The home is supposed to be a peaceful haven. In reality, though, it’s often one of those that get you worked up without you even noticing it. The stress goes beyond the busy activity in the living room or kitchen. It’s not just the clutter, too. There are subtle elements in the interior design itself that make your room unrelaxing. The solution is quite easy and, at least, obvious: Revamp your design. Here’s how to turn your not-so-relaxing room into a sanctuary:
1. Change your color palette
Colors influence your mood. For instance, red and orange stimulate the brain, while green and blue calm the nerves. Hence, consider the latter when revamping your rooms. You can also pick a neutral color palette, introducing white, black, ivory, or beige into your design. This will not only create a relaxing atmosphere in your space but also make it timeless, visually appealing regardless of the trend in design. In switching to a different color palette, remember that it’s not just the appearance of walls that you should pay attention to. Your furniture also matters since it is usually the first thing people notice when they enter a room. Check out Jindrich Halabala chairs and tables at trustworthy suppliers such as Authentic Provence when looking for neutral or cool-toned furniture.
2. Light up your space right
Lighting also affects the atmosphere in the room. The wrong kinds of fixtures placed in the wrong places can make you feel like your energy’s being sapped from you. Case in point: fluorescent lights placed too near the mirror in your bathroom. Don’t let lighting be an afterthought in your design. Layer it up. You can’t just have ambient lighting all throughout. Instead, consider task lighting, installing some under your kitchen cabinets, vanity lighting above your bathroom mirrors, or a desk lamp in your home office. It will be better if you have dimmers, too. This will allow you to control light and change the atmosphere in the room, especially when you want a pampering bath or a laid-back wine night in your dining room. Some homeowners also use accent lighting. Its pretty appearance can add to the haven you’re creating.
3. Blend the outdoors with the interior
Nature soothes and relaxes. When you go to the beach or climb a mountain, there’s a certain sense of stress relief from the experience. Thus, when designing, don’t forget to introduce elements of the outdoors. Bring in the plants. Dedicate a corner for a small koi pond, a Zen garden, or a water fountain inside your home. Use sliding glass doors opening up to your patio so that you can always take advantage of your backyard or garden view. Don’t forget to use natural materials, too. Wooden floors are comfortable underfoot, and their appearance can add to the relaxing vibe. You may also have a stone for your fireplace and make it the focal point of your room.
Your home should be the first thing you’d want to be in when you’ve just spent a long, bad day at work. It’s supposed to give you relief and enable you to relax. Therefore, design it to be that way. Design it as a peaceful sanctuary.