5 steps to a tranquil retreat
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to come home and leave all our cares and worries at the front door? For most of us life is hectic and can be stressful, and often we bring our worries home with us.
Thankfully, there is a way to switch off the day and step into a more relaxed mind-set. With a little bit of thought and imagination, you can create a tranquil retreat at home. The team at Gifts Australia have allowed us to browse their beautiful collection of homewares for some inspirational ideas that you can use to create your own sanctuary at home.
Creating the perfect relaxation space at home is as easy by using the five main senses as a step-by-step approach to creating a happy, relaxed and tranquil space to unwind in the comfort of home.
See
Goodbye clutter. To make a space restful to the eye, first of all de-clutter. There's something instantly relaxing about walking into a pristine hotel room, and you can recreate this feeling at home by finding proper storage spaces for your belongings.
Strive for symmetry. Consider the flow of the room, and try to space furniture in such a way that it is arranged symmetrically, to help the room feel calmer.
Use calming colours. Opt for decorative objects in soft shades of lavender, blue, green, beige, or earth tones such as dusty yellow to give your room a restful feel. Choose a statement piece such as the stunning Banana Leaf Wall Art and pick out these restful colours in cushions, lampshades and plant pots for a coordinated look.
Hear
Embrace the silence. Make a conscious decision to turn off devices, set your notifications to silent, switch off the radio or the TV, and enjoy the silence. Pretend you are on holiday in a remote area without Wi-Fi – it is liberating!
Listen to time passing. Listening to the ticking of a clock is extremely restful, and sets a rhythmic tone to anchor a room. Check out the stunning wall clocks on offer in the Décor range at Gifts Australia for one that works with your style.
Create a playlist. Make a playlist of all your favourite soothing and relaxing pieces of music that will instantly put you in a happy mood. Or open a window and listen to birdsong – for free!
Touch
Add texture. A calm room doesn’t have to be boring, and texture adds interest even in neutral tones. Natural products such as wicker baskets, wooden objects and wool or linen throws are inviting to the touch.
Go for tactile objects. Create instant comfort with soft, tactile objects such as Barbra the Sheep – a fun and plush cushion, cuddle companion or object that will be loved by everyone in the family.
Find balance. Having everything soft and tactile will make your room feel as if something is missing, so add hard surfaces like mirrors, pictures or ceramics for balance.
Smell
Create a relaxing atmosphere. Let your senses be uplifted by soothing scented candles. At Gifts Australia, you can choose from candles in a range of soothing, refreshing and uplifting aromas that also have the benefit of looking beautiful even when not lit.
Bring nature inside. Freshly cut flowers or green plants are wonderful to de-stress your home. Fill a vase with flowers from the garden or use plants that have scented flowers or leaves such as jasmine, lemon balm or rosemary, which grows well in a pot.
Taste
Treat yourself. If you are going to relax and de-stress, do it with some of your favourite food. For the ultimate treat, travel the world from home with a gourmet gift hamper filled with nibbles, wine or even international beers. Pretend you are on holiday and order in a takeaway, or throw caution to the wind and have an indulgent feast with all your favourite snacks!
Live a little! Finish the working week by welcoming the weekend in your restful, relaxing family space with a beautifully mixed cocktail or a chilled glass of Prosecco. Need some inspiration? Then stock your bar with these great Bartending Glasses complete with cocktail recipes.
Make your home a wonderful refuge where you can relax and enjoy the beauty around you with these and other beautiful homeware and décor gifts from Gifts Australia. Treat yourself or surprise a loved one for a birthday, Mother’s Day, Christmas or anniversary with some great gifts that will become treasured possessions and will add style and elegance to your home.
