As your favourite place to unwind and reset after a long day, your home needs to be a serene space that helps you recharge from the day. With the New Year in full swing and spring cleaning soon upon us, now is the perfect time to add some zen to your home. Regardless of your lifestyle, here are 10 practical ways to transform your home into a balanced and peaceful retreat.
Conquer the Clutter
Undoubtedly, clutter anywhere in your home can make even the simplest of tasks, such as searching for your car keys, difficult, as it creates a sense of chaos within your home. As such, take some time to sort through the clutter in your home, only keeping those items that spark that proverbial joy. Once the clutter has been dealt with, invest more time into organizing your items so that everything has a place. To best organize your home in a way that’s both functional and stylish, invest in multi-purpose furniture items, such as ottomans, coffee tables or beds with under-side storage. You can also arrange a variety of storage bins, made from plastic, metal or wicker, to house small items.
Choose the Right Colours
It’s no secret that colour plays a big role in the overall mood and feel of a space. This not only applies to wall colour, but also the colour scheme your furniture and overall décor follows. Luckily, colour is one of the easiest tools you can implement in your home to manipulate your space. This is especially useful if you’re not in a position to completely overhaul your home, but can instead add in accent features in specific colours. These can include: textile pieces such as pillows, blankets, area rugs, or statement pieces such as a mirror or lighting. Opt for bright, jewel-toned colours for a brightening and energizing effects, or muted, neutral tones to inject some calmness into your space. It’s also worth noting that the Pantone Colour of 2020 is Classic Blue, or Pantone 19-4052, which is described by Pantone as “a reassuring presence instilling calm, confidence and connection”.
Embrace Plant Power
If you’re the kind of person who seeks out a trip to the local botanical gardens or weekend hike to immerse yourself in nature to de-stress, consider bringing some of nature’s calming energy into your home through plants. Not only do they add pops of colour to your design scheme but, according to a study done by NASA, plants eliminate toxins from indoor spaces thus reoxygenating your home. If, however, you don’t possess the greenest of thumbs, consider low maintenance plants such as parlor palms or snake plants, or opt for those of the faux variety to maintain a similar aesthetic. Even leveraging outdoor views can instantly bring a sense of peacefulness into your home. If certain rooms of your home have windows with outdoor views, make the most of showing these off with appropriate window treatments and lighting.
Go Au Naturel
In addition to plants, it’s instinctual for humans to be drawn to the inherent beauty of nature. While houseplants may not be for everyone, textures and furniture pieces made from natural materials exude a similar sense of tranquility within a space. If your home already boasts natural elements, such as ornate woodwork or stonework, highlight these features by sprucing them up or designing your space around them. Incorporating additional earthen elements is best done through accent pieces throughout your home via console furniture, and other decorative pieces and artwork.
Bask in Your Bedroom
Perhaps the epitome of serenity, your bedroom is likely your top choice for relaxing and unwinding after a long day, and should allow you to recharge. Whether you prefer neutrals, pretty pastels, or jewel tones, incorporate colour into your bedroom that resonates with your personal style and that you find calming. Ensure you have comfortable bed linens, proper storage for all of your items, and complementary décor that suits your style and overall aesthetic of your space.
Identify the Room’s Role
While we often talk about a work/life balance in the mental sense, this idea of balance also applies to physical spaces. When developing a design scheme for each of your home’s rooms, decorate with the space’s function in mind. Whether it’s a home office, craft space for your kids, or a meditation zone for yourself, keep these roles in mind to ensure you designate the space accordingly.
Strike a Balance
The Chinese tradition of Feng Shui emphasizes the balance of opposing yet connected forces: Yin and Yang. Use this concept to create harmony in your home, whether you’re creating symmetry with specific furniture pieces or striking a balance between light and dark colours. It’s important to remember, however, to not get caught up in perfection. While there’s undoubtedly something inherently satisfying about symmetry, when a space feels overdesigned, it loses some of its homey feeling. Ultimately, your space should be functional and cater to the needs of your family. Thus, if the shape of your room doesn’t allow for perfect symmetry, don’t fret; instead, strive to achieve harmony between order and imperfection.
Strokes of Light
Nothing brings clarity and highlights the intricate design details of a space quite like natural light. In fact, a naturally lit room boosts productivity, improves mood, and creates an overall tranquil atmosphere more so than an artificially lit environment. If you live in an apartment or condo with few windows, consider incorporating various reflective surfaces throughout your space to maximize the natural light you do enjoy. It’s amazing how much more light strategically placed mirrors and lacquered surfaces can yield in even the smallest of spaces. When dealing with artificial light, consider installing dimmers to cater to the use of your space.
Engage Your Senses
In addition to the visual design of the room, incorporating elements that engage the senses also promote a sense of calm. Include elements throughout your space that encourage your family and visitors to use their senses. This can include looking for furniture pieces that include tactile elements, spritzing room spray or diffusing fragrant oils, and creating visual interest with artwork and other items of décor.
Functional Spaces are Serene Spaces
One of the tenets of good design is undoubtedly functionality. A functional space that caters to the needs of your family will naturally produce tranquility, as everything is where you need it to be. Allow your home to work for you by identifying current “pain points” and taking steps to address them. If something is a part of your daily routine, improving its functionality will work wonders for your sense of calm. This can include simple organizational hacks, such as storing your stroller in your closet near your entryway, or coffee mugs above your coffee maker.
When refreshing your home to exude serenity, remember that all rooms are important. In addition to your main communal spaces, that small powder room or less-than-cozy home library are also integral in creating unity within your home. Check out Furniture.ca for a wide selection of high-quality home furnishings and décor perfect for injecting some much-needed tranquility into your home.
