In today’s fast-paced and stressful world, finding solace and tranquility within the comfort of our own homes has become increasingly important. The living room, as the heart of the home, plays a significant role in creating a calming and peaceful environment. By incorporating thoughtful design elements, decluttering, and utilizing soothing colors and textures, you can transform your living room into a serene sanctuary where you can unwind and recharge.

Declutter and Simplify

The first step in creating a calm living room is to declutter and simplify the space. Remove any unnecessary items, excess furniture, and visual clutter. Adopt a minimalist approach, keeping only essential and meaningful items. Simplifying the room will create a sense of openness and spaciousness, allowing for a more tranquil atmosphere.

As an interior photographer, I’ve learned how to curate a space to look its best in photos. This almost always means removing quite a few pieces. While I may over-remove things to make an image look its best, the principle still applies to a room in general. Have you ever noticed how much better the energy of a space feels after putting things back in their place and cleaning up?

The clutter that consumes a room also consumes space in our minds, so the more we can discard, the lighter we feel ourselves. I personally like to spring clean at least twice a year and really remove the things that no longer serve or spark joy in my home.

Lighting for Tranquility

Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood of a room. Maximize the use of natural light by making window treatments easy to keep open or using translucent options to allow ample sunlight to filter through. During the evening, opt for soft lighting options such as floor lamps, table lamps, or string lights to create a cozy and inviting ambiance. Avoid harsh, bright lights that can be jarring and disruptive to the calm atmosphere.

In my own living room, we’re lucky to have a skylight that adds ample natural light to the space. This makes the deep, jewel-toned blue of the fireplace even more eye-catching, as the light really shows off the color. I also love to sit on the couch with the fireplace on while it rains, listening to the drops hit the skylight – it’s such a serene and calming experience.

Curating a Collected, Cozy Feel

Along with the skylight and large window, we’ve added vintage lamps to the space, which were passed down from my grandmothers and great-grandmothers. These lamps are not something I would have necessarily bought at the store, nor do they perfectly align with our overall design vibe. However, the story behind them, the connection to my family, and their unique charm all add to the space in a way that feels intentional and personal.

The thing I love about slow living is being intentional with all that we do. If you have a reason for bringing a piece into your space, then it makes sense for the design. I don’t believe in making cookie-cutter houses that look like everyone else’s. I want pieces no one else will have, to start conversations and share something about who I am. That’s what home means to me.

Soothing Color Palette

Choose a soothing color palette that promotes relaxation and calmness. Soft and muted hues like blues, greens, grays, and earth tones have a calming effect. Incorporate these colors through wall paint, wallpaper, fabrics, and décor.

In my living room, you’ll notice that I’m not afraid of a little color. I’ve incorporated a bold, patterned blue curtain that could have easily been downplayed in favor of something more neutral. But I wanted this space to be a statement, something to start conversations and inspire. Alongside the curtain, we have our favorite terracotta-colored Article chairs, a deep blue fireplace, and a rug that pulls the whole space together with grays and reds.

I’ve experimented with different shades and hues to create visual interest while maintaining a serene environment. Every design blog will tell you to bring nature into your home, and it’s because we’re meant to be in nature. We need that connection. When the season blues take hold of me, I need to get my hands in the dirt, which usually means tending to my indoor plants.

Inviting Textures and Comfort

Integrate nature-inspired elements into your living room to establish a connection with the outdoors. Use indoor plants such as peace lilies, snake plants, or aloe vera to introduce greenery and purify the air. Incorporate natural materials like wood, bamboo, or rattan in your furniture and accessories for an organic and grounding feel.

You’ll see that we have baskets within the space as a touch of nature, as well as the fibers on the pillows on the couch. Together, they add little pieces of the wild outdoors, inviting a calm energy into the room.

Invest in comfortable seating options that invite you to relax and unwind. Consider plush sofas, armchairs, or oversized floor cushions that provide ample support. Opt for soft, natural fabrics like linen or cotton for upholstery, as they add to the overall comfort and relaxation of the space. Layer with cozy throw blankets and pillows in soothing textures to enhance the sense of coziness.

Our Article wingback chairs were a years-long investment, but they were well worth the wait. We can sit in them in any position and still be able to fall asleep. To add to the coziness, I have a blanket on almost every piece of furniture in the house – it’s one more way to add texture, color, pattern, and, of course, coziness.

A Sanctuary in Progress

This living room was developed over the course of three years of living in this house, and years of dreaming about the right furniture. And it’s still not done. To me, that’s the most important thing to remember in a slow home – it’s never finished.

We dream of replacing the carpet with hardwood floors when the budget allows, and adding more paint or a new door to the garage. While we may think that once we re-decorate a space, we’re done for good, the truth is there is always something we’ll want to change or add. Styling a space is never done, but when done slowly and with intention, it can be a creative act that takes a lifetime and is well worth it.

Creating a calm and tranquil living room is an ongoing journey, but one that is deeply rewarding. By focusing on thoughtful design, decluttering, and incorporating soothing elements, you can transform your living room into a Sofa Spectacular – a true sanctuary where you can unwind, recharge, and find solace in the comfort of your own home.