How to make a harmonious home

 “Our need for respite is as much a part of our evolutionary success as is our ability to deal with stress. In order to strive, it is imperative that we take the time to relax.


Our biggest material investment is the home and there is a great pressure to constantly upgrade and develop our property. However, the subtle yet profound impact that the home environment has on our physical and emotional being tends to be overlooked by many. 

We need to re-focus our attention on the interaction that occurs between the physical, emotional and spiritual selves and the living environment we call home.”


Here are some tips that will help you re-connect with your home.

* A bedroom should be dedicated to relaxation and sleep. It should not double as an office, a dumping ground for clothes, bags or toys or a holding bay for the ironing. All these things distract and reawaken a mind that should be preparing to sleep.


* Hard surfaces such as chrome, stainless steel, glass and concrete may look fabulously stylish in a magazine but bring little comfort or respite after a hectic day. Instead, a welcoming mix of warm textures like wood, cork, sisal or wool offset by sumptuous and rich fabrics such as velvet, chenille and deep pile rugs will better support a tired body and spirit.


* Surround yourself with inspiring objects and mementoes around your home. A useful exercise is to study everything you own and note your honest reaction to each item. Anything that triggers irritation, anger, pain or doubt should be thrown out, as it is just not needed.


* Remember a communal room has to appeal to many personalities and moods, so try to keep the colours earthy and grounding. To encourage communal gathering, use the warming tones of red, orange and yellow as these colours implicitly invite people to share ideas, feelings and concerns.


* De-cluttering is key. That wonderful antique table that looks so beautiful by the front door will be less appealing if permanently covered with bills, keys and other possessions and is not the first thing you want to see as you walk in the door.


* The dining table is the only piece of furniture in the house that gets dressed up for special occasions. Enjoy the ceremony involved and never waste an opportunity to get out your best silverware and dinner service.


* The dining room was traditionally the coolest, darkest room in the house. Try knocking through into the kitchen for a more communal and sociable atmosphere, which becomes the heart of the home.


* Look to buy furniture that is more about emotion than fashion that should last a lifetime and be enjoyed through the generations.


* It is important to consider how we use our furniture to get the most out of it emotionally or practically. One person’s craft activity is another persons clutter so make sure you introduce appropriate storage to ensure the dining table isn’t strewn with office work for long!


* Your home should not only provide a place to rest and re-fuel, it should also form a loving embrace that encompasses the entire family. Aim to create an environment that includes each member of the household. If you have small children, set aside space for play and as they get older, ensure teenagers have space to work through the complexities of growing up by creating a den-style room. The key is to be flexible to accommodate the changing needs of the family and remember you can always reclaim all of your rooms once they’ve flown the nest!