Create a Place to Relax
Everyone needs a calming space to retreat to — whether it's a laid-back living room or a secluded study. One of the simplest ways to create a peaceful atmosphere is to use a monochromatic colour scheme or a range of tones of the same colour. Although you could choose any neutral shade (beiges, tans, soft browns or grays), cooler colours work best, such as greens, blues and blue-greens, which all have a soothing effect on the senses. For rooms where you want to feel calm and at the same time alert (i.e., a home office), consider darker shades, including deep burgundy, a colour recognized for its ability to create a studious environment.
When shopping for a home fragrance — room sprays, scented candles, potpourri, etc. — sniff out those that include relaxing ingredients, such as lime (to relieve anxiety), pine (which stimulates deep breathing), cedar (an uplifting aroma), vanilla (to lighten your mood) or orange (to reduce tension).
Invigorate a space
If you want to create a lively space — in the kitchen, family room, playroom or wherever — think lively colour. Any hot shade, including red, orange, pink and yellow, will spark feelings of excitement and warmth. More specifically, use yellow to create a happy atmosphere, red to stimulate creativity and orange to feel energetic. Using a combination of complementary shades or opposite shades on the colour spectrum, such as red and yellow, will turn up the volume even more.
If you want to add a little excitement to the atmosphere, look for room scents that include peppermint or spearmint (which have an awakening effect), jasmine (which works as a stimulant) or citrus fragrances, including grapefruit or lemon (which have an uplifting and energizing quality).
Make Room for Rest
In need of a good night's rest? Consider restful colours for your home's bedrooms. Sticking with a related colour scheme or shades of the same colour will create a lulling effect. To create a more serene environment, choose lighter shades of blue (to calm and induce sleep), green (to soothe nerves and promote a feeling of peace) or purple (to create a sense of comfort and tranquility).
To add to the sleepy surroundings, look for scents — in this case, room sprays, sachets or even fabric softeners for sheets and pajamas — that consist of lilac (a soothing smell), rose (for its quieting effects) or lavender (a classic scent renowned for its ability to relax and promote sleep). On the other hand, if you prefer to spice up the environment, look for scented candles that include cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger, which have been proven to put romance — if not passion — in the air.
