6 Ways to Make Your Home a Calming Sanctuary
Escape from the stresses of work and life by creating a serene and relaxing atmosphere at home.
- Conquer the clutter
Mess and disorder generally create a negative feeling. Coming home to chaos after a busy day at work, school runs and other daily routines only adds to the stress. De -cluttering is a tonic in itself. Storage is key to helping keep everything in its place but don’t be afraid to cast out items that are just gathering dust, pass them onto friends or take them to your local charity shop. There is a lot of truth in the line ‘tidy house, tidy mind’
- Colour
Neutral, lighter tones are proven to be more calming. There is a softness that emulates from a muted tone but don’t be afraid to add positive splashes of colour, particularly if there is a shade or tone that makes you feel happy. Different rooms have different purposes so choose your colours to match the room.
- The Power of Nature
You can’t underestimate the positive power of plants in the home. Keep things simple with low maintenance house plants but make sure you have a green space inside, particularly throughout the winter.
- Strike a balance
The ancient Chinese tradition of Feng Shui focuses on the balance of opposing yet connecting forces – Ying and Yang. The art form embodies a number of aspects from creating symmetry in a room space, to contrasting light and dark spaces with intention of creating harmony in your home. It’s worth experimenting with room changes to see what works for you.
- Natural Light
Natural light is said to boost productivity and improve mood, more so than an artificially lit environment. For those who live in homes that don’t have as much natural light there are ways you can improve the general light with clever positioning of mirrors and incorporating reflective surfaces and lighter wall colours.
- Natural Textures
This goes back to the positive effect of nature. By adding texture and natural materials into your home you create that connection. The natural grain of wood, the tactile feel of jute all add to a tranquil environment. Natural materials seem to breath and have their own character which gives a sense of peace. It’s also a positive feeling knowing that your home interior is made up of eco-friendly materials.