After the stresses of the day, there's nothing better than retiring to your chill zone for calm relaxation. However, for many of us, our homes are hardly what you'd call "relaxing". This can all change though, through the power of design. All it takes is a little bit of know-how.
Here are our key pointers for designing a tranquil space within the home.
Color
It'll come as no surprise that color influences how stressful or relaxing a room is. Different colors have different effects on our mood, and that’s especially true in interiors. Bright colors are energizing, and muted colors are calming. Color is one of the easiest tools for manipulating mood within a space.
To maximize the calming effect of a room, it’s a good idea to use lots of shades of cream and off-white. And you could use pastel and pale colors to add variety. Monochromatic (using one color) schemes have an especially calming effect. Combine these colors with the green hues of plants and the effects are multiplied.
De-Clutter
Though many of us seek comfort in small keepsakes, trinkets, and tchotchkes, it’s all too easy to get carried away. Cluttered spaces can stress us out so it’s best to limit yourself to the necessities. If you’re worried this'll make your space feel dull, remember you can still add little touches of comfort, just don’t go overboard.
Once you’ve decluttered, turn your attention to organization. When everything has a place, there are fewer things to worry about. According to Melanie Charlton Fowler, owner of Closs-ette, a professional organizing company, “When clutter is tempered, styled, organized, or decorated there becomes a flow.”
Lighting
Good lighting is the cornerstone of a well-designed room. Natural light makes a space glow and adds a sense of serenity that’s extremely hard to imitate. If you’re lacking natural light, try using a nice warm lampshade or bulb to create some mood lighting - dimmers can help too.
Smells
When you’re creating a relaxing space, it goes deeper than just sight. You should be thinking about all your senses, including smell. Get yourself scented candles or a lavender diffuser and use that to spread calming, tranquil aromas around the room. Make a ritual out of lighting it/turning it on and your brain will begin to associate it with winding down.
Less is more
Chances are, there’s plenty of things lying around that you rarely use or need. All of these things crowd out your brain space and exercise subtle stress on your thinking. Ask yourself: Do you really need all those tidbits? Is that chair serving a purpose other than holding clothes? Go through your things and ask whether you need them handy or if there’s a better place to store them.
Cleanliness is next to…
Dirt, dust, and grime is a sure way to create a stressful environment. So, before you do anything else, bust out the vacuum, the mop, and some wipes, and get cleaning. A good deep clean is a good way of bonding you to the space, showing respect to the room by investing time and elbow grease into it.
Art
Be mindful when you choose what artworks to display in your room. Choose pictures that create calming effects and have connotations of peacefulness. These could be scenes of beaches, sunsets, and clean natural scenes, or places and moments that are particularly special to you. Ensure that when hanging, you do so correctly. Our article can help here.
We hope you've enjoyed these tips and have felt inspired to give your home a breath of tranquility. Happy relaxing!
