After a long day of chasing clients and deadlines – and working for hours on end – all you want is to escape to a serene home. One that will allow you to relax and recharge from the day’s hustles. Where you can hide out and be free from the worries of everyday life.
Even on the days that you are taking it slow and taking a break from work, you want a place that you can enjoy spending time in for that much-needed rest. It would be a misgiving to yourself and your family if the place that was supposed to be soothing turns out to be draining and toxic.
Here are some easy ways that you can create a calm and peaceful haven in your home.
1. Choose houseplants that contribute to the feeling of a sanctuary
Research shows that when we add plants to our living spaces, we improve the overall atmosphere dramatically. Growing indoor plants have the following benefits for your home and those who inhabit it:
- it helps to reduce stress levels and improve the feeling of calm
- plants can improve one’s mood and sense of well-being
- it helps us think more creatively and be more productive
- taking care of green things gives us a sense of responsibility and reward
- it helps to clean the air and remove dust and impurities
- plants add life to the home
If you feel like that is an area you wouldn’t go to, opt for plants that are low-maintenance. Snake plants and parlour palms make a great choice here. If you have a spacious room, you can get a grow tent for your indoor plants to compensate for the lack of natural sunlight inside.
2. Cultivate a healthy garden
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Most people tend to concentrate on the indoors when thinking of home décor. However, the outdoors is equally important to create harmony and balance in a home. Besides, you can only spend time indoors for so long. You want to have the same serene effect when you want to catch some air outdoors.
If you are lucky enough to have a garden, invest in water-wise plants that can help you create your own little Eden. Work on your garden to achieve a well-manicured and lavish lawn. You can also include a water fountain with footpaths that lead to the gardens to allow moments of movement throughout the garden. This can help to create natural sound and will attract birds and their song, who can add to the ambience of your home.
If your space is more limited – or if you only have a porch or a window sill – use the space you have to cultivate colourful flowers in pots, bonsai trees or flowery bushes. Any of these can give the feeling of a garden in a small space. Click on this link to find out how you can grow your own superfood garden.
In addition, you want the ulterior of the house to blend well with the outdoors and the indoors. Ensure that the wood siding is well maintained. You can give it a repainting or replace it entirely if it is falling apart.
3. Get rid of any unnecessary clutter 
They say cluttered spaces lead to a cluttered mind. You wouldn’t be able to rest well if your place is full of clutter. You would also be causing yourself distress if you were frantically looking for items in stacks of mails or other things without success.
Start by cleaning out unused items from your home. In addition, invest in extra storage such as cabinets, drawers, woven baskets, and the like. Organising your space better will immediately improve your mindset and allow for greater relaxation.
4. Allow your walls to reflect the atmosphere of serenity
Besides improving the aesthetics of a room, colours also transform the mood of any living space. You can play around with colours to bring out the atmosphere that you need. For instance, silky whites in the bedroom bring about serenity and elegance. For a calm and peaceful feel, you want cool colours such as greens and blues. Grey greens will also interact well with any greenery you have in the home and contribute to the feeling of serenity. Painting your walls these colours will create a relaxing feeling as if you are out there connecting with nature. Do some research to see which colours will work best with the amount of light you have available, as well as the furniture, rugs and wall hangings you currently have.
5. Increase natural light
If you have ever experienced working in a dim place, you probably have a feeling of how it dampens the spirits and mood. Similarly, a place that doesn’t let in enough light is bound to dampen the vibe in the room. Besides, you want the interior décor and design to make a statement throughout the home. You can only highlight it with enough light. Another idea is to increase the amount of light getting in by adding extra windows or enlarging the existing ones. You can also paint the walls white or place mirrors strategically to reflect light around your home.
6. Create your own personal, cosy nook
After a long day, sometimes you want time alone to reflect on the day’s events or wind down the day with a book or cool music. Create a nook that you can spend some alone time feeling cosy and comfortable. You can choose a corner with a window that lets in some cool breeze. Put an armchair with extra pillows and fluffy blankets. This is another space to add some of your favourite plants in pots. If you have a balcony with a beautiful view, that would be a good choice for it.
Conclusion
Creating a calm and peaceful home can be as easy as incorporating the above tips in your home. However, it is good to experiment with different things to identify the feeling that they give to your home. Stick with the ones that work for you.
Who is the writer? 
Jennifer Monroe is an architect. She is young and ambitious, with a degree in architecture. She has eight-plus years of experience in interior and exterior design. Her mission is to inspire others to live their dreams and create their perfect sweet homes.
