Your home is your pavilion, the nest you relax and unwind in at the end of the day. For many, it has also become more than that since covid hit. Homes have had to serve as offices, schools and colleges as everything shifted to the online space. Staying in your home the entire time or returning to it at the end of the  day should invoke pleasure in one’ s mind. However, that is not always the case. The hustle bustle of the city can have its impact on a person even when they are in the comfort of their home. The loud traffic and rising pollution all over affects your peace of mind as well as your energy levels, ultimately interfering with your work and rest. Similarly, being in a space too long can also feel monotonous if it isn’t well suited to one’s preference. 

What is common for all these scenarios is the need for a home that has a calm and soothing effect. In the ever buzzing city life, your home needs to be your retreat in the chaos. Creating that retreat is a simple and rewarding process. Doing so can help curb your stress levels and anxiousness, helping you truly relax. Creating the right design, layout and picking the right decor can help you transform your space into the peaceful sanctuary you deserve. Here is a simple guide to assist your quest for a calming home. 

CHOOSE THE CORRECT COLOR PALETTE 

The first and perhaps one of the most essential factors for a calming interior design is picking the right color. The color you pick depends largely on which space you are planning for. Depending on the purpose of the room and personal preference, picking the right color palette can sometimes pose a dilemma. However, the focus must be on how you wish for the room to feel. When developing your bedrooms, you might wish to opt for shades that have a cozy and calming effect. This helps develop a feeling of warmth and comfort in the room. If you wish, you could also go for an unconventional shade that appeals to you, making the space feel more like your own. 

While developing a living room, leaning towards a more neutral and soft color palette may work well. Light and neutral colors do not have a loud look, and give off a soothing effect to the room. Such tones are equally essential in a work space. Having bright bold shades could make the room feel harsh or even distract you making them an improper choice. However, should you prefer to step away from the basic neutrals you could also go for slightly lighter tones of the color or opt for colors with a cool effect such as blue or green. Pastels can also give off a similar calming look and are also right on trend. Utilising the principles of color psychology can help you pick the appropriate colors as per the effect you wish to achieve. Refer to our recent blog on color psychology to help you make the right choice. 

PLAN YOUR LAYOUT WELL 

A key aspect to creating a comfortable space is ensuring you have the right layout. The way you place objects and furniture around a room can make or break it’s effect. Your furniture needs to be laid out in such a way that there is ample space to move around without banging up against objects. It is important to plan what and how much furniture you can bring into a room depending on its size. In a smaller room, you must opt for furniture that is lighter and pick fewer elements to avoid feeling crammed. You could also incorporate furniture that serves multiple purposes to encounter the need for too many pieces, saving your space. In a comparatively bigger room, you could incorporate more pieces, even saving it from looking too empty. 

You must also ensure that you place your furniture in a comfortable manner. For instance, in a living room, placing the couch in a spot where you can see the television without putting too much strain on your eyes or neck is essential. Similarly, placing the coffee or breakfast table at a comfortable distance can make all the difference. For a home office space, you must avoid elements that evoke laziness, such as a sofa bed or a mattress, instead opt for a reclining chair or a bean bag in the corner you can sit on to unwind every now and then. Improper placement or cramming of furniture can make your space feel uncomfortable and chaotic.  

BE WARY OF THE CLUTTER 

The biggest enemy of a soothing space is clutter and mess. Cluttered surroundings can make you feel both crammed and disturbed. It messes with your concentration and also creates an atmosphere not conducive to resting. It is, therefore, important to stay organised. Whether it is your bedroom, living space or office, mess and clutter has to be tackled for you to be able to feel relaxed and calm. It also helps free up space and make the room feel bigger and much more breathable. Having everything organised also evokes a good feeling giving you clarity of mind. Incorporate ample storage in your home to make sure everything has its place and stays out of your way, saving you from the mess and allowing you to maintain a positive and clear state of mind. 

SOUNDPROOF PORTIONS OF YOUR HOUSE 

Living in a busy city can mean a lot of noise, even in the wee hours disturbing your time to relax and sleep. In order to combat the noise, you can try soundproofing portions or your entire house depending on what suits you and fits your budget. You can use soundproofing surfaces and materials to clad up your walls to filter through some of the noise. It is especially a good choice for offices and bedrooms wherein noise needs to be kept to a minimum to avoid disturbances. You can also install acoustic panels to keep overwhelming noises to the minimum so that the city commotion does not disrupt your personal space or your time to rest well. 

EMBRACE THE NATURAL LIGHT 

One of the most positive presences you can have in your house is tons of natural light. Sunlight is not only good for your home but also your mind and body. Sunlight flowing into the house can give it a very lively and warm feel. It also makes it look much more bright. The sight of sunlight through the windows also brings with it the feeling to get up and start your day in a positive manner. It also adds to your productivity. Absence of ample light can make one feel suffocated or crammed up, which makes it all the more necessary. Planning your workspace around places with sufficient natural light can also help boost your mood and motivation to work. 

PERSONALISE YOUR SPACE 

Adding a personal touch can help make any space feel more calming and give you a positive and pleasant feeling. Throwing in some personal elements is fairly easy. You could start simple by adding framed pictures of your loved ones or someone you look up to. You could also add in some ornaments or holy figurines that make you feel safe and positive. Another great addition could be having a quote or any mantra you live by painted on your wall or framed as a keepsake to keep reminding you to stay positive, calm and work hard. Picking decor that aligns with one’s personality can also make you feel that the space is made just for you allowing you to unwind and truly feel like your personal best. 

CREATE A RELAXING CORNER 

A great addition to your home is to create a relaxing and cozy corner. To do so you could either utilise a floor bed, rocking chair or just a soft comfy sofa depending on the space you have. Use any empty corner of your house to transform it into your personal space. Fill up your corner with decor and things that help you unwind and feel good. You could make a small reading space, or a paint corner, or even a spot for you to binge on your favourite shows surrounded by things that you enjoy and treasure. Doing so gives you the chance to have a space that is just your own, tailor made according to your interests and liking. Stepping into that corner after a busy day can instantly uplift your mood. 

BE CLOSER TO NATURE 

Incorporating greenery and natural elements to your home is a great way to help a room exude positivity. Furnishing any space with plants can help it look bright and lively and also give a very fresh feeling. Having plants also helps filter through the air and allow you to breathe better. Not to mention, you’d be doing good for the environment too. Depending on a space you can pick the kind of plants that can suit it. For an office desk you could opt for smaller plants or succulents that can sit on your desk without taking up too much of your space. In the living areas you can add slightly bigger plants. It can help add a pop of green to your room and relieve your stress. If you do not wish to put pots around the house you can add them to your balcony or window sills, making the most of your space while making it look and feel great. 

INTRODUCE COMFY TEXTILES 

Introducing comfy textiles in your rooms can help up the calmness it radiates. To do so you can include cushions, throw pillows, blankets, rugs, curtains, just about anything. This helps develop a comfortable and relaxing environment while adding to the aesthetic appeal. You could opt for different weaves and textures depending on the room to add to its appearance as well as comfort. For instance, a throw blanket on the couch could prove to be a good addition making it reachable when it’s time to relax. You could also use soft throw pillows in your bedroom that are comfortable and help you get a good night’s sleep. 

Your home is your retreat at the end of the day, a place you can truly feel like yourself and relax. To actually ensure that you have a space that keeps you calm and gives a positive feeling, you could either customize right from the beginning if you’re in a new home or you could easily make small tweaks around the house for a more calming effect. Follow the above guide to help you achieve the zen space you hope for.