The last thing you probably want to do after a long day at work, where you busted your booty all day long, is to come home to a hectic, crazy household, right? Your home should serve as a retreat when you open the door after being away. And if it’s not, that craziness that occurred during the day will more than likely transfer into your home. Some of the best ways to make sure your home is calming is to include the five senses.
To remind everyone, the five senses include:
- Sight
- Smell
- Touch
- Hearing
- Taste
Sight
Sight is a pretty broad sense. It involves literally anything that enters the viewing pane of your eyeball. So how would one implement a simple way for calming sights into their home? Start with calming paint colors. Think “soft” colors like greiges, light blues, soft whites, soft greens, pale pinks, etc. There are many scientific studies that account for colors making an impact on how a person feels in the space.
If you get stressed out by the clutter on your countertops, designate a basket or bin that you can toss the clutter into and go through later. This tip is HUGE for me. I hate seeing clutter on my countertops. I’ve got a basket that I keep on my kitchen counter that has mail in so that when I need to quick pick up to get it out of my sight, I’m able to toss all the papers into it and worry about it later. The more minimal the clutter, the better.
Smell
There’s probably nothing worse than coming home to a terrible odor. Invest in a trash can that has a lid, or if you’re able to, place your trash can in a cabinet.
If you have a diffuser, diffuse some lavender. Lavender has been proven to have a calming effect. Many stores sell lavender oil, lotions, and bubble bath because it is so relaxing. If lavender isn’t your thing, light your favorite candle or diffuse your favorite oil.
Touch
Texture isn’t something you probably think about in the sense of being calm. Sharp edges or lines can allude to harshness. Soft edges or lines are more feminine, and in turn, they’re more calming. I don’t know about you, but when there’s something soft and fluffy, I am compelled to touch it! Those blankets with the sherpa? Yep, I’ll be getting pretty friendly in the aisle with it, ha! Smooth surfaces like a clean floor or coffee table can also help with keeping you calm.
Hearing
Noise pollution is totally a thing, and if your home is super noisy, or if you can hear the outside world when you’re inside, it can really be distracting. Limiting sound can help everyone in your home be calmer. Most households these days have some sort of electrical sound device that will play anything you want. Wave sounds or silent noise can do wonders in keeping you calm. Classical music also has a calming effect, which is why many parents play classical tunes in their baby’s nursery.
Taste
Taste is a really odd sense to describe as calming when describing a home. I think taste and smell can be pretty interchangeable with the topic we’re talking about today. Most times, whatever you smell, you can also taste. A bad smell, like a skunk, can leave a skunk-y taste in your mouth. Pretty unpleasant if you ask me! So, if you refer back to the smell sense above, you should be covered 😉
Whether or not you come home to a calming or hectic home, you’ll be able to keep these tips in mind to make sure your house is the most calming on the block!