discover home:
When we wake up, as we go about our day, when we settle in at the end of the day, our homes are our sacred spaces. Our homes should give us a feeling of solace, of safety, and of rest. They should give us a feeling of relaxation. I believe our homes are one of the only places we can truly recharge and reset. That’s why it’s so important to create an inviting and relaxing atmosphere in our homes. And it is easier than you think. Here are a few things you can try…
Try to simplify…
When we simplify our homes – and I don’t mean those decluttering challenges of 100 things in 100 days – I mean truly simplify, we gain clarity. Did you know our minds take inventor of all the items we physically see. The items we see are silently calling out to us to maintain them, remember them, do something with them. Every item we have on display is silently saying, dust me, vacuum me, organize me, wash me, dry me, fold me, iron me.
When we simplify our spaces, we quiet that noise. As we quiet the noise, our homes feel more inviting and relaxing. This doesn’t mean we have to live a minimalist lifestyle. But when our spaces are tidied, organized, and uncluttered, we will find more rest, more relaxation, and less anxiety in our homes.
Even when it’s something as simple as choosing a color palette that reduces the feeling of clutter, simplified homes have a relaxing atmosphere.
Try dimming the lights…
Have you ever dined in a nice restaurant where there were little candles on the tables and the electric lights were turned down low? All that ambiance leads to a feeling of calm and luxury. Why? Because dim lighting creates mystery and romance. Dim lights also help to calm the chaos that may surround us.
I’m not suggesting we all turn out the lights and live in the dark. But dim lighting creates a relaxing atmosphere. It quiets our senses, it triggers our circadian rhythm, and creates a feeling of well-being and of comfort.
Try creating an occasion…
Setting the table for dinner doesn’t have to be a time-consuming task. There is something about setting down to a meal with a few little extras that creates a relaxing atmosphere. Why not get out the cloth napkins, pull out the good glasses, put the iced-tea in a glass pitcher?
Create an occasion out of a week-night meal. Even something as simple as lighting a candle or two can create an ambiance that will beckon us to slow down for a moment and truly enjoy what we’ve been given. Something as basic as a frozen lasagna and a side salad is much nicer by candle light and with a stemmed glass.
Try a few florals…
Fresh florals can be expensive. In years past, faux florals were often cheap-looking and even (dare I say it) tacky. But in recent years, faux florals have really come a long way and look amazing!
It is astounding what a bouquet or arrangement of floral stems or simply greenery stems can do for our homes. I like to mix and match my florals, often creating containers of fern, variegated greenery, and hydrangeas. Many of the vases have faux stems, and even a few that look like twigs just beginning to bud out.
It is one thing we can do to create a relaxing atmosphere in our homes – fresh or faux – flowers and greenery help to build an ambiance and an atmosphere that feels both welcoming and relaxing.
Try lighting a few candles…
Candlelight can be the most basic and the most galant when it comes to a relaxing atmosphere. We can purchase real candles or the battery operated variety. The warm flicker of candle light can take a hoe-hum evening and turn it into something relaxing and cozy.
Personally, I like to have a few scented candles around our home. Currently I have a lemon-zest scented candle, a vanilla candle, and several tea lights. Together they warm the space by sharing a flicker and a glow. And there is always at least one (if not two) candles going in my kitchen – especially during the dinner clean up time. It simply takes a daily chore and turns it into an event that mimics personal time.
We can create an inviting, relaxing atmosphere when we…
The one single thing we can all do when we aim to create an inviting, relaxing atmosphere in our homes is to foster that feeling. Let’s face it, life comes at us at the speed of light and everything and everyone believes they deserve our utmost attention. Phones signal each text message, YouTube creators want us to turn on notifications, email systems ding with every new addition to our inbox. If you and I do not actively and intentionally foster – dare I say chase – an atmosphere of relaxation and calm, we may miss out completely.
It can be simple, dear one. I hope you find little nuggets where you can incorporate and create these feelings into your own home this week.
