Home should be the one place where you can breathe, shake off your stresses, and basically not feel as though you’re drowning in the stuff you’ve got to do all the time. But the truth is that sometimes home is the actual source of the stress, and it’s very easy for your space to become a lot more chaotic than it is calming. 

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way, and creating a stress-free home environment is totally possible for everyone. That’s because it’s not about achieving everything all at once, but instead it’s about making small changes that mean a lot to you, even if no one else notices. That way, you can feel more relaxed and in control of your space, which is ideal. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about how to create a stress-free home environment. 

 

Keep The Clutter In Check 

Decluttering is one of those things that seems like a good idea until you start and suddenly find yourself sitting on the floor debating whether or not something that anyone else would think is rubbish should still be in your home (even if you can’t remember where it came from or even what it does). 

In the end, if something doesn’t make your life easier, make you happy, or at least have some practical use, does it really need to be in your home, taking up space? Probably not. However, having said that, you don’t have to become a minimalist or anything, and it definitely doesn’t need to happen overnight! You can (and should) start small. A single drawer, one shelf, or one cupboard at a time is great because you’ll feel as though you’re getting somewhere without getting overwhelmed, plus you’ll see your progress and that’s going to help motivate you to do more when you’re able to. At the end of the day, how much or how little you do doesn’t matter because progress is progress. 

And if parting with things feels impossible, as it often will do, just box them up and hide them for a month. If you don’t miss them, you’ll probably be able to live without them in the future, so they can probably just go. 

Use A Calm Colour Palette

Have you ever walked into a room and just felt stressed right away but you didn’t actually know why? It could very well be the colour scheme you’ve just walked into because some colours are better for your emotional and mental health than others. Loud, bright colours might look exciting, for example, but they’re not exactly soothing… and if your home is a bit of an assault on the senses, it might be time to make some changes and soften things up a bit. It really will help. 

Neutrals, earthy tones, and pastels all tend to have a naturally calming effect, so they can definitely be the right way to go. But don’t worry because you don’t have to repaint your whole house (probably) – small changes like soft-toned cushions, a new set of curtains, or perhaps swapping some of your photos and artwork for different ones with different colours in them can make a big difference in how a room feels. 

Have Fresh Air

Nothing makes a space feel more stifling and uncomfortable than nasty, stale air, and even if you’re inside a lot of the time, fresh air is really going to make things better for you when it comes to creating a relaxing, calming atmosphere. One good way to get it done is to open your windows whenever you can, and absolutely let some natural light in, because that can boost the mood like nothing else. It’s also worth adding a few plants because they will make the room look fabulous and feel more alive, but they’ll also clean the air and help to make you feel generally happier and more at ease, so they’re an ideal addition to pretty much any room. 

If you really want to do good things for the air quality in your home, a well-maintained HVAC system has to be the right option. It keeps air flowing, regulates temperature, and ensures you’re not breathing in a mix of dust and mystery pollutants, so what’s not to love? Since a comfortable home starts with air that feels good (or at least is going to have that as a big component), this could be a fantastic addition that pays off in the long run. 

Create Spaces That Work For You

Your home is meant to work for you, not the other way around, so if there’s an area of your home that feels cluttered, awkward, or just plain stressful, it might be time to rethink how it’s being used. 

For example, if your hallway is just a dumping ground for shoes, coats, and everything else that gets tossed aside the moment someone walks through the door (which is so often the case), adding some simple hooks and baskets can help you keep things under control. And if your kitchen counters are always overflowing with stuff, it might just be a sign that certain items need a designated home somewhere else. 

Remember, it’s all about the small tweaks that make daily life easier – that’s what you always need to be working on. 

Relaxing Lighting

Harsh lighting is the enemy of a peaceful home… yes, that might sound a bit dramatic, but think about it – if the lights are big and bright, how can you really relax and feel nice and calm and comfortable? You can’t. And that’s a problem. 

Softer lighting, on the other hand, can completely transform a space and using lamps, fairy lights, and, of course, warm-toned bulbs is going to make a room feel completely cosy and lovely to be in. That way, you’ll be able to switch off the big overhead light until you really need it for something, and just use smaller, softer lights instead, and it’ll make a big difference. Or if you’d prefer not to have lots of lights dotted around, keep using the main light, but use a dimmer switch to keep things at a comfortable level.