5 Ways To Turn Your Home Into A Sanctuary

with Hartleys

Whilst the longer days are welcome, we still tend to spend a large chunk of our time indoors, so now is a good time to pay attention to how your home makes you feel. We put so much focus on how rooms are styled and how they function that we tend to overlook the impact our home interiors can have on our well-being.

In this piece, we’re exploring ways you can turn your home into a sanctuary. So, at the end of the day when you’re ready to down tools and recuperate, you return to a welcoming and comforting environment that promotes positivity and relaxation.

Blissful Bedroom

It goes without saying that the bedroom is the key room in your home where relaxation needs to be easily achievable. Whether or not you have a generously sized bedroom, organisation is essential. As our most personal space, the bedroom can often accumulate a build-up of clutter. Clutter is, however, no aid for relaxation and your brain will be subconsciously tidying away your piles of belongings, whilst it should be in restorative mode.

Fitted furniture will provide you with a range of clever storage ideas so you can keep surfaces and floor space clutter-free. Wall-to-wall sliding wardrobes, bridging units over the bed and vanity units configured exactly to store the minutiae, will mean there is a place for everything, which is safe and easily accessible. Your bedroom will look streamlined, and ready for relaxation.

Comfort is of course essential. A good quality mattress and breathable bedding will help you fall asleep easier, and a comfortable chair by the window or in a cosy corner will give you an additional area for reading and resting.

Lighting and colour schemes always play an integral role in creating a serene and comfortable living space. Avoid bright lighting which awakens the senses and stimulates the mind. Instead, opt for lamps that emit soft warm lighting. Shades of blue and lilac are perfect for the bedroom – calming and therapeutic.

Stress-Free Kitchen

The kitchen is the most functional room within the home and often a hub of activity. With the comings and goings of family members, meal preparations and other household activities taking place throughout the day, the kitchen isn’t generally renowned for its relaxing vibes. So, a carefully considered layout is essential for a stress-free zone. Situating appliances in the most convenient spaces will make navigation easier, such as having your dishwasher next to your sink. If you have the space, a small sofa is a handy addition, offering you somewhere comfortable to take five with a cuppa or open the post in-between tasks.

For a visually calming kitchen, stick to neutral shades such as whites and greys. As we’ve mentioned, blues are associated with tranquillity, so perhaps complement neutral tones with blue accessories or tiling. Any accessories which soothes the senses are a great addition to your kitchen; perhaps a Bluetooth speaker for listening to your favourite music as you prepare the Sunday roast or a shelf filled with calming botanicals.

Sensational Spathrooms

Health spas have seen a surge in popularity in recent years as we seek ways to reduce stress and temporarily escape life's trials and tribulations. Spa-like bathrooms or ‘Spathrooms’ are going to be everywhere in 2023 as interior designers and homeowners try to create their own personal wellness retreats. If you like this idea, think about all the elements of a spa which make them so appealing.

Consider all the human senses and design a bathroom which gives you pleasure. Fluffy towels will add comfort when leaving the shower, soft rugs will provide a layer of warmth on otherwise cold floors, scented candles will help create a serene ambience and luxury toiletries will make you feel pampered.

Aesthetically, the modern ‘home spa’ is ideally a minimalist space, so ensure you have enough storage space for those bathroom essentials. Stick to neutral colours rather than vibrant and mentally stimulating ones and accessorise with lush house plants.

Layered Living

Living rooms often have multiple functions. They tend to be the spaces where we spend time together as a family, where children play and where guests are entertained. A neutral colour palette will add a sense of calm to what can often be a chaotic space. Choose multiple neutral tones and create texture by layering with soft furnishings. A variety of cushions will not only provide additional comfort to a sofa but will also add visual appeal and depth to your living room design. Throws, rugs and lined curtains will add extra warmth and may even lead to you reaching for the thermostat less frequently.

The right type of storage will bring a streamlined element to a busy room. Bespoke cabinetry and a tailor-made TV unit will make the most of your space whilst effectively storing away your belongings, creating easily accessible places for frequently used items like TV remotes. Clear, uncluttered surfaces and floor space will visually enhance your space.

Lighting is always a consideration for creating a relaxing ambience. You could do away with overhead lighting completely, and instead create a layered lighting effect through table lamps, floor lamps and wall lights.

Peaceful yet Practical

Hybrid working doesn’t look to be going anywhere anytime soon, so a huge number of us still require a workspace in our homes. Having a dedicated room where you can work in peace is of course ideal but not always possible. Makeshift desks in the busiest of rooms will hinder productivity so try to find a spot away from the hustle and bustle of family life. The bedroom is often the best place to set up a workspace, and a fitted furniture design will incorporate a streamlined desk with plenty of storage space surrounding it.

Wherever you are working from, there are always little edits you can make to for a calmer living space. Aromatherapy, scented candles or wax melts made with essential oils are inexpensive and effective, especially if you opt for calming scents such as lavender or sandalwood.

Your work-from-home space needs a certain amount of visual appeal to be comfortable and inspiring, but without anything too distracting. A carefully placed photo of your favourite holiday memory or loved ones can provide an instant mood boost.

At Hartley's our aim is to design fitted furniture which combats the build-up of clutter. Our bespoke storage solutions will maximise and organise your space for a sleek, streamlined and calming appeal. Whether you’re looking to create more space in a busy hallway or renovate an attic, our design team will work with you to achieve a functional and aesthetically pleasing living space. Visit our Skipton showroom or request an at-home design visit at www.hartleysbedrooms.co.uk.