Table of Contents
Begin with a Neutral Palette.
Muted, neutral tones are more visually appealing than brilliant colors. “While I feel that decorating with color can be joyful and lively, I also believe that neutral spaces foster the calmest, sanctuary-like sensations,” says Karin Bohn, founder and creative director of the House of Bohn. Use plenty of texture to create interest when decorating with white or light-toned neutrals (such as cream, off-white, or taupe). Because flat white walls and smooth white furnishings can quickly become boring, layer in a range of textiles and subtle patterns. To avoid white from being too sterile, add warm colors like gold, mild tan, or faded yellow.
Make a Colorful Cluster
Add a few brightly colored accessories, such as pillows or rugs, for a punch of brightness and positivity, advise Meghan Hackett-Cassidy and Erin Hackett of Hackett Interiors. Pottery in a favorite hue, brilliant artwork, a jewel-tone vase, and other brightly colored items can help draw attention and focus the mind. Make the most of your favorite accessories by grouping them to form a focal point. That way, every time you pass by, you can enjoy the things’ combined joy. Choose a location that you will see every day, such as a fireplace mantel or entryway console table.
Increase the Appeal of a Fireplace
A fireplace does not need to be lit to create a cozy ambiance. Pay close attention to the entire hearth to maximize its soothing appeal. To create a comfortable setting, add ornamental touches to the walls and floor in front of a fireplace. When not in use, adorn the firebox with a decorative screen, birch branch cluster, or pillar candle arrangement. Otherwise, the dark, space can detract from the soothing impact of the area.
Candles to keep you warm
Candles’ mellow glow adds a sense of calm to any place, so use them liberally throughout your home. “I prefer to light candles in the kitchen and living room in the morning and leave them burning till nightfall,” says Jade Joyner, co-founder, lead designer, and chief creative officer of Metal + Petal. “It offers a relaxing atmosphere while adding a touch of luxury to my day.”Keep a large supply of candles (tapers, pillars, or votives) and several favorite candleholders on hand so you have plenty when you need them. Just remember to blow them out when you leave the house or go to bed.
Utilize Light
In each room, use a variety of lighting types (including natural, ambient, and task lighting). “Having a bright, well-lit room is an easy approach to make a place feel more inviting and put together,” explains Sara Barney, co-founder and main designer of BANDD DESIGN. “Think about adding some sconces, a floor lamp, a desk lamp, or pendants to bring extra light into your home’s darkest places.”
During the day, take advantage of natural light by opening the blinds and basking in the sunlight. Then, with bulbs that emit a gentle, warm light, design an evening lighting plan that is as inviting as nature’s rays.
Smell the air
A pleasant aroma is one of the quickest ways to relax and feel better. Darla Bankston May, an interior designer, suggests burning your favorite scented candles and adding fresh, fragrant flowers in the spaces you use the most. Alternatively, use an essential oil diffuser to infuse the area with your smell blend. “Eucalyptus, geranium, and chamomile are some of my favorites, and they add a calming, spa-like quality to any room,” says Caitlin Murray, the creator and creative director of Black Lacquer Design.
Showcase Family Photographs
Framed images can transport you to pleasant places, such as a trip to the beach or a stunning family wedding. “Surrounding yourself with joyful memories and the faces you love may be a terrific way to give a little warmth to your room,” says Abbe Fenimore, an interior designer. Keep photos of loved ones in your line of sight at all times, or preserve them in conveniently accessible albums or boxes.
Bring the Outside In
A bouquet, a branch arrangement, or a few houseplants may all provide a breath of fresh air to a room. “It can be as simple as collecting a handful of branches from a tree in your backyard and arranging them in a vase,” designer Linda Eyles adds. Eyles suggests filling a broad, shallow bowl partly with water and floating some of your favorite blossoms on the surface for an easy, spa-inspired centerpiece. Choose dried flowers or robust houseplants instead of fresh flowers if you’re concerned about faded petals and neglected plants, and save fresh flowers for special occasions.
Highlight a Natural Perspective
If you have a beautiful view from your windows, make the most of it with clever window treatments. Layering treatments allow you to create a look that is appropriate for the occasion. Shades, for example, can be lowered to provide privacy or raised to enhance the view. A valance over the shade keeps the windows from looking too stark, and curtains down the edges soften the look.
Textiles are used to soften.
To give your design a calming look and feel, layer on soft textiles like cable knits, velvet, and suede. Drapes that pool on the floor, loose-fitting slipcovers, and an abundance of cushions all contribute to a relaxed atmosphere in a space. Furthermore, these accents are simple (and quite affordable) to replace on the go. “Rugs, throw pillows, and blankets wear out over time, so making a concerted effort to replace them all at once helps a space appear polished and coherent, delivering signals of satisfaction to the brain,” Murray explains. Choose a range of shapes and sizes for your pillows and rotate them regularly.
Simple Changes to Redo a Room
Sometimes simple repetition produces tension, and all a space needs is a fast refresh to maximize its comfort level. By changing the design of a room with the seasons, you may keep the approach simple yet fresh. To make a room more hospitable, dress up chairs with slipcovers, rearrange furniture, or add seasonal decor.
Soak Stress Away
Make your bathroom serve both functional and pampering purposes. Create a spa-like environment with modest additions such as a stack of fluffy towels or a few candles, then use the space to soak away stress with a bath.” Clear out the kids’ toys, grab your favorite book, and reclaim the bathroom for a few minutes. Warm colors, gentle lighting, and calming music can all enhance the atmosphere.
Make Your Bedroom Relaxing
Make your bedroom a refuge to improve your sleep quality (and the quality of your waking hours). “There is nothing more soothing after a long day than slipping into crisp, clean, high thread count sheets,” Lester adds. “Invest in a set and you’ll feel like you’re lounging at your favorite luxury hotel every evening.” Keep only the necessities within reach and view to extend the relaxing impact beyond your bed. Decorate your walls in colors that make you happy, and only hang artwork that makes you happy. Cover the floor with rugs or carpeting that is comfortable for bare feet.
Organize the Chaos
Because chaos produces anxiety, consider becoming organized as preparing for peace to arrive. “I’m a firm believer that a space with a lot of knickknacks, or simply disorder, causes visual tension and bodily stress,” explains Bohn. If your environment is cluttered, begin the route to the organization by focusing on a specific spot, such as the entrance to your home. Begin by enlisting the help of everyone in the household to clean the clutter from the entryway. When you’ve finished clearing up one room, move on to the next. “Add a large basket in the corner for throw blankets or toys to organize your living area,” Fenimore says. “Not only will it be enjoyable to control the clutter, but it will also be beneficial.”
Create a Safe Zone
Bankston May recommends designating a space in your home where relaxing is the primary function. It can be tailored to your preferred calming pastime, such as reading, listening to music, or meditating. “Move a comfortable chair to a position in your home with natural light or a view you enjoy,” she suggests. Use a folding screen to block out undesired sights and reroute foot traffic away from the area to create a barrier between you and the distractions. You don’t need to dedicate a full room; simply choose a location away from the main flow of home activity. “All you need is a comfy chair, a floor lamp, and a teacup side table.”
