How to Create a Tokonoma Space in a Modern Home

There’s something deeply calming about a Japanese tokonoma – that small, raised alcove in a traditional room where a scroll or flower arrangement is displayed. It’s never cluttered, never busy. Just one or two beautiful items, placed with care and intention. It’s not decorative for the sake of it – it’s a quiet focal point that brings calm to the entire room.

Now, most of us don’t have tatami rooms or sliding shoji doors at home, and that’s absolutely fine. But we can take inspiration from the tokonoma and create our own version of it in our homes – a modern, clutter-free focal point that brings in a bit of beauty, balance and quiet.

Here’s how to interpret this timeless Japanese idea in your own way, no matter your style or space.

What is a tokonoma, really?

In traditional Japanese homes, the tokonoma is a sacred little space. You’ll often see it in tea rooms or guest rooms, with a hanging scroll (called kakejiku) and a simple flower arrangement or ornament (okimono). The items are chosen carefully, often reflecting the seasons or a particular mood.

Importantly, it’s not a storage space or a place for clutter. You won’t find a random phone charger or pile of books in a tokonoma. It’s symbolic – a place for stillness, beauty and thoughtfulness.

I love that idea. In the chaos of daily life – especially when we’re working, cleaning, parenting and juggling everything else – having one space in the home that’s purely there to centre you is incredibly powerful.

Why we all need a tokonoma-style moment in our homes

We don’t often give ourselves permission to create something “just because it’s nice.” Every corner has to be practical or productive. But actually, this kind of space is productive – in the sense that it supports your mental wellbeing.

It’s a visual reminder to slow down. To notice the small things. To appreciate beauty without needing it to serve ten purposes.

Whether it’s a nook in your hallway, a shelf in the living room or even the top of a chest of drawers, creating a tokonoma-inspired space gives your home an anchor. It also gently encourages you to keep the surrounding area clutter-free – because chaos would feel out of place next to something so intentional.

How to create your own tokonoma moment

1. Choose the right spot

Look for a corner, alcove or surface that feels a bit underused. It doesn’t need to be big – in fact, the smaller the better. It could be:

• A floating shelf

• A windowsill

• The top of a console table

• A shallow recess in the wall

It should feel slightly separate from the busyness of the rest of the space.

2. Keep it minimal

The tokonoma usually only has one or two items – that’s it. The point is not to decorate lavishly, but to let one piece shine. Try:

• A framed piece of calligraphy or art

• A single vase with a seasonal flower

• A stone or handmade object

• A candle or incense holder

Let the piece breathe. Give it space. You’re not trying to fill the area – you’re trying to give your chosen item the attention it deserves.

3. Change it with the seasons

One lovely aspect of the traditional tokonoma is how it reflects the natural world. The scroll and flower arrangement are changed regularly – often with the shifting seasons, a holiday or a particular mood.

You can do the same. Rotate your display every few months. Swap out the flower or object depending on the time of year. It keeps the space fresh and gives you a moment to pause and appreciate change.

4. Respect the space

The tokonoma is sacred – not in a religious way, necessarily, but in the sense that it’s not for everyday clutter. It’s not the place to put your spare change or random receipts. So be firm with yourself and others: this space is for calm only.

Treat it like a little sanctuary within your home. You’ll be surprised how that energy starts to influence the rest of the room.

A tokonoma moment for every home

You don’t need to follow strict rules. Your version of a tokonoma might look a bit different – perhaps a quiet shelf with a candle and a photo of your family, or a little display in your hallway with a few pebbles from a meaningful holiday.

The point is not to replicate a Japanese tea room. It’s to bring the principle into your home: one space, however small, that’s uncluttered, meaningful and intentional.

The unexpected organising benefit

Once you create this little peaceful space, something interesting happens. You start to notice the mess more. Not in a negative way – just with awareness. That shelf with ten candles suddenly feels chaotic. The overflowing key bowl next to your tokonoma? Out of place.

It becomes easier to clear away the excess because you’ve experienced how good it feels to see just enough.

And honestly, sometimes that’s all the motivation you need.

So whether you live in a studio flat or a five-bedroom villa, I encourage you to create a tokonoma moment in your home. One space that exists simply to be beautiful, calm and still. No clutter. No function. Just grace.

It’s not indulgent. It’s essential.