Let's face it, it's been a wild ride the last couple of years and while we all may be sick of the inside of our houses, it helps to make it a welcoming refuge from the outside world.
Making your home an oasis of a relaxed atmosphere can work wonders for your wellbeing and ensure that you have a calming environment to come down from a busy day, process your life in peace, and get the rest and rejuvenation you need to get back out there again.
Studies have shown that there are a number of health benefits related to relaxing. From lowering our blood pressure to improving digestion, helping us to sleep sounder, and even cutting down on chronic pain - learning to relax is one of the most important things you can do for your long-term health. And where better to learn to relax than in your very own house!
SHOP SOZY
With life picking up pace again, it's easy for our homes to become a place of stress and mess. If it's chaotic and disorganized, your space can quickly turn into a place of dread. We say don't get overwhelmed, but instead, take a look at our top tips for interior tranquillity.
Turning your house into a calm haven doesn't need to drain your bank account or become a whole interior decorating project. Just a few simple changes and mindful tweaks can help you recreate a relaxing environment that nurtures and instantly soothes. Take a look at these design tips on how to make your home a relaxing space for your body, mind, and soul.
Declutter the Junk
We aren't talking about a huge Marie Kondo decluttering sesh (unless you have the energy). But even just a weekly sort out of all your strewn about stuff can bring a bounty of health benefits.
Clutter is full of distractions and it can create an unfinished feeling within that makes it tricky for you to get tranquil. Throw out the junk mail, stack the dishes, clear out the recycling, and organize those shelves because baby, a clutter-free home is full of harmony.
Get Good Storage
One of the easiest ways of cutting through the clutter and junk? Good storage. Extra comfort points if you choose storage in natural elements such as wicker baskets or ottomans that you can throw a beautiful cozy blanket over. It's also a super cute decorating idea to up that cozy home feel by having a trunk or basket of blankets placed next to the sofa for when you feel extra snuggly.
Welcome Calming Scents
A simple and low investment tip for making your home a haven is to create a relaxing environment through aromatherapy. We all have our own signature scent blend that makes us happy - perhaps you adore the instant pick-me-up of citrus fruits or maybe lavender softens you or simmering spices makes you feel relaxed and cozy.
There are so many incredible scented candles out there and it always feels like a self-care move to invest in a few. If candles aren't your bag, then look to essential oils and incense instead.
Nature's Healing Hand
There has been so much research into the healing benefits of having plants in the home that it's no wonder cultivating inner gardens became such a lockdown trend.
We aren't over it yet! We say yes to having mini jungles and gardens in the home. Bringing plants into your space is not only awesome for your mental health (thanks mother nature) but they have a wide range of superpowers including oxygenating the air and having a naturally calming effect too.
Herbs like lavender, rosemary, and basil bring soothing scents and a simple snake plant brings a pop of green and adds to that tranquil garden of Eden like atmosphere.
Add Fresh Flowers
You know that feeling when you walk into a hotel room and there's a freshly cut vase of flowers and it fills you full of pleasure? You can welcome that into your own home.
Having flowers in your space is a hallmark of a relaxing atmosphere and is a short and simple way of weaving in pops of bright colors, a gorgeous aroma, and a garden-like vibe that can change the mood of an entire room in an instant. Just like plants, flowers add to the greenery, look gorgeous, and make us feel good.
Let There Be Light
If you want to create a peaceful space you should look for ways to embrace all the natural light that you can. Vitamin D is an essential element and if you can't get out in the sunlight enough, you can find ways to let it in.
Of course, you can't put more windows in your home but do make the most of the ones you have. Push aside drapes, roll up the blinds, clean your panes so the sun filters through and place mirrors on walls so the light bounces back.
Pick Natural Textures
Another way of welcoming more nature into your space is to select natural textiles and textures into your home. Not only do natural textures look lush, but they help to ground us as they are full of earthly elements. Whether it is driftwood pieces, bamboo, woven rugs, soft wool, and woven furniture - these textures all add depth and cozy warmth to your home.
Neutral Moods
If you are going to consider color when it comes to a certain room, there's something to be said about welcoming in the wonder of neutral shades. That doesn't mean you have to strip back all color, but by having a neutral base color you can then start to weave in and layer over with calming shades.
Learn about how color affects mood and choose earthy palates for the base as they can center us and make space for quiet moments. You can also introduce hues of blue for calming and warming reds for a soft glow.
Create a Wellness Space
Want to create the ultimate relaxing home? Make room for wellness spaces throughout. This could be as simple as making your tub a serene sanctuary for your next hot bath with some well-placed candles and plants. You could create a cosy corner with throw pillows, books, and crystals for some feel-good vibes or if you truly have the space - keep a room soft and silent for meditation.
Don't Stick to a Single Room
It can be tempting to focus on one single space in the home and make this into a cozy focal point while skipping out on the rest. Don't do it. Spread your efforts. If you don't put good energy into every room, you risk being sapped every time you enter.
Not only do you want a relaxing living room but you want to be able to leave that and head into a relaxing bedroom, to bathe in a relaxing bathroom, and to cook in a relaxing kitchen. It's the whole picture that makes for a tranquil atmosphere not just snippets. Welcome small changes to your home inspiration and pay attention to the details throughout your home.
Organize your Kitchen
Kitchen's are often a place of chaos and color and overwhelming busyness. But, you can make it a calming oasis with just a little light organization.
We say create areas for different activities.
Have a prep area with all you need to chop and dice close by, have a spice area where all your seasonings are in one place and have a coffee space where you can make a mindful cup in the morning without starting your day rattling around.
If you have the time and energy, invest some of it into clearing out and organizing your cupboards too. Honestly, it will be such a subconscious weight off your mind not to have to empty whole pantries to find tinned tomatoes.
Finally, keep your kitchen table clear of junk and clutter. In Feng Shui, this is the epicenter of your home and it should be clear and open not crowded.
Think About Sound
When arousing all the senses and creating harmony, you shouldn't overlook sound for its sense of relaxation. Whether you choose to play soothing music or if you welcome a small water feature into your room, sound can all add to the ambience of creating a feel safe space.
This is particularly true if you live in a place surrounded by busy streets. City noise can filter through and it can be tricky to relax against a backdrop of cars and voices. By using soothing sound to drown out the outside noise, you can move back from the fast-paced energy and into a sense of calm.
Play Around with Feng Shui
The art of Feng Shui has long been bringing a calming feel to spaces around the world. This ancient Chinese discipline works on the principle that the placement of furniture and the layout of a room can create negative energy or a positive ambience.
This can be as simple as not having your bed face the bedroom door as it is too energizing when you are trying to rest. Keeping your cooker clean because it is a symbol of abundance. Keeping your entry point clutter-free so you don't get overwhelmed when you walk in the door. And throwing out broken furniture because who needs that energy in their life.
Make Your Bed Beautiful
In the interest of upping your tranquillity and promoting rest, you should put some effort into making your bed a heavenly haven. No more polyester sweats and crumpled sheets. If you can, invest in some good sheets with a high thread count, get some supportive luxury pillows, and make the bed every day so that your room feels warm and welcoming for nighttime rest.
Think About Technology
OK, it's the 21st century and practically impossible to clear all of the technology out of our homes. But the truth is that tech can sometimes be a big distraction, an energy sapper, and as we are ever infused with news and updated feeds and social stimulation, it doesn't exactly lend itself well to a relaxing ambiance.
It could be time to compromise. Instead of cutting tech out, just create a dedicated space for it or bring in a few home rules. For example, you could say no phones or tablets in the bedroom or you could create a dedicated space for playing video games and scrolling. This can be a good way of keeping tech contained and not letting it spill over into every avenue of your home life.
Memory Walls
Joy and comfort can dine at the same table in our heads so focusing on one can spark the other. Consider this when choosing art and images for your interior house walls. A good tip is to hang pictures and photos that remind you of good times. Whether it's places or people, family or friends, use imagery that infuse you with happy memories to keep the serotonin tap flowing.
Make a Sitting Area Space
If you don't have a lot of different rooms or spaces, you should still try and create a separate space of tranquillity away from your bed. It can be tempting to use our beds as a go-to for reading and watching TV, but a separate space can keep us in a different phase of relaxation rather than being up and awake or in bed. Even just a comfy chair and lamp will do the job.
If you have space to place a small table next to it for your cup of tea and your book then even better. Don't forget to have a blanket on hand for comfortable and cozy snuggle ups. You can even use this space for area rugs. Placing a rug beneath your table and chair can create a textured separation from the rest of the room.
Which techniques do you use for making your surroundings sweet and serene? Share all your tips and ways to create harmony in your own homes with our VIP Sozy community.
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