What is better than home?
A cozy and peaceful home. There’s nothing like the feeling of comfort, peace, and relaxation within the walls of your own place.
The harmony of a tidy, clean, and well-laid-out room brings balance to our minds, many times, in a subconscious way.
Often, these things are overseen, but when they’re taken care of, the wellness and quality of the lives of the people inhabiting those spaces improve.
There are several currents and techniques to achieve these feelings of peace and comfort at home; so we took on the task of looking for a handful of experts to share their knowledge and bring our public some ideas and advice on how they can turn their home’s spaces into positive spaces themselves.
We asked experts for their advice regarding decorating and laying out homes in a way that could help our readers set up happy, cozy spaces with a balanced and peaceful vibe.
This is what they told us:
Tips on how a place that is usually messy, like a garage or an attic, can turn into a peaceful, harmonious, and cozy room
First of all, I would like to share a brief overview of Feng Shui:
Originating in China almost 6,000 years ago, Feng Shui literally means “wind” (Feng) and “water” (Shui). It is also referred to as “Geomancy” or “Earth Wisdom.” It is an ancient method of constructing and optimizing residences and businesses to bring about happiness, abundance, and harmony. It includes architecture, urban planning, interior design, and garden design. Feng Shui involves the placement of objects in relation to the flow of Qi (Chi, 氣) “natural energy”. It also involves the layout, framework, materials, and colors of building structures. These guidelines allow us to make the most ideal arrangement in any given situation. Feng Shui discusses architecture in allegorical terms of the “invisible forces” that bind the universe, earth, and humanity together, known as Chi (Qi).
Now into Feng Shui’ing typically messy or unsightly rooms. Because rooms can be in different sectors in different homes (such as North, Northeast, East, Southeast, etc.), every situation is unique. Feng Shui is a very complex practice with many different schools, and the recommendations vary from school to school and from one practitioner to another. So too, advice will differ depending upon the unique home – and the unique people living in it. Although different schools may have diverse views on some topics, there are basic Feng Shui principles that apply to all homes. If you concentrate on which sector of the Bagua the room falls into, this can be your guide for designing. Designing a room using Feng Shui makes it easy for the designer. Imagine Feng Shui as “the law”. Lawyers write papers within the parameters of the law. Designers use Feng Shui as a set of rules to design a space. For a balanced room, simply match up the major elements with the elements on the Bagua. *[An eight-sector template that is superimposed over the floorplan, mapping it to the compass readings for revealing areas lacking good Chi, so that we know what needs correcting or enhancing.]
People often have rooms in their homes that they simply “forget about”. For example, “Oh, that’s the junk room.” Or, “That’s the storage room.” In Feng Shui, you must consider every single room in your home, because when you overlay the Bagua over your floorplan, you could be ignoring your wealth corner – or your relationship corner! Let’s say you have a garage that falls in the relationship corner (Southwest). Let’s look at the Bagua for information about the sector. The relationship sector is ruled by earth, which means you can use earth elements and colors here. There are also secondary colors of red, white, and pink. I love garages because you can go wild in them. Who cares? It’s the garage!
How Would We Feng Shui a Garage? In this example, I would do an epoxy floor, probably in a yummy caramel color, with flecks of glitter in red, pink, and gold. I would paint the walls with another earth color; probably a light tan or beige. I would add artwork in pairs. Yes, artwork in the garage! What if my client didn’t like pink? Then I would use the actual element of earth – such as porcelain tile – on the floor. Or, I could use glass tiles as a backsplash at a workbench in the garage. Glass is considered an earth element because it’s made from sand. The relationship area is about coupling – so you want to decorate in pairs. This will foster your relationship. You could even display photos of you and your partner here. When you pull your car into your garage, it should bring you just as much joy as any other room in your house. In fact, in some ways, it’s more crucial than other rooms, because it’s the first room you see when you come home.
Jennifer Emmer
Feng Shui Master & Interior Designer
Feng Shui Style
What are the best materials and colors to create a peaceful zen-looking bedroom?
A Zen color palette is focused on hues and textures with a natural and elemental origin. When selecting your Zen color scheme, think of the elements that remind you of natural river rock, weathered driftwood, sandy beaches, and lush forests. The colors should be calming and promote a space that invites creativity, meditation, rest, or relaxation.
Including elements of nature is essential in creating the ultimate Zen-style bedroom design. Raw, earthy surfaces and nature-inspired textures are commonly selected for furniture, built-in cabinets, accent walls, floors, ceilings, decor, and more. Consider selecting wood products that have a natural wood grain pattern that is intriguing to the eye. The wood grain could be sporadic and enticing like gray stained hickory, straight-grained and consistent like Quarter-sawn White Oak, or luscious and lively like natural bamboo.
For walls, décor, and linens consider light neutral shades of pale grays, earthy greens, putty beiges, sky blues, and of course bright whites or off-whites.
Sometimes you will see a designer incorporate a vibrant pop of color like lavender, yellow, or orange used as an accent in a Zen style bedroom design. These colors are usually inspired by a flower or fruit found in nature. While neutral colors and primitive textures should make up the majority of the bedroom design. Vibrant colors and dramatic elements should be used sparingly as accents so that they don’t create too much energetic attention. The overall space should feel bright and calm.
When balancing the colors and textures throughout the bedroom design, make sure that no one texture or color overtakes the space. Keep in mind, Zen style is all about creating a peaceful space. Don’t mix so many different elements that the bedroom design becomes too “energetic”. The overall interior design should feel open, spacious, airy, and most of all, relaxing.
Mandi Juskiewicz
Sr. Design Specialist
Dura Supreme
What key elements to consider when choosing cozy and inviting bedroom furniture?
Creating a cozy bedroom starts with selecting the right furniture and decor that evoke comfort and tranquility. When choosing furniture for such a bedroom, we recommend that you consider the following key elements:
The first and most important is the size and scale of your furniture. Choose furniture that fits the scale of your room. A large bed in a small room can be overwhelming and make the space less functional if you no longer have space for a dresser. At the same time, pieces that are too small in a larger room might look lost and force you to fill in the space, creating a cluttered feel.
The second key element is your bed (and, of course, your bedding). As the focal point of the bedroom, the bed is crucial. Consider an upholstered headboard for added warmth and coziness. Layer textures of bedding, blankets, and accent pillows for a cozy and complete look.
Third, choose a calming and harmonious color scheme. Neutrals, soft pastels, or deep, rich tones can all work, depending on your personal preference. A cohesive color palette can help make the room feel more put-together and serene.
Next, you want to make sure you have lots of textures. Try incorporating velvets, soft sherpas, faux fur, silk, and more from the window curtains to the bedding to the rug on your floor.
Lastly, opt for layered lighting with a combination of ambient, task, and accent lights. Dimmable fixtures, bedside lamps, or string lights can add a soft glow that adds coziness.
Kim Foerst
Lush Décor
What’s your best tip for decorating a home with mirrors?
The best tip for homeowners that are looking to decorate their home with mirrors is to consider these three elements together: the Space, Style, and Shine.
Space: In which space in the home will the mirror be placed in and does it have a function? What size of a mirror will be in ideal proportion to the space? For example, a large arched mirror in traditional style would be well placed above the fireplace mantelpiece.
Style: What style of mirror will complement or contrast with the theme of the room? Is your room traditional, modern, or a mix of different themes? When choosing a mirror, consider the size, shape, and color, and the style of the frame. For example, a mirror with a thick, rustic and aged frame with earthy colors would suit a farmhouse and country-style theme.
Shine: This is how the mirror will look in its space and the way it makes you feel. Does it bring joy into the room and uplift the mood? Does it show your own personality and style? For example, if you love the natural light outside, placing a large full length mirror near the window of your room will help to bring in natural light and enhance the space overall.
Sanra
Shine Mirrors
What would you recommend to create a peaceful home atmosphere in a small home such as an apartment, ADU, Tiny Home or even a Mobile Home like an RV?
Living in a small space, it almost goes without saying that you need to be organized. Pared-down belongings and good storage solutions are a must.
But to create a calming, peaceful home, it’ also requires a bit more than that. My #1 recommendation? Bringing nature into your home is the best way to support a peaceful space.
First, add a few plants. They not only refresh the air and look pretty, they also help connect us to nature in an intimate way. Plants are known to calm us and make us feel more relaxed. So, a few small plants or bunches of fresh flowers, hanging by windows or on our tables, are a great way to create a more peaceful atmosphere.
Other great ways to bring more calmness into our homes are with furnishings and décor that mimic nature. Natural finishes such as wood and stone are great. The use of wood grain has shown physical health benefits, including lowered blood pressure and reduced levels of stress.
Also, nature-based fabrics for seating, window treatments, and rugs are great ways to surround us with healthy vibes. Fabrics such as cotton, bamboo, silk, and sisal make a home feel luxurious, too.
Using natural colors also helps to create a calming effect. Beiges, browns, greens, and blues remind us of healthy vibrant places. In addition, art with images of nature, such as forests or lakes, contribute to a greater feeling of wellbeing.
If your home has overhead lighting (aka high hats), add a few lamps and/or wall sconces to create options for softer, more ambient light.
And lastly, a small essential oil diffuser with natural scents contributes to a peaceful home. Pick one that you really love, such as lavender and bergamot (calming), or peppermint and eucalyptus (energizing).
Maureen K. Calamia
Autor, Speaker, Teacher & Consultant
Luminous-Spaces
What tips would you recommend to create a peaceful environment in an outdoor space at home like a terrace, a garden, a patio, a front porch, or even a deck?
Have you ever found yourself in an outdoor space, terrace, or a patio that had a curated natural vibe to it that set you immediately at ease?
Perhaps it was the back terrace of a modern home with a lot of natural curves and muted colors or a classic colonial patio with an abundance of leafy green plants and bohemian up-cycled outdoor décor. Odds are the elements of design that inspired your visceral feeling of tranquility were tied to biophilia.
Biophilia is the social philosophy turned design principal that asserts we as humans possess an innate desire to seek connections with nature, and once found, these connections give us a sense of calm that is rooted in our biology.
The simple concept that humans are part of nature and find comfort when surrounded by the beauty of materials found in nature is well documented and has a measurable positive psychological effect.
At home it is easy to incorporate these biophilic design elements into any outdoor redecorating or remodeling plan to add a peaceful vibe to your personal surroundings.
Focusing on practical elements that are found in nature like natural wood tones in decking, shiplap or Shou Sugi Ban feature walls, and real wood furniture are a great place to start. Accentuating these natural wood elements with an abundance of living plants and natural fiber outdoor rugs, umbrellas, or awnings with a warm neutral color scheme will help complete the peaceful look and feel you are trying to achieve.
John Nevadomski
Pioneer Millworks
How would you place a mirror in your bathroom?
‘Mirror, mirror on the wall…’
Mirrors can enhance any area of your home but they can just as easily break the energy, balance and ‘luck’ of your house. If wrongly placed, the occupant will come across many challenges in certain areas of their life.
It’s important to understand that energy is everything and everywhere.
Every single solitary thing in your house, including you, is made of energy. The trick is to make sure you are maintaining a positive and harmonious energy flow in your space. While this may seem impossible to do, it’s not. Once you understand and learn how to feel the energy, knowing where and how to place things will become second nature.
Let’s take mirrors for example.
Naturally, for many of us, having a mirror on the bathroom is quite normal, however, it’s important to make sure you’ve got the right size mirror, the optimal shape and it’s placed in the best location.
One thing to note about mirrors is that you want to make sure that when you look in the mirror you can see your entire head, face and neck. The more you can see, the better. You don’t want your head cut off in any way when you’re looking at yourself in the mirror.
You also don’t want the mirror directly across from the toilet. When you think of flushing, you think of everything going down the toilet. With the mirror directly across the toilet, that ‘flushing effect’ is now doubled.
The best placement for your bathroom mirror is above your vanity, ideally in a location that captures some natural light too. You want the mirror to be functional but also complimentary to whatever else is in the bathroom.
Remember mirrors reflect so you want to make sure that it’s reflecting something beautiful, besides you!
Another super important note to mention is to make sure your mirror is not cracked, chipped or scarred in any way. Anything broken is toxic negative energy which is something we’re trying to avoid in our space.
Iva Ursano
Motivator, Feng Shui Expert, Author & Speaker
Amazing Me Movement
How do you implement the concepts of the ‘Wabi-Sabi’ philosophy to create a space at home for peace and relaxation?
Let us revise the main concept of Wabi-Sabi philosophy before moving to its implementation in interior design. Wabi-sabi originates from the Japanese tea ceremonies of the 15th century, which cherished the idea of finding peace in pleasant company and amiable conversations rather than in the beauty of the tableware used at the ceremony.
Therefore, wabi-sabi offers us to find psychological balance, enjoy the beauty of every moment and live a simpler life. This philosophy reminds us that everything and everyone, including us, is imperfect, incomplete and impermanent.
How Can Wabi-sabi Principles Add Peace and Relaxation to Our Homes:
Your home is your fortress that should protect you from all external stresses and give you the feeling of relaxation and peace. Wabi-sabi is an ancient aesthetic philosophy that provides all instruments to achieve this through embracing natural imperfection, incompleteness and simplicity. Follow these recommendations, and you’ll quickly notice changes in your life:
• Make Your Home Minimalistic and Decluttered
Start with removing clutter and keeping your home clean and minimalistic. Keep only the things you need and feel an emotional attachment to. Believe us, this strategy will assist in leaving out stress from your life.
• Choose Colors Wisely
Stay with the soft colors to add harmony and relaxation effect to your interior. Soft green, brown and gray colors, accompanied by cream and white shades will be a perfect choice. No way should you use vibrant colors in your design.
• Add Natural Materials
It is a widely known fact that natural elements like wood, stone and natural fabrics add the feeling of warmth and comfort. So, why not add these materials to your home?
• Choose Soft Light
While warm natural light is preferred by the wabi-sabi philosophy, additional hanging or floor light sources can also become a valuable addition to creating a cozy and soft atmosphere.
• Keep Old Things Dear to Your Heart
Don’t rush to buy a new chair or cup if the old one is damaged. A wise approach is to repair the old stuff and go on using it if you feel attached to these objects. There is even a unique technique, called the kintsugi method, that helps to mend the broken pottery by covering its fractures with gold or silver seams, mending and highlighting them simultaneously.
• Add Flowers and Plants
Usage of houseplants on your windowsill or floor is highly appreciated by the wabi-sabi philosophy. Even the flowers in a vase will be perfect for highlighting the idea of the impermanent nature of our life.
Irene Stepanovska
Live Home 3D
How would you design a home’s lighting for a relaxed, calm, and cozy ambiance?
I think lighting is one of the most oft-overlooked ways to shift the mood of a space. Aiming for the rule of three is always a good idea, no matter the desired effect (key, task, and accent). However, paying particular attention to task and accent lighting and using them strategically can help to up the coziness in a space. One way to use task lighting to great effect is to carve out a reading nook; it’s both practical and draws the eye into the scene you’ve created.
Similarly, accent lights help direct your gaze around the room, focusing it on elements that you want to draw attention to and distracting it from the ones you don’t. Highlighting art with picture lights, adding puck lights to the interior of a bookshelf to showcase a styled vignette, or topping a stack of books with a lamp are all easy ways to incorporate this.
The lighting quality and the color temperature are two other aspects of lighting that I would focus on to create ambiance. Quality can refer to both the hardness of the light and the direction. Direct sunlight, for example, is considered “hard light,” while an overcast day produces a soft, diffused light. Soft light is easier on the eyes and more flattering and can be created by looking for fixtures with soft linen shades that diffuse it for a welcoming glow.
Color temperature usually refers to the spectrum from cool to warm, although fluorescent lights produce a green cast (avoid these), and LEDs can often be programmed to any hue. We tend to think cooler shades are crisp, clean, and bright, while warmer shades feel soft and welcoming. If you want to create a cozy space, lean towards the warmer side of the spectrum and avoid anything labeled “cool” or “daylight.”
Kim Lucian
Design Confetti
Which elements do you recommend incorporating at home to create a space to cultivate peace and relaxation?
Your home should be your sanctuary. If you cater to and pamper all five physical senses, you activate your more visceral senses, such as intuition and perception.
Take some action:
In each category, without observing your space, ask yourself the questions posed: (Writing down your answers will help you see the full picture of how you want to live.)
Visual
What we gaze upon has a huge impact on our mood. If disorganization is the norm, it’s going to affect us. Unless we are incredibly selective, television is going to broadcast negativity into our homes. An organized and visually appealing home brings joy!
- What is your favorite color palette?
- Do you like some clutter as in knick knacks that mean something to you, or clear uncluttered space?
- Do you like opening a closet and seeing uniform hangers with your items categorized by color?
- What kind of artwork makes you feel good?
- Is the outdoor space around your home beautiful?…If so, take advantage of it. If not, find attractive window treatments.
- Do you like bright or subdued lighting or candles? A salt lamp in the bedroom creates a flattering ambiance.
Audio
We have almost infinite resources on the internet to find the sounds we love. Often we have background noise in our homes that does not support the positive vibe we should be trying to achieve. Turn off the television-it is not your friend! Traffic and planes overhead can also detract from our peace.
- Do you need some soundproofing? Even one room is an improvement that may be worth the investment.
- Do you need headphones to block out ambient noise? There are a variety of price points to optimize your private listening.
- What soothing music appeals to you when it’s time to relax?
- What energizing music appeals to you when you need to be productive?
- Would you enjoy having a system of saved audios including stations, genres, nature sounds etc?
- What sounds of nature appeal to you? Find them!
- Would a water fountain improve the atmosphere?
- What other sounds do you enjoy? Think outside the box!
Smell
Our olfactory bulb processes what we smell and is closely linked with memory. If we walk into a space and it doesn’t smell right, we know right away.
- What scents evoke happy memories?
- How would you like to add scent to your home? Essential oils are much healthier than chemicals.
- Do you enjoy fresh flowers?
- What baking or cooking smells relax you?
Touch
We need to pamper ourselves with items that feel good against our skin. Think soft clothing, cool well linen and cotton in summer, warm cashmere, silk or velvet in winter
- What kind of textiles do you love? Silky, furry, velvety or plush? Linen, cotton, cashmere? Try to get rid of anything scratchy and abrasive! Bringing in seasonal fabrics can enhance your enjoyment of each time of year.
- When organizing your clothes, do you like using clear acrylic, wood or cloth for organizing?
- Do you love a hot shower? Or a bath? Experiment with hot and cold.
- Do you have comforting bedding? Enough pillows?
- Do you have fuzzy socks if your feet get cold?
- Do you have cool compresses in the freezer if you need to soothe a headache or tired neck?
Taste
Meals and snacks prepared with intention add to your enjoyment of the food. Some tastes include sweet, sour, salty, meaty (umami), bitter, astringent, cool, and hot. Incorporate your favorites.
- What are your comfort foods? Can you enjoy them without guilt?
- What beverages do you enjoy? Chamomile and/or lavender tea are wonderful for relaxation and of course coffee gives energy. Take your time and really enjoy it!
- Do you know how certain foods affect your mood? Eat accordingly.
Now compare your actual space with your answers and you will know what to work on. Make changes as you can with consideration for all who use the space.
Functional systems
Of course all of these improvements will not bring you peace if you don’t already have an organized approach in how you use the space. Professional organizers help people move from chaos to a pleasing, functional space that is right for them.
Smile, be grateful, take a deep breath and savor the sensory experience of a tranquil home.
Jennifer Dwight
NAPO Gold Circle professional organizer
Ideal Organizing + Design
Vastu Shastra basic concepts and how to apply them to the home?
Want to create a living or work space that attracts positive vibes? There’s an ancient science of placement from India known as Vastu Shastra that does just that. We call Vastu “Yoga for the Home”.
Using the suggestions below will help you experience greater harmony, productivity and wellbeing through the principles of the five elements –earth, air, water, fire, and space.
Everything in the universe is made of these five elements, including your computer, the chair you sit on, the plants outside, and even your body. Each of these elements is associated with a specific direction, aspiration, and much more. Making remedial changes using the tips below has the potential to benefit your life:
- Plants in the southwest area of a room balance the earth element. They absorb toxins and help filter impurities. Placing heavier items in the southwest area creates a sense of support and a feeling of protection energetically.
- Open windows to let in fresh air balances the air element in the northwest. We advise to clean furnace filters regularly and use a negative-ion generator to bring more prana (lifeforce energy) into any room. These two suggestions will help your mental clarity. Relationships are enhanced when the air element is balanced.
- A small indoor fountain in the northeast balances the water element. When placed in this direction it enlivens and purifies your living space. Balancing the water element supports your spiritual practices and stimulates your finances.
- Full spectrum lighting throughout your living space, especially placed in the southeast area, stimulates the fire element. Balancing the fire element improves your health.
- Clearing clutter and debris in all areas of the home helps to balance the space element. Get rid of the old to make room for the new. By eliminating that which no longer serves you, you free up space to embrace what’s next, and it lets more positive vibes into your life.
Colors, scents, artwork and more are all a part of this ancient architectural science of placement and living in harmony with Nature.
Robin & Michael Mastro
Vastu Creations and the American Institute of Vastu Founders
Vastu Creations
What are the most common mistakes when designing a cozy home?”
- Being too afraid of color. (You don’t want everything to turn out bland.)
- Designing your home for a future buyer and not for yourself. (There’s a good chance you’ll make mistakes and it won’t feel good to you.)
- Too many good ideas. (It’s ok to pick some, but not all. Editing and narrowing down is important.)
- Clutter. (Have less. Minimize.)
Tips for adding a positive vibe decor to your home:
- Start by thinking about the activities and functions of each room.
What kinds of furnishings will comfortably support everyone who will be using that space? What activities will be taking place there? It’s important to think about the use and purpose of each space before making design and decoration decisions.
- Next, think about texture. Try to combine a variety of materials and textures, such as rattan, boucle, velvet, linen, woven textured rugs or fabrics, etc. This can add visual variety to a space, and if done well, can improve the cozy, calming effect of a room.
- Don’t forget to make sure all materials are comfortable. (i.e. no scratchy wool on a bench seat where people will sit in shorts)
*Tip: Texture in the form of accessories (pillows, rugs, throws, etc.) is more flexible and less expensive, and can be changed out as trends or tastes change. - Add layers of light. A combination of overhead lighting (recessed), wall lighting (sconces), task lighting (such as under cabinet lighting), and moveable lamps (floor lamps, table lamps, reading lamps) is the best way to make a space feel cozy because you can adjust the light levels based on your activity and the mood you want to create. Dimmers and separate switching are critical.
Bluestem Remodeling Team
Tips to create a cozy and calm working space at home
If you want to promote wellness in your work-at-home space, then start with the proper layout, furniture, lighting, plants, and decorations.
If you work from home, going to the gym won’t cancel the negative impact of being sedentary all day in your office space.
That’s why your work-at-home wellness efforts should ideally start with an office layout that encourages you to be active throughout the day.
Activity promotes lymphatic movements, blood flow, and oxygenation, which lead to higher energy levels, focus, and creativity.
Somewhere within that activity-oriented layout, you should place an active workstation—basically, a pairing of a specialized chair that encourages movement (it’s called, simply enough, an active chair) and a sit-to-stand desk (which offers plenty of options to change positions throughout your day).
Nature supports our well-being and undeniably delivers significant benefits. These benefits include stress reduction and improved mood and creativity. Architects and interior designers are, for that reason, big fans of what’s known as biophilic design—the bringing of the outdoors to indoor spaces. Accordingly, you should consider obtaining furnishings and wall treatments made of wood and other organic components.
Adding green plants to your space is another excellent way to enhance biophilic design. These will evoke a sense of harmony and calm through their varying shades of colors, appearance, and volume.
Proper light also plays an essential role in your wellness by regulating your body’s circadian rhythms. Light sources that adapt to your daily activities will improve your energy level and sleep quality. Therefore, placing your desk near a window that receives an abundance of light and looks onto a green patch is ideal. Artificial lighting that mimics natural lighting is also a great alternative.
Then there are colors. Specific vibrant colors that are not too bright or irritating have positively impacted our emotions, mood, and performance. Nature-patterned wallpapers, vibrant wall colors, and accent decors are recommended features for creating energizing and motivating workspaces.
Good ventilation accented by a gentle breeze can help make your space feel clean, fresh, and comfortable.
Finally, treat yourself to regularly scheduled breaks or even micro-breaks whenever you start to feel a loss of focus or power. Doing this will reward your concentration and performance. It is not only possible to promote wellness during the time you spend in your work-at-home office space but also surprisingly easy to achieve. All you need do is hop into the driver’s seat and steer yourself straight to good health, productivity, and happiness.
I hope this will meet your expectations. For all of those topics/items we have detailed blogs that relate to it (active chair guide, active desks, circadian rhythm, biophilic workspace etc…) let me know if you want to link them too or just refer to our website.
Be Well & Take Care.
How do I boost my home’s positive energy through decoration?
The short answer: improve the flow, with a few simple changes.
Flow could be described as the easy, smooth movement of energy. In feng shui, it is believed that when the energy in our home is properly flowing, things go better for us. Positive flow can be linked to improved health, happier relationships, and more financial abundance.
For best results, a professional feng shui consultant can analyze a house and give you specific recommendations. But here are some general suggestions that can work for everyone:
- Reduce the clutter: you’ve surely heard this before – clutter blocks the flow of positive energy. Start with something small, like one bathroom drawer, so you can have a quick feeling of accomplishment, and build the momentum to keep going.
- Create breathing room: make sure you don’t have too much furniture in your space. If you are twisting and turning to walk through a room, consider removing a piece or two to open up the feeling of flow.
- Bring nature in: There are five elements used in feng shui: water, wood, fire, earth and metal. In a feng shui consultation, the energy of the house is analyzed and natural elements are placed in specific locations to strengthen each part of your life. Short of a consultation, look for ways you can add the five elements to your space.
- Match your home to your vision: Create an intention for your life. It can be one specific goal or an entire dream life. Then, look around your house and ask yourself: “how well does my space match my vision?” It might very close, or miles apart, and either way is fine. Then ask: “what three changes could I make to my space to help it match my vision?” Write them down and make a commitment to do them.
The more your space is in flow, and is aligned with your goals, the more positive energy your home will give. The sooner your vision will be achieved!
Reiko Gomez
Feng Shui Interior Designer
Reiko Design
4 things you would do or incorporate at home to create a calm and peaceful environment
Home is the place where we can relax, let go of our worries, and simply be ourselves. It is our haven. At home, we should feel comfortable being with our family members and friends, or even if we are by ourselves. Today, due to COVID and its effects, our stress levels have increased. A lot of us are working in hybrid scenarios or completely from home. Hence our homes play an even more significant role, where we need it to be peaceful and calm so we can rejuvenate every day. Art is just one of the elements that you can bring into your home to create a peaceful environment, and there are more!
Natural Light:
- Natural light is one of the most important elements in Feng Shui, as it influences mood and energy levels. This is because it has a major impact on your circadian rhythm, which regulates your body’s biological clock and hormones. If you’re exposed to enough daylight throughout the day, this can help improve your overall health by keeping you active and alert—as well as reducing stress levels caused by fatigue or burnout. It also helps keep your skin healthy by providing adequate vitamin D exposure.
- Displaying artworks in natural light will allow them to sparkle with more brilliance than if they were placed under artificial lighting—and since light plays such an important role in improving your overall wellbeing at home (or any other place), why not put it to good use?
- If you are working from home a lot, place artworks in the room or area where you work, where natural light flows easily. It will help keep your mood positive and happy!
Colors
- Colors provide a powerful way to create an environment that is in harmony with your personality.
- When choosing colors for your space, think about what each color makes you feel. Is there one particular color that makes you feel happy or relaxed? Some examples of happy colors include red, orange and yellow. Some examples of peaceful colors include blue, green and purple. If you want to keep yourself energized, consider using bright shades like pink or orange in your decorating scheme.
Artworks
- When choosing artworks, try to see which colors you resonate with, and what colors make you feel. Red, yellow, oranges tend to make people feel happy. Blue, Green & Purple brings a sense of calm. When choosing colors for your home, think about which ones convey a sense of peace and calmness for you personally. For example, if blue is your favorite color then consider painting the walls in this hue—it will instantly transform any room into a calming oasis!
- Bring in an artwork in the space you work, in the space you meditate, and in the space you sleep. When choosing the artwork, see what emotion it brings out, and place it in an area of your home where you want that emotion to be prominent. If your bedroom is a space where you want to shut down, and sleep in peace, bring in artworks that add to that environment.
- Invest in original artworks when you can. Support your upcoming local artist community, and you could even commission them to create a piece that fits your personality and style.
- What we would also recommend is to try your hand at a local or online art class, and create your own piece!
Decluttering
- Decluttering your space helps you feel more relaxed, because it reduces the visual clutter in your world. People who live in cluttered rooms or offices are more likely to experience stress, which leads to higher levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and lower levels of dopamine. By decluttering, we can reduce our stress level, create an environment where we feel comfortable working or relaxing, and clear our minds so that we can be more productive and get things done with less anxiety.
- Decluttering also helps you see how beautiful your space really is! It’s easy to get caught up in what needs cleaning or organizing rather than looking at all the amazing things you have around you every day—but once all those old papers have been thrown out and those dust bunnies have been swept away (or vacuumed), there will be nothing but beauty left behind!
- As you declutter, the energy in your environment changes, and once you add on artworks or art pieces, the energy magnifies!
With the suggestions in this article, you can create a peaceful space at home. The key is to keep it simple and use what you have. You don’t have to spend money on expensive art or buy fancy furniture; just be creative with what you have on hand! Explore the local art markets, meet new emerging artists. Get creative. Most importantly, make time for yourself in order to relax and enjoy life.
Leena V. Kewlani
Managing Director
Artezaar
How do you suggest creating an ideal space to relax and practice meditation at home?
For many people, the idea of creating a calm space at home to meditate can be anything but relaxing. They’re never sure where to begin. They usually visualize a spa setting with special seating or expensive accessories and think they’ll never be able to put together that kind of space.
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be a complicated or pricey process to create an ideal area for relaxation and meditation at home. An extra bedroom, a large closet or even a corner of your living room will all work well and you can transform them simply by using some decor items you already have on hand.
First, I always recommend finding the quietest corner in your home, where you won’t be interrupted. Preferably, the space should be away from common areas where the tv is always on or kids are playing. If you have noisy roommates or live in a busy area, investing in some noise-canceling headphones can help, but overall you want to find a nook that feels calm.
A space you can close off is also helpful. If your area doesn’t have a door, consider adding a curtain or a screen so you can shut the rest of the world out while you meditate and signal to others that you shouldn’t be disturbed.
Once you’ve found that perfect spot, it’s time to make it comfortable. That means adding a yoga mat, a few pillows and blankets or even a comfy upholstered chair. Anything that will help you relax during your practice.
Finally, to really set the mood, I always suggest adding some soothing scents and warm lighting. Dimmer switches are a great way to tone down the glare from overhead fixtures. Candles, incense, and essential oils can also help to create a spa-like atmosphere.
Finally, inspirational quotes or images in frames or hung on the walls around you, can add to the relaxing vibe and help you stay motivated and find your zen during your meditation time at home.
Kim M
Exquisitely Unremarkable
What impact do tidiness and cleanliness have over the peace and harmony of a home or room, and how can I achieve it?
“Our life is hectic—”, “We just experienced a major life event—”, “Work keeps me busy—”, “My kids leave messes all around the home” are just a few of the things I hear when helping individuals and families declutter, organize and decorate their homes. I totally get it! There are many things that can get in the way of keeping your home or office in order. As the piles build or messes spread, you start feeling overwhelmed!
What impact does tidiness and cleanliness have over peace and harmony in a room? Clutter impacts your physical space in an obvious way, but often people do not realize the negative impact clutter can have on mental health. Studies have proven that a cluttered, up-kept space can lead to anxiety, depression, forgetfulness, higher stress levels, difficulty with relationships, financial strains, lack of sleep and weight gain. Laziness is not necessarily the main culprit. Oftentimes it is as simple as not knowing where to start. It can also be that letting go is difficult or items have significant sentimental value. And sometimes people find comfort being surrounded by all their possessions.
How can you achieve peace and harmony in your home or room? First, be kind to yourself. Blaming and shaming will not change your situation. Next, consider getting help from a professional organizer who can get you started, keep you on track and hold you accountable. Be sure to dedicate time every day to tidy your surroundings. I suggest using a 15 minute timer and focus on one area such as paperwork, junk drawer or closet. When reducing items start with things that can be thrown away such as expired food or anything broken and work your way up to sentimental possessions. Take small steps to organize your stuff by putting “like with like” and labeling containers. Finally, give yourself a high five and be proud of the work you have accomplished!
A tidy and well-kept home is guaranteed to bring you more harmony both physically and mentally. Once you start feeling the positive effects you are more likely to maintain the clutter-free space.
Kira Vanderlan
Owner
Zestful Design
How would you improve a home’s coziness and happiness through lighting?
To improve your home’s coziness and general ambience, there are many options to choose from. At Novatech, we believe that getting as much natural light as possible in your home is very important to bring warmth to your rooms and to boost your mood, especially in winter.
To brighten up a room, you can swap your old curtain for semi-transparent or sheer curtains. This will allow more light to enter your home. If you already have sheer curtains and you would like to get more light in your home, sometimes it’s possible to enlarge your patio door. Oversized patio doors are trendy right now and they allow you to benefit from natural light and great views. If your house doesn’t have a patio door or if it’s impossible to enlarge it, think about your entry door!
You could totally change the ambience of a room by changing your solid entry door for a door with a ½ or ¾ window! If you’re worried about privacy, you can count on sandblasted designs to keep the inside of your home private while letting in natural light.
Finally, if it’s not possible to increase the quantity of natural light in your home, you can also play with colors and lights to improve the general coziness of your rooms. For example, you could repaint your darker rooms with lighter tones, lighter walls retain less light and they tend to reflect it, which makes the room brighter. If your house has blue light bulbs, you could also change them for warm white bulbs, which is generally closer to the feeling of natural light.
Jean-François Chevigny
Groupe Novatech Inc.
How can one incorporate aromatherapy or scents to enhance the peaceful atmosphere of a home?
Aromatherapy has been used for centuries to aid in relaxation and elevate our mood. Consider integrating essential oil diffusers into your design. These nifty devices disperse your chosen scent, enveloping the space in a therapeutic aroma. Candles play a dual role in creating an intimate sensory experience—providing ambient lighting with a soothing aroma.
In choosing scents, the refreshing zest of eucalyptus not only invigorates but also promotes clarity. Lavender, with its delicate floral notes, acts as a balm for the restless mind. For those seeking deeper tranquility, chamomile and sandalwood offer a serene embrace, calming the environment. Carefully choose scents depending on the layout and purpose of a room. Crafting a relaxing and calm atmosphere in a bedroom will call for different elements compared to a fresh and stimulating environment in a kitchen.
Additionally, selecting all-natural, organic oils and candles that burn cleanly without releasing toxins and have a pure scent is highly recommended.
Corban De La Vega
DecorMatters
At Porch, we do our best to bring you the most helpful advice to help you feel relaxed and at peace at your place. Each piece of advice provided here is a fantastic way to transform your home’s spaces into a sanctuary of peace and wellness. We hope that the variety of perspectives presented here will enrich your life as much as it’s improved ours. We thank each of the experts who participated in this round for sharing their experience and knowledge.
