Creating the Perfect Calm in the Home

Scented candle on wool Blanket – Home of Juniper

Even in the most frenetic world, there needs to be one place which induces calm and relaxation.
That place is your home.

When you close your front door on the madness outside, you should feel an innate sense of calm flooding your body, and an impression of having just stepped into your very own sanctuary.

Fortunately, there are ways to achieve a more zen-like atmosphere to your home without having a complete overhaul, or even re-decorating (because we all know how much added stress that can bring!)

Less is More

Clutter creates chaos. Take some time and go through your home room by room, considering every single item you come across. Don’t like the colour? Get rid of it. Bad memories? Chuck it out. Never used it, never will? Out it goes. Be ruthless. If there are items you can’t bear to say goodbye to, but they need to be out of sight, invest in some clever storage. Forget boxes, and try using something like this Seagrass Basket instead. It’s perfectly neutral, to complement the natural look you need, but the addition of the gold sequins will add a touch of understated glitz.

How Low Can You Go?

Feeling grounded is a great way to create some natural harmony in the home, but grounding doesn’t have to involve walking barefoot on the grass (although everyone should try it, it’s wonderful!). By simply sitting on the floor, as opposed to chairs, we are not only automatically improving our posture, but we are also placing ourselves closer to the earth. The act of sitting on the floor automatically opens up the root chakra, which allows us to draw in the energy from the Earth. Make the floors in your home as comfortable and inviting as possible by scattering some beautiful cushions in wonderfully earthy colours, which will provide support where needed and look fabulous. This Hmong Fairtrade Cushion is made from recycled kaftans, bringing just the right amount of colour into your home, along with style and some great history!

Home of Juniper – Hmong Cushion, Fair-Trade and Ethically produced.

Smooth Out Those Corners

According to the ancient practice of Feng Shui, corners can be bad news. Take a look around your rooms and if there are sharp corners which point towards you, these are classed as ‘Poison Arrows’. If it isn’t possible to move the cornered object, then you need to block it, preferably with something beautiful. A plant in front of the corner will act as a barrier between you, while also cleansing the air in the room by absorbing pollutants through its leaves, and let’s face it, bringing nature into the home is always a good thing.

Make an Entrance

Walking into a crowded, chaotic hallway after a stressful day at work is not going to do much to improve matters! The first thing you see when you close your front door should be something beautiful, something calming. Calling again on Feng Shui, fresh flowers in your home are associated with good, positive energy. Remove all clutter from your hallway, and instead have a single vase of beautiful blooms in place – chrysanthemums, for example, are said to be a symbol of ease and balance in life and are believed to have a strong Yang energy, meaning they will attract good luck into your home. Alternatively, the ever-cheerful narcissus is believed to bring success to one’s career. But beautiful blooms deserve a beautiful holder, and there is something classic yet earthy about this gorgeous Indigo Vase which will off-set any flower perfectly and bring a sense of calm to your entranceway.

Indigo Sue Pryke Vase at Home of Juniper – more colours available.

(Make sure to dispose of any flowers as soon as they are past their best, because dead flowers attract bad energy!)

When it comes to creating a more zen-like feel to your home, small adjustments can have a big impact. Keep the colours light and neutral to give the illusion of space, and avoid harsh overhead lights – it is far more peaceful to have soft lighting by way of lamps and candles. Candlelight, in particular, induces an almost meditative state, reducing stress levels and creating calm. The Breathe Candle is infused with relaxing lavender and geranium essential oils – perfect for winding down at the end of the day.

Large scented Breathe candle – Home of Juniper

Linda Firth the interior expert from consumer website, LoveMyVouchers.co.uk adds, “When adopting the ‘less is more’ philosophy of a calm home, make every piece count – colours, textures, and scents make much more of a statement than cumbersome items which can, quite literally, block the flow of good energy needed for a happy, harmonious, home.”

To get more ideas and inspiration for items that will create the perfect sense of calm within your home, browse our main site at homeofjuniper.co.uk.