Making your Home your Sanctuary

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s important to have a space where you can unwind and recharge. For many fortunate enough, that space is home. In this blog post, I’ll share some low-cost tips on how to turn your home into a sanctuary that promotes relaxation and wellness. I’ll also offer some suggestions for more luxurious spa-like features, for those who have the space and budget.

CREATING A PEACEFUL HOME

1. Clear the clutter: A cluttered space can create feelings of stress and anxiety. Donate or sell anything that is still in good condition but you no longer need or use. Then take time to organise your important and useful belongings in a way that makes sense to you.

2. Bring nature indoors: Add some plants and fresh-cut flowers to your space to create a natural and peaceful environment. If you’re more ambitious, add a living green wall.

3. Choose calming colours: Colours like soft neutrals, soft blues and greens, and soft earth tones can create a sense of calm and tranquility. Avoid bold and bright colours that can be overstimulating.

4. Create cozy spaces: Make you home cozy and inviting by adding plush and comfortable seating, textiles, pillows, blankets, etc. if budget and site conditions permit, add a fireplace to your space. If you have an open layout, try to create a smaller nook for reading, journaling, drawing, meditating, etc. Screens and plants can help create a visual divide.

5. Add aromatherapy: Using good quality essential oils or simmering some water with citrus slices, herbs, cinnamon or vanilla helps create a calming scent throughout your space. Scents such as lavender, eucalyptus and chamomile are some options. Another tip is to use quality hand soaps and lotions and place them in your kitchen and washroom. Importantly, you may also consider using an air purifier to help clean the air of unwanted scents and air impurities and consider avoiding the use of harsh and strongly scented cleaning products.

6. Invest in quality bedding and linens: Choose soft, breathable fabrics and invest in quality mattresses and pillows. Beautiful, quality hand towels in your kitchen and bathroom, as wells as luxe bath towels add a sense of luxury for a minimal cost.

7. Adjust your lighting: Add soft lighting to your home during the evening for meditating, journaling, and to help wind down after a long day. In your bedroom and areas of relaxation, consider swapping out your cool, bright light bulbs to warmer colour temperature bulbs that are closer to incandescent-style bulbs (look for 2700K or 3000K). If you can’t change the general lighting, you can add floor and table lamps to create a cozy ambience. For my clients, I always ensure lights in critical areas are always controlled by a dimmer switch or lighting controls. This allows for easy adjustment based on time of day or room function.

8. Add a coffee/tea/refreshment bar in your bedroom: Recreate a hotel-like experience by adding a coffee/tea station in your bedroom. This amenity helps create a feeling of an oasis, an area where you can enjoy a warm drink in peace. Even better, add a mini bar refrigerator filled with fresh-cut citrus and cucumber slices that you can add to a water carafe.

ADDING LUXURY AMENITIES TO YOUR HOME WITH SPA-LIKE SPACES

As an Interior Designer who started her career as a commercial interior designer creating beautiful and relaxing spaces for the beauty and wellness industry, I am always excited to introduce similar concepts I used in my commercial work to my residential design clients.

It is a rather logical concept: bring the spa to your home.  Make your home your sanctuary. Incorporating spa-like features in your home can take your wellness design to the next level. Here are some additional ideas to help create a personal oasis:

9. Invest in a sauna and/or steam shower and add a full shower set: A sauna or steam room is a great way to detoxify your body and promote relaxation. If you have space in your home, consider installing a sauna or steam room. There are various options available, from portable units to built-in models. Make sure to consult with a professional to ensure proper installation and safety measures.

A steam shower requires the following: a steam generator (to be installed in an accessible area), steam nozzle (to be coordinated at rough-in stage), a seating area (can be a fixed bench or moveable teak seat), a sloped ceiling (slope away from the seating area), proper ventilation (a pivoting transom glass piece, for example), and tiled ceiling, walls, and floors. The size of the steam generator is calculated based on the square footage of the shower, as well as the materials used to clad the shower interior. For instance, marble is more porous than porcelain slab and may increase the size of the steam generator required.

It is ideal to locate the sauna adjacent to the shower, if you’d like to practice a hot/cold therapy circuit.

When I design shower systems for my clients, I always specify a hand-held shower on an adjustable bar. Upgrade your shower experience with a ceiling-mounted rain-head (ensure the ceiling height is adequate for this installation) and body jets, if possible. Four to six body jets per person are usually adequate. The body jets should hit the upper back/shoulder area, the lower back, and potentially the hamstring area. Measuring the user’s heights is important to locate the jets properly. This set-up is especially relaxing after a long day or workout.

10. Add a dedicated yoga or stretch room: If you have space, consider adding a designated area for yoga, stretching, pilates, etc. Include a full-length mirror, ballet bar, soft lighting, mats, a TV (to follow guided routines), music, and storage for all your props and accessories.

11. Add a meditation room: Create a designated space free of distractions for meditation or mindfulness practice. Include comfortable seating or lounge bed, soft lighting, and calming decor to help create a peaceful atmosphere.

12. Add a massage room complete with your own massage bed: Create a designated space for massage or bodywork. This can be a separate room or corner of a larger room. Include a massage table or chair, soft lighting, comfortable linens, cozy blankets, an area rug and calming decor to create a peaceful environment. If early in the planning stages, you can add proper sound-proofing to the ceiling and partitions, and heavy drapery for windows. This is a great set-up to invite a registered massage therapist to your home for a personalised experience.

13. Add a hot tub: If you have a backyard or outdoor space, consider adding a hot tub. This can be a great way to relax and unwind while enjoying the fresh air and nature. There are many types of hot tubs available, so find one that fits your budget and space. Make sure to consult with a professional to ensure proper installation and safety measures.

14. Add a mini hair salon: When I first started out in the design industry, I remember my manager designing a personal home salon for an accomplished Toronto entrepreneur. The home salon included a professional styling chair, hair wash sink and custom millwork with mirror and storage. How divine!

By incorporating these spa-like features into your home, you can create a relaxing and rejuvenating environment that promotes wellness and self-care. Whether you have a small budget or a larger one, there are many ways to make your home a sanctuary that nurtures your mind, body, and soul. As an Interior Designer specialising in wellness design, I can help you create a personalised plan that incorporates these features and more. Contact me to learn more about my services and how I can help you transform your home into a sanctuary of wellness.