How to Create a Calming Home
Creating a peaceful home isn’t just about decor—it’s about mental health, too, something I’ve learned firsthand through my own journey with anxiety and PTSD (and as a single mom of two teenage boys, I promise, it’s doable). In fact, recognizing the role this played for my students when I was teaching is one of the main reasons I got into home styling! Here are some of my favorite tips for creating a calming home – something we might need right now.
A calming home can do wonders for your mental health—and the best part? It doesn’t take a major overhaul to create a space that feels peaceful and restorative.
Calming Home Tips
- Natural Light: Open those blinds, pull back the curtains
- Warm Light: If you haven’t already, switch to warmer bulbs
- Embrace Nature: Cut some stems, gather rocks & moss
- Natural Scents: Instead of over powering candles, look for natural alternatives like my new favorite Palo Santo Sticks
- Surround Yourself with the Good Things: Use special mementos and treasured items for decor
- Swap Artwork: Rotate art for more soothing scenes & loving portraits (I have landscape prints on rotation for this)
- Create a Relaxation Corner: The whole house is often unreasonable – instead create a quiet, cozy nook
- Declutter: As much as we resist, the verdict is in – less clutter equals less anxiety. Honestly, though I go one drawer or cabinet at a time
In general, all of these strategies help create a peaceful space, but you can pick and choose what works best for you.
Start by letting in natural light—open the blinds, pull back the curtains, and let the sunshine in. For the evenings, swap out harsh bulbs for warm lighting to create a cozy ambiance. Check out my post on Warm Vs. Cool Lighting for easy and quick changes that have a big impact.
Another way I add some serenity is bringing nature inside. This doesn’t have to be complicated. Usually I just cut some fresh stems or gather rocks or moss (perfect for coffee table decor).
Recently, I’ve been layering natural scents like Palo Santo sticks for a grounding, subtle aroma. Surround yourself with things that bring joy—special mementos, treasured items, and soothing decor like landscape prints or loving portraits can foster a sense of comfort.
And maybe an entire calming home feels unrealistic. Well, don’t underestimate the power of a dedicated relaxation corner, even if it’s just a small nook with a comfy chair and a blanket. I always look for little nooks to create my own special space.
Declutter gradually—one drawer or cabinet at a time—to reduce anxiety and create more mental breathing room.
Read More: How to Organize a Home in 5 Steps
Final Thoughts
The key to a calming home is simplicity and intention. A peaceful home doesn’t mean a perfect one; it’s about finding what soothes you and leaning into it.
Whether it’s rotating artwork for a fresh perspective or carving out a little space just for you, these small, intentional changes can have a big impact on your well-being . Being intentional is so important to me, I chose it for my Word of the Year and it also was a major factor in transitioning after my divorce. Read more about Decorating After Divorce if that applies to you as well.
