How to make your home calmer
Lately I’ve been working on home renovation projects, and it’s been super stressful.
Now that the basics are done and the furniture is finally back in place, I’ve started to move on to smaller projects, including those finishing touches that make a house a home. But like many people right now, I’m on a strict budget, which requires being creative!
So here are my top tips for adding that calm, relaxing feel to your home without spending a fortune.
1. Pick a signature scent
One of the biggest impacts on your senses and peace of mind is scent. You may have thought of your rooms in terms of colour schemes and styles, but have you considered scent in your “branding”?
To get you started, here are some smell ideas for your inspiration:
Baking – Bread or cakes can smell super welcoming, and as a bonus you get to eat something delicious too. Not the world’s greatest baker? Just use a premade mix or heat up part-baked rolls.
Lavender – This has a relaxing effect which promotes restful sleep, so it’s ideal for bedrooms. You could use scented potpourri, drawer liners, or spray a little on pillows before bedtime.
Cotton or linen – One of our friends is heavily against strong scents, so I like to use a diffuser of a natural, subtle smell like cotton or linen in our guest bathroom.
Feliway or Pet Remedy – We have cats so having a plug-in designed to relax them is a big bonus. If you don’t have pets, swap it out for any plug-in scent you like. This works particularly well in hallways as the smell hits people when they first walk into your home or move up to a different floor and gives a great first impression.
You can simply use scented candles, diffusers or essential oils to swap out your scents depending on your mood or the occasion.
2. Consider screens
Limiting screen time can really help add a sense of calm to your home. Having scheduled family time to play board games, read a book together, or simply chat, can make a big difference to your wellbeing as well as making sure you stay on top of skills like eye contact and in-person socialising.
Have a specific time you agree to stop screen use, and leave phones and tablets out of your bedrooms (use traditional alarm clocks instead) for a better night’s sleep and a calmer home.
3. Keep a stress diary
This may seem a little weird, but recording what makes you stressed or what people argue about the most in your home can really help. You can use it to make a plan to resolve recurring arguments and niggles that keep coming up in your household, and ensure that everyone knows what the plan or resolution is in certain situations.
I recommend using your fridge and a magnetic whiteboard plus a dry erase pen to keep a record. They’re super cheap from Amazon and you can quickly make notes for everyone to see. Of course, I’d recommend encouraging nice comments and cute doodles as well to balance it out!
4. Go blackout for better sleep
One thing I’ve found that’s definitely worth investing in is blackout blinds or curtains. You’ll sleep so much better when it’s darker, plus it means kids will go to sleep earlier and wake up later. It just improves everyone’s mood and makes for a happier household all round.
You don’t have to spend a lot; Ikea and Amazon have them for just a few quid.
5. Check your guest rooms
Sleep in your guest rooms yourself to make sure that it’s a good experience. Maybe you’re missing a box of tissues, or maybe the bedside lights are too glaring, or maybe the power sockets aren’t easily accessible, or maybe the mattress or pillows just aren’t the most comfortable. Having the full experience means you know what to change or add, and your guests will wake up much calmer and happier.