Spring Cleaning for a Harmonious Environment
Photo by Zeb
I’m honored to be featured in this month’s Rent. article, “Creating a Peaceful Home: Design Ideas for the Ultimate Relaxation Station.” With Spring cleaning in the air, now is the perfect time to refresh your space and create an environment that feels warm, inviting, and rejuvenating. A clean, clear, and uncluttered home doesn’t just enhance your surroundings—it also supports your physical and mental well-being. When your space is in harmony, your mind feels clearer, and your nervous system can relax, allowing for a deeper sense of peace and balance.
Below is the article I was featured in. You can also check out the featured article on Rent.’s website here: How To Create a Peaceful Home | Rent.
Creating a Peaceful Home: Design Ideas for the Ultimate Relaxation Station
In our fast-paced world, stress can accumulate in all aspects of life. A well-designed, peaceful home provides a haven where you can unwind and recharge. So whether you’re looking to add some calming touches to your rental home in Phoenix, AZ, organize your apartment in Richmond, VA, or create peace in chaotic areas of your home in Henderson, NV, our experts have broken down some of the best design ideas to create a soothing and calming relaxation station and help you achieve a tranquil home.
Promote a calming ambiance
The right ambiance can turn an ordinary space into a serene place to decompress. Pay attention to the tone of your space by choosing calming elements that help you feel at peace. Lynn Louise Wonders, 20+ year psychotherapist and life design coach, tells us that “Creating a peaceful home environment is essential for nurturing mind-body relaxation, as our surroundings profoundly influence our psychological well-being. As a life design coach specializing in mindfulness, I encourage consciously arranging one’s living environment in such a way that it promotes a felt sense of peace — like soft lighting, elements from nature such as driftwood, stones, live plants, fresh flowers. I also recommend cozy fabrics, soothing music, and fresh scents that invoke tranquility.
Research shows that a harmonious environment soothes the nervous system, reducing stress and improving overall health. Your home should be a sensory sanctuary that supports mindfulness and invites you to unwind fully, creating balance in your daily life.” Bringing a calming ambiance to your home starts with striving for harmony and balance in your space. Check out the suggestions below for more great ways to promote relaxation and keep a peaceful home.
Achieve tranquility with visual elements and music
Incorporating calming visual elements and music into your relaxation space can enhance both the therapeutic and aesthetic qualities of the room. Laura Shahinian Kara from Kara Acupuncture & Wellness has tons of experience creating calming environments during her years of practice, and shares some of her best tips to promote relaxation:
1. Wall paint color: “Color is always important to me. I use soft earthy tones like greens, blues, and neutrals to create a soothing atmosphere. Any artwork that goes on the walls always looks great. I keep this minimal to one piece per wall.
2. Soft lighting: I incorporate warm, dimmable inset ceiling lights as well as floor lamps and soft wall sconces to create a gentle ambiance. Natural light is also beneficial when balanced properly and I make sure each of my treatment rooms have windows with natural wooden shades to make the space darker or lighter as needed.
3. Comfortable treatment areas: I use high-quality, supportive treatment tables with many pillow choices to ensure my patients feel physically comfortable throughout their sessions. I also have table warmers and heat lamps which help my patients “melt” into the table.
4. Background music: I use Spotify acoustic calming music. Usually guitar or piano so it isn’t too stimulating for the patient and adds to the ambience.
In addition to the above, consider using instruments like singing bowls, chimes, or a gentle sound machine, and choose aesthetically pleasing sound elements that complement your décor, such as brass or ceramic bowls, which add both auditory and visual appeal, contributing to a serene atmosphere.
Photo by Mathilde Langevin from Pexels
Maintain your space’s energy
When working to create a relaxation station in your home, it’s important that the energy flow and visual appeal of your space feels positive and welcoming. There are many practices that can be used to maintain positive energy in a space, and Cameron Lacy, CEO and president of Intuit Healing, shares some of the most effective ones below:
“Making a house a home has never been about the objects within a space, but the energy the dwelling has. Energy can be shifted and nurtured with a few practices to encourage stability and harmony within our spaces. First and foremost, never wear shoes inside your house. We do not need to bring anything extra into our houses energetically and for health reasons. Burn sage throughout your home at least once a quarter just to clear out last season’s nonsense.
Obviously, overhead lighting is less than ideal if you want a comforting rejuvenation home. But if you must, please make sure your bulbs are a warm color and 60w max. Create spaces that feel good. Does the color of the walls feel good? Homey? Creative? safe? Don’t be afraid to express color inside the walls of your home – but always make sure whatever color you pick looks good with your skin tone – you want to feel and look the best inside of your home.”
To ensure your relaxation station supports both relaxation and energy flow, it’s essential to maintain a harmonious balance in the layout of your space. Consider implementing feng shui principles to help guide the flow of energy in your space and ensure the space feels harmonious and peaceful.
Make an altar
Creating a small altar or sacred space within your relaxation station can enhance the atmosphere of calm. Sarah Hentges from The Spiral Goddess Collective suggests creating “a small display space on a wall or small table — a place where you can rest your gaze for a moment or for sustained meditation. Collect small items that hold symbolic meaning. The rock you found on that hike, the figurine from your grandmother, the dried flowers from your garden.
Arrange these as an altar to yourself to remind you of who you are and what’s important to you. An orgone pyramid — a translucent crystal filled with colorful healing crystals that hold spiritual significance — is a beautiful and powerful addition to your altar and your meditation practice. A decorative shelf in the shape of a mountain, a cat, or a circle contains this little space that is all yours.” Having this designated place for quiet reflection or meditation can help you connect to a sense of serenity. Whether spiritual or purely symbolic, an altar can be a beautiful focal point.
Utilize calming scents
Scents are powerful tools for relaxation, and using essential oils, incense or candles with calming fragrances is known to promote a sense of peace and calm. “Chamomile, jasmine, and Ylang-Ylang stimulate and calm the nervous system, and they also help with anxiety and stress. The oils are best diffused with distilled water and 10-15 drops of essential oil.” Shares Cammii Willis, BSHW-HHP and founder of Swee + Euca HOLISTIC.
In addition to utilizing the scents above, Cammii adds that “Mood lights set on dim with cool tones in blue, green, purple or yellow help in creating a relaxing vibe throughout the space. Playing music with ambient sounds of rain, flutes, or jazz that is coupled with any of these may promote relaxation for hours. Also consider the temperature in the living space. Some people are more relaxed in cooler temperatures than others.
Lastly, having large plush blankets available for a cozy vibe or cuddled feeling may promote calmness and ease the nervous system.” If you prefer, you can light a scented candle as you settle in for relaxation. Avoid overpowering smells that might become overwhelming or distracting.
Avoid sensory distractions
When designing your relaxation station, make sure to minimize sensory distractions. This means avoiding items that create excessive noise, strong smells, or visual clutter. The team at Fusion Yoga & Wellness recommends you keep the following in mind when protecting your senses in your relaxation station:
“As ancient traditional yoga philosophy advises us, to create more calm in our lives it’s best to design and maintain a peaceful space where we can tune out as many sensory distractions as possible. So put away any electronics like phones, tablets, or computers. The space should instill softer sounds and lighting, at a comfortable temperature. Have enough room to get comfy physically, visually, and mentally.
Most importantly, the space should resonate with what you seek, but try including neutral colors and furnishings. Maybe even a diffuser with natural scents, candles, water features, bolsters, blankets, pillows, eye masks, or soft meditative spa-like sounds. All options to create the space tailored to your needs and desires. Then enjoy the peace and serenity of your life.”
Incorporate natural fibers to create a peaceful home environment
Natural materials are not only aesthetically pleasing but also have benefits for relaxation and rejuvenation. “Incorporating weighted textures and natural fibers into your space can create a deeply grounding and soothing effect.” Notes Dr. Lindsay Wilkinson ND, LAc with Áureo. She goes on to add that “Dense woven fabrics, weighted blankets, and linen or cotton upholstery provide a sense of security and calm by engaging the body’s nervous system, much like a gentle hug.
These elements not only add warmth and comfort but also promote relaxation on a subconscious level, making your home a true retreat from stress.” In addition to cotton and linen, natural fibers such as jute and wool are great to use and inspire a peaceful home. Incorporating them into your furniture, pillows, and throws will help create a calming and organic atmosphere while connecting you to nature.
Prioritize comfort and add self-care items for a peaceful home
Regardless of whether your relaxation station is a large room or a small corner, prioritizing comfort and self-care will go a long way in improving your relaxation. Kerry Madgwick, holistic wellness mentor and founder of Kerry’s Natural Health, shares tried-and-true steps to make sure your relaxation station serves as a comfortable retreat:
“Transform your home into a haven of relaxation and rejuvenation with just a few thoughtful touches. First, carve out a cozy nook free from distractions like TVs and Screens — think a comfy plush armchair, a soft throw blanket, and a basket of books or a journal to let your thoughts flow freely. Next, elevate the ambiance with nature’s calming touch by adding greenery or a diffuser with soothing essential oils like Frankincense, Lavender or Roman chamomile and soft lighting to create a tranquil atmosphere.
Finally, keep a tray of healthy snacks and herbal teas within arm’s reach — think nuts (like almonds, cashews, brazil nuts, dark chocolate (at least 70%) fresh fruit, and a mint tea — to nourish both your body and mind while you unwind. By curating a space that invites stillness and comfort, you’ll give yourself permission to truly relax and have a place to take a step back and create balance when things feel overwhelming.”
Having a small area for your favorite healthy snacks is a great addition to your relaxation space, and hydrating with water or indulging in a hot beverage can add to the peaceful vibes of your relaxation station.
Credit: Rent.
Add personal or inspirational items
Adding personal touches can help make the space feel uniquely yours. Photographs, artwork, or inspirational quotes can all contribute to a sense of calm and connection. Yvonne Tijerina, creative force and owner of August Sisters Homespun Emporium LLC advises that you “Choose a seat that suits you, whether you prefer softness or firm support. Good back support enhances comfort and relieves spinal pressure. Surround yourself with items that bring joy, like cozy throws or a beloved blanket. These personal touches create a warm and inviting atmosphere.”
Yvonne goes on to say that “A sturdy accent table adds style and functionality. Look for one with storage and remember to use coasters to protect your surfaces. By integrating these essentials, you can create a space that promotes relaxation and revitalization, turning your home into a peaceful retreat.” In addition to personal items, Marianne Fentiman from Carpe Crystals shares that crystals are a great add to your relaxation station, sharing that “People have used crystals for their believed spiritual and healing properties for thousands of years.
Whether you agree or just simply view them as beautiful creations of nature, adding crystals to your home can have a calming and grounding effect, helping to create the sought-after peaceful home atmosphere. Crystals such as amethyst are thought to provide balance and relaxation, clear quartz said to promote clarity and harmony, and black tourmaline believed to bring stability and banish negative energy.” Whether placed on a shelf or used in a decorative bowl, these stones are said to promote balance, healing, and tranquility.
Tips for maintaining a peaceful home in shared spaces
If you lack a designated space for a relaxation station, you can still optimize your home for mindfulness and rejuvenation in shared spaces that you have access to. Make your relaxation station more than just a place to kick back, focus on creating a sanctuary where you can retreat to recharge.
The team at Higher Purpose Healing recommends some great practices for recharging your mind, body, and soul, regardless of whether your space is solo or shared: “To create a serene environment reminiscent of Eastern Medicine practices, consider transforming your home into a natural sanctuary. Begin by integrating greenery such as plants and flowers throughout your space to boost the connection with nature.
Keep your windows open to let in fresh air and sunlight, purifying the energy within your home. Start each day by opening your curtains to bathe in natural light and catch a glimpse of the rising sun for a refreshing start. In the evening, watch the sunset to peacefully transition into the nighttime, savoring a wholesome meal with loved ones.”
Another great tip for finding peace in shared spaces comes to us from Theresa Tzinberg on behalf of Inward Bound Network, who recommends choosing “a quiet spot away from daily distractions, such as a bedroom corner or a designated space in a spare room. If space is limited, communicate with others to ensure uninterrupted meditation time. Enhance the space with calming elements like plants and a meaningful focal point — such as a candle, crystal, or spiritual symbol — to deepen your practice. Keeping this space clean and uncluttered helps maintain its sacred and tranquil energy.”
Making your home a sanctuary and setting boundaries around your personal reflection time will help make shared spaces a haven for peace and calm. You can also consider using privacy screens or curtains to define your area without isolating yourself. Utilize calming accessories like noise-canceling headphones, or soft textiles to make the space feel more personal and inspire the peaceful home that you desire.
Relaxation wish list
If you’re moving and looking for a nice way to inspire zen vibes in your new apartment or rental home, think about creating a wish list with items that promote comfort, peace, and self-care, helping you unwind and recharge. The team at Happy Giftlist shares that “Many people create wish lists for their new homes. Here are some popular items they add for meditation and relaxation:
■ Meditation cushions or yoga mats
■ Essential oil diffusers and calming scents like lavender or sandalwood
■ Himalayan salt lamps or warm LED lighting
■ Incense sticks or soothing candles”
These items contribute to a tranquil atmosphere, nurturing relaxation and supporting overall well-being, making them the perfect addition to a peaceful home.
Create the perfect peaceful home today
Creating a peaceful home ideal for relaxation is about blending comfort, functionality, and tranquility. By thoughtfully incorporating versatile furniture, calming sounds, and personal touches, you can craft a space that supports both inner peace and daily activities. Turn your home into a sanctuary, promoting balance and well-being.