Three steps to a calmer home

Feb 27

Have you ever walked into a room and immediately felt at ease, as if every element was meant to be exactly in that place? Everything just works and feels right, but you can’t quite pinpoint why?

There are a few secrets...and I'm going to share some with you!

Creating a calming atmosphere in your home begins with a clear vision of how you want your space to look and feel, tailored to your individual needs, values, and goals. Every decision, from layout to furniture, paint colours to artwork, and even textiles, should be intentional and purposeful.

Cohesion-

One way to make your home feel calm, is making it feel cohesive. Cohesion is essential, it means that all elements of your home work together. The most relaxing and comfortable homes are ones that have rooms and spaces that flow seamlessly off one another, radiating personality and authenticity, while sharing similar aesthetic elements like colour tones, textures, and style. When your home has cohesion, it feels unified and balanced, which can contribute to a sense of peace and relaxation! When our homes lack this unity and flow, the result can be a sense of disarray and chaos, leaving us feeling unsettled or even overwhelmed. Have you thought about how a cohesive design can contribute to a more peaceful and relaxing atmosphere in your home?

Declutter & Organise-

Living in a clutter-free and well-organised home enables you to experience life with a sense of lightness, happiness, and calmness! It allows you to fully appreciate the small and significant moments of each day, free from distractions.

'Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.'

Having an organised and clutter-free home isn't about being a minimalist and losing the beauty, warmth, and character of your home. It's also not about impulsively adding unnecessary items and containers for the sake of organisation. (Most of the time you will already have the storage containers you need! Let’s be in intentional here) Instead, it's about finding joy and ease in your home for the everyday!

5 Benefits of having an organised and clutter-free home.

Visual distractions: Clutter can be overwhelming, leading to stress and anxiety. An organised space with fewer items helps reduce these distractions, allowing you to focus better and feel more at ease.
Improves Functionality: An organised home is more functional and efficient. You can easily find what you need, which can reduce stress and save time.
Positive Emotions: Enhances Positive emotions and feelings of contentment, reducing overwhelm and frustration.
Promoting Relaxation: A tidy environment can evoke feelings of relaxation and tranquility. Coming home to a clutter-free space can help you unwind and recharge after a long day.
Gives you back your valuable time: Do you ever say, ‘If only there were more hours in my day,’ or, ‘I don’t have time.’ When our homes are cluttered, our lives become that too. Decluttering and simplifying helps us create a home that runs more smoothly and effectively, allowing more space for the precious and joyful things in life.

Atmosphere & Ambience

Set the tone with scent.

Have you ever wondered why the fragrance of your favourite flower brings you joy? Or why the smell of freshly cut grass or sun-dried linen evokes feelings of happiness and comfort? Let’s get scientific for a second…The limbic system, (in our brain) which includes structures like the amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus, plays a crucial role in processing emotions and memory. It also interacts closely with the olfactory system, which is responsible for our sense of smell.

When you smell something, the olfactory bulb sends signals directly to the amygdala and hippocampus. This direct connection is why smells can trigger strong emotional responses and vivid memories. For example, the smell of lemon myrtle reminds me of sherbert lemons, (an english sweetie) because my grandmother used to have them in her home kept in a special porcelain vase in the drawing room and I was aloud one every time I visited. The smell reminds me of happiness and feeling special.

Certain smells, such as those from essential oils like lavender or chamomile, have been found to have calming effects. When these scents are detected, they can activate the limbic system in a way that promotes relaxation and reduces stress. This is why aromatherapy is often used as a holistic approach to promoting calmness and emotional well-being. By incorporating essential oils into our homes (especially specific calm ones), we can create a calm and welcoming environment, perfect for fostering relaxation and a serene atmosphere for ourselves and also for our guests. Read more about incorporating essential oils for calm and relaxation in your home on this post. And why we choose the method of diffusing over candles and artificial fragrance.

Set the tone with lighting.

Lighting can really make or break a room in a home. Have you noticed in fast food restaurants the lighting is stark white and bright? This is a deliberate design choice! Bright lighting can help create a sense of alertness and efficiency, which can influence customers to eat their meals more quickly, which can help increase the turnover rate and accommodate more customers. You won’t see any bright white globes in our home… We are all about cosy, lingering and comfort.

To create a calming ambiance in your home with lighting, opt for soft, warm lighting sources that mimic natural light. Use lamps with shades that diffuse light gently, creating a soft glow rather than harsh illumination. Consider adding dimmer switches to your overhead lights to control the brightness and create a more relaxed atmosphere. Candlelight (we love battery powered for safety and no chemicals. There are some of my favourites) can also be a wonderful addition, adding a flickering, calming effect. Use light strategically to highlight areas of focus, such as a reading nook or a piece of art, while keeping the overall lighting soft and soothing.