Ways to design a stress-free home

An average of 1 in 3 people struggle with high levels of daily stress, leading to heightened anxiety in day-to-day life. Our home is the one place we often seek refuge from stress, and with the right design and decor, can help soothe our worries.

Choose neutral hues

When decorating, the colours you use in your home can have a big impact on your mood. Whilst warm neutral tones like beige and pewter tones offer a balanced and clean look in shared spaces like the living room, studies show that cool colours like blues and greens are believed to be calming and healing so work well in spaces like the bedroom. You can even introduce calming colours as accents through your soft furnishings, meaning they can easily be changed out when you next fancy a change.

Set up safe zones

Being constantly surrounded by tech and screens can be a source of stress, especially if you work from home. So, set up designated ‘safe spaces’ within your home where there are no screens or distractions. This is an easy way to de-stress and have a set space where you can go to unwind and relax. If you find yourself scrolling on your phone for hours before bed, try introducing the bedroom as a safe zone, and keep your phone on charge outside of the bedroom to reduce temptation.

Layer up in textures

Adding soft textures into your home such as throws, pillows, and rugs are an easy way to add comfort. When feeling anxious, snuggling up with cosy materials like faux furs and fluffy blankets can help. Softer materials also add great contrast to harder woods and woven baskets, making a visually interesting space.

Consider your scents

When thinking about a calm home we often associate it with the colours and furniture we use, but scent also plays an important role. Fragrances like lavender, camomile and rose are all associated with relaxation and zen. Try adding a scented candle or reed diffuser into your room or as part of your wind down routine.

Embrace nature

With a growing number of studies showing that green spaces and nature can help to reduce stress, why not incorporate it into your home? Adding in nature-themed elements into your home can create the same calming environment of the great outdoors. Try adding in more houseplants and greenery into your space, particularly in rooms like the study, where work-related stress may be rife.