Inside: Want to learn how to make your home your sanctuary so that you can relax at the end of the day? Read on for 5 tips on how to make that happen.
At the end of a long and stressful day, there’s nothing better than walking through your front door and finally being able to relax…
Right?
For some, that feeling of relaxation just doesn’t happen. If your home is messy, cluttered, or unattractive, it might not be the sanctuary you need. In some cases, it might even be detrimental to your mental wellbeing, bringing on feelings of stress and overwhelm.
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way.
And frankly, it shouldn’t be that way.
Your home should be your sanctuary. It should be a place where you can truly relax and be at ease, a calm and clutter-free space. You should look forward to spending time in your sanctuary – and, if you like to host, inviting others to experience it, too.
By making some intentional changes to your home, you’ll really be able to feel like your home is your sanctuary. Whether you need to totally overhaul your space to achieve your goals or you only have a few small changes to make, keep reading to see just how easy it can be to make your home your sanctuary.
Why Should You Make Your Home Your Sanctuary?
While the idea of making your home into your own personal sanctuary might sound fun, it’s a lot more meaningful than that. There are real benefits you can get from making your home into a truly relaxing and comfortable space – ones you won’t see if the state of your home stresses you out.
You spend a LOT of time at home.
Let’s face it. Unless you’re working a high-travel job or have been able to embrace the digital nomad lifestyle, you’re probably spending quite a bit of time at home.
You might even work from a home office – which means you’re spending virtually all of your time at home.
Since you’re spending so much of your time at home, why wouldn’t you want to make your space as inviting as possible? Don’t you want to walk into a home that brings you peace and makes you smile?
By transforming your home into a sanctuary, you can make it happen.
You always feel stressed out.
Do you have a high-stress job… or feel like your life is high-stress in general?
Do you find it hard to chill out or relax – even when you’re at home?
You might want to look around and evaluate your environment.
Stress can take an incredibly negative toll on your health – without you even realizing it. Transforming your home into a relaxing, tranquil sanctuary can be a great way to bring yourself a little bit of peace and make that stress much easier to manage.
You should be able to read a book on your couch, cook a delicious meal, or navigate your evening routine free of frustration – and surrounded by things that make you happy.
If you have young children, then your version of a sanctuary may have some differences than for those who are empty nesters. Will there still be some stressors in your home? Very likely yes, but by controlling what you can, you can create a space where you feel more comfortable.
5 Tips on How to Make Your Home Your Sanctuary
Are you ready to feel like your home is your sanctuary?
It might be easier than you think to transform your home from its current state to a space that brings you peace and relaxation.
1. Clean up often!
A messy, dirty space can cause stress and quickly become overwhelming. Don’t let your mess get out of hand.
Instead, stay on top of regular chores. Put away those dirty dishes. Keep shoes and jackets neatly organized, not strewn around the room. Don’t let your laundry get out of control – if you can help it.
You don’t have to spend all of your spare time straightening up. You can simplify cleaning and save time. Get into the habit of quickly tidying your space for ten minutes each day, you might just be amazed to see how much of a difference it can make.
2. Be intentional with your lighting.
The way you illuminate your space can have a huge impact on how it feels. A bright, harsh fluorescent light hanging from the ceiling can make you feel like you’re shopping in a big box warehouse, or worse – sitting in an interrogation room.
On the other hand, natural light can help a space feel bright and airy. Artificial lighting is certainly not all bad, but by sticking with warmer hues and having the ability to brighten or dim your space to suit your mood helps.
Consider turning on or off a few lamps, or using a dimmer. Candles (regular or battery operated) and fairy lights can also be helpful. The proper lighting can really make it feel like your home is your sanctuary.
3. Make comfort a priority.
Throw pillows, soft rugs, and snuggly blankets can go a long way in making your home feel like a relaxing sanctuary.
And if you really want to make your home feel as relaxing as your favorite day spa?
Fluffy towels, a plush bathrobe, and some cozy slippers can go a long way to make your space feel like a sanctuary.
High quality linens and comfortable furniture makes your home feel cozy and inviting, and you’ll find yourself much more at ease.
4. Keep clutter under control.
Having too much clutter is an easy way to make your home feel like anything but a sanctuary.
Clutter can cause stress. It can contribute to anxiety. And it can make you feel overwhelmed, even if you can’t exactly figure out why. It takes a toll, both consciously and subconsciously.
Fortunately, there is something you can do about it. By using the best decluttering method for you and your home you can say goodbye to the stuff you don’t need.
You’ll be amazed to see just how much of a difference it can make – and how much more your home might feel like a sanctuary without all that extra stuff.
5. Selectively add special touches that you love.
One of the struggles of turning your home into a sanctuary? It can take some time and money. Quality furniture pieces and high-quality linens can be a bit of an investment.
Be thoughtful in the special touches that you add to your home. Make sure that you love the items that you bring into your space. It is possible to balance creating a cozy space while also living simply.
If you’re on a tight budget, get creative. You can find quality used furniture or art pieces second hand at thrift shops or on Facebook marketplace. A gallon of paint can also go a long way to creating a cozy and calm feeling in a room in your home.
At the end of the day, you want your home sanctuary to be a space you enjoy spending time in. By adding some special touches to really make it personal, it’ll be much easier to feel like your home is truly yours.
What have you done to make your home your sanctuary? Leave a comment and let me know!
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Plants either real or fake , I have both , low wattage bulbs in my lamps . I have neutral colours in my sitting room for a cosy feel and can change it up with some colours. Fragrance is a big thing for me wax melts or candles .
Excellent suggestions, Michelle!
I have told myself that my home is my sanctuary. I love going in the sanctuary at church. Thank you, I made notes.
Love this post Julianna! I do a lot of those things. I love having natural light as much as possible during the day and then salt lamps twinkle lights and a soft warm light at night. I can’t sit on my couch without a throw blanket and I love having diffuser for some good smells. One think I indulge in is a different bed set for winter and summer which not only matches the temperature but also changes it up once in awhile. I also love my google home mini cause I can ask it to play nice music to help me chill 🙂
Like Jessalynn, good music is a big thing for my husband and I. We love good, restful instrumental and classical music, especially in the evening. We do listen to more energizing music earlier in the day sometimes.
We were just talking about getting more candles recently, and reading this reminded me of that. We do have some candle-operated ones, so I think I’m going to spread them around the house. 🙂
Ahem … battery-operated candles.
Good suggestions especially the lighting tips. I have 4 family members including 2 teen adult daughters that refuse to pick up after themselves, I mean even cooking food And leaving it out, overnight even. I struggle with chronic fatigue so any tips that I can get with his challenges would be helpful. Oh, and I did do a chore chart even at their age, I’m introducing it tonight. Here goes.
Hi Sinneh. I have a guest post on the blog on that topic here: https://www.thesimplicityhabit.com/teenager-room-clean/
I have adult sons still living at home – sometimes a chore chart is still necessary for them! 😱 I will definitely be leaving one when I go away in a couple of weeks, otherwise I will come back to a bomb site!
Sinneh? That lived on Royal st? If it is this is Laurie lol
I have recently retired. I have framed my awards and plaques and displayed them at a place I sit and relax. It makes me very happy about the hard work I put in, sincerely. And hoards of certificates, I filed and made into a pretty coffee table book
I have added some solid coloured bedspreads, a floral metal wall hanging, painted my rooms in bright colours, some showpiece, white curtains. And I clean everyday and declutter every month. Also I own what I love and not much stuffs.
I edit. I need visual space for my eyes to rest. That, for me, means not having every space filled.
Since the passing of my husband of 38+ years 3 years ago I had to declutter, clean, paint, and did some renovations by giving away things and throwing away certain unnecessary items it was a great feeling!! Not to mention the healing process! I still miss him like crazy but I don’t feel as stressed my home is now cozy and warm and so inviting to myself (if that makes sense) thank you for sharing this link and I hope my words will inspire someone in need 💞
Living alone in my little house allows me to tidy up and de-clutter whenever necessary. I love candles and use lamps for softer lighting. l use throw pillows and matching throws draped on my chairs/sofa. My decor tends to be simplistic and I switch it up a few times throughout the year, based on season and mood.
A coop with chickens, and a lawn chair next to it.
Your suggestions are great, with all you said for creating aa home as a sanctuary , I would add light background music 🎶 for me . Thank you ~ enjoyed reading your article….
I am from India and in general there is a bit d dust that gets settled during the day. These tips especially the one on planning one place to clean a day is excellent. I am going to use that. But in general I have lots of nice smelling candles and good lighting in the house that makes me feel good.
Fairy and tea lights, lamps, big leafy plants, Persian rugs, colourful throws and cushions, ornaments and artwork, books, beanbags, my partner’s handmade hardwood tables – and the most loved possession I have, my American Staffordshire terrier, Basil 💚💜
I love my apartment/sanctuary! I have called it Breathing space… I have throw blankets on each chair, all with special memories attached to them, a small water fountain, 2 electric fireplaces, books I love to read, photos of loved ones, and a beautiful view! I love coming home or just staying in!
I wind up mechanical metronome to a heart rate or a beat slower than that, 56- 60 beats per minute. All media and other noise what possible to switch off is switched off – such a peace in the world then, especially when sunshine overly comes in from windows. So good to read, to write or to do whatever home activities,,,,
Just some to add:
1. Make the indoors more seamless with the outdoors–patio, deck, porch, and yard. Decorate outdoor areas like indoor rooms with rugs, pillows, comfy seating, etc. Our canvas for our sanctuary is now more spacious and airy. Open doors and windows once in a while and let the air flow
2. Use natural elements and play with combo of texture in decor. Use wood, mixed metals, different types of fabrics, plants/flowers, water fountains, fireplace/candles, sand (like in hourglasses and zen gardens), etc.
3. Surround ourselves with select (don’t overdo to avoid clutter) reminders of people and things we love–curated items from travel adventures, family heirlooms, favorite books, photo gallery, etc.
4. Use multi-functional and space saving furniture to maximize space and storage. Poufs that can be used as ottomans, extra seating, and side table. Benches with built-in storage. And more.
5. Multi-sensory experience (what we see, smell, hear, touch/feel). Love all the suggestions mentioned already. Diffuser, candles, music, water fountain, wind chimes, etc. And I just love the smell of a clean house.
6. Meditation/Prayer area. Doesn’t have to be a big space, just somewhere away from distractions. Can have a comfortable place to sit/lie down or pillow, chimes, singing bowls, meditation music and affirmations/prayers, zen decor.
7. Space that allows us to move our bodies. Just as sanctuaries are great for our hearts and minds, they also take care of our bodies. We typically think about giving our bodies rest and relaxing and that’s great. But equally important is allowing our bodies to move and energizing ourselves. For some this might be a small area or home gym to do yoga and do various exercises or even a play area.
We downsized 3 yrs ago. I had to declutter & get rid of lots to move into our smaller place. I love it!
I’m still getting rid of things & being very selective of anything new that comes in.
I only want what makes me happy around me. I’m also using my special dishes everyday.
Next I’ll focus on art pieces.