Kitchen troubles got you down? Here are the key elements to transform for a stress-free cooking space:
In the heart of every home, the kitchen serves as a hub for family gatherings, meals, and everyday activities. Holly Reaney, one of our content editors with a passion for traditional and country-inspired interiors, especially kitchen design, shares her insights on how to make this essential space a calm and relaxing environment.
By focusing on three key elements - artwork, aromatherapy, and lighting - you can engage your senses and create a soothing atmosphere that reduces stress and promotes relaxation.
### Artwork
Dressing the walls with artwork that evokes positive emotions is an affordable way to add personality and create a welcoming environment. Choose pieces that remind you of happy memories, such as family photos, favorite landscapes, or calming color palettes. This personal touch can instantly make the kitchen feel more inviting and relaxing.
Rotating your artwork seasonally or whenever you want a change keeps the environment fresh and comforting. Artwork is an easy and affordable way to introduce personality into kitchen interiors, according to Annica Wallin, executive creative director at Desenio.
### Aromatherapy
Introducing scents known for their calming effects, such as lavender, chamomile, or citrus, through essential oil diffusers or scented candles can engage the sense of smell, which strongly influences mood and stress reduction. Roanna Day, founder of Great House Farm Stores, recommends using scents to create a connection to the outdoors and fill the kitchen with natural energy.
Herbal, green scents, and fragrances reminiscent of rain can be particularly effective in creating a positive atmosphere in the kitchen. For instance, the St. Eval Bay's Bay & Rosemary candle is a refreshing fragrance suitable for the kitchen and is known for its odor-neutralizing properties, helping to dissipate unpleasant lingering food smells.
### Lighting Choices
Opt for soft, warm lighting instead of harsh, bright lights. This can be achieved with dimmable fixtures, pendant lamps, or lights with warm color temperatures. Incorporate natural light as much as possible by using light curtains or reflective surfaces like glass cabinet doors or glossy countertops to amplify daylight.
Natural light helps the kitchen feel open and airy, which reduces feelings of stress and clutter. Consider lighting fixtures with interesting but simple shapes that add character without visual clutter, maintaining a calm aesthetic.
Additionally, using matte finishes on surfaces like cabinets and counters to reduce glare and visual noise, and incorporating natural materials like wood and stone to add warmth and softness, can further promote relaxation in the space. Maintaining a clutter-free, minimalist design also contributes to a calmer visual field.
### Extra Tips
Installing small kitchen lighting ideas like under-cupboard lights can create a softer backdrop to the space in the evening. Swapping any cold white bulbs for ones with warmer-hues will create a more relaxing ambience without compromising illumination.
Engaging the senses with aromatherapy can connect the kitchen to the outdoors and lift one's mood on grey days. By blending these artful, sensory, and lighting strategies, your kitchen will transform into a more peaceful and inviting place, truly the heart of a calm home.
Houseplants, such as snake plants or peace lilies, can be strategically placed around the kitchen to bring a touch of nature and improve air quality. This is according to lifestyle expert, Christina Boswell, who suggests choosing hardy varieties that can withstand fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels.
Interior-design enthusiasts may consider incorporating organic shapes and materials, like rattan chairs or woven baskets, into their kitchens to foster a sense of tranquility and connect the space to the home-and-garden lifestyle. By introducing elements from outdoor living, one can create a seamless transition and invoke a greater sense of peace.
Lastly, using soft, muted color palettes in the kitchen can help evoke feelings of calmness and harmonize with a traditional or country-inspired interior design aesthetic. Opt for shades like sage green, blush pink, or creamy whites to make the kitchen space a welcoming haven for family gatherings, meals, and everyday activities.
