, calm the nervous system or lift your mood
Earthy materials such as this stone table working with scent and the wooden covers of the materials
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In your own life, what does your personal quiet room look and feel like?
In my home studio, the space is open and light, with wooden floors and high ceilings wrapped in windows. Fresh eucalyptus, incense or candles are part of the daily rhythm. It’s where my husband and I start our day to move, breathe and sometimes simply sit in silence. In the afternoons or evenings, the sauna and infrared light tower add another layer, making it a place for both physical reset and inner quiet. There are books and podcasts within reach, comfortable seats if I want them, but more often I’m on the floor on a mat or cushion. I designed it so the vastness of the floor itself feels as inviting as a sofa. The palette is calm, olive green and beige with blush accents for warmth, softened by gentle lighting. It feels alive, yet deeply grounding.
If you could leave people with one guiding principle for designing their own space of refuge, what would it be?
Keep it personal and keep it intentional. It doesn’t have to be perfect nor grand, but it has to mean something to you. Let it be a space that reminds you to breathe, to slow down, to return to yourself.
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