There are endless reasons as to why having a calm home is good for us. After a big day at work coming home to your calming haven leaves is unmatched. If you have a busy household with kids, a calming environment can help with the overstimulation. Having a calming and restful environment settles the nervous system before sleep, and we all know how important sleep is!
It doesn't take much time or money to achieve a calm interior - just a few easy tweaks and additions that you might not have realised can make a massive impact. So follow the below 5 points to be one step closer to a calmer home.
Step 1: De-clutter
This doesn’t necessarily mean throwing out anything that doesn’t service you everyday, but it does mean storing items away that aren’t for everyday use. Having these items sorted and stored so that they are out of sight will clear the mind.
The way these items are stored will set you up for future organisation, helping you keep these items neat and tidy for years to come (instead of falling into old habits). There are plenty of affordable storage and organisation solutions that can keep these items stored whilst still adding to the aesthetic of your home. Here are a few that we've come across and love.
The Happy Sinks by MAGISSO magnetic stainless steel cloth holder lets you tuck away unsightly kitchen cloths whilst allowing it to dry at the same time.
These linen-look Kmart storage boxes are a fantastic way to store linen or seasonal items in an organised manner. The clear PVC panel means you can see the contents without having to open and dig around - genius!
You can still keep your day-to-day items out on display, but style it in a way to keep within your aesthetic. Things like this cute laundry powder container set neatly labeled and styled on a tray means you can keep it in arms reach without the awful brightly patterned cardboard packaging it normally comes in.
Step 2: Colour Palette
The colours of a space is important to create a harmonious atmosphere. For a calming mix, aim for colours that are muted and not overly saturated. Take a look at our Colour Saturation blog post to wrap your head around this.
Step 3: Lighting
This is one of our favourite elements in a space. It's such a simple element and yet commonly overlooked! Avoid using your "big lights" (your down lights), and instead opt for turning on accent pendant lights or wall lights (so long as they're not "task lights" but offer softer lighting), or floor lamps or table lamps. Mood lighting is a great way to create softness, and if planned well can enhance key features of your home (such as highlighting artwork or cozy reading nooks). Here are a few of our favourites at the moment (in no real order):
Lyle Floor Lamp - McMullin & Co
Cleo Alabaster Wall Scone - Coco Republic
Paris 1 Light Table Lamp in Bronze - Beacon Lighting
Clovis Extra Large Chandelier - Chapman & Myers
Step 4: Natural elements
Exposure to nature slows the production of the stress hormone, so bringing the outside in is a great way to create a calming home. You can do this by adding plants, pictures of landscapes, earthy colours and letting in the natural light.
Step 5: Sound
It’s not just visual elements we consider when creating a calming space. Sound is one of the best ways to influence mood and offer a relaxed ambience. Depending on the desired mood you can listen to nature, classical music, soft jazz or calming artists. Better yet - add to your aesthetic with a record player or cute speaker system to display proudly. Sound and looks - what more would you want?
Step 6: Scent
Okay, okay. We know we said 5 easy steps, but we've thrown in an extra for the cherry on top... Having a "signature scent" for your home is a fantastic way to help create a sense of relaxation as soon as you step through your door. You can do something from a woody essential oil like sandalwood, through to something floral like ylang ylang or lavender (lavender is fantastic for the bedroom if you have sleep troubles), or grapefruit if you're more of a sweet, fruity-type!
We personally love a woody/smoky scent like the Le Labo Santal 26, but also adore the idea of bringing a bit of Balinese r&r home with the Lumira Balinese Ylang Ylang candle.
If you need an extra hand bringing it all together then get in touch!
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