W ith much of our happiness and health connected to our home, shouldn’t it be a place that offers respite from the outside world, and helps recharge batteries? A relaxing home can be a sanctuary, letting you slow down and be at peace. But how does one get it?
Turn to Zen. A school of Buddhism that believes meditation, contemplation and intuition are the way to enlightenment.
It is a way of life, a state of mind. The Japanese pronunciation of Chinese word “chán”, meaning ‘quietude’, Zen is synonymous with clean simple lines, minimal furniture, natural colours, a calming ambience and a relaxing home.
Let less be more. Begin with neutral backgrounds – unsaturated colours are temperate (neither cool nor warm), don’t vie for attention, and ensure a soothing setting.
Tranquil blues, greens, greys, whites and beiges will create a relaxing feel as opposed to bright ones that have an energising effect. Try and tap maximum daylight in all areas; by evening, ensure lighting in all rooms bridges tasks and moods.
Bedroom: Declutter closets, dressers, bedside tables and drawers. Purchase sheets with a high thread content; higher the thread content, the softer it will be. Look for ‘hotel-like’ super-soft pillows and comforters– they create an inviting feel.Keep the telly, the laptop and sundry work stuff out of the bedroom – they tend to distract and engage to the detriment of your sleep.
Living room: We tend to stuff our rooms with as much furniture as they can hold. Avoid it. Figure out how much furniture you need and arrange it to create a sense of airiness, space and comfort. A balance between the occupied and unoccupied space promotes calmness and relaxation. Open space between furniture and walls makes the room feel lighter.
Keep wall accessories to a minimum – you don’t really need to display all your artifacts, photos and paintings. Toss comfortable cushions on to the couch, hang family photos on to the walls and surround yourself with artifacts you really like.
Bathroom: If you have a large bathroom, a jacuzzi or tub can help you soak the blues away. If not, don’t despair. Even a walk-in closet can be transformed into a zone of peace—just add a dimming lamp, some music and a small fountain.
A semi-gloss finish paint works best for the bound-to-be-humid room. Wood and stone will do well with a coat of varnish to protect them from moisture.
Outfit your bathroom with luxurious accessories such as bamboo mats, organic towels with high thread counts, a pretty container filled with potpourri, scented candles and aromatherapy oils.
Kitchen: Can the heart of the home, the workroom of the house, be a relaxing space? The more organised the kitchen, the more relaxing it will be.
A well-designed kitchen makes the most efficient use of space – maximum storage in minimum space.
Ensure that you have enough storage – be it shelving or cabinets for utensils, cookware, crockery, cutlery, food staples, and other items. Group similar items so that finding them is easy.
Keep all workspaces and platforms clutter-free and dedicate 10 minutes a day to make this a reality. Bowls of fresh fruit, a cookbook display and pots of herbs make visually appealing and functional additions.