Coming home to calm

The eventing life can be exciting, busy and non-stop sometimes, add to that competition nerves, early mornings, late nights and the responsibility of horse care  – it’s even more important to try to create an oasis of calm at home. The good news is that it’s easy to do and needn’t cost a fortune – we've put together some simple steps to get you started.


1. Banish mess – few things make the brain more befuddled than being surrounded by unnecessary items.

 

2. Establish what tidy means to you; for some it is absolute minimalism with nothing out of place. For others, a pile of magazines on the table is fine, but cushions must be plumped up and neatly arranged.

 

3. Colour is all-important. It doesn’t need to be boring, but it does need to be carefully chosen and built around shades that make you feel rested and secure. Neutrals are good, but so are slightly darker hues that invite you to unwind.

 

4. Lighting is an important consideration when it comes to creating the right atmosphere. Too bright and you’ll risk feeling startled; too dark and you’ll be irritated when looking for the remote control or your glasses. Table lamps and picture lights can help create varying levels of illumination and, in the sitting room, elegant swing-arm library lights can play a role in setting the mood.

 

5. If you work from home and are lucky enough to have a dedicated office, white works the best as a shade for both walls and desks. It is calming and helps to focus the mind.

 

6. Keeping clutter to a minimum is essential. Turn off paper bills wherever possible to minimise that awful build up of paper, keep essentials in a box and try hard to ensure your desk is tidy at the end of the day.

 

7. If your kitchen or sitting room doubles as an office, try to pack away as much as you can when you’re not working – it may be tough to relax fully if you’re worrying about that unsent email or call you need to make.

 

8. Fill your home with plants, pretty pictures or beautiful objects that inspire you.

 

9. For most of us, the kitchen is the heart of the home, so it’s a good idea to have a bi-annual kitchen audit, putting away gadgets which go unused, working out which cookware should be at the forefront and which can be stored in a cupboard until it is needed.

Click here for some smart storage ideas.