Ma (間): The Art of Negative Space in your Interior

In a world that is moving faster and faster

Our work pace accelerates, the world news rushes by, our thoughts race. Simultaneously, a deep longing for peace, simplicity, and true presence grows. We fill our calendars, our feeds, and our walls—as if more is always better. But what if the key to a peaceful life lies not in what you add, but in what you leave out?

The Japanese concept of Ma (間) —literally "empty space," "pause," or "in-between space"—doesn't offer a method, but it does offer a direction. It's an invitation to pause and reflect on what is n't there. For therein lies the key to greater peace, clarity, and meaning.

This article is inspired by the work of writer and yin yoga teacher Miriam Evers, who, in her book "The Japanese Wisdom of Ma," makes this ancient concept accessible to modern life. Here, I explore how Ma translates into art and interior design—as a physical expression of a deeper philosophy of life.

What is Ma (間)? An ancient concept

Ma is a fundamental concept in Japanese aesthetics, philosophy, and culture, rooted in Buddhism and the Zen tradition. It refers to the meaningful void —the space that isn't filled, but rather exists through its absence. It's about the quality of the emptiness between things: between two actions, two words, two moments. A silence that isn't empty, but rather full of potential. A pause that isn't uncomfortable, but fruitful.

The character 間 (Ma) combines the radicals for "gate" and "sun"—the light shining through an opening. This etymology is telling: Ma is the opening through which meaning flows. It is the space that provides context, that defines form, that makes silence audible.

In Japan, Ma is deeply rooted in art, architecture, nature, and daily life. This is reflected in:

• The open tatami spaces in traditional houses
• The carefully placed objects in a tokonoma (alcove)
• The minimalist Zen gardens where every stone and every empty space is intentional
• The silence between words in a conversation
• The pause between movements in a dance or tea ceremony
• The breathing space between inhalation and exhalation
• The white space in calligraphy and sumi-e painting

Ma teaches you that meaning arises not only in what you do, but also in the space between. It's the pause that gives meaning to the note. The silence that allows the word to sink in. The emptiness that defines the form.

Mom and related concepts

Ma doesn't stand alone, but is interwoven with other Japanese aesthetic principles. Wabi-sabi —the beauty of transience and imperfection—shares with Ma an appreciation for what isn't there, for the emptiness that leaves room for contemplation. Ichi-go ichi-e (一期一会), literally "one time, one meeting," emphasizes the uniqueness of each moment—and it is precisely the pauses between moments that make us aware of that preciousness.

Where wabi-sabi teaches us to see beauty in the imperfect, Ma teaches us to find meaning in the absent. Together they form a philosophy of less: less as more, emptiness as fullness, silence as communication.

Why Ma Now? The Urgency of Emptiness in a Crowded World

Ma isn't a new concept—it's been around for centuries. But its relevance is perhaps greater than ever. We live in what sociologists call the "attention economy": a world where our attention has become a scarce commodity, constantly being fought for by notifications, algorithms, and endless streams of content.

Digitalization has erased the in-between spaces from our lives. Where we used to wait at the bus stop and simply wait, we now scroll. Where we used to have a moment of silence between appointments, we now fill it with podcasts, messages, and to-dos. The transitional moments—those little pauses that Ma considers so essential—have vanished.

The result? A collective exhaustion. Not just physically, but mentally and spiritually. We're constantly "on," constantly available, constantly busy. And paradoxically, the more we do, the less we seem to accomplish. The busier our schedules, the emptier we feel.

Ma offers an antidote. Not by adding another method, another productivity hack, another app. But by reminding us of the power of what is n't there. By making room—literally and figuratively—for silence, for pause, for emptiness that isn't empty but full of meaning.

Mom as a lifestyle: the power of slowing down

We tend to fill silences and pauses: with words, sounds, activity, or scrolling. But if you delve into Ma, you'll find that it's often those small pauses that give meaning to what's happening.

Breathing space: the most direct form of Ma

One of the most accessible ways to experience Ma is through your breath. In many Japanese (and other Eastern) traditions, the pause between exhalation and inhalation is considered an essential moment. A breathing pause where nothing is necessary and everything seems to stand still for a moment. Try it: breathe in... breathe out... and then wait. It's right there, in that interlude before a new inhalation begins, that's where it happens. That's where you find peace.

This pause isn't an emptiness, but a fullness. It's the moment your body integrates, when tension can release, when you simply be instead of doing .

Transitional Moments: Gates to Consciousness

We often rush from one thing to the next: from a phone call to an email, from work to cooking, from inside to outside. But what happens if you take a few conscious breaths before starting the next task? Or if you slow down for a moment before entering a room? These transitional moments are small gateways to peace and awareness. You don't have to do anything to create them, just notice them and allow them to happen.

In Japanese architecture, these transitions are physically formed: the genkan (entrance) where you remove your shoes and symbolically leave the outside world behind, the engawa (veranda) as a space between inside and outside. These liminal spaces compel you to slow down, to consciously transition from one state to another.

Rituals: space between actions

Ma plays a significant role in the Japanese tea ceremony. Everything is done with attention: the pouring, the serving, the waiting. Because there's space between the actions, every movement takes on meaning. The pause between serving the tea and the moment someone takes the first sip is perhaps just as important as the flavor of the tea itself.

These kinds of rituals invite presence, slowing down, and appreciating the present moment. And you can create them in your own life too: consciously hanging a new piece of art, the monthly moment when you receive and give a new print a place, pausing to reflect on an object before placing it. It's not about the object itself, but about the space around it—the attention, the intention, the pause.

From life philosophy to interior: Ma in je huis

If Ma is such a powerful principle in your daily life, why not apply it to the spaces you live in? After all, your interior is the physical expression of your approach to life. A full house reflects a full mind. A breathing house creates breathing space in your head.

Just as you can create transitional moments in your day, you can also design visual transitions in your home. Places where the eye can rest. Walls that don't scream for attention, but instead invite silence.

Negative space: from art to wall

In visual arts, we know the concept of "negative space"—the empty space around and between the subject of a composition. This negative space isn't passive; it actively defines the form, creates balance, and provides a restful eye. Think of the white background around a minimalist logo, or the open spaces in an abstract painting.

The same principle applies to your interior. A wall doesn't have to be completely filled to be valuable. In fact, a breathing wall —with carefully selected art and plenty of empty space around it—creates more impact than a cluttered gallery wall. The emptiness gives meaning to what's there.

Geometric, abstract art lends itself perfectly to this principle. The clean lines, the balance between form and emptiness, the deliberate composition—they are all visual expressions of Ma. A single geometric artwork on an otherwise empty wall isn't wasted; it's elevated . It's given space to breathe, and gives that space back to you.

How do you create Ma in your interior?

Applying Ma in your home requires a shift in mindset: from "What can I put here?" to "What really needs space to breathe?" Here are some concrete ways to embrace Ma:

1. Choose quality over quantity

Instead of five small prints, choose one statement piece that has the space to speak for itself. Leave at least 20-30 cm of empty wall space around your artwork for optimal Ma. This isn't wasted space—it's the space that allows the artwork to breathe and your gaze to rest.

2. Create visual resting points

Not every wall needs to be filled. An empty wall next to a filled one creates contrast and gives your eye a place to rest—just as a lull in conversation creates space for reflection. This makes the space feel larger, calmer, and more mindful.

3. Work with earthy, neutral colors

Soft hues like beige, terracotta, sand, and warm gray enhance the sense of space and tranquility. They don't draw too much attention and allow the negative space to do its work. They are like the silence between words: unobtrusive, yet essential. Collections like Antra or Ombre use these soothing color palettes that support Ma. Works like Dawn , Olive , or Pale Divide embody this philosophy with their soft gradients and earthy tones.

4. Avoid visual noise

Too many different styles, colors, and objects create visual clutter—the equivalent of a full head. Choose a cohesive color palette and a consistent style—for example, geometric abstraction—to create unity and tranquility. Less stimulation means more space to be.

5. Think in 'zones of silence'

Consciously create spaces in your home where nothing happens. An empty corner, a bare shelf, an open wall. These zones of silence are just as important as the zones of activity. They are the visual equivalent of the pause between breaths: essential, refreshing, meaningful.

6. Honor the transitions

Just as you can consciously cross a threshold, you can also create visual thresholds in your home. The hallway between two rooms doesn't have to be cluttered. A blank wall in a transitional space is an invitation to slow down for a moment, to consciously move from one space to the next.

The role of art: less is more

Art plays a crucial role in creating Ma—but only in the right way. A work of art that respects and expresses Ma:

• It even has negative space —think abstract compositions with open planes and geometric shapes that offer breathing space. The artwork itself is an exercise in Ma.
• It takes up physical space – it doesn't hang in a cluster, but stands alone or in a carefully balanced composition. The wall around it isn't a void, but a frame.
• It invites contemplation —it's not flashy or overpowering, but subtle and timeless. It calls for a pause, a moment of silence.
• Amplifies silence – instead of filling the space, it emphasizes the emptiness around it. It makes you aware of what isn't there.
• Reflects intentionality – each artwork is a conscious choice, not an impulse purchase. It's not there to fill a void, but to create meaning.

Geometric abstraction is perfectly suited to Ma-inspired interiors. The clean lines, the balance, the deliberate composition—they are visual echoes of the Ma principle itself. A single abstract print in earthy tones on an otherwise bare wall creates a powerful statement of tranquility and intentionality. It is art that doesn't shout, but whispers. And that's precisely why it is heard.

Mom as an antidote to a crowded world

Slowing down doesn't mean you have to do everything more slowly. It means looking at time and space with a different perspective. You step out of the automatic flow and bring your attention to the space in between. This doesn't have to be anything grand or drastic. It involves:

• A conscious pause for breath before speaking
• Pause for a moment before entering a room
• Allow an empty moment in your calendar to exist without filling it up
• Let an empty wall exist without filling it up
• Giving one work of art space, instead of clustering five
• Doing nothing at any time when you're waiting for something (instead of picking up your phone)

Ma reminds you that life isn't just about the action, but rather about the space in between. Where nothing is required and where something is allowed to happen. In that meaningful in-between space, you can find yourself, in the midst of a world that keeps turning.

And that same philosophy applies to your interior. In a culture that constantly urges us to do more, have more, hang more, Ma offers an antidote: the power of less . The power of pause. The power of emptiness that isn't empty, but full of meaning.

Start small, feel the difference

You don't have to completely overhaul your house to experience Ma. Start small. Choose one wall in your home. Remove everything. Hang one piece of art that resonates with you—a work that already exudes Ma, with balance, with tranquility, with conscious composition. Leave the rest empty. Not because you don't know what you want to hang there yet, but because that emptiness belongs there. Because that space gives the artwork meaning. Because that silence brings you peace.

Feel the difference. Notice how your gaze no longer has to search, but can rest. How the space feels larger, breathes more calmly. How a single, intentionally chosen work has more impact than a whole wall full of impulses.

That's Ma. That's the art of negative space. That's the philosophy of meaningful emptiness, translated into your daily life and your daily surroundings. And that's perhaps the most valuable space you can create—literally and figuratively.

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Want to delve deeper into the concept of Ma? Author and yin yoga teacher Miriam Evers wrote "The Japanese Wisdom of Ma ," an inspiring book about the power of meaningful interstices in daily life.

Want to be inspired monthly by art that embraces Ma? Discover Print Club – a carefully selected print delivered to your door each month. Not impulse, but intention. Not filler, but meaning. A monthly ritual of slowing down and beauty, just for you.