6 Easy Updates For a More Relaxing Home

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My home has the ability to make or break my mood.

When my apartment is tidy and clean I feel better about everything; I eat healthier, take better care of my body, and I’m more productive while working from home.

In fact, everything about your home has the ability to impact how you feel, down to the decor choices, lighting, and colors you use.

We’re spending most of our days inside lately, due to quarantine, so it’s even more important to have a space that functions as a calming retreat. I’ve implemented all of these in my home and find that they really do help in making me feel more relaxed restful.

Here are six easy updates to create a more relaxing home.

xx,

Heather

1. Get rid of clutter

   It’s no secret that clutter can make us feel anxious and overwhelmed, so before doing anything else, get rid of clutter. The biggest mistake you can make is immediately starting to re-organizing clothes and cabinets, without purging first. In the end, it will save you a lot of frustration (and space).

   Take the time to edit your belongings, getting rid of unused, broken, outdated, or old items that you no longer need. Donate or sell what you can. I’ve had great experiences with Poshmark for selling gently worn clothing and accessories, and even unused makeup or beauty products.

2. Organize your closet

   For the smallest change you can make to your closet if you’re short on time: get uniform hangers. A few years ago I switched from a random assortment of hangers to using only felt black hangers like these, and it instantly made my closet feel updated and more organized.

   When you’re ready to fully tackle it, the first step in organizing your closet is to take everything out. I make piles for things that need to be hung up (dresses, jackets, etc.) and those that can be folded (T-shirts, gym clothes, etc.) to see how much space I will need in the closet vs dresser drawers. From there I organize by Type, and Color. For example, all blouses and work tops are hung together from darkest to lightest so I can easily find what I need in the morning. Seasonal items or pieces that I wear less often are stored on the highest closet shelf or in bins under the bed.

3. Add Plants

   It’s amazing how a space can be completely changed by just adding a plant. Even the simple act of watering and caring for a plant can be relaxing and add a bit of routine to each day. For rooms that don’t have a ton of light, opt for plants that thrive with or without sunlight like aloe vera, ferns, or snake plants. I love cut flowers too, but lately I have been adding sprigs of eucalyptus to a vase because they dry well and last much longer.

4. Avoid Bold colors and patterns in the bedroom

   This is definitely a more personal choice, but if you’re aiming for a truly zen space avoid bold colors and patterns in the bedroom. Bright colors like red and yellow tend to make you feel more energized and aren’t conducive to creating a relaxing environment. Opt for neutrals like cream, white, and grey in everything from the bedding to the wall color.

5. Incorporate Texture

   The most relaxing spaces are usually layered with textures. Consider different textures in your bedroom (perhaps a soft throw pillow) and living space (think a cozy knit blanket on the couch). Varying textures are especially important to keep a neutral color palette from feeling flat.

6. Choose Calming Scents

   Like colors, scents have the ability to change how we feel. Some scents, like lemongrass and citrus, will make us feel more awake and energized. You may want to keep those scents in your work area or home office. For a truly zen space, choose calming scents. Lavender, bergamot, rose, or vanilla are all excellent choices to help decrease anxiety and make you feel more relaxed.