Are you constantly feeling stressed and anxious even in the comfort of your own home? Here’s how to create a peaceful home in 16 simple ways.
It has been more than a year since all of us have sought refuge at home. In fact, a huge number of us are still doing everything from home.
For some of you, your home used to be a respite from the outside world. But, working from home can occasionally make you feel trapped in your own place. After all, you can no longer escape the stress of work when your office is literally a few steps away from your bedroom.
It’s completely normal to feel stressed, overwhelmed, and exhausted in your own home, especially during these trying times.
My husband and I have been there and done that. Thankfully, we have established some ground rules, which have helped us to create a peaceful and happy home.
No matter what you’re going through right now, these sixteen simple and effective ways can invite more calm into your home. Don’t worry, you won’t need a lot of money for this transformation, but you will need some time and effort to create a peaceful home that you can relax and recharge in.
Keep reading to find out how you can turn your home into your own personal retreat.
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How to create a peaceful home in 16 simple ways
1. Clear the clutter
Some people refer to clutter as organized chaos, and they believe they can live and work better in such an environment. I used to be one of them until I started working and realized my anxiety was out of control.
Whether you like to admit it or not, visual clutter affects our mental states. Clutter is an unnecessary distraction. It fills our minds with excessive stimulation, which causes us to feel tired. Additionally, clutter makes us feel guilty or anxious because we feel like we can never get our work done.
Clutter also makes us waste time. How many times have you been late because you were searching for your keys?
Take some time out of your schedule to clear your clutter. You can start small like organizing your entryway or tidying up your closet. Give everything in your home a home. If it doesn’t have one, it’s a sign that it doesn’t belong in your house.
The process is tedious, but trust me, you’ll feel GREAT after.
Looking to declutter? Check out these helpful posts:
- How To Declutter A Bedroom In Five Easy Steps
- The Ultimate Guide To Paper Decluttering (Plus 5 Steps To Organize Important Paperwork!)
- How To Declutter Quickly: Say Goodbye To 10 Everyday Items In Your House!
2. Clean your house regularly
I used to think it was pointless to clean my home regularly when I could deep clean it once a month.
But, the accumulation of chores gave me more anxiety. I even dreaded the thought of cleaning because I knew there was so much to do. Not to mention, the cleaning process was actually harder (and grosser!) because of dust built-up and tough stains.
These days, my husband and I stick to a weekly cleaning schedule. I still don’t love cleaning, but I love the way I feel after a productive cleaning session. It instantly puts my mind at ease and sets the tone for the week. Plus, regular cleaning doesn’t take as long as a deep clean, so I don’t feel as tired.
Relaxing in a clean home beats chilling in a dirty one any day!
3. Make your bed every day
Have you ever thought to yourself, “Why should I make my bed in the morning only to mess it up again at night?”
I certainly have! The answer is simple. Making my bed makes me look forward to a good night’s rest.
That’s the reason why so many of us love staying in hotels. The room is always neat and clean. Moreover, the bed is always made and looks super inviting.
According to The Spruce, a made bed shows that you care about yourself and your home. That feeling of being cared for can lift your mood and make you happier.
Making your bed is probably the easiest thing you can do to create a peaceful home. It only takes five minutes and it doesn’t cost a dime.
It’s the first thing I do every morning, and it makes me feel GOOD.
4. Let natural light in during the day
Do you always feel better after being out in the sun for a while? I know I do!
That feeling is the same effect natural daylight can bring to a home.
Sunlight causes our brains to produce serotonin and endorphins. Both hormones make us feel good about ourselves. Therefore, a naturally bright and airy room improves moods, increases productivity, and creates a calm environment.
However, if your apartment doesn’t have a lot of windows, try incorporating mirrors or reflective surfaces in your decor. You will get twice the amount of natural light because sunlight will reflect off these surfaces.
5. Use blackout curtains at night
While natural light is great during the day, any form of lighting is not recommended during bedtime. Darkness is essential to having a good night’s rest.
Not keeping your electronic devices in the room and not switching on a night lamp is not good enough. Take the extra step and use blackout curtains at night to avoid external light from coming in. Blackout curtains are great at blocking unwanted light like street lamps or early morning sunlight.
The smallest exposure to light can interfere with sleep, and we know that insufficient sleep or low-quality sleep can put one in a bad mood!
6. Choose calming colors
We know that red is a stimulating color. That’s why it’s used in stop signs and warning labels. Colors like red make you sit up and pay attention. They aggravate, not soothe.
Although bright hues in a room can evoke energy, they are difficult to be around for long periods of time. Too many bright colors in a small space can also cause a headache. They can even lead to anxiety and stress.
It’s wise to choose calming colors if you’re looking to create a peaceful home. Looking to repaint your home? House Beautiful shares 16 of the most calming colors fit for any room.
White, grey, and brown are the main colors used in my home. I find that using calming colors cohesively throughout my home creates a peaceful vibe.
7. Display your favorite things
Your house should be free from clutter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t display your favorite things!
Your home is a reflection of you, and you should decorate it with things you love. Choose a few items you really love such as a framed picture of your family or a vase from your favorite holiday. Your favorite things will trigger you to think of happy memories, which will help to create a peaceful home.
Some of my favorite things to display include coffee table books and framed pictures of my loved ones.
8. Use a scent
Scent is always forgotten when it comes to putting a house together. Yet, research has shown that scent can potentially reduce stress, increase focus and uplift our moods. According to Dwell, research has shown that 75% of our daily emotions are influenced by smell, whereas our moods may improve by 40% after smelling something pleasant.
Try burning a candle or using a diffuser to fill your home with a smell you like. Calming scents include eucalyptus, lavender, jasmine, and ylang-ylang.
Whenever I’m feeling very stressed, the first thing I do is light a candle. I immediately unwind whenever I smell a pleasing fragrance. My current favorite is Jo Malone’s English Pear & Freesia.
Don’t feel comfortable burning candles? Use essential oils instead – add them to your bath or dab a few drops on your pillow for a good night’s rest.
9. Add a touch of nature
It’s no surprise that we tend to seek out nature when we want to recharge. But, nature can seem really far away when you’re forced to stay at home.
Luckily, there are a few ways we can add a touch of nature to our homes. If you love flowers, you can opt for a weekly floral subscription that sends a different bouquet to your house each week. Otherwise, you can also pick up an inexpensive bouquet during your grocery run.
If you want something that lasts longer than flowers, indoor plants are a great alternative. Not only do they add a pop of color to your home decor, but they also eliminate toxins and help to purify the air inside your home.
Don’t have a green thumb? Choose low-maintenance and low-light plants like the ZZ plant or snake plant.
10. Use soft textiles
Using soft textiles will help to create a cozy and peaceful home. It’s important to be intentional when purchasing these pieces, as they can double up as beautiful home decor.
Layer throw pillows and throw blankets on your couch for added comfort. Rugs are also a great way to warm up a home, especially if you’re using hardwood floors.
If you have the means, invest in quality sheets like cotton or linen, as these materials are breathable and cooling.
When these textiles are not in use, put them away in a linen cabinet or a rattan basket. While they’re very comfortable, too many of them can add to clutter.
11. Play music
Similar to scents, music is a great stress-reliever. According to PyschCentral, listening to music like slow, quiet classical music can relax our minds and bodies.
Make it a habit to play soft gentle music during your day. If work doesn’t permit music, play it during the evenings as you’re winding down for the day. Listening to music slows the pulse and heart rate and lowers blood pressure. In short, listening to music can decrease your stress levels, making you feel calm.
You can play all types of free music on Spotify, Pandora, and Youtube on your phone, computer, or TV. Don’t know where to start? Search “soft classical music” or “soft acoustic songs” to get in the mood.
One of the best investments we made last year was splurging on our Sonos One speaker. We listen to music every single day because it helps us to relax, especially after a busy workday.
12. Embrace negative space
What is negative space? Negative space in a home refers to the blank spots in your home with no design elements. There’s no art, no furniture, and no home decor.
It’s important to embrace negative space, especially once you’ve gotten rid of all the clutter in your home. Negative space can actually bring a sense of calm to your home. Think of it as giving your home some breathing room. Nothing is competing for your time or attention.
If your home is overstyled, it can make you feel overwhelmed. A few blank walls might bring your home the peace it needs.
13. Don’t bring work into the bedroom
Lack of boundaries can make your home feel stressful. If you are working from home, it is important to have a dedicated space to work from other than your bedroom. If you live in a studio apartment or rent a room, make sure to work from a desk and not from your bed.
When it’s time to wrap up, it’s time to unplug from your electronic devices. Leave your laptop, books, and files in your home office or on your desk. Whenever possible, switch off all work notifications on your mobile phone.
Your bedroom should feel like a sanctuary in your home. Make it an escape from your busy schedule.
14. Create a ritual for your home
I was inspired by Week 2 of Chris Love Julia’s #cljsummerschool, where she talked about falling in love with your home by developing simple and meaningful rituals.
As Julia wrote, “Rituals allow you to elevate normal time or activities into something that brings happiness and comfort.” I resonate with that because I believe we should celebrate the ordinary every day!
The best part about creating rituals is that it is entirely up to you. It could be having a movie night every Friday, or having a dance party every morning. Whatever you choose, it has to put a smile on your face.
Our current routine includes going on walks 2-3 times a week, cleaning together every Saturday morning, and watching a comedy before we sleep. It doesn’t sound like anything special, but we look forward to doing the little things together.
15. Create a comfort zone
Sometimes we all just need a little space to ourselves, especially if we live in a house filled with people. It doesn’t have to be an entire room to yourself. It just needs to be a little corner where you can spend some quiet time with yourself.
Once you have selected an area, it’s time to make it calm. What are some pieces at home that make you feel at peace? It could be your favorite throw pillow, a journal, or a book. Spend however much time you need in your comfort zone, even if it’s only five minutes a day.
16. Fill your home with love
Finally, a home filled with love is a peaceful home. Spend time with your loved ones at home, and cherish your time together. After all, “Home is where love resides, memories are created, friends and family belong, and laughter never ends.”
Most of my happiest memories are spent at home, whether it was in my family home with my parents and siblings or in my current apartment with my husband and dog.
I hope all of you have learned how to create a peaceful home in these 16 ways. Let me know which methods you tried and which worked best for you!