Source: Unsplash | Mike Bowman
Your home should be a calming place where you can retreat to relax and unwind at the end of a busy day. There are many ways to create a relaxing environment at home – from adding a touch of nature with plants and greenery, to creating an organized living space by getting rid of any unused or unwanted items. With this in mind, here are some useful tips to help you turn your home into a sanctuary.
Clear out the clutter
A cluttered space can cause people to feel stressed and uneasy. According to webmd.com, people living in homes with lots of clutter tend to find that “their energy is drained, they can’t find things, and it starts to interfere with major parts of life – such as getting to work on time.” Clutter can intensify negative feelings like stress and anxiety, and some people may even avoid going home because of the overwhelming mess.
Remember that your home should be your haven, so it’s definitely worth taking the time to clear out the clutter in order to create a more calm and organized living space. When decluttering, it’s best to start with one area or room in your home to stop you from feeling overwhelmed. Seeing a tidy room will give you a sense of achievement and motivate you to continue until your whole home is clean and clear of clutter. Once this has been done, you should try and adopt better habits to prevent clutter from accumulating again, for instance – take any unwanted items straight to the charity shop instead of storing them in your home. If your house has a lot of clutter or you don’t have the time for a big clear out, then you could consider hiring a professional organizer to clear your home for you.
Freshen up your interiors
Home interiors typically become worn over time with signs like peeling paint, cracked plaster, and dents or holes in walls. All of these can make your home look unkempt and create feelings of anxiety or unease. Fortunately, you can quickly and easily fix minor wall damage with home repair kits. Once you have a smooth base, you should give your walls a new coat of paint to freshen up your interiors and give you home a more polished look.
This is also the perfect opportunity to experiment with different shades. Remember that color can have a huge impact on mood and emotions. For instance, yellow creates feelings of warmth and energy, while blue is associated with feelings of calm and relaxation. These shades are therefore popular in restorative homes. You can find local professional painters and decorators by searching for ‘painting contractors near me’ on comparison sites. These sites allow you to compare the best prices and read customer reviews to ensure that you choose the best person for the job.
Bring nature into your home
Adding some greenery to your home can be a great way to create a calm and peaceful living environment. Studies have shown that spending just 20 minutes in contact with nature will effectively lower stress hormones and boost mood. Plants also help re-oxygenate the indoor air, which improves the air quality in your home. You should, therefore, look for ways to blend the natural world with your home decor to create a relaxing living space. There are many simple ways to bring nature into your home:
- Grow your own indoor herbs and plants.
- Keep freshly cut flowers in vases around your home.
- Use natural materials like wood and stone in your home design where possible.
- Decorate your home with elements found in nature such as shells and stones.
- Bring as much natural light into your home as possible by installing large windows and skylights.
Add personal touches
Remember that your home should be a reflection of you, so it’s important to add some details that show your personality and individual style. Displaying meaningful items like family photographs and holiday mementos is the perfect way to turn your house into a home. Being able to see these things will also provide you with reminders of happy times and keep you feeling positive. You can easily personalize your home decor with photographs by hanging them in individual frames or creating a colleague. You could even design a whole feature photo wall to display all of your favorite photos and memories.
Your home should be a sanctuary where you can relax, unwind, and spend quality time with your loved ones. It is therefore important that you take the time to create a calming living environment by decluttering, updating your home decor, embracing nature, and adding plenty of personal touches to your home decor. Start by using the advice in this guide, and you’ll find your home is your own personal sanctuary in no time at all.