It is true when they say that prevention is always better than cure, which is why taking the time to create cosy and peaceful areas within your home can help to ensure that you have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the rest and relaxation that you truly deserve.
There are so many different ways to approach the creation of a charming reading nook, cosy corners, and dedicated areas for peace and tranquility, however it isn't always easy to determine exactly where to start. So, to give you some inspiration and ideas, we have put together a selection of our favourite design pieces and styling tips, each of which keeps organisation, peace and clarity at their core.
A Healthy Home is an Organised Home
It is impossible to truly unwind when we are surrounded by clutter, which can be defined as a collection of things that are lying around your home in an untidy, disorganised manner. So, it is perfectly possible to achieve an air of serenity in even the boldest maximalist style spaces, the key is simply to ensure everything is organised and properly stored to avoid visual and mental overload.Proper storage solutions are the secret behind a genuinely organised home and the good news is that storage can also be supremely stylish.
Showcase your Treasures
We all have those accessories or design pieces that we don't want to tuck away inside a drawer or cabinet. Rather, we want to display them properly so we can enjoy them every single day. Open display storage solutions can help us to do this with ease and many of them are beautiful interior decor pieces in their own right.
The Hudson Living Lomborg unit is a ladder style shelving unit with a cool contemporary concrete effect that is ideally suited to Scandi inspired spaces. It boasts four separate shelves of varying depths, which offers plenty of versatility and storage space. The bottom shelf, for example, could be used to house a stack of magazines or books, with the shelf above being the perfect size for a neatly folded blanket or other reading material. The upper shelves can easily hold a curated selection or ornaments, trinkets and framed photographs, allowing you to add your own personal touch to this stylish and supremely practical storage piece.
If your walls feel a little empty, something along the lines of the Gallery Direct Markham wall storage unit can make an ideal addition. This circular unit has been segmented by three shelves, which can be used to display a variety of small trinkets and ornaments, including petite potted house plants. Its open cage style metal design prevents this industrial inspired piece from looking too heavy which, in turn, makes it ideal for both bijou spaces and larger rooms alike.
Tuck Away and Display
Sometimes organising our homes means investing in pieces that offer plenty of versatility and allows us to tuck some items away from view whilst still having the opportunity to display other treasured pieces. The Gallery Direct Milano coffee table is the perfect example of this type of design piece as it offers a large rectangular table top that can be used to display houseplants, decorative ceramics, a stack of coffee table books, and more.
It also has an open shelf as well as a concealed cupboard, which can be used to house everything from DVDs and games to remote controls and coasters. So, you'll have your must-have items to hand whilst simultaneously ensuring they are neatly tucked away and aren't contributing to an overwhelming feeling of clutter.
Woven Wonders
Baskets are another charming way to introduce stylish storage solutions into your home. The Libra Matano bamboo basket has a beautiful two-toned black and natural colour palette, which will suit modern, minimal spaces with ease. The Broste Copenhagen Safi basket has an open weave, which allows the light to permeate and prevents the piece from taking up too much visual real estate in a neutral, Scandi style interior.For more traditionally designed spaces, the Gallery Direct Jurado baskets have a classic look with a chunkier woven design that is both impactful and easy on the eye. Each one of these baskets has an array of uses, from neatly containing a potted houseplant to offering storage for blankets, extra cushions, or logs for the fireplace.
Tiny Trinkets
Determining the best and most effective ways to contain small trinkets that we don't want to store away entirely can be tricky, however a charming dish, tray or bowl can be the ideal solution.
The Gallery Direct Metza serving tray features a charming wooden exterior and a modern white and black fluid pattern interior, which lends itself to being placed on display where its craftsmanship can be really admired. It has a variety of applications, including as a unique fruit bowl or container for scented candles, keys, and more.
The Gallery Direct Artemis trays or Priscilla jewellery box can also be used in a similar way to suit crisp, contemporary interiors with a monochromatic colour palette. Each piece has been constructed from black iron and clear glass, which suits the sleek, angular design.
Tucked Away Treasures
Of course, we all also have pieces that we want to keep within easy reach but don't necessarily want to be out on display all the time. For those pieces, stylish sideboards, storage benches, and boxes are an ideal choice.
The industrial vibe of the Libra Borough chest of drawers will suit loft style living and stylish urban spaces perfectly, all while offering plenty of drawer space to safely store almost anything. It boasts six slimline and six medium sized drawers, and can be positioned in spacious bathrooms, living areas, and bedrooms depending on your needs.
If you prefer your furniture with a lighter look, the Milano sideboard could be your perfect match. It is available in two or three door styles depending on your storage needs and its rectangular structure stands on four tapered feet to give a sleek, Scandinavian inspired silhouette. The textured wood finish makes an understated impact and it has a level of versatility that means it can be positioned everywhere from open plan living areas to hallways and dining rooms.
In addition to offering spacious storage solutions, storage benches can also double as additional seating options and even act as a low table. The Gallery Direct Satara storage table is a prime example of a multi-functional piece and it also boasts a gorgeous bohemian style carved pattern which ensures it is certain to become a real feature in whichever space you choose to position it.
A Healthy Home is a Peaceful Home
It is often the small touches that really help to pull a space together and establish a truly tranquil ambiance within our homes. Luxurious homeware accessories can elevate your interior spaces, transforming them into inviting, comfortable, and calming places in which to spend time.Soft Furnishings
When it comes to adding the comfort factor into a space, you simply can't go wrong with a blanket or a throw. They are supremely easy to style and all you'll need to do is drape casually over the back of an armchair or sofa, or tuck away in a nearby cabinet, basket or storage box ready to pull out whenever a chill hits.The Gallery Direct knitted pom pom throw would make an ideal addition to a cosy reading nook. Simply style on or beside your favourite reading chair and envelop yourself in the soft, calming chenille fabric as you get lost inside your latest great read. You could also use it as a key element in creating your relaxing reading area, pairing it with a similarly textured or tasseled cushion and carrying through the tones into different accessories, including tabletop coasters you use to house your cup of tea or hot chocolate.
Calming Candles
Another easy way to establish an inviting and serene environment within your home is to light a few candles and position them in various locations within a room.
Both the Gallery Direct Belle candle holder and Olivia's Minnie hurricane can be used to house pillar candles and votives, with the clear glass and open designs allowing the soft, flickering candle light to permeate throughout your space.
Alternatively, different coloured glass candle holders can be used to personalise the ambience within your living area, reading nook or sleeping space. The Gallery Direct Neuler round candle holder in this stunning spruce green hue is both contemporary and traditional, looking spectacular when positioned beside verdant houseplants and deep toned wooden accessories alike.
The world of candles is always an exciting one in which to immerse yourself, particularly because there are myriad designs and scents to choose from. The cool forms of the Broste Copenhagen Lucia candle and the Bend candle are design pieces in their own right, offering a sculptural element to what is at its heart, an accessory designed to create a distinctly relaxing mood within your home. The Lucia candle would make an especially wonderful addition to a dining table centrepiece when hosting an intimate dinner with loved ones, with the Bend candle certain to make the right impression on a mantlepiece or console table.
A Healthy Home is a Cleansed Home
When our spaces are missing that special something that will elevate them from good to great, it can be difficult to identify exactly what they are lacking. This can be a frustrating experience, especially when you are keen to complete your design and really have the opportunity to enjoy your space, so here are some of the design pieces that can bring a real sense of clarity and cohesiveness to your home.Maximising Natural Light
So many of our days are filled with appointments, errands and obligations, which is why it can be such a treat to take a day to relax and bathe in natural light without feeling rushed or pressured to be doing something else. One of the ways to maximise the natural light in your tucked away reading nook or preferred relaxation space is to incorporate a large mirror into your design.
The Gallery Direct Carved Louis mirror features intricate carved detailing that is tailormade for chic bedrooms and dedicated dressing areas. Fashion, beauty and skincare are all excellent forms of self-care, and the process of creating an inviting space in which you can show yourself the extra TLC you deserve will help you to ensure it becomes part of your regular routine and not just an occasional treat.
For simply designed spaces and those with an industrial edge, the Gallery Direct Bayswater mirror is the perfect minimally designed piece to bring extra light and an increased sense of spaciousness. Reading nooks often work well as tucked away spaces that you can really retreat into, however it is important to ensure it doesn't feel too claustrophobic or contained because that will prevent you from wanting to use it as part of your relaxation routine.
This circular mirror has a simple black iron frame and a quirky hoop detail on the top, which has been attached with a piece of warm brass toned hammered metal. This gives the mirror sufficient flair to look chic and stylish, while the rest of this deceptively simple piece can set to work expertly reflecting the light and ensuring your reading area is always a pleasant area to spend time within. Style beside an open wood and iron bookcase to lean into that charming mid-century aesthetic in a decidedly modern manner.
Atmosphere Creators with a Cleansing Touch
Candles can work wonders at creating the perfect atmosphere to encourage intense relaxation. But if you're looking to give your space an extra boost in terms of its tranquility, Olivia's natural salt lamp could be exactly what you're looking for. Made from pink Himalayan salt and positioned on a beautiful wooden base, this gorgeous piece will send a soft glow around your space and could help to boost your mood, soothe allergies, purify the air and improve your sleep quality. Most importantly, however, it will help you to ensure whichever room you place yours in will always feel restful, atmospheric, and restorative.The Power of Nature
Nature can have extraordinary healing and relaxation properties and whether you want to welcome living houseplants into your home or you feel more comfortable with realistic looking faux plants that don't require any maintenance, there are an array of accessories that will allow you to incorporate them fully into your interiors.The Gallery Direct Cerus cactus looks remarkably real and is housed in a gorgeous grey cement pot that has a stunning textured finish. This is an interior accessory that will instantly breathe life into a relaxing bathroom, master bedroom, or living area. They can also be grouped together to create a real feature that helps you to stay in touch with the natural world around you.
For houseplant aficionados, a beautiful pot or planter will help you to ensure your next leafy addition will slip seamlessly into your design scheme and deliver all of its air purifying and cleansing benefits in style. The Clyde planter from Gallery Direct has a beautiful ribbed textured pot, which stands proudly on a three legged wooden base that is ideally suited to minimal open plan rooms with lots of white and natural beige tones.
There are so many ways in which you can choose to embrace the notion of cleansing, organising and creating an intrinsic sense of peace within your home. This offers plenty of creative freedom and means you don't need to compromise on your own sense of personal style. After all, ultimately your interiors need to work for you and suit your lifestyle.
Creating a feeling of escapism can be as simple as introducing a new piece of minimal artwork to your walls or investing in a piece of storage that allows you to tuck items away so that they are out of sight inside a piece of furniture that is functional and aesthetically pleasing. Even something as simple as placing a new reading lamp beside your favourite reading chair can help you to create a peaceful corner of your home that delivers the level of relaxation you're looking for.
