Use This Japanese Design Technique to Highlight Space, Instead of Stuff

In our busy modern lives, we fill our calendars with appointments or activities. We fill our phones with photos and apps. And we end up filling up our homes with, well, stuff.

Nearly every wall, every little corner, certainly every space in a closet is occupied with something. We keep acquiring things, so we end up with no space. 

But what if we created spaces with nothing? What would it look like to intentionally create negative space, and how would that feel in our homes?

That’s the idea behind the Japanese design concept called Ma. The goal is to create negative space, or a blank space, that isn’t filled with photos, furniture, or things. It’s a pause that gives your eyes and your nervous system a break. It’s an intentional negative space that has its own purpose.

This design concept fits in so well with my business, Designing With Less, because it beautifully combines design and minimalism. I truly believe we can create more enjoyable living spaces when we have less stuff, and I know it’s easier to cultivate a more harmonious home when we have fewer things in it.

Leaving negative space on this wall behind a desk allows your eyes to rest. Your focus can easily be drawn to the monitor or the large piece of art on the adjacent wall. (Photo by Lisa Anna, Unsplash).

Examples of Ma in a Home

Here are some examples of what designing based on the concept of Ma might look like. 

Picture a large window in a living room, and there is nothing under it. No extra seating or bench. Just the window. 

Or imagine dining room walls without artwork, where the focal point is either the beautiful dining room table or unique lighting.

Think of a bedroom with just a bed and nightstands. The closets are used to store clothing, and no additional furniture is needed. 

Now, consider how that might feel in your own home?

The clear space on the top of the dresser creates a sense of calm. Only a single mirror was places on the large open wall, rather than a collection of art or shelves. (Photo by Minh Pham, Unsplash)

What You Gain By Using This Design Concept

A clear space gives your mind a chance to rest and gives your home a greater sense of calm. It’s empty space by design, with a purpose.

When you have too much stuff, like so many of us do these days, your mind doesn’t get that chance to rest. You’re always taking in the sights of piles of paper or stacks of bins and overflow storage.

When you plan to have clear tables, clear counters, or walls without boxes or bins, for example, you have a space that makes quiet contemplation easier. What you place in a room should be done intentionally, not just because it’s the only space available.

Visual clutter is an epidemic that afflicts a lot of homes.

Ways to Design with Ma in Your Home

Now let’s look at how we might be able to use the idea of Ma in our own homes.

Here are a few ideas.

Think about your windows. Is there a large window with a lovely view? Maybe that window would look best without any curtains or blinds. How would it feel to have an open view of nature instead of window shades?

Doesn't it look lovely and bring a small sense of calm to your home?

Beyond windows, let’s look at how Ma could be used in places with shelving. Either in the kitchen or in a living room, consider leaving some open space on a shelf or two. How would it feel to have shelves that aren’t filled to the brim? 

Would more empty space make you feel calmer when you see it?

The top shelve in this kitchen is left mostly clear. Only one photo is placed in the center and a small plant on the right side. This clear space is intentional and helps create calm.

Not every idea or example will work for every person. The key is to find what would work for you, in your home.

If you’re in the early stages of clearing out clutter, know that designing your space will be much easier when you have fewer things. When you declutter, you keep the items that hold the most value for you. Then you can choose what special pieces you want to feature in your home. 

Ma isn’t about the absence of all things. It can mean you create a negative space in order to feature something you appreciate. For example, you might have a blank wall and choose to place a beloved vase or piece of art that means a lot to you. An open space around a singular piece still gives your eye and your mind a break from clutter.

When you have fewer things on display, you can highlight what you love the most.

Why This Design Idea is Particularly Useful Now

The concept of Ma is especially useful in design now, when there is economic uncertainty, because it is easy to do without spending a lot of money. Other design concepts might involve buying new items in order to create a specific look.

Rather than filling the corner of this room with a cabinet, shelves, or even a taller plant, the use of a shorter plant creates open space. The uncovered window also provides a pause or break for your nervous system. (Photo by Kelsey Roenau, Unsplash)

When you design with less and begin with the concept of Ma, you’re creating a negative space. You’re taking things away rather than adding new pieces.

The idea can give you a sense of freedom when you consider what it would be like to start with a blank slate. If you could start with a blank slate, what items would you choose to bring into your home while still preserving some blank space?

Think about your home and where you can add negative space.

You can read more about using the design concept of Ma at Homes & Gardens.

If you’d like any help designing with less or decluttering your space, reach out to me. 

Xoxo,

Michelle