If you like kicking back and chilling out when you get home from work, having a room that feels welcoming and stress-free will make doing so a whole lot easier. Even if the rest of your home is a bit chaotic, a dedicated room to relax will mean that you always have somewhere to retreat to when needed. You might want to redesign your main living room but, if you have children and that isn’t feasible, why not consider changing a spare bedroom into a second living area? A chill-out zone that you and other members of the family can use when you need a bit of a break could be a welcomed addition to your home. Here are 4 ways to create a relaxing retreat in your home.
Declutter your space
If your room is filled with clutter, you are never going to feel relaxed. Clutter in our homes can make our minds feel the same way, so it’s a great idea to get rid of anything you no longer need or want.
A good way to do this is to remove everything from the room and start from scratch, only putting back the things that are either essential or can’t be relocated elsewhere. If you do have lots of bits and pieces that need to stay put, store them in an attractive storage box or keep them in a cupboard. You may also store your belongings that are not used frequently to a storage unit in London if you do not have that much space. The more distractions in your room and the untidier it looks, the less relaxing it will feel.
Choose the right furniture
When creating a room intended for relaxation, aesthetics need to take a bit of a back seat. Yes, you want your room to look nice, but the most important thing is comfort. Whilst an uber modern sofa might look the part, sinking into it for a nap or when you want to chill out isn’t going to happen. Go for seating that has comfortable cushions with lots of padding, adequate space to lie down, and one which is wide enough to curl up with a cuppa.
Whilst you should try and keep gadgetry to a minimum, you might want a television in your room so you can relax and watch your favourite box set. Position your TV at a height that you can easily see from where you are sitting…. or indeed lying. Comfort is key and straining to see the screen won’t be much fun.
Think about getting a side table or coffee table for drinks and snacks and, if you enjoy reading, a bookcase to store your favourite reads will also come in handy. Getting lost in a good book is a very popular way to relax.
Relaxing sounds and smells
A great way to make a room feel more relaxing is to fill it with soothing and calming sounds. Many people find classical music comforting whilst others prefer putting on a pair of headphones and listening to ASMR. If you fall into the latter category, you might want to consider some of the many indoor water features available. Listening to or watching trickling water can be very relaxing, so a floor or tabletop fountain might be the perfect addition for your room.
Smells can enhance various emotions, and certain smells are known to ease stress levels and help you relax. Wax and oil burners are fairly cheap and are a great way to fill your room with your favourite scents. Lavender is probably the most commonly known scent used to aid relaxation, whilst cinnamon and tangerine (amongst others) are also said to be very relaxing. If you prefer not to use a burner, incense sticks come in a variety of scents and are readily and widely available online and in stores. Common incense smells are lavender, myrrh, and sage. But if you are interested in something more exotic Nag Champa is something that’s gaining popularity. It has an interesting history, and if you want to know the origins of Nag Champa there are many articles available.
Fill your retreat with accessories you love
Accessorising a room can play a huge part in how comfortable and relaxing it looks and feels. Lots of sofa cushions and throws will create a cozy and warm atmosphere in your room. Adorning the walls with art that you adore and want to spend time looking at can also help you to feel more relaxed.
You might want to frame photos of family and friends to revive memories of fond times spent with them. The more personal touches in your room, the more comfortable you are likely to feel.
In no time at all, you will have a peaceful and calming room filled with things you love. The only problem you might encounter is never wanting to leave!
