20 Relaxing Home Decor Ideas to Create a Calming Sanctuary

Sunlight is, of course, a natural mood booster, and proper window hangings can let in more natural light that can offset dark or unnaturally-lit rooms. 

"I like the idea of a sheer shade that can be pulled back all the way to bring in as much light as needed," Cloughen suggested.

No one feels their best under the white glare of fluorescent lighting. Melone Cloughen suggests playing with lightbulb wattage and color, and making sure that the chosen light fixtures come with dimmers.

"Lighting goes hand-in-hand with ambience," she said. "Try to buy lightbulbs in warmer, rather than cooler tones."

The color schemes in our homes, unsurprisingly can be mood lifters or depressors:

"Consider a serene color palette for the [home] and of course, choose colors that are pleasing and relaxing," Melone Cloughen said. "Overly vivid, bright or highly contrasting paint or wallpaper detracts from the vibe and over-stimulates the mind and body."

Picking the right patterns for bedding and upholstery is an important — and very personal — choice that completely shifts the timbre of a home.

"Optical art patterns may be stressful, for instance, but maybe floral prints would inspire someone who finds gardening peaceful," Joy Rains told CafeMom. "It's super important to trust our gut."

Sometimes all we need to brighten up a space is to head down to the local florist once a week and keep a bouquet in the kitchen or dining room.

"I love bringing in plants and flowers," Cloughen said. "Flowers don't need to b expensive! They change the temperature of the space and make us feel good when we look at them."

In a tranquil home, all five senses are stimulated. For a house that smells peaceful (and like salted caramel cupcakes) keep aromatherapy candles lit on a regular basis, Rains suggested.

The sound of trickling water relaxes the auditory senses, so Rains suggests installing a nature-inspired Buddha water fountain. Buying a relaxing noise machine for the bedroom with sounds of ocean waves and birdsongs can also have a calming effect.

"We want to use soothing fabrics, but that will be different for different people," Rains said. "Velours and other soft fabrics are comforting but someone else might like satin sheets."

Like most interior design choices, choosing a comforting primary material is a matter of personal preference, but for Rains, wood is a good start.

"I personally like hardwood floors with deep, rich colors," she said. "I find wood very warm and inviting."

Nature is the perfect decor inspiration for the calm mind. 

"Most of us naturally feel a sense of peace when we’re in nature," Mina Fies told CafeMom. "Try bringing stone, natural wood and earth-toned colors in for a woods-inspired getaway or driftwood and seashells for a beach-inspired theme."

Setting aside a fixed meditation room or area of the house trains the mind to enter a relaxed state upon entering the room.

"Remember, no abode is too small for a meditation space!" Rains said. "Pick a favorite chair and set a few inspirational items like candles and a book on a table nearby to create a sanctuary in a small apartment."

Clear the clutter in a kitchen for a more inviting feel:

"In a zen kitchen, I don't want to see things like the toaster or coffeemaker out,"  Melone Cloughenon said. "On my island, I keep things visually organized and almost always have a platter of fruits or vegetables out."

The kitchen might be as neat as a pin but those spools of string, pencils, and school supplies still need a place to go.

"Do not ignore the need for the junk drawer's existence!" Fies said. "We all need to have easy access to tape, scissors and a pad of paper so make sure to plan for those when planning out cabinets."

There's no reason why storage solutions shouldn't be attractive and fit the decor of a household.

"Much of the time, I use baskets," Melone Cloughenon said. "They are not expensive and can hold lots of stuff. Plus, it easily keeps things tucked away and on a shelf."

In the past, living rooms were formal spaces for company and special occasions only, but that should not be the case for a tranquil home.

"I’m a big fan of having lots of comfortable throws and pillows," Melone Cloughenon said. "A living room should not feel like a still life painting."

It might be difficult, but keeping TVs, smart phones, and other devices out of bed is a good idea.

"The bedroom should be a visual cue for rest and relaxation,"Fies said. "The more stimulus that's in it, the harder it will be to fall and stay asleep."

A cluttered space with too many accessories, knick-knacks and flooring materials is a chaotic space, Fies explained.

"Most of us are collectors by nature and, as the years pass, we tend to accumulate more than we need," she said. "I suggest changing out keepsakes seasonally."

River rocks or stones as decoration can double as meditation accessories:

"I keep smooth river stones to hold in my hand as an object of focus," Rains said. "I keep a basket of them in my meditation space."

When choosing wall decorations, it's important to pick prints or paintings that stir happy memories, Rains said. She suggested hanging wall decorations that remind us of calming locations like the ocean or woods.

Teach kids the art of beautiful organization to make a peaceful home even easier to achieve. 

"When my kids were young, they knew that they needed to make their beds and tidy up their rooms by the end of the day," Melone Cloughenon said. "Eventually its second-nature."