5 Ways to Redesign Your Living Room and Make it More Serene

If you’re like many people, you may spend a lot of time in your living room. Whether you’re watching TV, reading a book, or playing with your children, you want this room to feel serene. That’s easier to accomplish than you might realize, and you don’t have to break the bank as long as you get creative! You can “shop” in other rooms for yourself to reuse an item in your living room or stop by your favorite thrift store to look for goodies that fit the criteria below.

Remove Clutter

The first step to making any room in your home more serene is to conquer the clutter. You might not even realize the impact that clutter can have on your mental state—or how much of it you’ve accumulated! However, reducing clutter leaves more room for the things that actually make you feel good.

First, start by getting rid of anything that doesn’t serve its purpose. Trash or donate anything that isn’t useful. Be honest with yourself. While a couple of throw pillows might make your sofa cozier, too many can be uninviting.

Then, ensure that everything you own has its place. It’s impossible to beat clutter if you have nowhere to put the things you do need. Invest in smart storage solutions, whether an ottoman or coffee table with hidden storage, organizing trays for tables, or room dividers behind which you can hide the few things you can’t find a place for.

Use Color Wisely

If the colors in your living room or too bold or bright, they might excite your system rather than relax it. Fortunately, you can give your living room a facelift with a little paint and some new curtains, even if you don’t replace your furniture.

Look out for more calming hues. Pastels and muted versions might do the trick, and you can often have paint mixed to soften the color. Likewise, there are more options than white for neutrals, which can simultaneously be aggressive and bland. Instead, shades of grey or taupe can act as neutral substitutes.

Of course, you can always replace your furniture if it’s seen better days or if it doesn’t contribute to a relaxing room. If you have a specific color scheme in mind, it’s often easier to find the best couches online than shop in person because of all the options available to you. Try a modular sofa in an outdoor-friendly fabric to accommodate all of your guests. Knowing that your sofa is durable can reduce your worry just a bit, especially if it’s a lighter color.

When you can’t live without bold colors, you can add a pop of color to your living room that isn’t overwhelming. Paint a single wall in a vibrant accent color, toss contrasting pillows on your sofa, or use wall art for a splash of color against a neutral base.

Check Your Light

The right lighting can make or break a room. For example, if your lighting is especially warm or cool, it can change the look of the furniture and decor in your living room. Your living room definitely won’t feel serene if the lighting throws harsh shadows. Some lighting can even give you headaches!

Fortunately, replacing harsh bulbs with soft white or warm bulbs is an easy fix. You can go one step further by using smart LED bulbs in your fixtures and lamps to hone in on the precise color that will make your living room feel as calming as a spa. Even replacing a lighting fixture is easier than you think!

Lamps also go a long way when it comes to making your living room serene. Place them in corners to bounce light off two walls, which can brighten up a room that’s too dark. 3-way lamps are also a great idea if you want to choose the level of light. The right shades, whether fabric, paper, or glass, can soften light.

The same goes for curtains. Translucent, flowing fabric can make any living room feel more tranquil by diffusing light without blocking airflow.

Engage All Your Senses

Do you want your living room to be as inviting as a spa? Consider the many ways that these businesses create a serene environment, as they:.

• use aromatherapy to create an inviting scent,
• play soft music or calming sounds, and
• literally melt your worries away with physical touch.

You can accomplish much the same with candles (lavender is known to boost relaxation), white noise/relaxing apps on your phone, and a bottle of your favorite lotion to rub into your skin after a long day.

Add Plants

Plants can increase serenity in two significant ways. First, caring for and even communicating with your plants can help calm you down, especially if you add it to the part of your daily routine when you’re winding down. Second, plants are great because they help improve air quality. On top of that, plants add a touch of nature, and research shows us how communing with nature can help calm us or even heal more quickly! It’s why some people swear by forest bathing.

As a bonus, you can choose plants that you find beautiful, will remove moisture from the air, or have a practical function in the case of herbs or even catnip.

With these tips, you can make your living room more tranquil. Whatever you do, don’t stress about it! Redesigning your living room to make it more serene shouldn’t be stressful, and it doesn’t have to be instant. Like most things in life, it’s okay if it’s a work in progress!

For more tips like these, check out this post about turning your home into a stress-free sanctuary!