I know I’ve said this before but everything is energy. Our homes should be places we love, where we enjoy waking up and coming back home to, feeling refreshed, balanced, and at peace. Our homes are important. We can express ourselves at home through colours, décor, furniture, accessories, scent, and lighting and our homes often reflect our own personal sense of style. In this article, I’d like to share 13 ideas on how to make your home a sanctuary to nourish your body and mind and support you through everyday life in a way that feels right to you.
DEFINITION OF A “HOME SANCTUARY”
So, what is a “home sanctuary”? That is a great question! Let me explain to you a thing when I say a “home sanctuary”. Our homes have to work hard for us. I also like to think they’re a calm, relaxing and restful environment for when I’ve finished being in the outside world. I’m definitely a homebody. Who else can relate? I can’t wait to own a house again that I can make into a home. I love spending time at home on my own or with others. My home will probably be my favorite place and I can’t wait to enjoy looking after it as best I can with the time, energy and resources I have available!
That being said, I don’t enjoy doing chores and cleaning so I’m looking forward to creating systems within it that are easy and quick to manage but that’s still lovely to be in, for me anyway! That doesn’t mean I’ve spent a lot of money on it, we don’t have the budget for that, but I’ve made a few changes to create the feeling of a sanctuary that calms my busy brain and body. A sanctuary for me is somewhere I can have fun, rest, relax, read, enjoy family and friends, and hobbies that I enjoy coming back to and going out from. For me, home is truly where the heart is.
Define What Makes Your Home A Sanctuary To You
Before you start making any changes to your home, I think it could be useful to do a couple of things.
1. Decide what it would look and feel like to you
The idea of what makes a home feel special is different from person to person. Some of us might like floral patterns and bold designs, others may prefer a neutral palette with clean lines. What would you like your home to look and feel like?
If you need help determining your interior design style, I’ve created a free quiz that you can take here to help you get a clearer picture of what a home sanctuary might be for you. Is it somewhere peaceful and restful, calming on the eye and the mind? Or is it somewhere that’s romantic, colourful, and a little eclectic? Perhaps it’s cosy and intimate, or less fussy with a more minimal aesthetic? There are no right or wrong answers here so it’s very much a personal choice of how you want your home to look and feel in order to be your very own sanctuary and protected space.
2. Consider where you currently are
To help you hone down on what you’d like your home to feel like as a peaceful haven from the outside world, think about how your home looks and feels like right now. If it doesn’t feel like a sanctuary, do you know why not? Can you pinpoint specific areas that you don’t like, don’t want to spend time in, or that stress you out? What is it about these areas or what do you have to do in or to them that make you feel like this? It’s helpful to understand your starting point so you know what direction to take next. If you need help with that, I’d love for you to reach out to me so we can get started on creating that vision for your home!
Once you have armed yourself with answers and a plan, here are some ideas on how to make your home feel more like a sanctuary you will love to spend time in!
HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME A SANCTUARY
1. Declutter your home
I’ve also said this before but decluttering your home will change your life. I wrote all about in this blog post here. I think our homes are much more calming and easier to look after when there’s less clutter to clear away, tidy up and clear around. Not only does less stuff mean you have more space – space for yourself and in your calendar, but it saves time cleaning and makes your home feel less of a burden and drain and more of a haven.
There are so many benefits of a decluttered home to your body and brain. I outlined my own personal system for decluttering in this blog post. Also, I teach you how to clear out energetic clutter in this blog post. Try both of these techniques and you will feel the shift that your home makes from just being a home to a sanctuary.
2. Do some research
Once you’ve cleared out the clutter, it’s time to do some research. What do I mean by that? Before making any radical changes to your home such as repainting or changing the décor, it may be a good idea to hop on Pinterest, Instagram, and even physical magazines to explore ideas for your own home.
You could create a kind of mood board (or set up your own board on Pinterest). What would your idea of a home sanctuary look and feel like? Can you find some visual images to guide you and keep in mind the look and feel you’re trying to achieve? Even on a limited budget, with a few strategic changes, you might be able to achieve the look you’re after once you’ve decided on the vision. If you need help with that, I’d love for you to reach out to me so we can get started on creating that vision for your home!
3. Think about lighting
Lighting plays an important role in how our homes look and feel. You want sufficient lighting to be able to see what you’re doing but not so much that the light feels glaring and harsh. Think about how you use different areas of your home and what lighting you need for these different areas. Perhaps choose different layers of lighting for different functionality. For example, ceiling lights for overall brightness, and table lamps for softer light. I share a ton of lighting options here!
4. Consider your colour scheme
Different colours evoke different emotions so it’s important to think about what sort of emotions you want to feel at home. If you’re going for a calm feel, then perhaps softer and neutral colours might be better. But, if you love bright colours – they energise and make you feel good, then go for it! This is a great example of where it pays to do some research and really think about what you’re trying to achieve before you go all out, buy the paint and start decorating your home.
5. Make it cozy
You know if you’ve been around for a while that I am obsessed with throw pillows and throw blankets. It’s a problem. For me, a sanctuary is a cozy place where I can cuddle up with my dogs, maybe my cat, a cup of tea or coffee, and a good read like this one. There are many ways you can make a cozy home without adding clutter. It’s about choosing your décor with care and making sure that everything that is in your home are items you enjoy!
6. Create a Nook
Sometimes our homes are just busy places. Right? It acts like a hub for the family, some of us are working from home or are limited on space within our houses.
So, if you have trouble creating a peaceful, refreshed, and balanced home generally then I would recommend that you focus on creating a nook. For example, it could be a small space in the corner of your living room or bedroom with a chair, a blanket, a table for your drink and book and a potted plant or flowers to bring calming nature in from the outside.
Keep that area clutter-free and tidy and don’t let it be invaded by anything that takes away from the calm and peace. A quiet corner might be your sanctuary if the rest of your home is too busy to check that box. If you are ready to create your own space that supports your overall well-being, I’d love for you to check out my “Holistic Home Refresh” challenge where we talk about transforming your home, 1 space at a time starting with creating your own peaceful nook that is your sanctuary.
7. Pay attention to detail
My home feels like a sanctuary because I pay attention to the details. I’m an interior designer and a recovering perfectionist so yes, I like to have a place for everything and everything in its place. I understand that doesn’t work for everyone and perfectionism is NOT the goal! It’s probably worth saying that that doesn’t mean everything gets put away where it should all of the time either. No way! I have a toddler (and a husband) so it’s still a work in progress!
One example of paying attention to detail is that I like to have artwork on my walls but it’s different sizes, shapes and colours. I create most of my own art. But to create consistency, I’ve started using brass frames that match my home décor style. They help bring all the different pieces of artwork together in a matching style. I feel this looks better on the walls and makes me happy. This may not bother you, I know, but it’s just an example of how paying attention to detail can make your home feel more like a sanctuary.
This could also be pieces like your dining ware. What quirks do you have when it comes to your home? I’d love to know so leave a comment at the bottom of the article if you’d like to share!
8. Add meaningful touches & Make Use of Special Items
The example I gave above about matching frames is also a good example of the next point – adding meaningful touches. I think a home feels more like a sanctuary when it creates feelings, emotions and memories. These things make us feel that home isn’t just any home, it’s our home. I love that I create my own art but I also use photographs of us – all of us throughout our home. These pictures add meaningful touches to my home. They have huge, even priceless, value to me and I love to look at them whenever I’m passing. They are also extremely special to me.
Whilst you’re reading this, I wonder if you have some special items stuck in a cupboard somewhere that you’re keeping ‘safe’ because they’re too special to be used every day? If you answered no, we’ve all lied about things before. I know that mine are! However, I’m beginning to use my ‘special’ items more because tomorrow is not promised.
Today is a special enough day to bring out the best china, the luxury bath products and that beautiful gown. Why isn’t today special enough to treat yourself to something nice? If these items are so special, why do we relegate them to a cupboard, unused and unseen as if in a museum? I’m getting comfortable with this myself as I was taught that these items are saved for “special occasions” but everyday is a special occasion! AND home certainly feels more special when I can make the best use of and appreciate my special things.
10. Consider your hobby and leisure interests
Who here has a hobby? I know! I’m terrible at making space in my home and calendar to paint, craft, or even just read a good book. For those of us who have hobbies or favourite pastimes that we do at home, it’s helpful to have a place where we can do them. Sometimes it’s easier said than done, especially if you’re limited on space, but if you can, think about your hobby and leisure interests when setting up your home. It’s really frustrating to not have what you need when you finally find the time and inkling to do your hobby!
11. Keep your work area Blended
More and more of us are working from home but it’s difficult to make your home a sanctuary when you’re being reminded of your work constantly. This is one I’ve especially struggle with as a mom who works a 9-5, has an online business, and wants all of the things. I was just listening to a podcast episode by Jenna Kutcher and she used this word “Blended”. While I like the concept, I definitely have to explore this more because she was saying that you should try and integrate instead of separating your work entirely. I think it is possible when put into practice, especially if you have an inspiring home office. I created a blog post here.
12. Limit screens and phones
For me, home feels like a sanctuary when I’m not hearing the pings, buzzes, and alarms from my phone. I’m speaking to myself on this one too. I’ve been trying to put my phone on airplane mode for at least 1 hour a today. I’d like to try a 24 hour technology detox for a day. Sometimes I don’t reply to a message straightaway because of this, but if my family and friends really need to get hold of me, they know to call me. Who would try a 24-hour technology detox with me? Let me know in the comments.
13. Evoke your other senses
A home sanctuary is not just about what your home looks like, there are other ways you can create a calm, peaceful atmosphere by encouraging your other senses too. Think about your favourite scents and whether you might like an air freshener, incense stick, candle or flowers. You might enjoy some background music too to encourage you to relax as much as possible. This is all about taking a holistic approach when crafting your environment. I outlined this in this blog post here!
14. Keep it clean and tidy
Last but not least, for me my home feels like a sanctuary when it is clean and tidied and everything is put away. Laundry piling up in the corner, toys on the floor from all of the kids – dogs, cat, and toddler, overflowing trash and recycling bins- all make me feel stressed out and frustrated. I generally don’t mind cleaning and I know that to enjoy a clean home, I have to clean it. So, I like to keep it clean and tidied with minimum effort for maximum results. I’m working on creating a cleaning resource actually. Let me know if you’d be interested in the comments below.
In conclusion,
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to make your home a sanctuary. IF you are anything like me, you know the struggle of juggling work and family so making your home a sanctuary will the best idea you can implement for yourself, your time, and your energy. If you have any ideas to add, please leave a comment as I’d love to hear from you!
Love,
What a beautiful article. My home is my santuary.