Benjamin Franklin once said that ‘a house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body’. How right he was. Where else can you kick back and refill your tank after a long day if not at home? And you don’t need to live in a Zen-inspired, spa-type Garden of Eden. With just a few ‘soulful touches’, you can turn any space into a place of calm and rejuvenation.
Pick your spot – Choose a space in your home, be it an entire room or a cosy corner, where you’ll be able to enjoy the most peace and quiet. It should be somewhere that gets the least foot traffic, enjoys natural light and has a pleasing view; a place where you can go to write, read, knit, meditate, get creative or simply relax and unwind. The idea is to put a psychological distance between this retreat and the rest of the house, even if the physical distance isn’t that great. Something as simple as a movable screen can set enough of a boundary if you live in an open-plan setting.
Bring in the light – Let in natural light without sacrificing on privacy with a sheer curtain over a window. Or use a strategically placed mirror to direct light in from another room. Invest in a reading lamp if your aim is to lose yourself in literature, or a task light for more creative pursuits like sketching or needlework. In short, light the space according to your needs. If your plan is to meditate, then an assortment of candles will do the trick as you focus on the flickering flames and melting wax.
Consider the colour scheme – If the point of your space is relaxation, opt for neutral tones and soft, clean lines. If you’re looking to be energised, select vibrant colours, patterns and lots of layers.
Get comfortable – Cushion your space with seating and accessories that you can literally curl up into; from a daybed, chaise lounge or cushioned window seat, to a comfy rocking chair or even a ‘nest’ chair.
Scent it – Bring in soothing scents and aromas with essential oils, reed diffusers, scented candles, room sprays and incense. Top soothers include lavender, chamomile, bergamot, sandalwood, jasmine, vanilla, rose, ylang-ylang and orange or citrus-based fragrances.
Sound is energy – Fill the space with its own soothing soundtrack using a water feature, a wind chime, the rhythmic ticking of a pendulum clock or by running a padded mallet around the rim of a singing bowl (during meditation). Invest in a small sound system to play nature-inspired albums with tracks of forests alive with birdsong, waves breaking on a beach, waterfalls or the flow of a river through a rainforest.
Green your space – Bring the outdoors in with house plants and natural textures (rugs, cushions, etc). Living plants will help freshen the air and lift your mood. Avoid artificial plants as they lack energy. You can even use plants as a screen for more privacy or to buffer outside noise. Short on floor space? Use hanging baskets. Vary the day-to-day mood of the space with fresh, cut flowers – bright blooms for when you want to feel more energised and neutral shades for calm and contemplation. This is also another way to bring in pleasant fragrances.
Make it your own – This is your sanctuary, so define it with objects that mean something to you. Turn a blank wall into a gallery of your favourite botanical prints, works of art, family photos or inspiring quotes. Place a few treasured keepsakes in a jar or bowl on a side table. Just be sure to edit your treasures down to a few carefully chosen items to avoid clutter.
Did you know? Studies have shown that gazing at the movement of fish reduces stress, relaxes the mind and puts people into a trance-like, meditative state. So consider incorporating a small aquarium into your space. Or invest in a big one, in a more central area of the house, that the whole family can benefit from.
Do you have your own quiet spot at home? Tell us about it…
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