6 Interior Styling Tips That Will Ease Anxiety
Your home is meant to be your sanctuary. It should be an oasis where you can unwind and decompress. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy for the chaos of everyday life to seep into your living space and create an environment that is anything but relaxing. But that doesn’t have to be the case! With a few simple and effective tricks from the experts, you can transform your home into a haven of tranquillity.
To get you inspired, let’s take a look at six interior styling tips that will help reduce your anxiety while creating a more calming and inviting atmosphere. From working with colour psychology to taking the time to declutter, you can transform your space without a major overhaul.
Ready to design your haven of relaxation? Here is your step-by-step guide to everything that you need to know to create your dream home.
Step One: Embrace Relaxing and Inviting Colours
Have you ever been in a space that made you instantly feel at ease but you couldn’t really put your finger on what was so special about it? If you have ever been at a loss for words on what creates that magical charm in a space, you have probably experienced the wonder of colour psychology.
From business logos to bedsheets, colour has a profound impact on the way that feels and it is something that successful designers will always tap into. Here’s how you can too:
Understanding Warm vs. Cool Colours
To get started with colour psychology, you first need to understand the main categories of colours.
- Warm Colours: These include all of the shades of reds, oranges, and yellows. Warm tones evoke feelings of energy, passion, and happiness. These vibrant tones are perfect to put to use in social spaces like living rooms or dining rooms but are something that you will want to use sparingly in bedrooms or other spots where relaxation is key.
- Cool Colours: Here we’re talking blues, greens, and purples. These colours are associated with calmness, peace, and tranquillity. Cool shades are ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms, or anywhere you want to unwind. Light greens are also noted for their ability to promote focus, which makes them a perfect pick for home offices.
- Neutral Colour: We call any shades of white, grey, or beige neutral. These colours create a clean slate and a sense of serenity. They work well on their own or as a base for pops of colour.
Choosing the Right Colour For Each Space
To find the perfect hue, you’ll first want to consider your room’s function. This will help you better work with your goals.
- Living Room: Warm and inviting colours like light yellows, oranges, or creams promote socialising.
- Bedroom: Create a tranquil environment with cool blues, lavenders, or light greens.
- Kitchen: Light and airy colours like white, light yellows, or light greens make the space feel open and promote cleanliness.
- Bathroom: Similar to kitchens, light and airy colours are ideal. Consider cool greens or blues for a spa-like feel.
How to Use Colour to Create a Relaxing Space
As you are planning your colour palate, it’s important to create balance and avoid overpowering the space.
- Balance is Key: While cool colours are relaxing, too much can make a space feel sterile. Likewise, warm colours can be cosy, but they can quickly get overwhelming too. For the perfect home oasis, aim for a balance and use neutrals or cooler accents to tame strong warm tones.
In design, we often talk about the 60-30-10 rule. That means that you want to go for 60% in your dominant colour (typically a neutral colour), 30% in your secondary colour for depth and interest in your furniture, rugs, or curtains, and finally 10% for your accent colour on throw pillows, artwork, or accessories.
- Psychology of Shades: Lighter colours tend to feel more spacious and airy, while darker shades create a more intimate feel. Consider the size of the room and the mood you want to create. If your room is small, you can overwhelm it with too much of a warm colour so be sparing.
Pro Tip: Not sure how to find the right colours? Look at a colour wheel to find complementary colours (ones that are opposite each other on the wheel) for a bold and energetic vibe. For a harmonious and calming feel, look to analogous colours (colours next to each other on the colour wheel).
Step Two: Set the Perfect Lighting
Lighting plays a key role in creating a calming atmosphere and reducing anxiety. Here’s how to find the perfect light.
Work with Natural Light
There is nothing less relaxing than feeling like you’re drowning in neon light! To keep it cosy, aim to create a natural feeling.
- Maximise natural light: Open your curtains and blinds during the day to let the natural sunlight light your space. Not only is it relaxing, but natural light helps regulate your circadian rhythm, which reduces stress and helps you sleep.
- Dimmer switches: While you’ve got limited control over the natural lighting in your home, a dimmer can help! Keep the lights bright during the day and then dim the lights for a calming effect in the evenings.
- Task lighting: As relaxing as a dim space is, you also need to be able to function easily. That’s where focused lighting can help. Look to reading lamps or desk lamps to bring in brighter light without flooding the entire room with harsh light.
Pay Attention to Lighting Colours
Not all lights are created equally! Pay attention to the colour of your lights to get rid of stressors around your home.
- Warm white or soft white bulbs: These bulbs are perfect for home and emit a warm, yellowish glow that mimics natural light. This warm light is especially good for creating a cosy and relaxing environment in living rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms.
- Avoid cool white or daylight bulbs: While these bulbs provide good task lighting, their bright, bluish light can actually slow down your body’s natural melatonin production, making it harder to relax and sleep.
- Reduce blue light exposure in the evenings: Blue light, especially from electronic devices like phones and TVs, makes it harder to sleep and exacerbates anxiety. Limit screen time before bed.
Pro Tip: In the world of lighting, more is more! The more options that you have for lighting your space, the more comfortable it will be. Create a layered lighting approach by using an array of lamps for ambience, task lighting, and candles.
Step Three: Banish Clutter for Relaxed Home Space
Clutter can be a major cause of anxiety. Here’s why decluttering your space can be a powerful tool for reducing anxiety:
The Clutter-Anxiety Cycle
The relationship between anxiety and clutter is a lot more complicated than you might think. Here’s why:
- Visual Overload: Clutter bombards your senses which makes it harder to focus and relax. The constant visual reminder of things to be done can be overwhelming.
- Decision Fatigue: Having too much stuff can lead to decision fatigue, the mental exhaustion from constantly having to make choices about what to keep and what to get rid of.
- Loss of Control: Feeling like your environment is out of control can worsen feelings of anxiety. Clutter makes it hard to find things you need and can create fruition at every turn.
The Joy of Decluttering
Decluttering your space can be incredibly rewarding. Not only does it create a more visually calming environment, but the simple act of removing unwanted items can boost your mood and reduce anxiety by giving you a sense of accomplishment and control.
With less clutter to process visually, your mind is clearer and more focused. As an added bonus, a clean and clear space is much easier to maintain so you can free up time to do the things you truly enjoy.
Decluttering Tips
Feeling inspired? Here’s how to declutter your home once and for all.
- Start Small: Don’t try to tackle everything at once. Start with a small, manageable area like a drawer or shelf. This will help you keep you from feeling overwhelmed and make the process more rewarding.
- The “Touch it Once” Rule: Whenever you touch an item, decide to keep it, donate it, sell it, or throw it away. Don’t put things down to deal with later. If you are going to keep it, find a home for it.
- Ask Yourself Key Questions: Does this item spark joy? Have I used it in the past year? Would I buy this again today? These questions will help you decide if something is really worth your energy and valuable real estate.
- Categorise and Contain: Once you’ve decluttered, use baskets, bins, and organisers to keep everything in its space. This will prevent clutter from accumulating again.
Step Four: Focus on Texture
Texture adds a layer of visual and tactile interest to your space. It breaks up monotony and creates a more inviting and layered atmosphere by adding depth and dimension. The contrast between a smooth wall and a plush rug, for example, provides a richer sensory experience and makes a room feel more inviting. Meanwhile, natural textures like wood, wool, and stone will boost feelings of warmth and comfort to create a sense of security and peace in your space.
Here’s how you can use texture in your space:
- Layering is Key: Layering different textures is a great way to add depth and visual interest. Combine smooth surfaces like painted walls with fluffy throw pillows, woven rugs, and knit blankets.
- Mix and Match Materials: Don’t be afraid to mix and match materials like wood, metal, leather, and fabric. A juxtaposition of textures, like a sleek metal lamp against a rustic wooden table, adds a level of interest to your space.
- Consider Furniture: Furniture is an easy way to add texture. Opt for pieces with interesting upholstery fabrics or natural wood grains. Not ready for a full remodel? Simple elements like chunky knit throw blankets over your sofa add a cosy touch.
- Accessorise with Texture: Make other simple upgrades with textured accessories like woven baskets, ceramic vases, or chunky knit pouffes. These elements add personality and visual interest without overwhelming the space.
- Embrace Natural Materials: Natural materials like wood, stone, wool, and cotton tend to have a calming effect. These textures connect us to nature and create a sense of timeless tranquillity.
- Soft and Plush Textures: Soft and plush textures like velvet, chenille, and faux fur add a touch of luxury and comfort.
- Soft Shapes: Curved lines and organic shapes can feel more calming than sharp edges. Consider furniture with rounded corners or incorporate textured objects with natural forms.
Step Five: Express Yourself
Your home decor is a powerful tool for self-expression, and surrounding yourself with things you love can be a great way to reduce anxiety. Here’s how to personalise your space for comfort and reduced anxiety:
- Reflect Your Passions: Decorate with pieces that reflect your hobbies and interests. Love to travel? Show off your souvenirs and print your travel pics. Are you an artist? Hang your own artwork or pieces that inspire you.
- Soothing Colours and Textures: When you’re looking at adding colours and textures, focus on what makes you feel calm and relaxed. Forget trends and surround yourself with hues you find beautiful and materials that soothe you.
- Comforting Collections: Display collections that bring you joy. Maybe it’s a seashell collection from cherished beach trips or a set of vintage teacups. Curate these items in a way that feels visually pleasing to you.
- Memories and Photos: Surround yourself with photos of loved ones or happy memories. These little reminders will give you a mood boost every day.
- Travel Inspiration: Draw inspiration from places you’ve visited or dream of visiting. Incorporate colours, textures, or design elements that remind you of those calming or inspiring locations.
- Relaxing Art: Art can be a powerful tool for relaxation. Choose pieces that evoke feelings of peace and relaxation. This could be abstract art with calming colours or landscapes that inspire you.
- DIY Projects: Creating your own decor adds a personal touch and a sense of accomplishment. Whether it’s painting, knitting a throw blanket, or growing plants, putting your own spin on things can be therapeutic.
Step Six: Bring in Nature
Bringing nature indoors is a perfect way to reduce anxiety and create a more tranquil home space. Here are some ideas to incorporate nature’s calming influence:
- The Power of Plants: Houseplants have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. On top of that, they improve air quality, add a pop of colour, and create a sense of life in your space.
Just be sure to choose Plants for Your Lifestyle. Low-maintenance options like snake plants or spider plants are great for beginners while orchids or peace lilies are perfect if you’re looking to add a touch of elegance. Love cooking? Look to herbs for a practical and fragrant addition.
- Earthy Elements: Wood, stone, and other natural materials bring a sense of the outdoors inside. Invest in a chunky wood coffee table, a woven jute rug, or a stone vase. Natural textures like bamboo blinds, linen curtains, or a woven wool throw blanket add warmth and visual interest while natural greens, blues, and browns offer an earthy sense of peace and tranquillity.
- Sensory Touches: Playing calming nature sounds like babbling brooks, ocean waves, or chirping birds can mask distracting noises and create a more peaceful atmosphere.
Using essential oils with calming scents like lavender, chamomile, or sandalwood are also lovely additions to your home. Diffuse them in the air or add a few drops to a potpourri dish.
Your Tranquil Escape Awaits
Feeling inspired? With our six simple interior styling tips, you can transform your home into a personal sanctuary. It can become a space that not only reflects your taste but actively promotes feelings of peace and well-being. Whether you decide to bring in the calming power of nature, surround yourself with objects you love, or simply declutter for a sense of order, it’s well worth investing in your space. So, take a deep breath, spark your creativity, and start building your own personal oasis!
Looking for more ideas to create your own haven? Explore our inspiration board for more ideas!