De-Stress Decorating

by Jackie Craven

Just like changing your hairdo can wash away heartache after a bad breakup, changing the look of a room can renew your spirits during times of stress. Going through a major life change? Frustrations and worries got you down? Here's how to make over your home using techniques designed for stress-free living.

In Times of Excess Responsibility... Seek Simplicity

When you are feeling exhausted and overwhelmed by responsibilities and obligations:

  • Clear obstacles from passageways.
  • Minimize collections and decorative details.
  • Combine light, neutral colors with the golden tones of natural wood.
  • Remove light-obscuring window treatments to fill rooms with soul-warming sunlight.
  • Replace wall-to-wall carpeting with natural pine, oak, maple or ash.
  • Choose lightweight, functional tables, shelves and seating.
  • Emphasize confident, straight lines.
  • Seek symmetrical, balanced arrangements.
  • Add the calming fragrance of cedar or marjoram.
  • Ensure that all doors and windows open easily, even if you never use them.

Photo by Brian Vanden Brink


Reprinted with permission from The Stress-Free Home by Jackie Craven, © 2003 Rockport Publishers, Inc.



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