Serenity in Interior Design

Author: Randye S. Spina

Serenity in Interior Design

We live in stressful times. According to the American Psychological Association, approximately one third of adults (34%) reported feeling completely overwhelmed on most days. While interior design won’t solve your work or family crises, it can help improve the quality of your life by calming your nervous system and making your home a serene respite from the daily stressors of life.

Imagine coming home to a beautiful space designed just for you that’s filled with things you love, that give you joy, make you smile, and help you relax. A place where you can just…breathe.

Sounds great, right? You CAN live in a peaceful space like this and here are some tips to help you achieve serenity in your home’s interior design:

*  Fill your house with plants – There are few better suggestions we could offer than filling your house with houseplants. Houseplants boost moods and creativity, reduce stress and fatigue, absorb toxins and produce oxygen, and all around bring life to a space. Flowering plants with touches of color bring interest to a room. And as an added bonus, caring for plants is proven to be therapeutic!

*  Keep the color palette soft, muted, and neutral – Lots of beige, white, and grey tones with touches of soft colors are good choices for creating a calming atmosphere. Use loud or jarring colors sparingly, especially in a bedroom where you want to be sure you can get a good night’s rest.

*  Choose furniture and accessories that are simple, timeless, and classic – Clean, soft lines are the best choice. Stay clear of fussy or ornate shapes or trim.

*  Add texture and pattern to the room, but keep them subtle – stick with low-contrast patterns that add interest, but don’t overwhelm.

*  Avoid clutter – There are beautiful storage options such as plush ottomans with hinged tops, coffee tables with drawers, bookshelves with door options, and more that can help you keep surfaces clear and clutter-free.

*  Lighting and candles – Lamps that use three-way bulbs are a great way to make sure you have enough light to read, etc. and can also be lowered for relaxing. Lighting on dimmers are the ultimate in serene mood-setting for quiet dinners and conversation. Candles (ideally soy, stearin, or beeswax) provide a soft glow and are proven to reduce stress.

*  Home fragrance – It’s lovely to walk into a great-smelling room, take a deep breath, and inhale the beautiful calming scent of lavender. Other scents such as roses, bergamot, and citrus are also examples of essential aromatic oils that are commonly used to relieve anxiety and stress. Use what smells good to you. And, why not combine both lighting and fragrance with your favorite scented candle or diffuser?

And of course, we believe that incorporating artwork in your home simply makes life better.  Try the playful works of Laurent Cabras, the surreal works of Richard Dubure, or the soft portraits of Eleni Pappa Tsantilis. Perhaps you are in love with nature or the beauty of birds?  Try Florence Laurent!  Or, perhaps you would enjoy the softness of Veronique Guillou’s monochrome works in our “Serenity in Interior Design” virtual exhibit. Whatever your preferences are, adding art that makes YOU happy plays a large part in creating a serene space and a happy home life.

Need help choosing your art? Browse our gallery for ideas, or contact us for complimentary assistance in making your best choice. Our advisors are standing by to guide you, and our coordinators will manage your purchase every step of the way, from the art studios of France…directly to your doorstep.