The most important aspect to consider when designing your own space is to make sure it feels comfortable to YOU. Ensure it is a space you want to spend time in.

It should feel like a tailored sanctuary for the task to be carried out within it. Zen-like in the bedroom, inspiring in the office, functional in the kitchen and welcoming in the living areas.

Repeated design elements such as shapes, textures, colors, and lines that can easily reverberate across furniture, decor, and architectural elements which can make a room feel memorable and balanced. We know when a room feels off but with good rhythm, a room feels calming and pleasant.

Quite often this component can be very easily incorporated by using the same paint throughout a home for example, which will look different in each room by pairing a different sheen with unique lighting and use of space. Within each room the same paint color can be paired with feature lights and varied textiles or a well-placed wallpaper making the room color seem different from the previous space but in line with the overall theme of a home.

The use of the same basic tile throughout a home in each bathroom or even the kitchen but paired with a feature tile or wallpaper and a bright color to make each space seem unique and special but again, keep with the overall theme. Light fixtures can be used for patterns by using larger versions of a light in bigger spaces and smaller versions for task lighting and night lights.

This idea can be mimicked with fabrics, furniture, fixtures, window treatments and artwork.

Besides adding depth and dimension to a space, texture can add visual interest to the most monotone space. Mixture of materials and layering can keep a room from feeling flat.

Glossy surfaces like polished chrome or wood, shiny marble and smooth leather all in tonal shades paired with tactile weaves like shag, wool or linen and wood will give a room depth and character as well as add accents. 

Textiles can be used in a variety of ways within a space including furniture, wall treatments, windows treatments, artwork and accents. Natural fibers are said to be healing for the body and can make a room feel cozy and welcoming.

Textiles can help set the tone of a room with light tones bringing a sense of serenity while colorful textiles can enliven any space.

Color evokes an emotional reaction therefore a calm palette with a pop of color can be a very powerful tool to help create the mood of a space.

Generally, warm colors like red, yellow and orange evoke warmth and convey optimism, enthusiasm, and passion. Cool colors such as green, blue, and purple are calming and relaxing while neutral colors like brown, black, white, gray and other earth tones represent simplicity.

Used in an office environment for example red would be the color associated with the leader and driving force, while blue would be perfect for a meeting room where balance and cooperation would be ideal. Green would be the perfect color for a break room where colleagues can relax and have time off while orange might be interspersed in the main working area to encourage creativity.

The same can be applied to a home environment with neutrals reserved for the sleeping areas and brighter colors for the children’s areas and places where the family gathers and guests visit.

The most pleasing spaces have a balance of color where colors and patterns pair well with each other. The easiest way to accomplish this is by using a neutral color palette for the fixed surfaces such as walls, floors and large furniture then introduce either warm or cool tones as accessories, accent pieces or feature walls.

When choosing pop of color consider the purpose of the room and choose accordingly, colors evoke feelings.

When selecting a candle set the intention for the desired outcome and keep in mind the ambience that the look, scent and vessel of the candle will help create.

For a protective quality choose white, for a cleansing or mood setting quality consider earth tones with natural materials. Avoid synthetically perfumed candles as they may cause headaches or alter the desired mood and aim for soybean wax with natural scents.

Using candles can help create a soothing environment and a welcomed break from electrical lights and fluorescent fixtures of the world.

An important design detail is lighting. As a basic rule there should be layers to the lighting layout with overhead lights, task lamps and ambient lights such as cabinet lighting or path lights.  

Low lighting is perfect for the practical, basic needs of a space such as a floor lamp or dimmable ceiling lights. Task lighting for the purpose or main activities to be carried out in the space such as a reading, cooking, or studying each require a different level and directional capabilities. Accent lighting adds drama and/or help highlight certain elements of a space such as wall art, statues or directional components.

Lighting layout depends on the use of the area, but as a general rule, canned lights or pancake lights distributed on a ceiling are perfect for spaces where consistent lighting is need along with flexibility. If you’re not sure about the permanent use of a space, then keep the lighting simple and avoid pendants and feature lights. Floor lamps and table lamps or task lamps add a second layer to assist lighting needs for reading, writing, conversation areas or ambience. Under counter, under cabinet or wall sconces are great in adding ambience to a space. Finally decorative feature lights such a pendants or drum lights over a permanent feature like a meeting table, kitchen sink or kitchen island can add the flare to a room.

Layering lights with ceiling, task and feature lighting helps add depth and warmth to a room as well as an accessory to any space.

Adding plants to any room can add balance with proper placement, which is perfect if something feels off within the furniture layout. Adding a plant in areas that feel like they are missing something can make a room feel whole, just select the size that feels best.

Plants can boost the mood of a room by helping to reducing stress of the occupant as well as bringing a natural element. They can help clean the air, add color without distracting from the elements of a room and bend the acoustics. Best of all there is no wrong plant to place in a room and plants can be layered.

My top five are also the easiest to find at your local nursery. The fiddle fig is great for indoor spaces because it needs minimal care and diffused light plus it can get really tall if you allow it to grow so, it can be great for rooms with high ceilings. It is part of the Ficus family which generally grows well indoors or outdoors and can start from just a cut branch stuck into some dirt. The snake plant is also great and grows easily without much care and can be propagated quite easily so one plant can provide several plants quickly. It is an absolute champion at cleansing the air so keeping it in the bedroom is a great idea. Next favorite is the money tree, which is low maintenance and cleanses the air like the other two but is also said to attract prosperity and good fortune and who doesn’t need more abundance in their life? The indoor palm of any kind is great to make a space feel tropical and has large enough leaves to make an inexpensive plant look great in an uncluttered room. Best of all Ikea even sells good options making it a truly affordable option. Finally, but not in last place, is Ivy which can be propagated easily and requires only water and a container. It purifies air and adds greenery which can hang or creep within your space making it great for layering.

Versions of all these plants is endless with container options and species so pick one within your price range, know that it will grow and then love it like you would a pet.

Lighter crystals such as clear quartz, rose quartz, amethyst or blue lace agate are considered to be clearing crystals while darker crystals such as hematite, shungite, black tourmaline or tiger’s eye are said to be helpful in grounding. Ultimately a crystal can be chosen based on color, shape or inherent qualities or it can be selected based on desired spiritual outcomes. More often than not, selecting a crystal you are drawn to is the mind-blowing process because its spiritual qualities are often quite accurate to your current needs. Crystals hold trace minerals and light spectrum qualities not to mention the tactile aspect and texture.

No matter the crystal, the beautiful stone adds intrigue to any space and there is no wrong choice. With every decision it is intention that matters so, if you pick a crystal because it looks beautiful then that is the perfect crystal for you display it proudly. If a crystal is selected for grounding purposes hold it in your hand and feel your feet merging with the ground beneath you. If clearing a space visualize what that might look like, does the crystal send out a swirl of energy which engulfs all the shadows, or does it emit a burst of light which shines the light on dark spots? If a crystal holds intrigue but you’re not sure why, look up the properties and benefits and see how much of it resonates, you might be surprised just how perfect it is.

By now everyone knows about essential oils and burning sage or palo santo, but my personal favorite is bay leaf.

I generally use sage for a fresh start in a new home or office location as it cleanses the air and purifies it while getting rid of any stale smells.

I then use palo santo to remove any staleness that crept in over time and bring on a refreshed sense of calm which is perfect for an existing residence as palo santo is said to help relieve stress. If you are unsure, trust your intuition on which of these to use, you may need both.

I use bay leaf on a regular basis for a peaceful and calming effect by crushing dry leaves and sprinkling them over a fire. Bay leaf is actually rumored to be better for you as a burnt scent than eaten because of its anxiety relieving effects and is considered safe for most people so it is perfect if any new guests in your space as not everyone is a fan of palo santo or sage.

I would still use bay leaf in my soups though!