Whether you are spending more time inside because of the colder weather or devote many of your hours to being inside an office, the place you spend most or your time should be maximized to provide the best environment for those in it. With less time spent in the great outdoors and being more cooped up, it is important to make your home a place of restoration and relaxation. Below are five tips to make your home a more relaxing place.
Have Lots of Plants
It has been scientifically proven that it is relaxing for humans to have plants in their home. They improve indoor air quality (removing mold and toxic chemicals like formaldehyde) and create a relaxing outdoor-like atmosphere which is especially nice during winter when you are stuck inside with less fresh air. Houseplants and/or indoor gardens promote healing. Studies have shown that patients in hospital rooms with plants heal more quickly than those without. Freshly-cut flowers are uplifting as well. Plant-filled environments are a great place to escape from hectic everyday life and can smell wonderful too.
Add Water Features
Water is known to be one of the most relaxing elements on Earth for all of the senses. The sound of a water fountain can be extremely relaxing, some people even use them to help fall asleep and regulate their sleep cycles (which in turn has its own life benefits). The sounds of water have been proven to relax your mind, and in turn your muscles and joints. Having an art fountain or a waterfall can create a relaxing home. Water fountains are used in Feng Shui which is a decorating method that encourages relaxation using incorporation of the zen elements (one is water). They also purify the air by attracting negative ions which pull dirt from the air into the fountain where it becomes purified. You will breathe easier knowing your home has clean air. If you are mentally stressed, closing your eyes and listening to a water fountain will wash the day’s worries away.
Incorporate Artwork
Having artwork in your home is another way to escape to a more relaxing world while in your home. If it is made by a loved one it can have an extra special feeling attached to it, or if it is a piece done by a professional artist that makes you think, observing and appreciating creativity is a fast and fun way to relax. Wall art looks especially beautiful if framed and you can hunt specifically for calming art, or just hang up a piece that invokes relaxation in your for whatever reason, that is what makes it art.
Minimize Clutter
A cluttered, messy environment is directly related to feelings of the same nature. Not collecting too many things in your house and keeping things streamlined and simple will help you to not feel overwhelmed when you come in from a day in the busy world. Learn to keep your home organized and clean as this is a huge contributor to the feeling of relaxation in your home. Keep your decorations to a minimum because simplicity the a key to maintaining a relaxing home environment. Keep to the bare minimum of simple comfortable furniture in the right places. Outer order contributes to inner calm.
Utilize Proper Lighting
Lighting is a main factor in how soothing an environment feels. Opt for natural lighting over artificial. If you have a fire in the fireplace try to utilize this in the colder months as it provides warm, natural light. You can also try candles. In both cases make sure you follow fire-safety protocols. Try taking your TV out of the main living space or even better, out of the house altogether! Television noises and lights are stressful and impair sleep. You may not even notice the stress you receive from TV and other screen input every day, but you probably will notice the change in your home’s ambience if you remove screens and electronics. Music can be soothing or irritating, depending on the type. If you find some soothing classical or other music and want to softly pipe it through your home this can be relaxing but nothing is as relaxing as the sound of silence or nature.
If you follow these five tips you are guaranteed to have a more relaxing home. Any type of home, grand or humble, can become a sanctuary with the right implementations.
via remodelista, myscandinavianhome & thestylefiles
