When you walk into your home, are you able to take a deep breath, unwind, and relax? Why are therapy offices and spas so peaceful and calm and how can we incorporate that into our own homes? The personal and public environments we spend so much of our time in have an impact on us. Emotionally, and sometimes even physically. As a place where we often escape after a stressful day, our home needs to evoke a serene atmosphere and help us recharge from the day. If overlooked, our home can even drain us. Think of it this way…our homes either nurtures us or depletes our energy, leaving us feeling exhausted.

We believe that your home should support your well-being and a positive mental state. It should be a place that envelopes all your senses: sight, touch, smell, feel, even taste! Here are a few easy ways to improve and change décor elements in your home that create peaceful spaces and allows you to recharge!

At D2, we absolutely love adding wooden accents to each room. Embracing the natural look, feel, and inherent flaws of materials creates a warm, calming effect in itself. It’s human instinct for people to appreciate and be attracted to the beauty of nature. Textures and pieces made from natural materials exude the same amount of tranquility and ground the overall theme of a room. Unpolished and exposed aggregate natural stones, raw and non-treated hardwoods, and linoleums are beautiful ways to do so. Natural fiber textiles, leathers, corks, and even woolen carpet tiles can be other great ways to give a space texture. Softer materials can help to make it feel more cozy. Covering hard floors with rugs and layering textures to create depth. Organic materials and earthy pieces are perfect for any home!

Neuroscientists have been studying the relationship between color, emotions, and cognitive performance for years, so there is a wealth of knowledge to be harnessed while creating palettes these days. Studies have shown blue hues to induce calmness and serenity, while also being seen as a sign of stability and reliability in many cultures. If you are feeling as though you need a calm house to come home to, we recommend painting your rooms in cool colors. Shades of blue and green and combinations of those colors are best according to experts.

Behavioral studies surrounding the psychology of shapes have taught us that humans perceive rounded shapes, specifically circles, more favorably than some other more angular shapes. Their rounded nature has shown to evoke feelings of wholeness, balance, and eternity (no beginning and no end). Circular, organic shapes in obvious ways like tables, the lines of furniture, and even globe-shaped light fixtures are great ways to incorporate this aspect into any home!

Clutter produces physical and unconscious chaos. Oftentimes unkempt piles and disorganization can lead to 20 minutes of searching for car keys, cellphones, or wallets and an overall feeling of distress. Take some time to tackle the mess. Invest in organizational tools like woven baskets, oversize clear jars, and drawer inserts. You’ll feel the tension immediately escape the room as you toss away those unneeded items.

Natural daylight positively impacts mood, productivity, and stress levels, so it’s important to make sure each room has lots of daylight. If natural light isn’t enough, artificial lighting can also be incorporated. Warm lighting levels, somewhere in the 2700-3000K range, with full LED dimmability is a great way to get you and your guests in the right mood.

Plants are magical things! They are not only a visual enhancer, but a physical and psychological decompressor as well. The biophilia effect (human’s innate tendency to gravitate towards nature) is an important reason why incorporating plants in every space is key. Not only do plants look nice, they essentially do the opposite of what we do when we breathe: release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. This not only freshens up the air, but also eliminates harmful toxins. Extensive research by NASA has revealed that houseplants can remove up to 87 percent of air toxin in 24 hours. Studies have also proven that indoor plants improve concentration and productivity (by up to 15 percent!), reduce stress levels and boost your mood making them perfect for a therapeutic home.

Don’t forget the scent! Though a relatively small home accessory, candles have the ability to cast a warm, inviting glow and fill an entire room with a pleasant aroma. Scent memory is a powerful tool in helping people transport to dreamy getaways or happy places. Try finding a candle that reminds you of your favorite travel destinations or invest in a eucalyptus-scented one with soothing, spa-like qualities. Not into burning candles? Essential oil diffusers are a great alternative and allow you to make your own signature scent blend. When in doubt, bake some cookies! There’s nothing more enticing that the smell of cooking out the oven and having a tasty treat for guests when they come over!