Now more than ever before, we need to focus on making our homes more peaceful, joyful, and healthier. Even without a pandemic to ruin our moods and sow the seeds of uncertainty in our lives, there is no denying that the hectic modern lifestyle is a stressful one. The pollution, the noise, the running around all day long while constantly being bombarded by daily challenges can severely impact our long-term mental and physical well-being.
Even though you can’t change the world around you, though, you can definitely change your own little world in your home. The best way to do this is to redefine and reinvent your living environment. The interior design of your home can have a profound impact on your mental health, and it can inspire you to lead a healthier life all around.
Let’s take a look at the five key features of peaceful homes that you should introduce into your living environment today.
Start by banishing the clutter
First things first, always keep in mind that physical clutter can quickly become mental and emotional baggage. Before you buy another chair for the living room, or put another magazine on the coffee table on the pile, remember that a clean and organized living environment brings peace and tranquility to the modern lifestyle.
After all, most of us already own much more stuff than we actually need, which is a typical result of living in an age of mass consumerism. The first step to banishing this mindset is to declutter your home room by room, and throw away, sell, or donate everything you don’t need or no longer use. Once you start going from one room to the other, pilling everything up in boxes, you will see just how much stuff was sitting there without any other purpose than to make your home feel cramped and less vibrant.
Create a neutral foundation
Once you have decluttered, it’s time to start thinking about the grander rejuvenation projects that can bring long-term joy and zeal to your everyday life at home. There’s rarely anything as impactful as a fresh coat of paint, because repainting a room can completely transform its vibe, or at the very least bring the ambiance back to its former glory.
Plus, repainting on your own is a fun little project you can do over the weekend, which can help you disconnect from the world and focus on a calming and rewarding task. Now, when it comes to paint choices, it’s up to you, but keep in mind that setting a neutral foundation is always a great way to imbue the space with a deep sense of calm.
That said, you can also go for vibrant pastels if you want to add a dash of energy into the mix, or even darker, earthy tones if you really want to create a relaxing oasis. Explore all these options, follow your instincts, and repaint every room to create a serene space.
Introduce comfort and day-long peace with rugs
Introducing a sense of calm and inner peace in every room is best done through the floors. Why? Because our feet connect directly to the ground and influence our mood throughout the day, so this is your opportunity to truly imbue your home with comfort and day-long zeal. In countries where the home is a sacred, restful place, like New Zealand, this practice is very popular nowadays.
This is why, for example, comfy artisan rugs from NZ have become so popular in mindful interior design around the world, as they serve to create a comfortable living environment while complementing the look and feel of the room. By feeling the soft materials underneath your feet and even observing how the beautiful rugs interact with the rest of the décor, you will gain a deeper sense of calmness through your sense of sight and touch.
Add symmetry and contrasts
If you want to steady your mind at home, then be sure to organize every room. However, it’s not just enough to keep clutter at bay, as you also need to keep asymmetry from finding its way into the design. Instead of scattering furniture and décor across the room, be sure to plan everything out, focusing on symmetry.
Stick to clear, straight lines, and choose rectangular shapes. Introduce a single focal point or contrast to make every room more vibrant, such as a crescent sofa in a rectangular seating area in the living room. This contrast will preserve the symmetry while adding a unique flair to the space. To help achieve this, you may also find it beneficial to make use of 3d interior renderings to help you envision your space and plan accordingly, ensuring that the balance of your design remains intact.
Embrace mindful living in every room
Finally, be sure to embrace mindful living in your home in order to bring peace and positivity to your everyday life. Choosing sustainable materials and décor, buying pre-owned and pre-used, refurbishing old décor, introducing greenery, all of these and many other changes can help you create a more mindful living environment. What’s more, by preserving a semi-minimalist look to your home, you can clear some much-needed space for healthy, mindful activities such as yoga and meditation.
Wrapping up
Creating a calm interior is something that all of us should aim to achieve in these trying times. Use these simple tips to rejuvenate your home and build a peaceful oasis imbued with health and happiness.