Creating a Warm, Relaxing Environment in Your Home

Nowadays, life seems crazy. You have so many responsibilities: deadlines you must meet, activities you must plan, and relationships you must nurture. When your day is finally over, you deserve a chance to relax, but for some of us, this is easier said than done, especially if your living space makes it more difficult for you to do so. If this is an issue that you struggle with, then here are some easy tips to help you create a more relaxing living space.

If You’re Mess-Free, You’re Stress-Free

The first step in creating a relaxing space is removing any stressors that might be present in the environment, this includes any unnecessary clutter. The best way to maintain an organized environment is to make sure that every item has a designated home. Consider investing in some sort of storage for your space–something stylish that blends in with the style of the rest of the room. Once the clutter is taken care of, take a moment to do a ten-second-tidy, just a quick sweep of your floors or dust off your surfaces. Dedicating a small amount of time each day to doing different cleaning tasks can help keep your space feeling fresh and mess-free.

Beginning With The Basics

If your goal is relaxation, then it’s important that you keep your space from becoming too overwhelming. To do this, try to stick to one color palette. Using neutral colors can help to create a sense of calm, and neutrals go with just about anything.

Consider adding some classic comfort elements to your design. Decorate your couches with soft, knit throw blankets and fancy throw pillows. Use a big, plush rug to tie the room together. Invest in poufs so you can put your feet up after a long day. Find ways to weave comfort into each of your design choices.

Above all else, your space should be a reflection of you. Filling it with the things that you love is the most effective way to make it feel comforting. That being said, keep your decor from becoming too overwhelming by limiting the quantity of everything you bring in. For instance, if you love books, consider adding a few of your most treasured titles as accents in your decorating instead of lining your walls floor-to-ceiling with books. This will keep your space feeling lighter and more breathable.

Adding Natural Elements To Your Home

Studies have been done on biophilic design–which is the practice of integrating natural elements into the modern home in an attempt to reconnect with nature–and its effects on mental health. Biophilic design is said to lower stress levels, raise your serotonin levels, and help improve your overall mental well-being. The most obvious way to implement this style into your own home is to start adding more plant life, but the design concept is not just limited to succulents and climbing ivy.

Another easy way to incorporate biophilic design into your home is to introduce more natural light into your spaces. Consider upgrading your window treatments to a double curtain rod track, that way you can keep your thicker curtains open during the day, with your sheer curtains still giving you a layer of privacy while allowing natural light to flow into your rooms.

You can also achieve a biophilic sense of style by changing up your decor and adding more botanical prints or natural wood furnishings. Consider spreading a mountain, tree, or fern-printed wallpaper onto an accent wall in your living space, adding a pop of color in a fun print that draws the eye and takes you to a different, more serene place. This feeling will be supported if your surroundings include a natural wood coffee table or side tables that have been fashioned by tree stumps. If you’re looking for a bigger project than applying wallpaper and picking out accent tables, then it might be time to ditch your carpet and lay down some natural hardwood floors to usher in a truly biophilic design.

Creating a Living Space

If a natural design isn’t really your forte, don’t fret! There are still plenty of ways to make your space ideal for relaxation. For some people, having a moving element in a space can make it feel more alive and comforting. You can achieve this by adding visual features like a classic fireplace or something more fun and unique like a lava lamp. You could also add a water feature like a mini fountain, or if you’re fine with the extra responsibility, an aquarium. Both of these provided both a visual and audio element that could help soothe you. If you’re looking for something with more function, then consider adding an essential oil diffuser or scented candles, that way your space will be filled with relaxing scents, helping you unwind.