Today, our lives are far busier than ever. We are a generation of people who lead more hectic and stressful lives than any generation that has come before us, and it can easily take its toll. Our lives have become exceedingly fast-paced and hectic, which is why taking the time to slow down and take a breath has become increasingly important.

 

However, for many people relaxing isn’t easy – with almost every home having internet access and smart devices to hand, it’s hard to switch off and relax entirely. A lot of people struggle to relax and unwind at the end of a long day, and often our homes are linked to this issue. If your home isn’t designed to offer a tranquil retreat from the outside world, you will struggle to relax.

 

The good news is that there are a few simple steps that you can take to turn a room in your home, such as the living room, into a calming and more tranquil space that is ideal for relaxing in.

Get the lighting right

 

Lighting is extremely important. Far too many people fail to realize how much of an impact the ‘wrong’ lighting can have on general well being and our ability to relax and unwind. The best kind of light is natural light – sunlight can act as a fantastic mood booster – so make sure as much natural light flows into the room as possible. To increase this, strategically placing mirrors that reflect natural light into the room can help.

 

As for light bulbs, make sure to opt for warm toned lighting, instead of cool toned lighting. This will help to make relaxing that little bit easier. It’s also worth layering light from a number of sources, such as table lamps, fairy lights, and reading lamps, instead of just using an overhead lighting source.

Be mindful of the elements you incorporate

 

The elements that you incorporate into your living room, from your sofa and coffee table to your fireplace from stonewoods.co.uk, have an impact on how relaxing and tranquil the room is.

Take the time to think about the features that you have in your living room and how you can transform them to help you feel more relaxed. For instance, if your sofa doesn’t look cozy and inviting, this may limit your ability to relax. However, by topping the sofa with feather cushions and oversized throw blankets, you can give the sofa a cosier and more welcoming vibe.

Opt to create a minimalistic space

 

Remove all clutter from your living room. Clutter causes stress – it’s almost impossible to switch off when there is clutter scattered around. That’s why, if you want to create a more tranquil space, having a clear out could be a good idea.

 

To make keeping your living room clutter free a little easier, make sure to think about storage space and if the room lacks enough, then add more in. This could either mean adding in built-in storage space or utilizing furniture that offers storage space, such as an ottoman, for instance.