In the face of a global virus pandemic, it may not seem that an interior designer would have much to offer in the way of assistance. But when one of your only safe havens right now is your own home, where you are surely spending a whole lot more time these days, I believe that there is a lot to be gained from a few small measures towards making your home environment feel peaceful, relaxing, and comforting. So I’m sharing my thoughts, from a design perspective, on easy ways to up the tranquility factor at home for little to no money. Because a well-considered interior space has the power to impact us in ways that could actually help a lot right now - by soothing us and relieving stress, rejuvenating us, keeping us well or even healing us, and maybe, just maybe, allowing us to be nicer to our housemates now matter how annoying they get.
Read on for considerations on lighting, scent, and bringing nature inside. Friends, we are all in this together!
On Lighting:
Lighting - the quality, the amount, and the time of day at which we experience it - can have a significant effect on many factors of our well-being, including mood, energy levels, how relaxed we feel, and how well we sleep.
During the day, make a point to let as much natural light in to your home as possible. I suggest making a ritual out of opening all the shades/curtains/blinds when you first wake up (and I know you have time to go around the house for this now!). Rely less on artificial light sources. If you are concerned about privacy or direct sunlight on hot days, consider sheer curtains that still filter plenty of light through, or tilt the blinds at an angle. It may seem common sense, but you’d be surprised how many neighbors, family members, and clients I see keeping their window treatments closed every day. Plus, this will benefit your furry housemates, too!
At night, ditch the overhead lighting or dim it if you have the option. Instead, rely on lamps to create a sense of quiet and calm. And consider the temperature, or tone/color, of your light bulbs. While you may need more white, bright light in working areas like the kitchen, swapping out those cooler-toned bulbs for warmer, more yellow-toned ones in living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms will give your home a warm and inviting feeling. And relying on less light in the evening in general can relax your whole nervous system. Look for bulbs labeled with a temperature of 2700K for the quality of a typical incandescent bulb.
All of this is in favor of working with your circadian rhythm and the natural cycles of light we experience as humans, which is beneficial at any time, but especially when we are living through stressful situations.
Digging In:
More on How Lighting Affects Mood from the architecture world
On Scent:
Scent can be a powerful tool to shift both your mood and the energy of your surroundings. Aromatherapy advocates believe that scent can directly impact the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain. So light a candle, run an essential oil diffuser, or burn some incense. Choose a scent you really love, and as with your window treatments, make it a ritual. Remember to be considerate of household members who may be sensitive to artificial fragrances.
If you’re dealing with stress and anxiety, use calming scents like lavender, rose, bergamot, and chamomile. If your space needs some refreshing or you want to clear stagnant energy, select a more invigorating scent like lemongrass or orange, or try burning some sage or palo santo. You might even create a DIY room spray with water, vodka and essential oils, or simmer a stovetop potpourri concoction. If you don’t care to do any of these things, open your windows and let in fresh air. Inviting new, pleasant scents into the home can relax you, lift your mood, and make you feel like you’ve had a change of scenery or even a trip to the spa without going anywhere!
Digging In:
On Bringing Nature In:
When you’ve been asked to stay at home, it matters not only to be getting outside for exercise and fresh air (at appropriate social distance), but also to fill your home with elements from nature. Nature’s inherent healing and stress-relieving abilities can benefit us inside, too, and this is especially important if you have limited or no access to private outdoor space at home. Next time you’re planning your strategic weekly grocery shopping trip, add fresh flowers to the list. Consider more responsibly cultivated options from local sources or look for Rainforest Alliance Certified varieties. Trim them and arrange them in a short vase on your dining or coffee table, or put them by your new at-home work area to bring you cheer! You could also opt for a houseplant in a pretty pot, or when the season comes, gather some flowers from your backyard. Regardless of your personal tastes, I predict that a living botanical companion or cut floral beauties will go a long way to make all that time at home more enjoyable.
Digging In:
Stay well everyone.