For Emilia Lonka, idleness and its cultivation at home is a counter-response to the relentless demands for efficiency in modern times. The essence of humanity has been buried under the pressure to perform.

Many dismiss relaxation and slowness as mere laziness, even though everyone needs an appropriate amount of unhurried existence.

When it comes to homes, discussions often centre on maximising efficient use of space and incorporating the most functional gadgets. This focus has made everything so fast and efficient that the sense of meaning found in everyday actions has been lost.

"When everything is designed to be as quick and efficient as possible, it leads to passivity and a sense of meaninglessness. So much can be done with just pressing a button nowadays," Lonka explains.

Lonka explored the concept of idleness in spaces in her master's thesis and sought to apply these ideas in her home. While idleness involves a slower way of being and letting go of goal-oriented tasks, the aim is not just to lie around.

"Idleness is a slow mode of being and a state that neither aims for nor produces anything. It can be cooking or sitting with friends – any moment you are genuinely present."

Lonka enjoys being idle at home by lounging on the sofa. She gazes out of the window at the trees and sky and studies the ceiling of her home, its corners and arches, the artworks, and other details. In the mornings, she drinks her coffee at the table, free from digital distractions.

Idleness also embraces boredom, which Lonka sees as vital for creativity and wellbeing.

Allowing yourself time without immediate purpose and permitting boredom frees mental space for new ideas and allows the mind to reorganise. Idleness fuels inspiration and creativity.

Lonka's message is reassuring: a home is more than just a place to perform tasks. It is a space to simply exist, breathe, and give yourself permission to pause. Idleness is not laziness but a deliberate practice of self-care and wellbeing.

Next, Lonka offers three tips on how anyone can embrace idleness at home and in interior design and enhance their own well-being.