I Tried the “Intention Tray” Decorating Method, and Now I’m Going to Use It in Every Room

published Sep 1, 2024
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They say old habits die hard — but with the right mindset, change is possible. Breaking out of routines like late-night snacking, not going to bed early enough, or mindlessly scrolling can be tough, but it’s totally doable. A lot of the time, you just go through the motions without even noticing because these habits are so ingrained.

To put it into context: You know when you’re driving and suddenly you’re home, not remembering any of the journey? Anita Yokota, a licensed therapist turned interior designer and recent 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.

The same feeling of hypnosis can also be applied to your home, when you mindlessly go through routines. 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 mentions in a recent blog post. And during her recent “Design Dilemmas” Q&A on Apartment Therapy’s community forum, Yokota mentioned an intention tray as a surefire way to create better habits, resulting in 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.” 

Turns out Yokota’s onto something. Research shows intentions can 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.

Credit: Daniela Araya

How to Try an Intention Tray at Home

The first rule of decorating with an intention tray is that there are no hard-and-fast rules. I personally used a wooden cutting board instead of a traditional tray, proving 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 or a magazine cutout of somewhere you aspire to be. 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. 

Credit: Daniela Araya

What I Included in My Intention Tray

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, giving them each a little breathing room when placing them on the tray. I finished off the area with a small fresh flower arrangement and a few photos.

The Five-Minute Journal 

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.

Affirmation Cards 

A little bird (aka all of my friends) once told me 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.

Peppermint Roller Scent

I love a good calming scent, and this peppermint roller from Saje does the trick of helping me wind down in the evenings. Peppermint oil is known for treating stress and headaches, making it a great choice for a bedside treat.

Phone Sack

This was inspired by a wish-list item: Rachel Saunders’s 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!

The Results of My Intention Tray

Since setting up 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, especially at night but also in the morning, I don’t just reach for my phone but 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.

Love these expert tips? Stick around for our next installment of design advice with Hilton Carter on September 10 at 3 p.m. ET in the community forum.