The following is a contribution from another author.
People lead such busy lives that they should all have somewhere that is peaceful and tranquil. Your home is the obvious place. It should be your sanctuary from the constant hustle and bustle that goes on outside of its walls and making it that possible is not difficult to do.
You need a break from the stresses of the day, and a home that encourages you to relax will help to sharpen your wits ready to start again after a good nights sleep. Many people think smart homes can’t be relaxing due to all of the tech, but that really isn’t true. Here are a few things you can do to bring more tranquility to your home:
Natural Tones
Natural, earthy tones such as white, greys and beiges on your walls will promote calmness and relaxation. If you do not want them to be totally plain, do one wall in a slightly darker shade, or fit a dado rail about halfway up the wall and paint the bottom a darker shade than the top.
You can add some color to them with a few well-chosen pictures of photos and some plants help to add color as well. Plants also promote the feeling of nature, and they do not have to be ones that bloom, as they generally need more care. Large dark green leaves can look really good, although you may need to wipe them with a damp cloth occasionally.
Furniture
Keep the colors fairly neutral with your furniture, and lighter fabrics are better than heavy ones when you want peace and tranquillity. Do not put anything in a room that is oversized for it, as that will make it look much smaller than it really is. Space is important, so furniture that gives you plenty of this is the best option.
If you have pets, choose materials that to do not act like a magnet to fur, as otherwise you will be forever stressing over the mess left behind. Avoid satins, velvets, and corduroys and choose things like leather or anything else smooth.
Window Dressings
The way you dress your windows can affect the whole atmosphere of a room. You are better not using heavy and dark drapes, but something lighter in weight and in the natural color tones of everything else in the room.
Blinds can be good too. They can be more flexible than drapes as you can alter the slates or have them halfway open to let in some light but not too much.
Some people opt for both, as the blinds are brilliant sunscreens, but they prefer the look of the drapes on a cold winter evening when they want to be snug and warm.
Flooring
What you put down on the floors is just as important as all the other choices you have made, but often gets sidetracked until the last. Something that is soft to the feet is good, such as wooden floors or carpets.
Carpets give a real sense of comfort and are pleasant to walk on. However, to keep them looking good they require more cleaning and maintenance than any other type of flooring.
Stone or ceramic is very easy to clean and maintain but will be cold to the touch and hard on your bare feet. They can be really good in kitchens and bathrooms but are best avoided in any other rooms in your home.
Lighting
The more flexible your lighting system is the better. It is good to be able to change it to suit your mood or whatever you are doing. Of course, as much natural daylight as possible is the best, but LED lighting comes pretty close. You can higher or lower the level of light as you wish, have different colors and operate them without leaving the comfort of your armchair. You can even have an app on your smartphone that will let you turn them on and off when you are not at home.
As well as these advantages, they are cheaper to run, last a lot longer and are more environmentally friendly when they have to be disposed of.
Keep It Free Of Clutter
Clutter around your home makes it look messy and hard to clean. Feeling that your house if tidy has a much more tranquil effect. Ditch the dust collecting ornaments and stick to a choice few if you must. Put as many things as possible away, and only bring them out if you need to use them.
Storage is the key to helping to keep your home clutter free and is useful no matter what room in the home you are dealing with. You may not want too many storage containers sitting around your home, so you need to be creative. Firstly get rid of things you do not really need, and then use thing like footstool’s with a lifting lid to keep papers and magazines in or a wicker basket that can sit behind a chair to hold things such as remote controls until they are needed.
Outside
The outside of your home is just as vital as the inside when you are seeking tranquillity. Keep It low maintenance if you are not a keen gardener, and think of other things such as a pergola or a hot tub. If you are wondering why you need a hot tub, they are very relaxing as well as having a number of health benefits. A hot tub can help to soothe your aches and pains, promote a better nights sleep, help reduce stress and anxiety, and as they increase your blood flow, they can help to keep your body looking its best.
You could sit this on some decking underneath a pergola, and have a great area for relaxing that is peaceful and tranquil.
A pergola can also be a pleasant place to sit with your fit up while you read a book, or to socialize with family and friends.
Things To Avoid
There are some things you should avoid in your haven of peace, as they will set your mind racing. Bright and gaudy colors should not be used and there should not be too many electronic devices on the go either. In fact, if you want a good nights sleep, all digital devices and TV’s should be turned off an hour before you go to bed.
Make your home the sanctuary it should be and you will soon realize the mental and physical health benefits of peace and tranquillity.
