Ways to create a more relaxing feeling at home

The lives we live are ever getting busier and more hectic, we are spending more time out of home than in it. Our lives are now so full of frenzy that we must take the time to slow down a little bit. 

Unfortunately for a lot of us, this isn’t something that still comes naturally and relaxation needs to be forced upon ourselves.

A chaotic disorganised home is not a relaxed one, but don’t fret, there are a few straightforward basic things that we can do to create a more pleasant and peaceful home to return to after a busy day.

·         Invest in some flowers, they are very soothing both aromatically and visually.

·         Place candles around to add an air of calm, but try and stay away from the scented versions as they can sometimes be a little overwhelming.

·         Let in the light, don’t block out a rooms natural sunlight. Natural sunlight is a great spirit lifter, so be sure to keep curtains and drapes fully open and blinds pulled up.

·         What paint colours you choose to use in your home can have a distinct effect on your mood. Go with blues, greens and greys to create a more relaxing atmosphere, white and beige are also suitable but stick with natural tones. When it comes to furniture and fabrics bright colours tend to energise, so stay away from them if you want a calm and relaxing room.

·         Clear your clutter, its distracting and will instantly create a sense of disorder. Ornaments and trinkets should be tucked away and replaced with fresh flowers and plants.

·         Grab a good book and surround yourself with soft throws and cushions.

More Chic than Shabby: the Ideal Shabby Chic Room

Shabby chic is a timeless trend that never seems to go out of fashion. We can’t resist a room that looks as if it has been thrown together yet somehow magically everything has landed in place. But how can you achieve this effect in your home? We have collected a list of ways that you can add a touch of shabby chic to a room:

Distressed Furniture

If you have been watching any home design programs within the last few months you will have undoubtedly come across the trend for upcycling furniture. One of the most popular techniques used when designing a shabby-chic room is to distress any wooden fixtures that you already have. Distressing a chair for example transforms it from an ordinary modern seat into an antique (looking) piece of art. Simply rub the chair down with sandpaper - only very gently! – then add scratches and holes at random to give the impression of woodworm. You can do this to tables, bookshelves, and cabinets as well as chairs.                 

Pretty Patterns

Heavily patterned curtains and cushions are a key component of a shabby chic room. They are a brilliant contrast against plain walls. Particularly green or pink patterns produce a feminine, shabby chic look. One of the most modern ways of achieving this style is to present one wall in heavily patterned wallpaper then pick one colour out of that wallpaper and paint the remaining walls that tone.

Throw It All Together

Frilly throws over the settee or bed will emphasise the shabby chic feel. For some people this will immediately conjure up images of their grandma’s house but it does not have to be old fashioned. A frill on the cushions, the mat, or on a throw is just a small feminine touch that adds to the theme. Choose light colours such as whites, cream tones, pale greens, dusky pinks, and light blues to provide fresh ambience in the room.

Bring Nature Indoors

A wooden floor will bring the traditional, feminine theme into the 21^st Century. Wooden floor look great but they are also very practical. They gather much less dust than carpets and are easier to maintain. Put plenty of plants into the room so that they, together with the floor, add a sense of nature to the room. Leafy green plants will complement the pales pinks and greens of the furniture as well.

Shabby Chic Settee

The feature that will bring together the whole shabby chic theme is the settee which should have a rustic, homely look but still be very high quality. The only risk of a shabby chic theme is to accidentally take the shabby aspect too far and end up with nothing more than an untidy room. However choosing a sofa that looks top quality will prevent this from happening.  Tetrad sofas are handcrafted which is evident in the detail of their designs. Their loose covers fit perfectly into the shabby chic look because it appears as if the sofa has effortlessly been put together. Tetrad furniture is not just somewhere to sit; it provides a seat of total relaxation. Kings Interiors sell a large range of fabulous Tetrad furniture at reasonable prices; see for yourself by visiting the website: http://www.kingsinteriors.co.uk/brands/tetrad-upholstery