Life is busy enough without coming home to a space full of visual chaos. The right soothing hues can transform your home into a relaxing retreat from the stresses of the outside world. Whether you prefer airy neutrals or serene aquatic tones, here are 7 of my favorite destressing colors for creating your own personal sanctuary.
A soft, muted dove gray is one of the most versatile destressing colors. It immediately calms the senses, conjuring images of cozy fog and stone beaches. Benjamin Moore’s Edgecomb Gray is a beautifully subdued neutral that layers seamlessly with other furnishings and art. Use dove gray in a bedroom or living area to promote relaxation.
Prevent dove gray from feeling too icy by layering in natural elements. Try light wood flooring, jute rugs, linen drapes and ceramic lamps. Woven throws and rattan seating add organic texture as well. The mix of soft gray with cream linens and pale woods is the essence of tranquility.
For a cooling, beachy vibe, few colors are as serene as a pale aqua. Benjamin Moore’s Baby Mermaid conjures up images of sea glass and milky jade. Use this airy aqua in bathrooms, bedrooms or offices to cultivate a Zen atmosphere.
Enhance aqua’s relaxing essence by adding natural coastal textures. Incorporate weathered teak wood, linen drapes, woven seagrass and jute rugs. Accent walls with white driftwood shelves holding ceramic vases and sand-colored candles. The mix of watery aqua and organic neutrals is soothing perfection.
For a comforting, enveloping feel, few colors beat a warm, organic sand tone. Sherwin-Williams Nurture evokes sun-kissed desert vistas and adobe dwellings. Use this rich neutral in living spaces, bedrooms and offices.
Prevent sand tones from feeling bland by layering natural elements. Jute rugs, seagrass baskets, cotton throws and linen drapes enhance the earthy vibe. Distressed wood furniture and ceramic accents also complement the warm sand color. The mix of textures in cream and timber are deeply grounding.
Sage green has natural stress-relieving abilities with its associations to trees and meadows. Benjamin Moore’s October Mist is a beautiful muted sage that conjures images of misty mornings among the oak trees. Use it in bedrooms, offices or living rooms.
Compliment pale sage walls with natural wooden accents. Try oak end tables, timber side chairs and woven hampers for an earthy feel. Dark wood flooring grounds the space, while jute rugs add cozy texture. The blend of soft green and organic neutrals is deeply relaxing.
Crisp whites can feel sterile and cold. Warm them up with an organic ivory that feels like sunlit linen. Benjamin Moore’s Baby Fawn is a beautiful slightly creamy white that’s soft and soothing. Use it anywhere you want a bright neutral mood.
Ivory’s relaxed vibe pairs beautifully with aged elements. Try a distressed wood dining table, antique metal lanterns and custom etched mirrors for layers of texture. Macrame wall hangings and woven throws enhance the soothing feel. The blend of ivory, cream and antiqued natural pieces feels warm and welcoming.
Lavender is known for its relaxing, sleep-enhancing qualities. Sherwin-Williams Roccoco Romance is a beautifully muted lilac that mentally transports you to a spa. Use it in bedrooms, bathrooms and living spaces.
Make the most of lavender’s zen vibe by using plush, sumptuous textures. Velvet bedding, embroidered pillows, silk drapes and cashmere throws enhance the mood. Floral oil paintings and gently flickering candles amp up the spa factor even more. The blend of hazy lavender and luxe textures is extremely soothing.
For spaces where you want to promote clear thinking, blue-gray is scientifically proven to have a calming effect. Benjamin Moore’s Grant Gray is a beautiful granite blue-gray that feels steady and tranquil. Use it in home offices, kitchens or bathrooms.
Prevent stone blue-gray from feeling too cold by pairing it with bright white trim. Crisp molding and baseboards keep the look light and airy. Stainless steel fixtures and nickel hardware enhance the modern mood. The blend of blue-gray walls with white and sleek metals is both focusing and destressing.
And breath!
Life contains enough stress without our homes adding to the chaos. By thoughtfully incorporating soothing hues that promote relaxation, you can transform your space into a personal sanctuary from the stresses of the outside world. Try pale aquas, warm sands, misty greens and tranquil grays to cultivate that blissfully destressed feeling.
Dale is the colorful mind behind HuetifulHomes.com, where he shows you how to create a home that is as fun and fabulous as you are. He has a passion for color and a knack for DIY, with years of interior design experience he shares his tips and tricks on how to create a home that reflects your personality and style. He believes that color is the key to happiness, and he wants to help you make your home more Huetiful.
