Try These Influencer Approved Ways To Create A Calming Living Space
Your home is your sanctuary, and it should look and feel like it, too. "Everyone needs a place to get away from it all," says Linda Eyles via Better Homes & Gardens. What better place for a daily retreat than your own home. So, how exactly does one begin to make a home feel like an escape from reality? Simple. You fill it with items you adore and colors that feel peaceful while exploring ways to make your space work for you and put your mind at ease.
Since calm is a sensation, one's home should echo this feeling through your decorating choices. Pay attention to every detail, including the artwork, baskets, color choices, pattern designs, and plants that will shape and soothe the environment in your space. If you are searching for ways to manifest serenity and promote a relaxing atmosphere in your home, continue reading for influencer-approved ways to create a calming living space.
Conceal all the clutter
Clutter happens in every home in almost every room. Ordinary things pile up in places, and odd objects find homes in random spots around the house. Clutter can become chaotic and take away from the calming environment you are trying to create in your space. Make decluttering a priority by finding creative ways to conceal the mess for a clean and accessible look. Collect clutter in one area with baskets and bowls to help hide items you do not want on display.
A kitchen is an area that tends to have constant clutter, which is why Good Housekeeping suggests using pull-out pantries, utility trays, and sliding shelves to help hide items while keeping them readily available. A variety of baskets, drawer inserts, and plastic containers can be used almost anywhere in the house to help wrangle the mess. Try using these items in cabinets, under the sink, pantry, or linen closet. They come in multiple colors and finishes and are ideal for most home decor preferences and color palettes. The result is a home that works for you when you need it.
Organization is key
When decorating your space to be a calming oasis, it helps to have functional pieces that match the home's aesthetic. Organization is not limited to clear plastic containers for sorting your refrigerator or goods in the pantry. It can be more than just stocking the shelves with bins. Instead, you can incorporate organization directly into your overall design by using techniques with purpose.
According to Architectural Digest, an open-style shelving structure will allow you to get the most out of your space and help keep things in their proper place while looking effortlessly chic. This concept is ideal for turning empty wall space into a visually appealing decoration. Line the shelves with baskets to hold remotes, create visual change in elevation by stacking your favorite books, and add collectibles or family heirlooms. The open shelving concept allows you to update and alter the decor as you desire and when you want. Maintaining an organized space that is cohesive with your home's aesthetic is essential for achieving a calming living environment.
Bring the outside in
To create calm and cozy vibes in your home, add plants to corners, shelves, or on top of tables. Plants "provide great contrast to the structure of a room and its furnishings," says interior designer Sarah Cole to The Seattle Times. These natural beauties can fill dead space in a room and assist in balancing a design. Many influencers on Instagram and other social media platforms fill their homes with plants in every corner for an urban jungle look.
If you have space near a sofa or coffee table, a spot next to a corner accent chair, entryway bench, or a mirror, you can complement it with a plant. You can add a simple green potted plant like a monstera or a vase filled with your favorite blooms. Plants have a natural softness and vibrancy that balances hard architectural features in a room, making them ideal for pairing with furniture. The rounded edges of the leaves and flower petals introduce dimension and movement into a room. Adding organic elements to your dwelling enhances the peaceful atmosphere.
Use marble and stone materials
Creating a calming environment in your home starts with the materials you choose. For example, marble is a classic material found in most kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms. Marble bathrooms are also a popular home feature. Large slabs of waterfall marble countertops or marble-topped tables introduce a classic vibe into a home and look effortlessly elegant. This material makes a statement whether you incorporate it into the house in a grand or minor form. If you're looking for a smaller change, Homedit suggests incorporating marble through details in the home like soap dispensers, accent trays, and sculptural figures.
Stone is another design element that transforms a room and brings a calm feeling to life. Stone is a versatile material that you can incorporate into the home on the walls, floors, or furnishings. You can add stone elements to your relaxing abode with benches and tables created from reliable materials or design an accent wall with the texture in the living space. Stone and marble are natural compositions available in many structural forms and furnishings, matching any decorative style.
Use warm neutral hues
Cultivate calm energy by choosing the correct colors for your home. The shades you choose for the walls, sofa, accent pillows, throws, and rugs will directly impact the level of serenity that flows through your space. When selecting colors for your home, the final combination should feature shades you adore that fit well together. Calming living spaces feature colors that blend effortlessly.
To achieve this level of cohesion, consider selecting warm colors that manifest feelings of coziness. "Warmer tones also help imbue a home with a timeless, enduring ambiance," shares design influencer Kate Marker to The Spruce. Imagine coastal blues, vibrant oranges, deep reds, and brilliant yellows. Deciding on color choices is extremely important when creating a space you want to spend time, as they can directly affect your mood. Bright colors aren't always as necessary as warm neutrals, but they can be an ideal color choice for a calming pad. The timeless warm tones mesh well and fill the most intimate spaces with happiness.
Create your own art
"We all draw. It's a natural form of expression, and expressing ourselves visually is human nature," shares art therapist Tammy Shella to the Cleveland Clinic. Why not decorate your space with your own drawings to promote a calm environment? Making your own art is easier than you may think. Whether creating paintings, sculptures, or magazine collages, there's no limit to the ways you can express yourself through art. When creating your masterpiece, the only rules you have to follow are the ones you set for yourself. Art is a limitless form of expression and can be the personalized prized possession you need in your calming living environment. There are endless techniques a decorator can utilize when finding the right art for their home.
Let your creativity run wild. You can use canvas, string, mirrors, stencils, and even crayons to make art for your home (via BuzzFeed). Decorating your living space with the art you create is an expression of yourself and will make you feel more zen. Find a source for your inspiration and make a tranquil piece of art to display in your home.
Balance the forces in the room
A living space is calming when the room is in balance. The human eye is skilled at identifying elements that do not belong or look out of place. According to MyMove, you can bring good vibes into your home using feng shui. In particular, pay attention to your light and dark forces, also known as Yin and Yang, to create cohesion in a space. Think of balancing these forces for color, direction, number, and pattern.
To instill your rooms with serene energy, decorate with a mixture of hues and complementary designs. Start by decorating with Yin elements like low lighting, soft textures, delicate florals, and cool colors. Add some Yang to the mix with bright colors, optional overhead lighting, and warm accents like throw pillows. When an environment is balanced, you will want to spend more time at home. The longer you can stay in a room, the more relaxed you will be over time.
Add different types of pillows
Pillows are plush accessories perfect for making a space look cozy instantly. They feature many different materials, colors, and patterns that can enhance the calm energy in your home. The shape and style of the pillow matter, and it should be comfortable and stylish. According to HomeLane, different pillows, such as bolster pillows, have different shapes for specific reasons. This pillow style is cylindrical, making it the ideal shape for supporting the lower back when sitting on a chair or sofa. If you practice yoga, bolster pillows can aid your comfort and relaxation in certain postures.
Other shapes like square pillows provide comfort. Lumbar pillows also support the back in a sitting position. A combination of shapes and mismatched patterns on a sofa or bed will increase the coziness of your space. Decorative pillows add the finishing touch. You can find plenty of cute pillows online or in local thrift stores.
Rely on your vision to keep it simple
Creating a calm environment involves keeping patterns, materials, and color schemes simple. For an accurate picture of how your decorative selections will look, it is best to first make a visual for yourself. As home decor influencer Katie Zamprioli said to Joybird, "I'll usually use an e-design app, like Room Planner, to layout everything side by side and make sure that I like it all together." Creating a scaled visual with specific tones and materials indicates how different components will marry in your space. Following this style tip will make choosing shades of colors, wood materials, and metallic accents painless. Plus, it can prevent you from buying pieces that do not fit into your space.
Corraling together cohesive and attractive pieces will help make your home a relaxing and comfortable environment. Be sure to display the items in the actual room first to get an accurate idea of what tones will be visible under natural or artificial lighting conditions. Seeing your vision come to life will allow you to create the calming home space you desire.
Mix high end and low end items
If you are searching for a way to keep your decor from appearing dull or average, try pairing furniture pieces like console tables, TV stands, and coffee tables with accent items like vases, lamps, and framed art. According to LTK, consumers search for pieces with different price points. Most people decorate their interiors with a collection of furnishings, including budget finds and luxury splurges.
Pairing lower-priced pieces with higher ones can elevate the value item while making the splurge piece a focal point in your home. Each person's price threshold for what they consider an investment piece is different, so it's best to choose high and low-end purchases based on your specific budget and decorative needs. Having a creative assortment of furniture pieces and accent items throughout your house is not uncommon. Many people furnish their spaces thoughtfully with a mixture of budget and high-end pieces.
Know which trends are out
Calming living spaces evoke emotions like tranquility and peace. A dated design will produce opposing emotions, unfit for the relaxing environment you are aiming to create. If you desire a contemporary design, focus on including stylish features. For example, elements like macrame tapestries might feel outdated when paired with sleek and futuristic living spaces.
"As much as I love textiles, I really think they can be better appreciated in the form of a Persian rug, or beautifully embroidered pillow," says interior design influencer Caitlin Wilson to Forbes. While it may seem you are getting rid of a necessary element, there are other, trendier ways to incorporate the desired effect. Not all decor changes need to be massive, either. You can alter the appearance of a room just by updating pillow coverings, curtain panels, or accent rugs. Do not be afraid to add these elements to your space. You may be surprised at how calm you feel after making the change.
Opt for vintage-inspired pieces
When you spot an ornate object from another era, it is natural to admire the curves, markings, and distinct features. These attributes make pieces classic and chic. Antique furniture can tell a story of the past, unlike newer pieces. "New things can be great, but we're hoping to see more and more spaces embrace vintage pieces ... Giving old objects new life is not only great for our planet, but brings so much character and soul to interior spaces," says influencers Sara and Rich Combs to The Spruce.
To reduce consumption and incorporate upcycling in your home, add old furniture. Decorating with vintage-inspired furniture pieces will make your dwelling feel timeless and unique. Pair vintage furnishings with modern pieces to create contrast. Tempering the ornate elements with contemporary pieces will prevent the design from appearing dated. You can source antique finds by visiting flea markets in your area or browsing websites like Etsy.
Paint the walls a moody color
What better way to inspire calm vibes than a dark and dramatic color? "I think it's exciting to see more of a return to color on the wall — dark, saturated, moody color," shares Erin Napier, a host of HGTV's "Home Town," to Insider. Paint color can influence a room's appearance with just a stroke. You can enhance the moodiness with a dark gray, off-black, or forest green accent wall in your living room, office, den, or bedroom area.
If you desire a bolder appearance, paint all the walls and ceiling for a completely dark room. The color choice should darken the environment to foster a feeling of complete calm. The darkness will eliminate light, instantly affecting the mood once you enter the room. If you are looking for more color inspiration, check out these influencer-inspired Sherwin Williams paint colors to transform your home.
Design a stylish entryway
How you enter and exit a home is of particular design importance. This area will often leave a lasting impression on your visitors, so the appearance must inspire the desired emotion — calmness. As a prime location in a home, the entryway should be a well-designed space. The entire area should feel warm and welcoming while emitting elegance. "I always recommend going bolder in the entry, since it's a small space and can easily be changed when the mood strikes," shares interior design influencer Beth Diana Smith to The Washington Post.
You can achieve a statement-worthy entrance by covering the walls with floral wallpaper or using a dark color to paint your front door. Some other ways to create a calm and stylish entry include adding a rug at the doorway, installing a bench, or hanging a round mirror. The amount of space you have in your entryway will ultimately determine which furnishings and wall features you can add. Mix and match the pieces in this space to balance style and functionality.
Decorate with candles for a warming glow
Want to make your space feel calm and inviting? Interior designer Jade Joyner suggests keeping your candles burning from morning to evening. As she said to Better Homes & Gardens, "It creates a soothing ambiance while adding a little luxe to my day." Who would not want to experience this luxurious feeling after a long day? You can create the sensation of ultimate relaxation by decorating your home with candles that produce a soft glow. The low light emitted from a candle or several together is perfect for instilling calm. Pair the dim lighting with one of your favorite fragrances.
Introduce candles into your space in different shapes and forms to add visual contrast. You can always create vertical arrangements by placing candlesticks on shelves and tabletops. If you choose to decorate with candlesticks, keep the display balanced by grouping them in even numbers like four or six (via Martha Stewart). Trying these tips in your home will help create the ultimate influencer-approved calm living space.