Do you sometimes feel like going to work because it helps you relax? It may be that your home is causing more stress and mental discomfort than you realize.
Your home is a place where you and your family can feel at peace. At least, it’s supposed to be.
The pressures we face in our careers, school or while raising a family can lead increased stress levels. It’s important to have a place you can go to truly unwind and feel at ease. It’s best if this place is your house.
Not only does a peaceful home help deflate the stress of external, everyday life, but also helps your house operate smoothly. If everyone is more relaxed, life at home is much more pleasurable.
If you want to add a little Zen to your home, you can do this with some simple design changes.
Let’s look at 10 of the best.
1. Declutter Your Home and Mind
Clutter has a number of negative side-effects on your mental state. It causes unnecessary stress and has an impact on the way your home operates.
Besides making cleaning a much more intimidating process, clutter makes it very easy to lose things. If you’re overwhelmed and constantly losing things, it may be time to get organized.
Make a list of everything you can afford to get rid of, then purge. After you’ve either thrown away or stored everything you don’t need, organize the remaining items in order to clear your mind.
2. Simple Furniture
Your furniture accounts for a lot of space in your home. If it’s bulky, outdated, or you just don’t like it anymore, consider upgrading to something more natural.
Choose furniture that’s simple and minimal in design. Natural, earthy tones also help achieve a peaceful home. You can also opt for furniture made out of natural materials.
When doing this, it’s important to choose pieces that don’t take up too much space. Sleek and simple furniture opens up a room and creates space.
3. Add Some Plant Life
Bringing natural elements into your home is a great way to create a more serene setting. Plants are the best way to do this.
Start with just a few nice plants in major areas like the living room and entryway. Choose pots with neutral or earth tones so you keep the emphasis on the plants. Make sure you get plants suited for indoor living.
Not only will plants help create a calming atmosphere, they can also add fragrance and help oxygenate the air.
4. Storage Solutions
Smart storage solutions help your home look and feel bigger. They also make things easier. When you know exactly where everything is, your home is more functional and less stressful.
If your kitchen is getting out of hand, look into options like lazy Susan’s or even putting in new cabinet space. RTA Depot has a wide range of styles to choose from.
If you have children, you’re probably always battling messy rooms. Look for under-the-bed storage options or consider closet hangers. A clean home is a peaceful home.
5. A Privacy Nook
Creating a calm, quiet area where you and your family can escape is a great way to settle things down in your home. If there’s an area of the house not being used, outfit it with a comfortable chair, a few pillows, and soft blanket.
This could be an area to escape and read, listen to music or just relax. Make sure and include ample, yet soft lighting.
Also, set a rule that this is a “quiet zone,” so nobody gets disturbed.
6. Consider Your Colors
Color affects our brains in a number of ways. Bold and bright colors tend to overwhelm. In addition, patterns have the tendency to stimulate our minds, even when we don’t want them to.
Make it a point to create a color scheme for your home using natural, earth tones. Or, consider soft greys and beige. Theses colors promote a sense of well-being and calmness.
You may decide to paint all your walls with a new, more subtle color. Make sure you match your new walls with your furniture and other design elements. Consistency throughout all rooms helps achieve the more peaceful home you’re looking for.
7. Get the Lighting Right
Lighting is another huge factor that affects mood. Harsh, bright lights throughout your home must go if you want a more calming atmosphere.
First, replace your bulbs with soft light. You should also consider dimmers so you can control the brightness. Try to use different lighting elements such as lamps, track lighting, and candles.
As a rule, try not to illuminate huge areas with overhead lights. Instead, focus on lighting specific areas or objects.
8. Keep Electronics to a Minimum
Technology is an integral part of life today, but it shouldn’t always be. Too many electronics are distracting and totally go against the idea of a peaceful home.
Limit the places in your home you have electronics. You shouldn’t need five televisions. One in the living or entertainment area is enough.
In areas where electronics are essential, make sure no unsightly cords or cables are visible.
9. Add a Sense Of Softness with Rugs
Everyone loves the feel of a rug or carpet under their feet. It induces a sense of comfort and warmth.
Hardwood or tile floors are more stylish, but countering them with soft rugs is a great way to add a relaxing effect. Try adding a soft cotton or wool rug here and there.
When doing this, keep color in mind. You want to stick with your earth tones and make sure to remain in line with your overall color scheme.
10. Minimize Decorations
Wall art is great, but it should be kept to a minimum. That goes for any type of interior design accessories.
You should also consider the type of art you have. Is it pleasing or overwhelming?
Try to only keep the pieces of art or photos that are very special to you. Too many framed photos make a wall look crowded.
Creating Your Peaceful Home
Obviously, you can’t employ all of these ideas at once. Start with the ideas you like the most and go from there.
Remember, your home is always a work in progress. You’ll likely come up with some of your own creative ideas along the way.
For more interesting lifestyle articles, visit our blog!
