When you come home from a long day of work, you want a space that contrasts sharply with the hustle and bustle of the workplace. In other words, you want at least one room in your house that is relaxing, nice place to spend your downtime in.
How do you make a room standout as relaxing? What elements can you incorporate to make your home a place of zen rather than stress?
Paint Colors
The first thing to consider is what color the walls will be as this will set the tone for the whole room. Of course, there are some colors more relaxing than others; a fire engine red room won’t exactly keep you calm.
Instead, opt for calm or even neutral color palettes. Calm colors are usually recognized as light shades of cool colors. For example, baby blue or even violet would be considered amongst these colors. Neutral colors are colors and shades such as white, cream, and tan.
If this sounds a little bland to you, don’t worry. While your walls might be a more toned down color, you can still keep things on the bright side with a few colorful decor pieces.
Play with Texture
Have you ever tried to relax with a blanket but the blanket is too scratchy? How about curling up on a cold night just to have to put your feet down on a cold, unforgiving hardwood floor to go get a snack?
You can fix these problems by simply playing with texture in a room to create a more relaxing atmosphere. When you choose decor pieces such as pillows, blankets, or even bigger pieces such as chairs and couches, make sure they are comfortable. While one blanket might look great, it might not feel the way you hope it would. Always try to find a balance of comfort and attractiveness.
As for that hardwood floor scenario, you should take the extra mile to add comfort underfoot if you can. The addition of a plush rug can go a long way for relaxation and comfort.
Use Soft Lines
While angular, geometric patterns are attractive and rather en vogue with modern design, they aren’t the most relaxing. Looking at a room made up of straight lines and boxy patterns can have the exact opposite effect of putting you at ease.
In the place of these geometric designs, try softer curves. Many find these types of patterns much more relaxing by comparison.
Use Lighting To Your Advantage
Sometimes, it seems easier to use one light bright enough to illuminate a whole room. The truth is that, while this might be the easiest way, it can be a little glaring on the eye. Using layers of lighting is much more effective.
In the place of the typical ceiling light and fan, try to use more lamps. Even better, adorn these lamps with shades that will help them stay at a muted brightness as well. Mix it up a bit – don’t just depend on table lamps. Using a mix of different kind of lamps will add layers to a room.
It’s also a good idea to use natural light when you can. For those relaxing after work, this might not be an option but if you have a big window that you can depend on to light up a room during the day, take advantage of that! Don’t block natural light with heavy curtains; embrace it!
Flame Can Be Useful
When many people think of a nice fireplace, they think of a rather relaxing time. For instance, they might correlate it with cozy winters by the fireplace. If you have a fireplace, don’t neglect it! It can add a warmth to your room both in temperature and in design.
However, not everyone has a fireplace handy in their house. This doesn’t mean that they have to sit out the benefits of a flickering flame, though.
For those that don’t have a fireplace but want to add a touch of warmth should consider candles. Not only do these give off a soft firelight, but you can also get them in a variety of calming scents.
Aromatherapy
On the topic of scented candles, the way a room smells can go a long way in how relaxing the room is. Scents such as lavender can be very calming. If you don’t want to keep candles burning, an essential oils diffuser might be the perfect choice.
Bring Some Life Into the Room
You can design a room perfectly but if there isn’t any life in it, it can seem, well, rather stale. Luckily, you can fix this with a few simple touches.
The best way to breathe literal life into a room is to introduce plants. They don’t have to even be flowering plants either. A few green ferns can go a long way. For those who don’t have a green thumb, you can even use small, easy-to-maintain, lively touches to your room. Cacti, succulents, and bamboo plants are all great options for those who want an easy plant to keep.
Another, less literal way to breathe life into a room is to bring some of your own life into the room. It’s important that a relaxing space feels distinctly your own and reflective of your personality. A few picture frames or even art pieces that you love can go a long way.
Having a calming room in your home can be essential after a long day. With the tips here, you can have a place to sit back, kick your feet up, and relax that you can be proud of in no time.