Creating a Calm Home
Calm is a rare commodity in the modern world amidst the constant barrage of images and voices emerging with the omnipresence of technology. The place we call home is the backdrop to our everyday lives where we can retreat from the fast paced, ever-changing world, recharge and find comfort. There are few places that have as strong an impact on our wellbeing as our homes. Creating spaces that instil a sense of calm can keep us and those around us grounded and transform how we feel and function everyday. There are many different approaches to creating a calm home but when our vision comes from how we want our space to make us feel, rather than just how it should look, we are most likely to achieve success.
Ideas for creating a calm home:
SIMPLIFY & ORGANISE
One of the key foundations to creating a calm and comforting home is to begin by defining our spaces, looking at what we already have and starting to intentionally edit, simplify and refine. Our external environment affects our inner environment and maintaining a sense of order is vital to creating a feeling of calm. Reducing visual noise by paring down an interior allows the intrinsic beauty of light, texture and shape to form the decoration and make it easier to relax and feel at ease. Creating one quiet and organised corner and building on from there is a good place to start. Resetting the house at the end of each day can induce clarity of thought and make a big difference to how our space feels and functions the following day.
Recycling, donating or selling what we no longer need in our home, and implementing simple systems, storage and routines to organise and manage what we wish to keep is key. This is an iterative process and one which may need to happen regularly in order to maintain a feeling of calm. Making more conscious and informed choices about what we bring into all areas of our home is also important. Each object should serve a purpose, whether for its beauty and visual interest or functionality, or indeed both.
Reducing what we have in our homes introduces negative space into our interiors which can help to enhance a feeling of serenity and calm. Every corner does not need to be filled in order to be beautiful. Rooms benefit from space to breathe, allowing the eye and mind to rest. Harmony lies in the balance between pieces in each room and the negative spaces around them. Being intentional about how we plan and furnish our home environment can really help with the feel, functionality and flow, and is key to creating a home that feels calm and peaceful.
NATURAL & NEUTRAL
The colours we select also have the power to enhance the feeling of our home interiors. Whilst vibrant, colourful spaces can be stimulating and dramatic, soft, muted and neutral tones are gently uplifting and can instead create a feeling of calm and inner peace. Simple, neutral colours have been used in interiors for as long as we have been decorating, they complement one other and envelop our surroundings with a sense of calm. While colour trends come and go, their enduring appeal continues to stand the test of time. Neutrals provide a versatile foundation for layering texture, pattern and other colours upon and allow for decorative schemes within our homes to evolve over time.
Similarly, the materials we choose for our home can also have a calming effect. Layering natural materials into a room instantly bestows warmth and comfort due to their soft, earthy organic tones and textures. Natural materials are versatile and wonderfully soothing and add texture and visual interest to our spaces. From wooden flooring or furniture to natural woven textiles, the more materials resemble what we encounter in nature, the more calming and comforting their effect can be. Natural materials are also hard wearing, get better with age and have a timeless quality.
Layering in natural elements such as plants and objects found in nature also helps to create a sense of calm and balance in our home and foster a connection with the outside. Bunches of flowers, foliage or sculptural branches are wonderful ways to freshen our spaces, boost serenity and bring joy to our interiors. House plants are also visually interesting and can also benefit our emotional and physical wellbeing. The intrinsic beauty of natural details cannot be imitated by artificial means. They are often rich in personal association and evoke memories of time and place that go far beyond material value.
SENSORY
Spaces which take our senses into account can also help to create calm at home, since what we see, hear and touch have an enormous impact on how we feel and think. A sensory home means considering and responding to all of our senses, immersing ourselves with elements that help to quieten the noise of daily life and stimulate our ability to re-center and focus our thoughts.
Optimising natural light and fresh air are essential to creating harmonious spaces and experiences at home. Opening doors and windows softens the boundaries between inside and out and can improve our mood, ignite our senses and increase productivity. Making the most of outside views can also be important in helping us feel inspired and grounded. Boosting natural light wherever possible and being conscious of reducing the blue light from devices in our lives can immediately elevate our mood.
Ambiance can be created through lighting, candles or diffusers which all add to a calming atmosphere. Minimising the number of ceiling lights, instead opting for wall lights, table and floor lamps creates a warm and inviting ambience. A calming scent is one of the quickest ways to bring nature into our home and promote comfort and relaxation. Plant essential oils, if sourced responsibly, are a healthy and sustainable way to gently fragrance the air and stimulate a positive sensory response. Using notes from nature can also help to promote sleep and relaxation.
Sound is another powerful tool in creating calm and restful spaces. Choosing music intentionally is a wonderful way to soothe the soul, set the pace and mood in our home and evoke contentment. Music brings a sense of comfort, routine and ritual whilst keeping you in the present moment. Ambient music is designed to relax the mind and allow it to roam while providing enough stimulation to register as inspiration.
Touch is also an important part of the sensory experience and engenders feelings of comfort and contentment. Textiles are a perfect way to introduce soft, tactile textures to a space. From upholstered furniture, to curtains, cushions, blankets and throws, textiles can be layered in to any area of the home.
Well worn and imperfect vintage pieces that have beautiful lived-in textures and character, often feels more warm and inviting than perfectly curated homes. Vintage pieces help to create a relaxed atmosphere where we can feel comfortable and at ease. Mixing authentic, timeless pieces from different eras and styles creates a dialogue of contrast and harmony. Similarly, incorporating a few personal and meaningful touches such as family photographs, art, books or pottery can also help to evoke happy memories and create a homely feel.
As the frenetic pace of modern living increases, the importance of creating a calm environment to retreat to where we can nuture mind, body and soul is paramount. Simplicity and thoughtfulness are key when it comes to creating a calm home. Simplifying our spaces, incorporating natural materials, daily routines, rituals and sensory experiences can contribute to the peace we feel in our homes and help us find balance in everyday life.
Taking time, honouring craftsmanship and listening to our own intuition over the noise of the trend cycle cannot be over stated. Having less but investing in quality and beauty is always the best, most authentic route. When it looks and feels serene around us, we naturally feel calmer and more relaxed. A home which instils a sense of calm will comfort, inspire and nurture us everyday and provide a beautiful and restorative backdrop to everyday life.
We hope this journal story delivers a sense of peace and inspires you to create calm and comforting spaces in your home. For more inspiration, peruse our thoughtfully curated Pinterest gallery.
Space and light and order. These are the things men need just as they need bread or a place to sleep.
Le Corbusier | 1887 – 1965
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