Whether you live alone, with a partner or with family, your home should be a retreat from the rest of the world. Here’s how to achieve that precious sanctuary feel.
1.Use soothing colours
Did you know that different colours can influence our mood in different ways? Blues and greens remind us of nature and stimulate a similar sense of stress relief, whereas vibrant yellow and orange can help boost productivity. Each colour has a place in the home, but for your restful rooms you should choose soothing shades to ensure they act as a sanctuary.
Light neutrals, from white to warmer earth tones like sand, are a favourite for living spaces, and they can complement a range of accent colours. Pair with natural materials like wood and marble in corresponding tones to increase the sense of peace.
2.Establish ambience
Lighting is also all-important to crafting a relaxing atmosphere, and any interior designer will tell you that this is what makes or breaks room design.
Rather than relying exclusively on overhead lighting, which can be harsh, go for a layered scheme with table and floor lamps and ceiling lights with dimmable bulbs. Enhance the cosiness with strategic feature pieces like realistic battery-powered LED candles, an electric fire and illuminated mirrors.
3.Furnish for comfort
It’s easy to get caught up in aesthetics when decorating the home but avoid going for style over substance. Your furniture should be as comfortable as it is chic, so you can happily curl up in it at the end of a long day. Always try before you buy when shopping for sofas, armchairs and dining sets.
Adding extras like cushions and blankets will help to make your furniture more inviting and encourage you to sit down and switch off for extended periods of time.
4.Consider all senses
The reason spas are so serene is because every aspect of their design, from look to sound and smell, is carefully crafted to inspire total tranquillity. Applying the same sensory touches in your home will make a big difference in helping you achieve that ‘retreat feel’.
Look at leading home fragrance options, from scented candles to diffusers and room sprays, in formulas with ingredients known for their soothing properties like lavender and jasmine. Filling your home with cooking smells can also emphasise a sense of safety. Place rugs on floors for extra softness underfoot and furnish in fabrics that are texturally pleasant like cooling cotton, smooth silk and plush velvet.
5.Make it personal
Finally, the simplest way to ensure ‘there’s no place like home’ is to focus on truly putting your stamp on it, so everything around you feels familiar. This is easy to do whether you own your property or are renting with restrictions on home improvements.
Decorate with artwork you love, photographs with your favourite people and knick-knacks that inspire happy memories. Celebrate your hobbies with themed decorations and by devoting corners exclusively to those pastimes. Fill rooms with books and plants, all chosen by you.
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