Decorating your home should not be a stressful task on your to-do list. Why? Because there are specific ways you can decorate your home that actually help relieve stress! The environment you live in is proven to play a significant role in your mood and mental well-being. If there is too much going on in a room, your eyes are continuously scanning and working which can cause anxiety. Here are tips on how to decorate to de-stress:
Think green!
Adding plants inside your house is one way to relieve stress since they bring fresh oxygen into a space and remove toxins. Not only do plants help the air quality, but the physical act of tending to plants or flowers is also a method of stress reduction.
Let there be light.
A simple way to de-stress a space is to let in natural light. When people are exposed to natural light, they experience less pain and are more productive. Keep this in mind when you are choosing window treatments. Consider sheer curtains or curtains you can easily tie to the side so that natural light can peek through. Don’t forget to open windows and allow in fresh air, too!
Use blue.
Blue is a calming color that reduces anxiety and blood pressure. When you are decorating or painting a room remember that bright, eye-catching colors can ramp up your anxiety (especially red), so aim for more subtle colors. If you have trouble falling asleep at night, consider using this shade in the bedroom.
Declutter.
Messy and cluttered environments lead to an increased level of the stress hormone cortisol. Therefore, the more crowded the room, the more uninviting and stressful it is. Display the necessities or meaningful items (family photos, diplomas, etc.) and keep the extras accessories properly hidden in attractive storage options.
Add candles.
Candles bring a sense of peace to a home and can make people feel calmer almost immediately. Consider purchasing aromatherapy candles in scents specifically made to calm and relax like lavender, vanilla, cinnamon, and rose.
Skip the patterns.
When decorating a space, try and limit how many patterns you mix and match. Having too many design elements in one place gives your eyes too much to process and can cause anxiety. Consider stripes or solids because they create a more calming environment.
If you are having trouble decorating for a stress-free environment, hire Decorating Den Interiors- Carmen Mackey to help.
