Scandi lifestyle expert at Contura shares simple tips for turning your home into a haven for wellbeing as we begin a new year.
Not sure if home is where the heart is? Then it’s time to give your home a ‘glow up’ and turn it into the haven you deserve.
Scandi lifestyle expert at Contura, Catharina Björkman, says: “Any home can be turned into a haven – a peaceful space designed to promote relaxation and spark joy, far away from the stresses of the outside world.
“However, for so many of us, our homes can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and stress due, in part, to the level of clutter they hold, or jobs that need doing, as well as a lack of understanding as to how layout, colour and light can impact us when spending time in a space.
“In order to create a space that promotes wellbeing, you must first declutter it – only once you’ve done this is it possible to consider how we can bring harmony between us and our environment.”
Read on for Catharina’s Scandi inspired guide to making your home a haven this New Year.
Clear the clutter
‘Tidy house, tidy mind’ isn’t just an old wives’ tale. Excessive clutter has been proven to affect our anxiety levels, sleep and ability to focus – hardly the right atmosphere for a space supposed to enhance and promote wellbeing.
Embracing lagom – a Swedish term meaning ‘just the right amount; ‘not too much, not too little’ – may help you on your quest to declutter in a more mindful way.
Don’t feel you have to get rid of everything and become a minimalist overnight. Start by removing any items that are no longer useful or you simply don’t want to keep. These items can be donated, given to friends, sold via a community page or, if they’ve seen better days, recycled.
Next, move on to items that hold sentimental value or that spark joy when you see them – these are items you definitely want to keep. And make sure they are taking pride of place in your home, rather than being tucked away behind lesser-loved items.
At this point, you’ll be left with a collection of items you will need to work through to decide whether they are useful, hold sentimental value or spark joy. If you’re unsure, pack the items into storage and if after a few weeks you haven’t had need or want for them, it’s likely time to give them up.
Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the need to sort through your entire home, start small and focus on a simple tidy up. Make life easier for yourself and choose the room you spend the most time in first. Tackle any clothes waiting to be put away, abandoned shoes, discarded toys, crockery or glassware, and don’t forget about that drawer full of useless receipts, random unpaired glove, old mobile phone and the odd used battery or four. Out of sight isn’t out of mind!
Consider colour
Whilst neutral tones and hazy pastels are often thought of as the most soothing tones for a home, we all have our own preferences, so it’s worth considering which colours encourage the most powerful sense of calm for you.
Soft blues, greens, pinks and yellows can all inspire a sense of peace and tranquillity. Though if your idea of a haven is somewhere that inspires creativity and boosts your mood, you may prefer brighter hues or even splashes of red, orange or purple.
If in doubt though, neutrals are a great base and allow you to add pops of colour with artwork, knick-knacks and soft furnishings.
Celebrate light
The importance of natural light for health and wellbeing is well documented and yet, we so often forget to consider this element when decorating our home. The window should always be the focal point of a room as, not only does it allow in natural light, but it also connects us to the outside world and to nature.
If you’re struggling with the darker evenings or live on a busy road and feel more comfortable with curtains pulled, try creating a semblance of natural light yourself. Natural light has texture, so create this by ‘layering’ light from candles, fairy lights and lamps, as opposed to relying on one harsh ceiling light.
Embrace the humble houseplant
Biophilic design sounds much more complicated than it is. It’s essentially embracing the natural world inside your home and strengthening that all-important connection to nature. One of the reasons to ensure your home is filled with houseplants is that they’ve been found to improve mood and reduce stress levels – what more could you want when creating your own personal haven?
Abundant trailing plants, like golden pothos, red herringbone (aka prayer plant) and string of pearls are ideal for high shelves, with leaves beautifully cascading down towards the floor.
If you have pets, make sure your houseplants are non-toxic. Varieties like the hardy striped spider plant or broad lady palm are great options that also have air-purifying qualities.
Enhance the atmosphere with scent
Scent has long been used to alter mood; from promoting alertness and positivity, to creating feelings of tranquillity and peace.
If you want to create a sense of peace and calm, whether in your bedroom or living room, look to lavender, ylang ylang, chamomile, bergamot, sandalwood, cedarwood or marjoram oils.
For your home office or workspace, you will want scents that promote energy, focus and productivity, such as zest of lemon or grapefruit, herby basil or rosemary, and fresh peppermint and eucalyptus.
Fragrances to make you happy include lavender, jasmine, neroli, rose and yuzu – perfect for the living room or kitchen when you have guests over.
And don’t forget…
Whilst it may be tempting to think that creating a minimalistic, neutral-toned home will bring the balance and sense of peace you crave, the reality is that our homes are a collection of visually interesting, colourful knick-knacks representing the lives of you and your loved ones. And this isn’t something to be shied away from for the sake of achieving any particular aesthetic.
Above all else, your home needs to work for you, bringing you joy and instilling a sense of peace away from the wider world.
For more information on Contura, please visit www.contura.eu.
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
- Rooster PR will coordinate comment, interview and profile opportunities for Contura UK Country Manager, Phil Wood.
- The Contura PR team will also arrange visits to the nearest Contura Design Centre dealerships or the Contura showroom in Doncaster to see the product range.
For further press information, please contact:
Anna Nyman | Elsa Findlay | Julie Aguilera
Rooster PR
T: +44 (0)203 440 8930
E: [email protected]
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 £1,395, 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. Currently, 95% of 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 Alliance (SIA) in the UK.
For more information please visit www.contura.eu
