How to Design a Serene & a Peaceful Living Room
Read on for simple solutions to transform your living space into a restful haven
We all want that one spot at home where, at the end of a long day, we can kick off our shoes, put our feet up (literally!) and leave the day behind. A relaxing environment can be invigorating and just the pick-me-up you need; and if your chosen place is the living room, these tips should help you create a calm and tranquil space (they work equally well for the rest of the home, too).
If you find a neutral palette monotonous, relieve it by combining two matching colours (say, beige with brown) or, play with different shades of your favourite neutral colour. You can also mix it up with soft pastels, as in this image.
Browse through neutral-hued living rooms
Browse through neutral-hued living rooms
2. Work the light
Nothing beats natural light to improve the mood and create a tranquil atmosphere. However, for apartments with little or no sunlight, a mix of lights, which will allow you to control the intensity and the areas to be lighted, is a great alternative. A combination of indirect and diffused lighting, such as floor lamps, uplighters, downlighters and table lamps, works well in creating a warm ambience. Avoid harsh fluorescent lights and strong direct overhead lighting.
Tip: Incorporating reflective surfaces (such as a mirror or lacquered walls) will visually double the amount of natural light your room gets.
Look for lighting products on Houzz
Nothing beats natural light to improve the mood and create a tranquil atmosphere. However, for apartments with little or no sunlight, a mix of lights, which will allow you to control the intensity and the areas to be lighted, is a great alternative. A combination of indirect and diffused lighting, such as floor lamps, uplighters, downlighters and table lamps, works well in creating a warm ambience. Avoid harsh fluorescent lights and strong direct overhead lighting.
Tip: Incorporating reflective surfaces (such as a mirror or lacquered walls) will visually double the amount of natural light your room gets.
Look for lighting products on Houzz
3. Use natural fabrics
We all know that things earthy and related to nature have a calming effect. Follow the same rule in the use of textiles for your living room; whether rugs, drapes or throws, they should be natural, light and comfortable. Fabrics such as fine cottons, linen, wool and silk in light hues look and feel pleasant and lift the elegance quotient many notches higher.
A Room-by-Room Guide to Lighting Your Home Right
We all know that things earthy and related to nature have a calming effect. Follow the same rule in the use of textiles for your living room; whether rugs, drapes or throws, they should be natural, light and comfortable. Fabrics such as fine cottons, linen, wool and silk in light hues look and feel pleasant and lift the elegance quotient many notches higher.
A Room-by-Room Guide to Lighting Your Home Right
4. Harness the power of plants
When you can’t go for a walk in the park to destress, replicate its restorative properties indoors. Not only do plants add immensely to your design scheme, they re-oxygenate your home and eliminate toxins. Varieties such as palms, aloe vera and snake plants require minimum maintenance for maximum serene effect.
Know more about plants best suited for Indian homes
When you can’t go for a walk in the park to destress, replicate its restorative properties indoors. Not only do plants add immensely to your design scheme, they re-oxygenate your home and eliminate toxins. Varieties such as palms, aloe vera and snake plants require minimum maintenance for maximum serene effect.
Know more about plants best suited for Indian homes
5. Cut away clutter
Clutter adds to the feeling of chaos. Equally real is the feeling of catharsis that comes with cleaning up and organising. An excess of decorative objects or an exaggerated number of cushions will only collect dust and cramp the place. Rotate your collections, instead of displaying all of your curios all at once.
Clutter adds to the feeling of chaos. Equally real is the feeling of catharsis that comes with cleaning up and organising. An excess of decorative objects or an exaggerated number of cushions will only collect dust and cramp the place. Rotate your collections, instead of displaying all of your curios all at once.
6. Keep furniture simple
Excessive ornamentation and intricate detail in your sofas and other pieces of furniture can feel overpowering. That is not to say one cannot sink into deep, plush sofas. Furniture characterised by simple, clear lines and made of natural materials brings a sense of warmth and relaxation.
See more living room design ideas
Excessive ornamentation and intricate detail in your sofas and other pieces of furniture can feel overpowering. That is not to say one cannot sink into deep, plush sofas. Furniture characterised by simple, clear lines and made of natural materials brings a sense of warmth and relaxation.
See more living room design ideas
7. Enhance your room with natural scents
Scents are natural relaxants … no wonder spas feel so good! A living room smelling fresh and clean is welcoming and a perfect place to curl up with a book or to catch forty winks. Essential oils, scented candles made of beeswax, or DIY potpourri and sprays are all natural ways to enhance your living space with fresh scents.
Read for more tricks to a fresh-smelling home
Scents are natural relaxants … no wonder spas feel so good! A living room smelling fresh and clean is welcoming and a perfect place to curl up with a book or to catch forty winks. Essential oils, scented candles made of beeswax, or DIY potpourri and sprays are all natural ways to enhance your living space with fresh scents.
Read for more tricks to a fresh-smelling home
8. Eliminate the TV
Electronic devices are most often a source of distraction, and more so the television. However, if you must have the TV set in the living room, make sure you place it in a discreet spot or hide it in a specially designed cupboard, or behind a piece of wall art, like in this image. Do not forget to hide all wires and cables that could disturb the serenity of your living room.
Discover discreet ways to fit the TV in the living room
Read more:
10 Ways to Have a Calm & a Peaceful Home
6 Calming Zen Dens That Are Real Stress Busters
Tell us:
What are your ways of making a peaceful home? Share your tips in Comments below.
Electronic devices are most often a source of distraction, and more so the television. However, if you must have the TV set in the living room, make sure you place it in a discreet spot or hide it in a specially designed cupboard, or behind a piece of wall art, like in this image. Do not forget to hide all wires and cables that could disturb the serenity of your living room.
Discover discreet ways to fit the TV in the living room
Read more:
10 Ways to Have a Calm & a Peaceful Home
6 Calming Zen Dens That Are Real Stress Busters
Tell us:
What are your ways of making a peaceful home? Share your tips in Comments below.
Neutrals, by definition, are unsaturated (or, have very little colour saturation), enabling them to serve as a relaxing background. They emanate a calmer and more serene vibe than stronger colour schemes. Soft tones such as white, grey, brown and beige have the power to induce a feeling of relaxation and calmness.
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