Decorating
Subtle Decorating Moves Designed to Soothe Your Soul
These rooms are so calming, you'll be inspired to recreate the same feeling at your house – we'll show you how
You know how you walk into some homes and feel instantly relaxed? It isn’t just an absence of clutter that does it, but a carefully orchestrated decorating approach that makes each colour and element of a room sing in harmony. As these rooms demonstrate, less is definitely more when it comes to creating a calming space, but it also comes down to a decorating approach that’s soft, subtle and as far from jarring to the eyes as possible. Enjoy.
Here’s a neat trick: turn your books spine-side-in to add character without adding colour.
Greys, soft blues and other soothing tones make this bedroom positively restful, and did you notice the bookshelf? The spines face in again! The only thing that would make this bedroom more calming would be to remove, or at least cover, the TV. Screentime before bed is likely to make for a less peaceful slumber.
Walls painted in ‘Silver Gray’ (2131-60): Benjamin Moore
Walls painted in ‘Silver Gray’ (2131-60): Benjamin Moore
If you have painted brick walls, the texture is likely to be touchable enough for them not to need any artwork at all. Gently patterned cushions bring in enough life not to make this room look stark, and the drapes of the mosquito net make it all the more dreamy.
In the living area
Comfort speaks louder than colour in this living room. The proportions of the Tufty-Time sofa turn the space into a cosy refuge. Nothing about this room shouts ‘party time’; instead, it whispers an invitation to come, sit a while, and relax.
Twiggy floor lamp
Comfort speaks louder than colour in this living room. The proportions of the Tufty-Time sofa turn the space into a cosy refuge. Nothing about this room shouts ‘party time’; instead, it whispers an invitation to come, sit a while, and relax.
Twiggy floor lamp
There’s more going on in this lounge room, but it’s far from cluttered and a restful artwork brings the calming effect of nature indoors.
Walls painted in ‘Bison Hide’: Resene; Vintage Multi rug: de Poortere; artwork: Sounds Like Home
Walls painted in ‘Bison Hide’: Resene; Vintage Multi rug: de Poortere; artwork: Sounds Like Home
This Melbourne living room is completely free of adornment, apart from a couple of pot plants and a painting. It doesn’t need anything else because of the pattern and natural grains in the timber cabinetry and coffee table. Less is more when you have a stand-out feature upon which to rest your weary eyes.
In the kitchen
It can be tempting to go all-white in a kitchen. After all, white is fresh and clean looking and unlikely to date. If you want a more calming colour combination, though, consider pairing off-white with a soft taupe. The more subtle tones are sure to keep any glare at bay, no matter how much natural light you have flooding into the kitchen.
It can be tempting to go all-white in a kitchen. After all, white is fresh and clean looking and unlikely to date. If you want a more calming colour combination, though, consider pairing off-white with a soft taupe. The more subtle tones are sure to keep any glare at bay, no matter how much natural light you have flooding into the kitchen.
Up close, you can see how easy this colour pairing is on the eyes. And better still, the odd smudge will be far less visible than on bright white … and let’s face it, the less cleaning we feel compelled to do, the more time we have for other, more rewarding pastimes.
More: 12 Essential Ingredients for a Classic Hamptons-Style Kitchen
More: 12 Essential Ingredients for a Classic Hamptons-Style Kitchen
It’s marble that helps soften the white cabinetry in this contemporary wonder, along with the light timber floors beneath the stools. Interior designer Sally Caroline recommends European maple floors finished with white oil from Mafi for a similar look.
TIP: If you think this kitchen looks too cool for comfort, think again – how cosy would your toes be perched on a stool with your morning coffee when the heaters are on? The only challenge would be dragging yourself away – especially if you’ve got the morning paper to get through.
Stools: Evostyle
TIP: If you think this kitchen looks too cool for comfort, think again – how cosy would your toes be perched on a stool with your morning coffee when the heaters are on? The only challenge would be dragging yourself away – especially if you’ve got the morning paper to get through.
Stools: Evostyle
In the dining room
In the same house, the dining area has similarly soft tones. Just because you yearn for a soothing colour scheme doesn’t mean you have to go without a little bling, as these dining chairs demonstrate! They’re elegant without going over the top.
Table: Mark Tuckey; chairs: Lee Broom; Moooi Raimond suspension lamp
In the same house, the dining area has similarly soft tones. Just because you yearn for a soothing colour scheme doesn’t mean you have to go without a little bling, as these dining chairs demonstrate! They’re elegant without going over the top.
Table: Mark Tuckey; chairs: Lee Broom; Moooi Raimond suspension lamp
In the bathroom
There’s no practical reason for this breezy bath surround, but there is a completely impractical reason – it turns this bathroom into a blissful retreat. An elegant chandelier takes it into the five-star realm, and there’s even a sumptuous ottoman to sit on while you take off your socks. Travertine tiles laid in a herringbone pattern command no attention but add to the soothing vibe.
Bath: MODA ALTEZZA; chandelier: Designer Chandelier
There’s no practical reason for this breezy bath surround, but there is a completely impractical reason – it turns this bathroom into a blissful retreat. An elegant chandelier takes it into the five-star realm, and there’s even a sumptuous ottoman to sit on while you take off your socks. Travertine tiles laid in a herringbone pattern command no attention but add to the soothing vibe.
Bath: MODA ALTEZZA; chandelier: Designer Chandelier
When you have a view out the window of trees (or rolling hills, the ocean, or even the sky), it pays to keep the bathroom simple. What could be more soothing than a warm bubble bath with the calming influence of the natural world your only companion?
YOUR SAY
How do you bring a sense of calm into your home? Share your ideas in the Comments.
MORE
Easy Tricks to Transform Your Home Into a Peaceful Sanctuary
Dutch Houzz: Minimalist Palette Creates Soothing Home
Serenity in the City: 10 Ways to Create a Peaceful Urban Oasis
YOUR SAY
How do you bring a sense of calm into your home? Share your ideas in the Comments.
MORE
Easy Tricks to Transform Your Home Into a Peaceful Sanctuary
Dutch Houzz: Minimalist Palette Creates Soothing Home
Serenity in the City: 10 Ways to Create a Peaceful Urban Oasis
Don’t underestimate the impact your surrounds can have on you as you retire for the evening or sneak in a little downtime during the day. Not only are the colours soft and soothing in this master bedroom, take a look at the other elements in the room: the natural linen doona cover promises comfort that just gets better with age; the bedhead is built for leaning against with a novel in one hand and a cup of tea in the other; and the wool carpet is sink-your-toes-into-it lovely. Tossing a throw on the bed in a slightly deeper tone than the other colours in the room will stop it feeling washed out. An armchair in a deeper hue would achieve the same effect.
Grey walls in ‘Quarry’: Dulux; wallpaper in ‘Eau De Nil’: James Dunlop