Ways to Zen Your Living Space

In this hectic world, it can be hard to find a moment to just relax. This is often true even at home, the place that should serve as your own personal sanctuary.

Between endless chores, noisy housemates, or constant repair projects popping up, the home environment can be a significant point of stress in itself. That’s why it’s so important to ensure that your home’s design features aren’t further contributing to the chaos. Let’s examine a few key strategies for bringing some calm to your home through design.

Rethink Your Color Palette

It’s been well established that colors have certain psychological effects. Some are associated with more bold or energizing feelings, which can be counterproductive when trying to create a serene space. Bright, saturated colors are typically too “loud” to accommodate a zen atmosphere, which is why we recommend choosing among the softer, more muted ranges of colors.

Be sure to pay attention to how well the different colors in each space go together. Clashing colors can make a space look unharmonious, creating an unsettled feeling. For the most relaxed look, it’s best to stick to colors in the same tone ranges and hue families.

Tip: Paint companies often have pre-made color palettes you can browse through to get an idea of what goes together. Some even make recommendations based on the aesthetic you’re trying to achieve.

For example, Benjamin Moore’s palettes for Hygge and Cozy Cabin style interiors are perfect for setting a subdued mood. Sherwin Williams also offers a number of resources, including palettes specifically for Making Spaces Tranquil. Their Minimalist, Naturalist, and Nurturer color palettes are all excellent references as well.

Embrace Ambiance

Sometimes it’s easy to get a little too focused on practicality in our homes. We may get stuck in the habit of denying ourselves little design splurges because they aren’t technically necessary. But these extras can make a big difference when it comes to our quality of life and the enjoyment of our homes.

This is why we encourage you to go ahead and invest a little in decor that makes your space feel cozy and peaceful. Dimmable lights, scented candles, soft textiles, and inspiring art can all be highly effective at turning a room into a place where you can feel at ease. Just be careful not to go overboard: too many knick knacks, furnishings, and wall hangings can make a room feel cluttered, which only creates tension.

Get Organized

As we just touched upon, clutter is a huge source of anxiety in the home. You need visual and physical space in order to truly unwind. Stacks and clusters of items littered around are going to get in the way of that. Getting organized is essential to achieving visual serenity, as well as reducing those moments of frustration when you can’t find or access something you need.

This can sometimes be accomplished just by introducing a couple of organizer bins or storage furnishings. But in other cases, your home may need the addition of extra space and built-in solutions. We often see this in kitchens, where adding a pantry and expanded custom cabinetry can be an absolute game-changer. Once everything has a dedicated place and room to fit, you’ll find that those irritating little incidents become far fewer.

Take Advantage of Natural Light

Exposure to natural light is essential for good mental health. It plays a key role in warding off conditions that contribute to stress, such as depression and sleep disruption. Sunlight also reduces symptoms of anxiety and even boosts your mood by stimulating serotonin production.

Therefore, a truly zen space must take advantage of natural light as much as possible. This can be done by using some specific products to avoid needing to draw your curtains closed. For instance, sheer interior curtains or film treatments can curb privacy concerns by obscuring the view from the outside in. Top-down/bottom-up shades are also highly effective for blocking views or the glare of direct sunlight, without completely blocking illumination.

Unfortunately, some homes just weren’t designed with natural lighting as a priority. Rooms with no windows or too few will have to rely on artificial light sources, which don’t offer the same level of benefits. If you live in a home with this problem, you may notice that your overall mood and happiness are suffering.

Don’t Underestimate Your Need for Privacy

Everyone needs some time to themselves in order to decompress, even when you’re fond of those you live with. But if your home doesn’t offer a quiet, secluded space to use every now and then, you’re bound to feel on edge.

If you’re already living in a home that doesn’t have enough rooms to provide you with a private retreat, you’ll have to get creative. Large furnishings like bookshelves and wardrobes can be used to partition space, as well as curtains and screens. The newly-created spaces can then be turned into reading nooks, meditation zones, or work spaces.

Of course, if you’re looking to move, or even build a brand new home, you will have the freedom to choose the layout and number of rooms that meets your needs. You’ll be able to grant yourself a private library, home office, lounge, or home theater – whatever offers you the best means for relaxing and enjoying a bit of “me” time!

Get Expert Help Creating the Zen Abode of Your Dreams

While it’s possible to improve the tranquility of any home, you’ll always be limited by the original structure and design. The best way to create a truly peaceful dwelling is to build it with your goals in mind.

Here at Capitol Homes, we’ve spent many years helping Florida’s residents craft homes that offer a low-stress lifestyle. Our custom home floor plans all have spacious layouts, with options for effective organization, lighting, privacy, and even decor. The design experts on our staff can help you choose paints and finishes that give your home a perfectly soothing atmosphere, one where you can rest easy the moment you walk in the door.

With our guidance, you’ll be able to build a welcoming home that’s a real joy to live in. We invite you to get in touch with our team to set up your consultation, or a visit to one of our model homes.