Finding sanctuary in intentional living
Intentional living, aligning choices with core values, turns your home into a calming retreat.
Here are four tips for creating an intentional haven.
Image of Naturama by FibreGuard
Create interiors that offer safe haven from life’s daily pressures. How often do you watch a sunrise and smile because of its beauty? Ever find yourself just enjoying the smell of a home-cooked meal or the fresh air in a garden?
In a rushed lifestyle, sometimes we’re too busy to actually enjoy living. But, life can pass you by all too quickly and there’s a movement towards slowing down and focusing on intentional living. Intentional living is when your lifestyle is a reflection of your fundamental values and you do what feels right for you. In living this way, home automatically becomes a sanctuary and should offer a calming retreat that allows one to relax, be present and feel more connected to the fundamental intent. Here are 4 tips in creating a haven for intentional living.
Set the intent with colour
Choosing the right colour scheme is very personal and subjective. While cool, natural tones of white or cream may be soothing for some, a happy yellow or soft green may signal relaxation for others. Experiment with different colour palettes to find the right combination to suit both the lifestyle and the space. Working with a palette of white and light natural tones creates opportunities to add depth and interest with texture like an irresistible boucle such as Moselle Lana. A neutral, natural palette also means colour can be thoughtfully included in accents such as pillows, beautifully dressed in Manipur.
Image of Moselle Lana by Designers Guild
Image of Manipur by Designers Guild
Comfort in natural materials
The organic modern interior trend celebrates the beauty of natural forms. From natural stone to the warmth of wood, it welcomes organic shapes and texture. Natural materials create a connection to the earth and foster a sense of inner calm. One way to ease the mind is knowing that what’s in the space is also kind to the environment throughout its lifecycle. The groundbreaking Naturama collection by FibreGuard is woven from 55% recycled polyester yarn and 45% organic cotton. It is luxuriously soft to touch but boasts FibreGuard’s renowned stain-resistant technology so, there’s no stress over spills because it’s easy to clean using only water.
A Bedroom That Invites Rest
Bedrooms are the most intimate sanctuary spaces in any home. Invest in a good quality mattress and linen because, if you spend a third of your life sleeping, it has to be in an environment that supports good quality sleep. Create a sophisticated look with an upholstered headboard that can ooze style and add a dash of personality. Blackout curtains will ensure lights from neighbours, the garden or the street outside won’t disturb slumber. A perfect example is the After Dark collection which proves curtains can be highly functional and incredibly elegant.
Image of After Dark by Home Fabrics
Image of After Dark by Home Fabrics
Spark joy by clearing clutter
Clutter produces physical and mental chaos. Studies have proven that clutter can cause mental distress and it wastes time and energy trying to live around it or search for things. Organising household contents so everything is in its place creates efficient systems so mental energy can be focused on what brings joy in living. Keeping clutter at bay can also be stylish with glass jars, perspex organisers or beautiful woven baskets. Upholstered ottomans are a stylish solution for hiding blankets, children’s toys and more, while serving as additional seating or a coffee table with a difference.
Image of Naturama by FibreGuard
Image of Naturama by FibreGuard
What we learnt from Covid-chaos is that home is a place of restoration. Although home is also an office and learning space for some households and constant online connection has become ubiquitous, restful sanctuary spaces are valuable. Intentional living prioritises well-being. In interior design, inspired spaces within a dwelling create unity to live authentically.
