A home is somewhere where you go to relax. After a long day of work, there is nothing more joyous then coming home to stretch out and wind down. However, sometimes our homes can stress us more than relaxing us, so here are a few tips on ways to make your home more comfortable.
Clean
Having a clean house helps with stress and can make you more comfortable. No one likes coming home to a messy apartment or home, so taking some time to clean it can save you a lot of frustration and annoyance. There are other ways to help minimise the amount of cleaning you have to do, such as getting fly screen doors and windows to prevent bugs coming in, having a doormat to wipe your feet on, and buying some additional storage to avoid excess clutter. On that note…
Remove clutter
Clutter is distracting and creates a sense of chaos and disorder. Tchotchkes and trinkets should be tucked away and replaced with items that relax or inspire – such as family photographs, freshly cut flowers and plants (as long as there isn’t too many of them). Old magazines need to be sorted or thrown away, anything which is broken needs to be gotten rid of and everything needs to find a home. If there isn’t enough room for it, either get rid of it or put it in storage.
Colouring
The colors you choose in your home can have an oversized effect on your mood. For a quiet, more relaxing atmosphere, stick with natural tones, such as tranquil blues, greens, greys, whites, and beiges. Try to keep brightly coloured furniture and fabrics out of the areas you wish to keep calm, like the bedroom.
Bright colors tend to energize, and our goal is to create the opposite effect. In saying this, bright colours in areas such as the lounge room and social areas can really lift the mood and provide an appealing social vibe.
Texture and Patterns
Texture and patterns can give a room more depth and dimension. For example, wallpapers with a classical, sophisticated, rich look will not only draw the eye, they will also create a sense of home. It’s just like adding marshmallows to your hot cocoa to make it feel extra special. However, wallpaper can be expensive to purchase and frustrating to put up. If you’re on a budget, try painting a stencil on the wall. Or, if a painting is a too much DIY, find some richly patterned wrapping paper and either frame it around the room or Modge Podge it to a blank canvas.
Blankets, pillows, rugs and carpets
Blankets, pillows, rugs, and carpets are all fantastic ways to not only add personality to a room but create a more relaxing and comfortable environment for you and guests. Rugs help soft noise and also make any hard floors, like floorboards, feel less harsh underfoot. Pillows and blankets make a room feel more homely and can provide perfect snuggling material in the colder months.
Light
White lights can be quite harsh on the eyes and make a room feel colder. Opting for a warmer light or just natural light can create a more organic, relaxing feel. Having natural light come into your home is also known to be good for lifting moods and can help with seasonal depression. Adding scented candles to a room can help you to create comfort, peace and a sensual yet relaxing environment.
Your home is your sanctuary and should bring you peace and comfort, not stress and chaos. Following these tips will help minimise stress; letting you put your feet up and completely relax in your home.