Our homes have gone far beyond than just providing shelter. They are our sanctuaries, places of refuge where we can still feel protected, but also comfortable and content in an environment that we have created by ourselves and for ourselves. The point of modern homes is not only to be a place where we can exist, but also a place where we can flourish and live a life that is productive and creative.  

When designing your home interior, there are several simple steps you can take to create a home that is soothing, healthy and comfortable, and here’s how to achieve it.

Get rid of clutter

You’ll hardly be able to feel peaceful and relaxed if you’re surrounded by clutter. Instead, focus on organizing your spaces better in order to achieve a desired balance. Keep things minimal, clean and open.  Use low-profile storage solutions and keep things neatly hidden away, like a chest that doubles as a coffee table or recessed shelving.

Think twice before your next purchase and introduction of yet another item into your home. You might be able to repurpose or upcycle something you already have. Rearrange the furniture to create a better layout and flow of space.

Change the lighting

Lighting is a powerful design tool that can help you completely transform any space. It can make a room look appealing and pleasant, or dreary and gloomy. Poorly lit rooms cause serious negative effects in people, such as eye strain, headaches, irritation and bad mood. Adequate lighting can lift up the spirits and enhance the positive atmosphere.

As a first step, consider going green and replace your old, traditional, incandescent light bulbs for LED lights that are also more energy efficient and have a much longer lifespan. They are also compatible with dimmers that can additionally improve the overall ambiance. Introduce different types of lamps, such as table lamps and floor lamps to add warmth to the space, or spot lights and pendants to create focal points.

Be picky with materials

In order to stay with the healthy and natural scheme of your home, stick with natural materials as well. As opposed to artificial materials that contains various chemicals that pollute the indoor air, use natural fibers and fabrics that are not only breathable, but also non-toxic and very durable.

It’s highly recommended you stay away from having wall-to-wall carpets as majority of them were produced using nylon olefin, a toxic petrochemical derived from petroleum. In addition to this, these carpets also contains other harmful substances, such as xylene, toluene and formaldehyde that are extremely toxic to the nervous system.

Instead, stick with dressing up your hardwood or tiled floors with practical, natural fiber area rugs, especially the very popular environmentally-friendly jute rugs. They have a great natural appeal and a lovely texture. They come in various colours, shapes and sizes, and are produced from eco-friendly, sustainable weave dried jute that is grown without any fertilizers and only fed with rainwater. Depending on your personal taste, you can choose among jute that is braided, woven or round, and you’ll be sure to find the one that will complement your space and add comfort and tranquillity to

Bring in nature

We’ve always had a special connection with nature and its beauty has a special appeal and a soothing effect on all our senses. It’s not just the aesthetic appeal that we appreciate, but it has numerous health benefits, reduces stress levels and relieves anxiety and depression.

Create a connection between the outdoors and indoors and bring in as many natural elements as possible. Glass walls, large windows and easily operable doors will invite the outdoors in and help flood the inside space with natural light and give you a seamless transition between the two spaces.

Use colors inspired by nature to refresh and restore your interior décor. Apply a soft palette of neutrals, whites and creams, which will make the space seem brighter and bigger. To avoid the plain, dull look, bring in splashes of vibrant colors in your accessories, such as cushions, window treatments, wall paintings and small area rugs.

Minimize noise

All the finishes and furnishings you choose for your interior décor will influence the amount of noise in your home. While it’s very trendy and aesthetically pleasing to have hardwood floors, bright blank walls, large rooms and an open concept floor plan, all of these features can increase the noise level and send sound waves reverberating throughout the space.

In order to minimize this effect, consider covering at least 25% of your home in absorbent materials such as draperies, curtains, wall coverings, paintings, and rugs. Book-filled shelves and upholstered furniture can also help absorb and muffle noise. Add soft, colorful cushions and a blanket over the sofa and you’ll introduce even more texture, cosiness and warmth.

Having your own home gives you the opportunity to arrange it so it contributes to the quality of your life. With tips listed here, you’ll be able to create an environment that is comfortable, sustainable, serene and healthy, where you and your family can feel peaceful and safe the minute you walk in.

Author Bio: If one thing is true about Lillian Connors, her mind is utterly curious. That’s why she can’t resist the urge to embark on a myriad of green living/home improvement projects and spread the word about them. She cherishes the notion that sustainable housing and gardening will not only make us far less dependent on others regarding the dwellings we inhabit, but also contribute to our planet being a better place to live on. You can check her out on LinkedIn.

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