Design Hacks That Will Help Make Life Less Stressful

Life today feels more stressful than ever. There is uncertainty everywhere you turn, and the hustle and bustle each day only makes relaxing harder. While there are many stressors in the outside world you can’t change, you have a lot of control over what’s inside your home. So, why not design a dwelling that helps promote a stress-free lifestyle?

Some design hacks that can make your life feel less stressful include adding softer textures, lighter colors, and rounded edges to your home. Add plants that inspire peace and tranquility, and use smells to awaken your senses. Organize your home with functional storage, a labeled pantry, and less clutter. Swap out flimsy furniture for long-lasting pieces, upgrade your home with ‘smart’ devices, and do your best to keep a simple aesthetic.

Your home is a sanctuary, and this refuge should be a peaceful one. If your life has taken on more stress than you can manage, it’s time to start thinking about how to make your home a stress-free zone. Below is a list of easy, effective design tricks to help your home feel more peaceful and less stressful.

14 Home Hacks That Help You Create A Stress-Free Life

1. Add More Soft Textures

To create a stress-free household, try to foster a warm, welcoming space. Harsh colors and uncomfortable materials are jarring and abrasive. Consider covering these harsher materials with soft textures.  Incorporating soft fabrics into your home is a great way to make a house feel safe and cozy. Swap out itchy curtain material for soft, flowy ones. Use only the softest throw blankets, and opt for plush, comfortable throw pillows.

2. Create A ‘Smart’ Home

Often, simply owning and maintaining a home can be a stressor in itself. To help minimize the stress in your life, turn your home into a ‘smart’ home. Swap out your old thermostat and alarm system for new and intelligent models. Most smart devices let you manage them from your cell phone. Controlling everything from your security cameras to your air conditioning with a device you keep in your pocket all day makes life easier. It also allows you to spend less time worrying and more time enjoying life. 

3. Add Accent And Mood Lighting

There’s a reason they call it “mood” lighting. You’d be surprised how much lighting can change how you feel. If your home has harsh lighting or only has overhead lights, it’s time to add something more dynamic. Accent lights, including up-lights, wall sconces, and lamps, are all great ways to soften up the lighting in your home. Dimmer switches are another fantastic way to adjust the ambience in a room and bring a sense of calm and romance to an otherwise sterile space.

4. Use Candles And Diffusers To Awaken Your Senses

Fragrances are an excellent way to calm your mind. All sorts of aromas are proven to relieve stress. Natural smells like lavender, peppermint, chamomile, and ylang-ylang are all great to help you relax. Use candles with calming scents, or buy essential oils proven to reduce stress. These smells will ease tension and keep your home smelling fresh. Allow these smells to spread through your home whenever you’re around, especially after a difficult day.

5. Incorporate Furniture That Doubles As Storage

A lack of storage can cause messes to build up. When you don’t have enough space for all your belongings, chaos will eventually ensue. To help you find a permanent place for your things, look for good-looking furniture that doubles as storage. Wooden trunks, hollow ottomans, and even solid-wood bookshelves are all great items that are nice to look at and can be used for storage. The more storage you have inside your home, the easier it is to keep everything organized. An organized home is always a good thing.

6. Get Rid Of Clutter

Clutter is the antithesis of organization. As clutter builds, so will your stress. You will likely find it more challenging to locate things, and you’ll lose everyday items like your keys and wallet in the never-ending mess. To create a stress-free home, find ways to manage your clutter. Recycle and dispose of paper and other items you don’t need, and consider having a yard sale or donating items you don’t use often.

7. Showcase Sentimental Photos And Art

When you work hard, it’s easy to worry and lose sight of what’s important in life. To help bring joy and meaning to your home, showcase some sentimental objects. There are all sorts of items you can display to bring joy into your home and relieve stress. Some great examples of sentimental objects include framed photos, artwork from a memorable vacation, or a painting created by a friend or family member. Bringing personality and history into your home will keep you grounded and give it a unique, personal touch.

8. Keep The Aesthetic Simple

Minimalism is a fantastic way to bring a sense of calm to any home. If you’re interested in creating a stress-free environment in your home, consider introducing a minimalist aesthetic. Only keep objects that you absolutely need. Opt for natural materials, and use functional furnishings with smooth lines and earth tones. Minimalism can help you manage the chaos you experience in the outside world.

9. Swap Out Bold Colors With Quieter Tones

Bright colors may liven up a space, but they can also be quite jarring. If you’re looking for a design aesthetic that promotes calm and relieves stress, use a soft, subtle color palette. Opt for muted colors, such as pastels and light earth tones. These non-offensive colors bring warmth without being overly bright.

10. Label Your Kitchen Pantry

Your kitchen can cause a lot of stress if you don’t keep things in order. A disorganized kitchen can breed mold, pests, and expired food. To minimize these stressors, keep your pantry and cabinets labeled.  Doing this forces you into the habit of keeping everything in a specific location. When everything has a home, nothing gets lost or goes bad.

11. Get Rid Of Flimsy Furniture

Flimsy furniture is inexpensive, but it can also cause stress. If you’re worried that you might break a chair when you sit on it, or collapse a table when you rest a serving platter of food on top of it, then this cheap furniture is causing you stress. Invest in quality furniture that will endure many years of use. Sturdy, well-made pieces can bring a sense of comfort and stability to your dwelling and will make it feel more like a home.

12. Buy A Peaceful Plant

It’s proven that plants can help reduce stress in humans. Houseplants are not only lovely to look at, they can also bring a sense of calm to any room you put them in and are an essential element of any home design aimed at making life less stressful. Some great plants that can reduce stress include rosemary and lavender for their fragrance, aloe vera and snake plants for their ease of care and air-purifying properties, and more.

13. Consider The Feng Shui Of The Space

The Chinese art of Feng Shui dates back more than 5,000 years, and it’s still practiced today. This ancient tradition can bring organization and calm into any home. It’s also said to help reduce stress. Find ways to improve the Feng Shui of your home. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to make this happen, as sometimes it’s as easy as moving a bed and repositioning a mirror.

14. Minimize Sharp Angles And Jagged Edges

Curves are less stressful than sharp angles and jagged edges. Whenever possible, introduce rounded edges and curves into your home's design. Some right angles and jagged lines are unavoidable, but there are many ways you can add curves. Light fixtures, pillows, furniture, and rugs are all objects you can easily find with rounded edges. This small aesthetic change can have a surprising effect on your mood.

Wrapping Up Design Hacks That Make Life Less Stressful

It’s easy to feel anxious and stressed in today’s world. While you can’t change everything around you, you can change your home’s aesthetic to help bring a sense of calm to your life. Some great design choices that can reduce stress include adding mood lighting, using soft textures, and finding ways to add muted colors in your home. Incorporate houseplants and sentimental objects whenever possible. Minimize clutter and add functional storage in your home. Replace flimsy furnishings with sturdy ones, and consider opting for a minimalist design aesthetic.

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