I Redecorated My Entire Home After Trying the “Intention Tray’ Method

Embracing wellness is a lifelong mission that many believe starts and ends with yourself. But what if our homes could help make those healthier choices even easier for us? That’s how I came to understand that the spaces around us can make a big difference in intentional living — especially in avoiding bad habits that I didn’t even know were being influenced subconsciously.

To put it into context: You know when you’re driving and then suddenly you’re home, not remembering any of the journey? Anita Yokota, a licensed therapist turned interior designer and former Apartment Therapy community forum guest, calls this state of being “highway hypnosis.” It’s when you’re doing one thing, but your brain drifts off elsewhere.

That same phenomenon can happen inside your home, when you mindlessly float from room to room. So what’s Yokota’s secret to combating this? She recommends creating an “intention tray” by filling it with items that serve as a visual reminder of the goals or desires you’re trying to achieve in your home or a given room. 

“Intention requires that we be in our bodies and focus our minds in order for it to work,” Yokota writes in her self-titled blog post. And during a “Design Dilemmas” Q&A on Apartment Therapy’s community forum, Yokota mentioned an intention tray as a surefire way to create better habits, and ensure a happier, calmer home. “Something physical in our environment reminds us to honor our practice,” she writes. “Something beautiful in the ceremony of that practice invites us to honor ourselves within the ritual.” 

Research suggests intentions may boost your likelihood of completing a task to 91% — more than twice the success rate of those who try to pursue a goal without this approach. I’m all for home wellness and being more intentional, so I decided to give an “intention tray” a try. A bonus is that these trays are extremely fun to decorate and play around with.

The first rule of intention trays? It’s that there are no hard-and-fast rules. I personally used a wooden cutting board instead of a traditional tray, which proves that pretty much anything goes! While Yokota does recommend placing your tray somewhere visible (I chose my bedside table), you are free to customize and switch up your intention tray however you see fit. 

As far as what to put on your tray, well, that’s also up to you. The act of setting an intention can be as simple as placing a quote that resonates with you on your tray. Whether you change things every month or keep the same intention going for longer, it’s your decision. Obviously, you want the items to be meaningful and inspire mindful activity, but aesthetics can play a part, too, if you want them to. 

I didn’t want to overcrowd my cutting board-turned-tray — especially because I was placing mine bedside. So I zeroed in on four items, and gave them each a little breathing room when arranging them on the tray. I finished off the area with a small fresh flower arrangement and a few photos.

I’m the type of person who buys a new journal for everything, but can never actually get through one. Although I love to write and do it professionally, ironically it’s hard for me to write just for pleasure! With simple prompts, this journal is the perfect amount of low-effort commitment to ease me into a regular writing routine that’s for me.

A little bird (aka all of my friends) once told me that saying something positive aloud helps improve your mood and can manifest it into reality. These affirmation cards are cheerful and just the right amount of inspiring, which is the only way I can get into a wellness routine.

I love a good calming scent, and this Saje peppermint roller does the trick of helping me wind down in the evenings. Peppermint oil is known for combating headaches, which makes it a great choice for a bedside aid.

This was inspired by a wish-list item: Rachel Saunders’ ceramic “phone home,” a dedicated enclosed space to place your phone. The purpose of this is to encourage healthier habits around tech. If there’s one habit I’d love to kick the most, it’s the fact that I spend way too much time on my phone. I’m using a soft jewelry case to hide my phone, but really anything can work to keep it covered up. Out of sight, out of mind!

Since installing my intention tray, I’ve found myself slowing down and being more mindful of how I spend my time. I’ve started journaling more and even noticed a drop in my screen time. The idea is that when I lounge in bed (both at night and in the morning), I don’t just reach for my phone because I have other activities nearby.

And the things I’ve chosen are great for starting the day or unwinding at the end of it. Plus, I love the way the setup looks. I’m looking forward to seeing how my intentions evolve and plan to capture each version of my tray with photos so I can keep track of its evolution. If you want to add more meaning to your home, the intention tray method may resonate with you. I’d even think about using it in every room of the house — especially if there’s a special activity or purpose you want to commit to in a certain area.