15 Ways To Make Your Home More Cosy And Reduce Stress
There’s no place like home. Now that staying home is the current reality for most of us, what better time to create a personal sanctuary that holds love, tranquility and peace.
Here are a few simple tips for making your home more cosy and reduce stress.
1 - Light Some Scented Candles
Ambiance is everything and lighting candles is a quick way to create an inviting environment. Place a few candles throughout the house and light them when you are in the room to enjoy the subtle glow as well as the serenity that candlelight brings.
If you're looking to de-stress, then head to Neom. Their de-stress candle is a favourite in the HomeEnvy office for when we need help creating an ultimate calm zone. Blending 24 of the purest possible essential oils including lavender, Brazilian rosewood and jasmine with which not only smells wonderful, but can also help you relax and unwind.
2 - Diffuse Essential Oils
Continuing from above, fragrance has the unique ability to tap into our emotions. Diffuse soothing oils that have relaxing properties, such as lavender, rosemary, bergamot, ylang ylang, rose and jasmine.
3 - Make The Bed
During uncertain times, it’s a good idea to stick with a normal routine when possible. Make it a point to make your bed each day. Keeping things neat and orderly reduces stress and offers a sense of normalcy.
4 - Clear The Crap
Most of us are guilty of accumulating too much stuff. The more time you spend at home, the more likely you are to realise it may be time to declutter.
Decluttering your home lightens the atmosphere as well as the space. If you have a lot of decluttering to do, break the job down into manageable tasks. Go through the linen cupboard or tackle the kitchen junk drawer. It’s also a good time to weed out the wardrobe and remove anything you that doesn’t fit properly or you don’t feel good in it. Marie Kondo your jewellery too. If an item doesn’t spark joy, let it go.
If you need a little help we've created the Ultimate Guide to Decluttering your home (+ mind), grab your free copy here.
5 - Fixer Upper
How many times do you pass an area of your home that needs attention and think.... I need to do that?
Maybe it’s a nail hole that needs patching, a skirting board the dog chewed as a puppy (he’s 5 now), or artwork that’s waiting to be hung because you’ve been too lazy to find a wall plug? (okay the last one is me )
Get on it. Sometimes the smallest job gives you the biggest sense of accomplishment just because it’s finally done.
6 - Wash Those Windows
While you’re stuck inside, you might as well be able to see what you’re missing outside. Washing the windows signifies Spring. Wash your windows and let more light shine through.....We could all use some light right now, don’t you thin
7 - Let The Music Play
If someone in your household is working from home, we don’t suggest you blast the music, but playing soft music in other areas of the home can create a calming atmosphere for everyone who enters the room.
8 - Set Up A Reading Nook
Push a cosy chair into the corner of a room and put a reading lamp beside it or behind it. The children can sit and play on their tablet or you can relax with a good book to unwind at the end of the day. Now’s the perfect time to catch up on your favorite read or listen to audio books.
9 - Set The Table
It’s easy to fall into the pattern of eating in front of the TV. Meal time should have structure. It’s also the ideal time for the family to sit together without distraction.
Make mealtime special by setting a gorgeous table, or using the best dishes. Dress the table as if you were entertaining VIPs. Times like this should make you realise that your VIPs are right there with you. Treat your family like the most important dinner guests (because they are).
10 - Rearrange Your Bookshelves
Bookshelves are the perfect spot to display more than just books. They can showcase a collection, potted plants, candles or picture frames. Remove everything from your shelves and create a new display. Add a vase or a favourite souvenir from your travels. Frame a child’s drawing or place a pretty candle on top of a magazine stack. Just rearranging and weeding out will give your bookshelves a fresh aesthetic.
11 - Turn The Bathroom Into A Spa
Fill a glass bottle or apothecary jar with bath salts and display it on a bathroom shelf or vanity top. Place a plant or fresh flowers on the ledge of your bathtub. Roll up plush hand towels (the ones reserved for guests) and start using them. You deserve to use the good towels as much as visitors do.
12 - Organise Your Office
Remember that pile of paperwork you’ve been moving from one side of your desk to the other? Time to sort through it (you might want to pay those bills at the same time). An organised work space allows you to be more productive by spending more time on the tasks at hand and less time trying to find things.
13 - Rearrange Furniture And Accessories
The simple act of moving a dresser from one spot to another, or moving a plant stand from the kitchen to the living room window can make a big difference in the look and feel of your space. Stir things up a bit and rearrange. It’s fun to see how an object has a certain feel in one room yet is totally different in another.
Rearranging accessories can also have surprising results. Wash the curtains from the living room and hang them in the bedroom. Or take the accent pillows off the sofa and dress up the guest bed. If you’ve got sewing skills and some fabric, make new pillow covers to spruce up patio chairs.
14 - Paint Something
Give a tired piece of furniture a new lease on life with a bold paint colour. Paint picture frames or add a vibrant new shade to an outdated mirror. Go through any paints you have hanging around from other projects and there’s bound to be something in your home that could use a pick-me-up.
15 - Create A Test Kitchen
You’ve got to feed your family anyway so why not experiment with some of those recipes you’ve pinned. Get the family involved and prepare samples for everyone to try. My hubby is a keen cook and we've been doing this with our boys, so much fun. We've also been imagining we're in a restaurant with a lovely set table. Food has a special way of bringing people together. Let every family member contribute to the meal.
