Scandi interiors expert shares guide to creating happiness with your home interiors ahead of World Wellbeing Week (24–30 June).
With rumours that Britain is set for one of its soggiest summers yet, it looks like we may be spending more time than planned indoors over the next few months… So, what better time to give your home a seasonal spruce up? Make your home a restorative haven that you enjoy (and feel better for) spending time in – come rain or shine.
Scandi interiors expert at Contura, Catharina Björkman, says: “Functionality is a key pillar of Scandinavian interior design. A core purpose of your home is that it should act as a peaceful retreat in which you can enjoy time away from the stresses of everyday life to recharge.
“And yet, often, tending to our homes can be the first thing to slip down our priorities lists when life gets busy, which can then cause it to become yet another source of stress.
“Giving your interiors a glow up to ensure it is a space that you love to spend time in need not be time consuming and you certainly won’t regret doing so. Beyond aesthetics, making your home a welcoming haven can foster relaxation, help you recharge and also boost mood.”
Read on for Catharina’s tips on creating mood-boosting interiors this World Wellbeing Week and beyond…
Tidy space, tidy mind
Scandinavians are well-known for their love of minimalism when it comes to home interiors, so it is no surprise that clutter has no place in a happy Scandi home.
One of the easiest ways to create a calmer interior (in both home and head) is by decluttering. Clearing out any objects which no longer bring you joy or serve a practical purpose can transform a space that is messy, outdated, and even stress-inducing, into one that is tidy, functional and serene.
Don’t overwhelm yourself by feeling as though you need to clear through the whole house at once. Instead, adopt a ‘little and often’ approach by tackling one room at a time, taking on a different area each weekend.
Simply get rid of any objects that do not enhance your life in some way – whether by being useful or bringing you happiness – such as books and magazines you’ll never read again or clothes you don’t like or don’t fit.
If you’re ever unsure about an item, don’t force yourself to decide on the spot – this might lead you to throw away something you’ll miss and, consequently, cause you to be overly-cautious when decluttering in the future. Instead, simply put it to one side and reconsider during your next clear-out session. If you haven’t thought about or used it since your last encounter, it might be time to let it go.
Keep it personal
The Scandinavian less-is-more approach doesn’t mean your home must feel bare, empty or impersonal in any way. In fact, the lesser-known Swedish philosophy of lagom, which translates as ‘not too much, not too little’, emphasises the importance of balance and moderation.
Personal treasures are what turn a house into a home, so don’t shy away from incorporating them into your interiors. Items that bring you joy should have a prized place rather than be hidden away in unopened drawers, cupboards or storage boxes in the name of minimalism.
When it comes to photos, for example, be sure to frame your favourites and place them in areas where you’ll get to appreciate them daily. Your bedside table and hallway walls are ideal spots. Similarly, invest in a couple of beautiful frames for the kitchen to home children’s artwork – this will allow your little one’s most recent masterpiece to take centre stage whilst maintaining a sense of organisation and sophistication.
When a new favourite photo (or the next masterpiece) comes along, you can then simply update these frames and either pop the old one in an album – to be appreciated at a later date – or, if it is likely to become clutter in the near future, into the recycling bin.
The same goes for sentimental cards and notes – don’t let them stack up in a kitchen drawer only to be lost and, eventually, binned a month later. Instead, why not attach them to the fridge with a tasteful magnet? That’s not to say they must stay there forever, just only as long as it brings you a smile to see it.
Don’t be afraid to get creative too. For instance, treasured shells from a happy beach holiday can be turned upside down and used as dainty trinket dishes, or colourful seaglass placed in the bottom of vases.
Plant joy
Plants and flowers are another great way to decorate your home and breathe new life to your interiors (quite literally).
Not only do houseplants bring the outdoors in and add a refreshing splash of colour to a room, but they have also been linked to reducing stress, increased productivity and improving air quality . The Scandinavian philosophy of friluftsliv is rooted in the idea that closeness to nature boosts wellbeing.
If time is not always readily available, opt for low maintenance houseplants to avoid the upkeep of your home’s new greenery becoming yet another task on your list of to dos. Peperomia, donkey’s tail (sedum morganianum) and spider plants all require relatively minimal amounts of watering and are non-toxic so are ideal for those with children or pets.
Similarly, embracing beautiful blooms in your home can be a great way to elevate your interiors as well as your mood . Add an uplifting dose of sunshine to a room with a bunch of yellow marigolds, roses, dahlias or sunflowers.
Be conscious with colour
Natural, neutral, and light colours make an ideal foundation for an interior palette. Believed to help promote a sense of serenity, these tones are perfect for creating an environment where you can feel happy and content.
As a general rule, opt for warmer hues – which help induce a sense of calm cosiness – in rooms where you’ll likely want to relax and recharge, such as your bedroom and the living room. On the flipside, in spaces where productivity is a core function – in a home office for example – choose slightly cooler shades, which will help keep a room feeling fresh and keep you more alert.
There is no need to be afraid of incorporating splashes of bright colour and pops of vibrant pattern into your interiors too, just do so consciously to ensure it doesn’t create a stressful or overstimulating environment. Statement objects and decorations can be a great way to add fun and personality to a room without overwhelming it. Think funky pillows in the sitting room, a bright rug in the bathroom and a colourful kettle in the kitchen.
Brighter days
You can most definitely still enjoy the longer and lighter days of summer in spite of wet weather from within the comforts of your own home. Naturally lit, bright and airy interiors not only look great but will leave you feeling it too; increased levels of sunlight exposure are believed to stimulate the production of serotonin, a hormone well-known for its mood boosting benefits.
To maximise the amount of natural light able to enter any given space, start by removing any obstructions from window areas. Then look to move dining tables, desks and chairs – in other words, any furniture which dictates where you’ll spend extended periods of time each day – beneath or beside these obstruction-free windows so that you can make the most of the extended daylight hours.
If direct sunlight is too harsh or hot, consider installing sheer curtains such as ones made from lightweight linens or voile fabrics – these will provide some protection whilst not blocking out the light entirely, allowing a gentler glow in.
Other ways of maximising the amount of light reflected around a room include swapping out opaque furniture for equivalents made from transparent materials – such as a glass coffee table or acrylic shelves – hanging mirrors, and repainting walls using lighter colours. For the latter, think crisp whites or pale blues.
From decluttering and making the most of memories to embracing greenery and bringing the sunshine in, these tips should help you ensure that your home is a place where you can truly relax, recharge and feel content – this summer and beyond.
For more information on Contura, please visit www.contura.eu
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About Contura:
Contura is Europe’s leading manufacturer of wood burning stoves, offering an extensive range of classic and contemporary wood burners; from traditional insert stoves suitable for existing fireplaces, to freestanding statement models made with innovative materials such as soapstone.
Starting at £1,295, Contura stoves are premium yet affordable. Award winning, timeless Swedish design means the products complement or enhance any style of home, whilst also offering outstanding performance, maximum efficiency, practicality and ease of use.
Designed and assembled at the factory located in Markaryd, Sweden, and manufactured to the highest standards, Contura stoves are highly energy efficient, offering powerful convection, superior combustion technology and clean burning systems. All Contura stoves are DEFRA Clean Air Act exempt and thus approved for use in Smoke Control Areas.
Contura stoves can be purchased through a network of 165 independent retailers nationwide.
Contura is part of the NIBE group, a Swedish manufacturing company producing world class solutions in sustainable energy across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.
Contura is a founding member of the Stove Industry Association (SIA) in the UK.
Contura is a proud supporter of Eden Reforestation Projects’ efforts to restore and monitor over 241,150 hectares of land, creating jobs to support local communities and the environment in the long-term. Since 2018, Contura has funded the planting of over 170,000 trees.
For more information please visit www.contura.eu
