How to Create a Meditation Altar and Space at Home That Feels Sacred and Calming

So, you’ve started a meditation practice—amazing! But now you might be looking around and wondering: How do you set up a meditation room? What do you put on a meditation altar? Can an altar be non religious?

If these questions have been on your mind, you’re in the right place.

In this blog, I’m answering all of that and more so you can get 13 solid meditation altar ideas and practical tips to create a space that feels calm, sacred and supportive. The energy, intention and items you bring into your space not only make it lovely to be in and look at, but they also directly enhance your meditations and keep you inspired to return to your practice regularly.

Here’s what you can expect to learn in this post:

• I’ll share 13 items to include on your meditation table or altar and in your sacred space at home

• I’ll also discuss how to use some of the items in your space and why they’re important

• Lastly, you’ll get a peek into what I personally keep in my own meditation space and cabinet to create a vibe that feels peaceful, inviting and full of good energy

If we haven’t met yet—hi, I’m Rebecca!

I’m a mindfulness meditation coach and I teach busy minds and overthinkers how to properly meditate so they can improve their overall well-being.

A lot of meditation beginners (and people in general) are confused about what meditation really is and how to effectively practice to get results, and that’s where I come in.

I’ve taught over a 1,000 one-on-one meditation classes online and I’ve been meditating for nearly a decade. My approach is all about keeping things simple, effective and easy to understand.

So first, let’s dive into why we should make a special meditation space!

3 Benefits of Creating a Sacred Meditation Space

A thoughtfully created environment and dedicated meditation space:

• Encourages Consistency: Having a designated space makes it easier to stick with meditation and you’ll find yourself inspired to return to your practice regularly.

• Supports Your Overall Well-Being: Creating a calm and intentional environment nurtures your personal development, spiritual growth and well-being goals and it also improves your meditations.

• Builds Meditative Energy: Overtime, your designated meditation space helps your mind and energy quickly drop into a ‘meditative state’ and as soon as you sit down, you’ll feel more relaxed and present.

Think of your meditation space as your sanctuary—a place where you can take care of your well-being, awaken intuition and connect with your highest self.

Now that you know why it’s important to create a space, let’s talk about where to set it up!

Where Should I Set Up My Meditation Space?

You can create your meditation space in a small corner in your bedroom, a designated space in the living room or if you have a spare room, even better (my dream one day!). For the altar, you can use a shelf, cabinet or any functional piece of furniture you already own. It should be big enough to place several small items on top of and it’ll be ideal if it has a cabinet or shelf below to store additional items. It’s also great if it visually compliments your room and it should genuinely feel good for you. Right now, my meditation spot and altar is in the living room and blends perfectly with the space!

Where not to put an altar: Avoid busy, loud or stimulating environments.

Beginner Tips and Recommendations for Your Meditation Altar and Room

If you’re still wondering, ‘can anyone make an altar?’ Rest assured, the answer is definitely yes!! But, there are a few key points to be aware of when you start that will make all the difference:

• Keep your meditation space clean and clutter-free: This might sound obvious, but trust me, it's major. A cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind so keep your space tidy and clean. You don’t want random items lying around that have nothing to do with your practice. Keep things simple and aligned with the calm energy you're trying to cultivate.

• Choose one consistent spot for your practice: I recommend meditating in the same spot every time you practice. This builds a meditative energy in that space (as mentioned before) so the moment you sit down, your body relaxes and knows, okay, it’s time to drop in, go inward and let go. Also, it’d be great if it’s in a more private space that’s free from a lot of foot traffic and noise.

• Keep your meditation space separate from your workspace: If you’re working from home, I suggest not meditating in the same chair or spot where you answer emails or take calls. Even if your meditation and work happen in the same room, create two distinct areas or seats. Why? Because the energy is different. You want your meditation space to feel calming and grounded — not like you're about to check your inbox. Meditation is more of an inward practice and work is more of an outward energy and different spaces serve different needs.

With these foundational guidelines, you’ll help your body and mind shift more easily into meditation mode and just walking into the space can help you feel more centered and relaxed.

Okay, so let's move onto some of the things that are gonna take you 10 steps ahead of the average person who's not setting up a meditation space.

Calming and Sacred Items for your Meditation Altar and Space or Room

Now that we’ve covered the basics of creating a clean and supportive environment, let’s talk about ‘what should you keep in your meditation space’ and you’ll easily see that anyone make an altar! Ready to elevate your practice and take your space from “just a corner” to something that feels nurturing and sacred? Let’s go!

1. Candles for Your Meditation Altar and their Purpose

Candles are more than just a source of light—they create a safe space for the fire element, which holds symbolic meaning in spiritual and meditation practices. Light represents knowledge and guides us through darkness, while fire represents transformation that removes all impurities.

When we light candles on our altar, it’s special for a few reasons:

• Lighting a candle at your altar marks the beginning of your practice and it’s like telling your mind and body, “Okay, we’re starting our sacred ritual now.” It’s the very first thing I do to set the tone for my meditation practice alongside setting an intention.

• Lighting a candle is also the perfect time to set an intention for your practice or day. You can repeat it silently or say it out loud. This helps me connect to the transformative fire element in a very intentional way and further welcomes release and renewal, inviting higher understanding and clarity, while letting go of old patterns. I’ll usually say an affirmation like, “I’m lighting the flame of knowledge to burn away all ignorance.” Or “I release the old and welcome the new.”

• Lighting candles also creates a soft glow, which instantly shifts the energy of the space and creates a beautiful ambiance that feels very supportive for my practice.

Key mindfulness tip: bring your full attention into what you're doing, which is mindfulness in practice. So as you light your candle, feel into or imagine letting go of any negative energy and welcoming in peace, clarity or insight.

If there's some kind of prayer or affirmation you strongly resonate with, this is the time to use it!

Personally, I love lighting two candles—my Buddha candle and a rock salt candle, which are placed at opposite ends of my altar. I normally practice meditation in the early morning hours and with the lights off and candles lit, the soft glow shifts me into a calm state before I even sit down to meditate.

This small ritual, when done with intention and mindfulness, helps gets my mind, body and energy aligned for the next step!

2. White Sage, Incense or Palo Santo for Your Meditation Altar and their Purpose

The next thing I do to prepare my meditation space is light either white sage, incense or Palo Santo for a couple special reasons:

• These natural elements are known for their cleansing properties and have been long been used in spiritual rituals to purify the energy of a space.

• Lighting these sacred elements offers another opportunity to more deeply connect with your intention. After lighting one, I walk slowly through my apartment with the sage, staying fully present and mindful of my intention. As I move, I repeat, whether in thought, feeling or words, “I release the old and welcome new, positive energy.”

Burning sage is a sacred ritual that helps shift my energy for my meditation practice and the rest of the day.

A few side notes: Sometimes during these first two rituals, my mind starts to wander to my to-do list. If this happens to you, know that that’s okay and gently bring it back to what you’re doing to keep your energy aligned with what you’re doing.

Second, you can just purify your meditation space or your whole apartment. My apartment is pretty small so it only takes a couple of minutes to energetically cleanse the whole space and I prefer this.

Third, when it comes to incense, if the scent is too strong or overpowering, I recommend something softer or more subtle. I tend to be more sensitive to scent and get headaches easily so I steer clear of incense with heavy, perfumery fragrances and I stick with more natural or lightly scented ones.

Last, get yourself an incense box or stand to rest the burning items in to keep things tidy and safe. I have a decorative one that has a little compartment on the bottom to store extra incense.

Not only is it functional, but it also adds a really nice touch to your altar.

3. A Diffuser and Essential Oils for Your Meditation Altar and their Purpose

Another way to elevate your meditation room is to use a diffuser with special essential oils. Two things to note:

Different essential oils create certain subtle effects. The essential oil I choose depends on how I’m feeling that day. If I wake up sluggish, I’ll go for something stimulating like orange. Citrus scents are great for an energy boosting effect. If I want more of a cleansing or refreshing effect, I’ll use eucalyptus as it’s known to promote respiratory health. And of course, lavender is my go-to when I want a more calming, grounding experience, but you can choose any oil that works with your energy at the time of practice!

Don’t combine too many scents together. For example, if I use the diffuser, I will not use the incense, Palo Santo or sage as too many scents can be overwhelming and even cause headaches. I also avoid scented candles for the same reason and I use non-scented candles instead. Keeping it simple and intentional with just one source of fragrance makes the space feel peaceful, not overstimulating.

Just a subtle scent in the background paired with the soft candlelight totally shifts the vibe and helps me drop into my practice more easily.

So using different things to really create a nice atmosphere is going to take your meditation practice to the next level. It's probably going to feel like you're going to the spa!

4. Keep Essential Oils for the Body on Your Meditation Altar Shelf or in Your Meditation Drawer

So at this point, my candles are lit, my space is purified and now I like to take it a step further by using an essential oil directly on my body. This adds another layer of ‘feel good vibes’ to the experience.

• Right now, I’m loving a Ylang Ylang and Rose blend. I dab a little on my wrists and then behind my ears at the back of my neck. A little goes a long way and the scent is just incredible—so soft, floral, and comforting.

• Sometimes I even use this throughout the day when I want a instant calm booster.

• I store the essential oils for my diffuser and body in a meditation drawer below my altar but you can place them on your meditation altar or shelf if it doesn’t “feel” or look too cluttered. Some items are better stored away to prevent a “cluttered” vibe.

If essential oils for the body are your thing, I definitely recommend adding this step before your meditation. It helps you ground into your senses and arrive fully in the moment. Plus, it feels like a little treat and that’s how we want your practice to feel.

5. Singing Bowl to Open and Close Your Practice or Create a Certain Energetic Effect

Having a singing bowl at your meditation altar is one of the more formal and beautiful ways to begin your meditation practice.

• You can tap it gently three times before you begin and again when you end your practice. Or you can play the bowl continuously throughout your meditation practice as desired.

• Different bowls are attuned to different energy centers in the body and when you use them, they activate and balance that energy center.

Mine is tuned to the third eye chakra, which helps awaken wisdom and connect to intuition. Not only does it sound beautiful, but it also can energetically enhance your practice and it looks beautiful at your meditation altar. A lot of designs are inspired by Buddhist Tibetan traditions and singing bowls add a sense of sacredness to the space.

Use Tibetan singing bowls at your altar to create a Tibetan meditation table or meditation altar.

6. Add Symbolic or Sacred Art and Meaningful Décor to Your Meditation Altar

Other beautiful items to include at your meditation altar are symbolic pieces of art or decorative pieces that bring a sense of calm or have deeper meaning. This is great if you’ve been asking yourself, ‘How to make an altar powerful?’. Below are some examples of what I have to super charge my meditation table:

• I have a piece of handmade painted clay featuring Shiva and Shakti. Shiva represents universal consciousness or awareness and Shakti represents our life force or energy and they are in union. It’s a powerful reminder of one consciousness and the important balance we want to keep between both.

• A lot of yogis love Ganesh, which represents the remover of all obstacles and he is great to have at your meditation altar to invoke feelings of bravery, fearlessness, courage and strength.

• I also keep sacred geometry at my altar, but you can have any sacred item that has symbolic meaning and feels meaningful to you. The options are endless so I encourage you to explore different patterns or pieces that you resonate with or that reflect the energy you want to embody.

Adding meaningful art or objects with symbolic significance really elevates your meditation space—both aesthetically and energetically.

It turns your altar into a place of intention, not just decoration.

7. Photos of Loved Ones, Teachers, Saints, Guides or Deities on Your Meditation Table or Altar

Another beautiful addition to your meditation room and answers the question ‘How do you set up a spiritual altar?’ are photos or images of people (or pets!) who hold a special place in your heart. For example:

Pictures of loved ones that have passed away: I keep a photo of my dog Benni on my altar, who passed away a couple of years ago. If you have loved ones that are no longer with you, it's really nice to have them at your meditation altar. When I see Benni, it gives me a feeling of support and peace.

Family members or those who inspire you: Also, pictures of family members, both near and far or anyone who inspires you, brings you peace or their presence reminds you of love, support or joy is a great addition to your altar.

Pictures of saints, gurus or spiritual teachers who are meaningful to you or you feel connected to: One photo I keep is of Ramana Maharshi, an Indian teacher of Jnana Yoga who taught the method of self-inquiry: “Who am I?”. This form of meditation is the practice of peeling back all the layers of what you are not, to get to the heart of who you really are. It's beautiful and he was a meditator so it feels really nice to have his picture there. If you connect with any saints or spiritual teachers, please put them at your meditation altar.

Pictures of deities or images symbolic of what you wish to embody: White Tara, for example, is a Buddhist deity of compassion. Compassion is significant for any successful meditation practice and it's a big part of what I teach in my meditation program when I have one to one meditation classes. Seeing the image is a reminder to practice self-compassion, as well as compassion for others.

If there’s an image that feels sacred or meaningful to you, place it on your meditation altar. Your altar should reflect what you wish to embody—if something brings you peace, inspiration or a sense of guidance, it absolutely belongs there.

8. Flowers or Plants for Your Meditation Altar and Room

Other things that you could keep on your meditation shelf are flowers or plants, either dried or fresh.

I have a small amount of dried lavender at my altar, which has a very light scent and matches my décor perfectly.

When I lived in a Buddhist center for six months, it was very common for fresh flowers to be presented as gifts at the altar or as an offering to the divine, different deities, teachers and so on. Having flowers at your altar is a perfect addition to your space and will make it feel lovely to be in!

Okay, so those were a few ideas of what must an altar contain to make it special. The next few things we're going to explore are items I like to keep in a meditation cabinet or meditation drawer. This prevents them from getting dirty and it’s more appropriate for some sacred items to be covered or tucked away.

9. Rudraksha Malas for Your Meditation Space and Room

I received a Rudraksha necklace during my yoga teacher training program in Bali when I first began meditating. Every time I meditated, I wore my mala beads, which felt very supportive. Rudraksha carry positive and uplifting energies and I noticed a beneficial difference when I wore them for meditation. I highly recommend using then, especially if you’re a meditation beginner or tend to overthink. Many malas are adorned with sacred or semi-precious stones too. Mine has amethyst, which enhances intuition and clarity.

Mala necklaces traditionally have 108 beads, which is a sacred number in many spiritual traditions and they are great to use for counting if you have a mantra meditation practice.

Care tips for rudraksha malas: Store your malas in a pouch when you’re not using them, avoid wearing them in the bathroom, only wear them for meditation or spiritual rituals, rather than wearing them throughout the day and lastly, do not place them directly on the floor.

I suggest keeping them in a pouch and storing them in your meditation altar drawer or cabinet.

10. Crystals or Gemstones for Your Meditation Altar

Crystals, precious stones and gemstones are a great addition to your meditation altar. Choose stones that align with what you want to cultivate. For example, I used to meditate with rose quartz, which connects to the heart center. Crystal quartz was another favorite that supports mental clarity, intuition and inner wisdom.

Each crystal and gem stone carries its own energetic qualities. The key is to check in with yourself and use ones that you intuitively feel drawn to or want to embody. Rose quartz is perfect for creating feelings of unconditional love or support, while clear quartz supports focus and insight and connected to the third eye.

I recommend keeping your smaller meditation crystals in a pouch to help keep them protected and clean. However, you can have your larger crystals on display at your meditation shelf or altar.

So, you light your candles. You burn your incense. You put on your essential oils. You lay out your crystals. You wear your malas. Maybe you place photos of your teachers or loved ones on your meditation altar or shelf and all these things are going to add up to a space you love being in! The next thing I want to talk to you about is setting up your meditation seat!

11. A Designated Meditation Cushion or Chair and Pillows and Blankets for your Meditation Seat

Let’s amp up the good vibes even more and get super comfortable with cozy pillows, cushions and blankets! Here’s what you’re going to need for your special meditation seat:

Meditation Cushion or Pillows: When I meditate, I sit cross-legged on a cushion that’s made of natural materials which conforms to my body. It feels like heaven. I rest it on top of a soft rug so my feet remain comfortable. While I absolutely love my meditation cushion (which looks like the one pictured below), you don’t need a meditation cushion like this in order to have a successful meditation session. A regular pillow works too. But, having a dedicated pillow or cushion for your practice is recommended.

If you sit on the floor to meditate and find you need back support, sitting against a wall with a pillow at mid back is a great solution. There are also more advanced meditation seats out there that offer back support while still being low to the ground if that sounds of interest. However, a pillow or cushion is just fine!

Meditation Chair and Pillows: If sitting cross-legged on the floor is uncomfortable, sitting in a chair is perfectly okay. If you’re using a chair, it helps to place a small pillow behind your mid back. This helps you sit up tall and maintain a straight spine. You don’t want to be slouched over in your practice. A long spine is important as it allows your breath to flow more easily and keeps you more awake and alert.

Meditation Blankets to Stay Warm and Cozy: Another important part of creating comfort is staying warm. 99% of the time, I wrap myself in a blanket when I meditate because I tend to get cooler about ten minutes in. You can wrap it around your shoulders or just drape it over your legs—whatever feels best, follow that.

Sometimes I also keep a sweater nearby when I meditate and I always keep a couple of blankets in my meditation room. One of them is more decorative and it’s very special to me. I got it at a Buddhist temple in Dharamshala, in northern India, where the Dalai Lama gave a talk on compassion. I don’t use it all the time, but seeing it in my meditation space brings a feeling of peace and comfort to my practice.

And that’s what it’s about—surrounding yourself with things that feel good and carry energy that supports you. If something makes you feel grounded, connected or inspired, bring it into your space.

12. Affirmations, Prayers, Spiritual Books and Quotes

Another way to make your meditation space irresistible is by filling it with meaningful words or books that speak to your heart. You can keep these items in your meditation altar drawer, on your meditation shelf or in your meditation cabinet. Once you're settled in your meditation seat, you can bring these beautiful things into your practice next:

Inspiring Affirmations or Spiritual Quotes: I keep a page of beautiful and inspiring affirmations in my meditation cabinet. I just pick one that resonates in the moment, but one of my favorites is:

“I water my wilderness with faith, and suddenly it blossoms as the rose.”

Most of my affirmations, including the one above, come from Florence Scovel Shinn, a spiritual teacher from the early 1900s. She was from New Jersey and also lived in NYC, like me! When I found her work, I was so moved that I created an entire manifestation program inspired by her writings. Her words are timeless and always bring me peace.

Prayers: If there are any prayers that speak to your heart, use them at the beginning, middle or end of your meditation practice. It’d be great if you can remember the prayer and then silently repeat it, with feeling during your practice.

You can use affirmations or prayer to begin or close your practice. In the one to one meditation classes I offer, we always incorporate intention and gratitude at the end of class and it’s something I encourage you to try.

Bringing in that energy—whether through affirmations, intentions, prayers or simple words of thanks—helps connect your meditations to something bigger.

Spiritual Books: I’ve read a bunch of books throughout the years that have significantly impacted my spiritual growth and personal development (I highly recommend, ‘Anatomy of the Spirit’ by Caroline Myss and ‘A New Earth’ or ‘The Power of Now’ by Eckard Tolle). Sometimes I peak through them for inspiration, but just seeing them at my altar guides me back to presence, peace and purpose. Keep them at your altar, on your meditation shelf or drawer or tucked in your cabinet—somewhere they’re easy to reach for when you need a little spiritual boost.

13. Meditation Journal for Your Meditation Altar or Space

And lastly, I also recommend keeping a meditation journal in your drawer or on your shelf. When I first started meditating, I had so many insights, realizations creative ideas and intuitive hits! My meditation journal became a safe space to write about my meditation experiences as well as my dreams, uncertainties and even draw images that came to me after meditation.

Side note: Journaling (or meditation) isn’t about “figuring it all out” or having all the answers. I used to approach it that way in that I was always seeking answers or needing clarity and certainty. But over time, I’ve learned that insight comes when it’s ready. Our job is just to sit, make space and listen.

So keep a journal nearby. When something arises, you’ll be ready to receive it and explore further without expectation.

13 Meditation Ideas for Your Meditation Altar, Room or Space

So, I hope I answered your burning question, ‘what should an altar contain’ and now, you have lots of ideas to create a space you love! These were my favorite meditation altar ideas, that also included suggestions for your meditation drawer, shelf, table, cabinet and overall space.

I know these items will change the way you experience your whole meditation practice! Take what felt good and let me know what you create. Maybe there's some things I didn't mention and that you're already using. I would love to know more about it in the comments!

Want to Go Deeper in Your Practice?

Not getting the results you want from your meditation practice? I know how that feels and I was confused about meditation for a whole year until I worked with a meditation teacher. Here are a few ways I can help you:

• I offer private meditation classes, which help you learn how to effectively practice mindfulness meditation and develop your own practice so you can calm your mind and improve your well-being.

• I have a free Mindfulness Newsletter you can join for more meditation tips and mindfulness guidance!

• Watch my videos on YouTube for more free resources on how to set your practice up for success!

Rebecca Michelle | Meditation Teacher

Helping overthinkers get out of their heads and into the present moment through mindfulness coaching and guided meditation classes online!

SEE PROGRAM DETAILS HERE

Thank you for being here and I can’t wait to connect with you again soon!