In Goodbye, Things Fumio Sasaki mentions The Silent To-Do List. The things that don’t make the written on a paper list in the forefront of your mind, but every time you walk past it, it’s a mental activation to put that away, sell that, fix that, etc. Today’s lives are more hectic than ever before. Now that we are resurfacing from 2020, where we learned by quick-fire, your home is the final destination to relieve stress after a long day at work or out and about. It’s your bubble. It’s impossible to unwind in a place where everything is disarrayed, disoriented, and out of control. Where your silent to-dos are wielding.
Making a peaceful home is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce stress in every aspect of your life even though many people feel that it is nearly impossible. I promise you, a peaceful environment can help you start and end each day even just 10% happier. And that happiness compounds.
Ways to Create a Peaceful Home
By following a few simple bullet points, anyone can create a soothing atmosphere in their home.
Organize your Bedroom First.
It doesn’t sound like much, but clearing off surfaces and making sure all your drawers can close is a huge peace booster. Start small! If your nightstand can’t hold your phone and water cup, then start by clearing off the nightstand. You always want to go with facing a few daily roadblocks first. This will create peace quickly and motivation to move on to the next space that trips you up in little ways daily.
Fun fact, we don’t even have a dresser in our room. I shoved one in our closet. But within the square of our bedroom walls, I want as little as possible. I don’t want the subconscious list running through my head before bed. Plus, where there is a surface and a drawer… we are prone to want to fill it.
To ensure that your bedroom is decluttered and comfortable, follow these tips to clear away clutter and keep your space looking neat and tidy.
- Dressers and closet space should cover your clothing storage needs. Harsh, I know. But that’s your allotted space for clothing. If you are overflowing, it’s time to go through your clothing. Most people wear only 20% of their closet 80% of the time! Honestly, same goes for every container and closet in your home.
- Pick a drop zone and stick with it. Everything you own should have a space. Not every surface can become a drop zone wihtout it quickly becoming silently strressful. The less surfaces availabe, the less dropspaces. Pick a place on your nightstand or dresser where your phone charges, your rings come off…
- A hamper basket ensures your dirty laundry (and your kid’s laundry!) doesn’t end up on the floor. I am not a subscriber to doing laundry daily, once that basket is full, it’s the washer’s time to shine. Until then it can be discreetly tucked away.
- Even if the carpet doesn’t look messy, vacuum it consistently. Carpet dust is terrible for your allergies and your sleep.
- Keep it simple. Of all places in your own, focus on simplifying your bedroom and entryway. The moment you walk in your home, the moment before you go to bed, and the moment you walk up should feel like a breath of fresh air.
Furniture: Quality Over Quantity
Throughout your home, furniture can be comfortable without sacrificing its aesthetic appeal.
Because of the massive rise of online shopping, it is not always possible to try out every item. Read the reviews online first! Google the item, google image search the item… truly give it your few minutes to crowdsource before pressing confirm. Go for comfort! There is nothing worse than a pretty couch you can’t curl up on and read a book.
I’m a huge fan of Facebook Marketplace for furniture. Especially for hard surfaces like wood chairs, cabinets, decor, etc. But there’s a secret to the Marketplace! Many home stagers sell brand-new items on Facebook. I found a guy here in Atlanta that sells brand new West Elm couches for a fraction of the price.
And if your existing wood furniture has scratches where you don’t need to spend too much, just a little DIY touch-up that can fix the issue, you can certainly check out the woodhappen.com woodworking blog to learn how.
Consider Feng Shui
The way you arrange your furniture is critical to achieving harmony and flow and creating a peaceful home. This youtube channel has fantastic bite-sized information on Feng Shui
Traditions from ancient culture dictate that you should face either east or north when you are sitting in bed. This will ensure that when you wake up in the morning, you can point in the direction of the rising sun, which is ideal.
Traditionally, the bed should be firmly against a wall and facing the opening or door to the room. It provides you with a clear view of the room’s entrance. A sturdy headboard behind the bed is also beneficial. Allow for additional space by selecting comfortable furniture to sit in and leave plenty of room to move around.
Dim the Lights
Overhead pot lights are the worst. Take a page from your grandparents and use table and floor lamps instead of ceiling lights in your bedroom to achieve a relaxed ambiance in lighting. Especially after 5 pm. Chris Loves Julia calls this #LampOClock. Think of it as a turn-down service for yourself. I even have a little antique boudoir lamp in my kitchen, and it makes me so happy.
Softer and low-watt bulbs are excellent for promoting relaxation. If you have any windows around, bring in natural lighting. It’s easy on the eyes.
Candles are a charming solution for providing soft lighting, incredibly relaxing, and resting. Consider using candlestick holders for candles if you want to give your space an old-world feel. Amazon has great battery-powered taper candles. With a cat and two young kids, I’m terrified of real tall candles, however, I love the vibe they give.
Adequate Airflow
When it comes to your personal space, your bedroom should not be congested and uninviting. Open a window once in a while when the weather feels great outside. Allowing fresh air to enter the room will make breathing easier, and will help to eliminate any unpleasant odors.
Adding air-purifying plants to your room has helped us breathe better at night. I’ve never been much of a “plant person”, but Pothos have me falling in love hard and fast.
Spray an aromatherapy mist, such as lavender or eucalyptus. The smells in the house should be calm and refreshing. You’ll feel serene and rested in no time with clean, fresh air and pleasant scents.
Select a Color Combination Thoughtfully
Make use of a color scheme that is soothing. Red and pink are vibrant colors that can evoke feelings of passion, whereas blues and greens are peaceful colors found in nature. I love Maria Killam for understanding undertones. You can choose to have all white walls, use wallpapers, or paint your walls with a color of your choice. Depending on the room, pick colors and prints that make you happy. Play with mixing fabrics. And remind yourself it’s not a face tattoo. It’s paint, curtains, and pillows. Experiment.
Finish with Fresh Bedding
Choosing high-quality bedding not only will it ensure that your bedroom looks and feels great; there’s nothing better than that hotel bed feeling. Quality is essential in your bedroom, but it can be done at an affordable price also. Home Goods and Tuesday Morning and known for carrying high-end brands are accessible price points.
Note: Don’t feel like you need to stay with all-white bedding. (I love it, but you don’t have to!) Your bedding should reflect your style. Decide on how to decorate your bedroom based on what creates a relaxing and peaceful environment for you!
Be Protective of Your Sleep Space
In my opinion, to achieve harmony in the bedroom, you must eliminate sources of distraction. Years ago we decided to not have TVs in the bedrooms and it works great for us. When you stay away from TVs and other electronics that use blue lights, you will naturally get a good night’s sleep. It forces me to physically transition from awake spaces to resting spaces in my home. Which I love. Be protective of your space. Don’t just let anything come on in.
Benefits of a Relaxed Environment
Making your home a peaceful haven can save you time and energy in the long run, which can lead to less anxiety, and stress throughout your daily routine.
(Toll of) Decluttering
Listen, I love decluttering but decluttering can’t become addictive either. Then your life is still about stuff. Find the value of decluttering and stop there. Check-in with your space every few months. A cluttered home deprives our resources of time, effort, and even money. Many people report feeling disorganized or chaotic when their home is cluttered, or their possessions are scattered without any organization. The goal is to free yourself from that mental to-do list and then breathe.
Energy
Feng shui, the ancient art of placement, is becoming increasingly popular worldwide as people realize that their surroundings influence their mood and energy. If you’ve ever wondered how your environment affects your energy, feng shui is the answer. Scroll back up and check out that youtube channel. I’ll be moving my bed tonight and reporting back!