For many older single women, housing insecurity can come as an unwelcome surprise. We’ve spent our best decades building a family, caring for loved ones, and holding down a career. The reward is often divorce, job loss, and estrangement. When coupled with scarcity of suitable affordable housing, and cost of living far outstripping earnings or interest from savings, it becomes hard to keep a roof over your head.

You’ve likely encountered spaces that just feel right; the serene balance of a Japanese tea house, the vibrant energy of an Indian courtyard, or the quiet harmony of a Scandinavian retreat. These experiences can linger in your memory, inspiring you to recreate that same sense of flow and purpose in your own living spaces. Whether you’re at home or decorating a private retreat, the practices of Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui offer a way to harmonize energy and bring peace to your surroundings.

Vastu Shastra, often referred to as the Indian science of architecture, is an ancient system that harmonizes human living spaces with the natural world. Rooted in traditional knowledge, it emphasizes the balance of the five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and space—to promote health, prosperity, and well-being. By arranging spaces and objects in accordance with Vastu principles, one can enhance the energy flow within a home and create a more positive environment.

Whether you’re downsizing, starting fresh after a major life change, or simply enjoying the independence of solo living, your home can be a sanctuary of comfort, style, and practicality. Here are some interior design ideas to help you craft a cozy and stylish living space as a solo dweller.

There’s a saying that constraint breeds creativity, and nowhere is that more evident than in the growing tiny house movement. Imagine fitting an entire home onto a single trailer—sounds challenging, right? But a peek inside one of these homes reveals not just how resourceful tiny home builders can be in making the most of limited space, but how they make it look beautiful while they’re at it.