A Room-By-Room Guide to Designing Calm Space

This step-by-step guide will show you how to create a calm home. Below are 2 Golden Tips which never goes wrong.

The Two Golden Tips These will work in every room in your home. Use them freely!

• Adding greenery and plants has been shown to have a positive impact on your health.

• A simple wooden piece to linen curtains. The key is to see, and feel, the natural grain or texture of the material. Your brain favours natural materials.

The Living Room

The living room is the social hub of your home. It’s where you see friends and family, and it’s the room where you spend a significant amount of time. You want your living room to be a welcoming space for everyone, but specifically for you.

Living rooms are designed for activity: from watching TV to entertaining guests.

Another important element that makes a living room calming is the colour scheme. Your colour scheme should match the atmosphere you’re trying to create. The choice is yours to make.

Do you prefer dark and cosy? Or bright and spacious? If you choose the latter, this blog post is a compulsory read: 3 Quick Ideas to Change a Small Space

The Bedroom

Bedroom has the potential to be one of the most relaxing spaces in your home. It’s where you get to rest and recharge after a long day. When creating a space that’s calming and peaceful, start with the colours.

You want colours that don’t stimulate the senses too much. Bold wallpapers and loud colours can work in a guest room but can be more challenging when you have to live with them every day! I recommend experimenting with samples and avoiding making rushed decisions.

Remember that just because you like a colour, it doesn’t mean it’s relaxing. And a colour you find calming may cause the opposite effect on someone else.

With lighting, the key is to master the ambient light: low wattage, warm white and indirect. The main ceiling light should be soft and diffuse, if ever used at all.

And if you like to read in bed, make sure you have a task light available from behind.

The Kitchen

The kitchen is a space where you can sometimes easily get stressed. A lot can happen at the same time, especially if you live with others or have pets. But there are ways to make it more peaceful, to help you balance the pressures of everyday life.

Arrange your kitchen in such a way that promotes movement.

If you are designing a kitchen, consider placing an island in the middle, if space allows. This will help promote movement because you’ll be able to go back and forth between different areas of the room with ease. It will feel less cramped and more enjoyable.

Even if your kitchen is already in place, there are things you can do too. Keep the countertops and sink clean and clutter-free. Every utensil should have its regular place in the kitchen — hidden, if you have enough storage. And yes, it’s true everyone has a messy drawer in the kitchen but try to keep it under control.

You can also add seasonal flowers into your kitchen for some colour and life. With these changes in place, your kitchen will become a place that calms you down instead of stressing you out — “Where’s the potato peeler!?”

The Bathroom

The bathroom can be your very own luxury spa. It’s where you spend a lot of time taking care of yourself, so it should be calming and relaxing. To create this space, start by choosing the right lighting.

White lights are ideal because they can give off an ambient glow that mimics natural daylight. They’re also better at showing the true colour of the skin, something essential in skincare routines.

This is the basic lighting set-up you can try: two wall lights placed at both sides of the mirror (eye level or slightly higher).

You can also add to the spa-like atmosphere by using scented candles and sprays when having a bath or as part of your winding down night routine.

Certain scents like camomile or lavender can help you relax (even though there is no direct link with sleep). Look for products that contain natural essential oils, rather than man-made fragrances. Make sure there is good ventilation, like a quiet extractor fan.

Are you ready to create a calm home?

Creating a peaceful home is easier than you may think. The key is to follow the three principles: tranquillity, visual balance and comfort/privacy. And make the most of the two Golden Tips — add plants and use natural materials.

Let me know your soothing space tips in the comments below.