Living should be a holistic experience. This is especially important when it comes to curating your own space. Aside from aesthetics, the full experience of living in your own space is just as important. You should be able to enjoy your space to the fullest.
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to decorating, but the goal should be creating a space that brings you the most joy and comfort.
Here’s how you can incorporate the elements of your senses to make your dream space.
Sight
Everyone’s visual and aesthetic preferences are different, but it’s universally agreed upon to tap into what you like to see. Creating a visual palette of the colors you like can help you decide on what type of furniture or decorative elements you should include.
Light is also another important consideration in making your space as comfortable as can be. If possible, skip out on the harsh office lighting and go for warmer tones (around 2,700 to 3,000 watts for dim light and 3,000 to 4,000 watts for warm white light). Adding accent light fixtures like lamps are also another easy way to create ambiance.
There are tons of inexpensive light fixtures with dimmable settings that can add a cozy dimension to your space. Smart bulbs have also gotten a lot cheaper online, which means you have the ability to change the color of your light fixtures to fit your mood.
[READ: No sun, no problem: These plants can thrive in low light conditions]
Finally, adding a plant adds freshness to your space. Greenery can be calming and help freshen the indoor air. If you don’t have a green thumb though, no problem. You can always go for dried plants instead of the real deal. Dried eucalyptus is a good option because it’s still green and doesn’t require much maintenance.
Smell
Scent is probably the most underrated way you can level up your space. Aside from scented candles and aroma diffusers, room sprays are a great way to distribute scent.
Switching up scents can also help you throughout the day. Going for a refreshing scent like lemon and eucalyptus in the morning can wake you up and get your day going. At night, you can opt for a warmer and cozier scent like fresh linen or amber to help you fall asleep.
Going for natural cleaning supplies can also help you avoid harsh chemical smells that tend to linger in places like kitchens and bathrooms. Adding deodorizers to your closet, shoe rack, and storage spaces can also help you avoid the musty smell that comes with time.
You can also DIY your own room scent by boiling some leftover citrus peels with vanilla and some cinnamon.
Sound
Depending on where you live, sound can make or break your space’s peace. Living in the city is plain noisy. The sound of traffic, construction, neighbors, and maybe even karaoke can seep through your door and disturb you. Adding a foam seal to the frames of your doors and windows can help dampen the sound coming from the outside.
If you like white noise, playing some storm or drizzle sounds from your phone or laptop can also help drown out unwanted sound.
If all else fails, just blast your favorite playlist and try to ignore the rest of the world.
Touch
Texture actually plays a big role in how your space comes together. It goes without saying, comfortable bedding is a must. Whether you like your pillows big and fluffy, flat, or dense and structured, you have to cater to your personal preference.
Different thread count sheets also make a difference. The rule of thumb is that the higher the thread count, the softer it can feel. Good sheets can often range between the 300 to 500 thread count, but again, it’s all a matter of preference.
Other textural choices you can make are tapestries, carpets, rugs, and decorative pillows. Carpets and rugs can feel nice to walk on, and they also help distinguish areas from one another. Decorative pillows can honestly be unnecessary, but it can come in handy when you have guests over. You can also freely cuddle them without worrying about it getting dirty and sleeping on it later.
While all of these things are admittedly high maintenance and possibly expensive, they’re still options you can splurge on if your budget allows.
Taste
While you can’t taste a specific area or room, you can definitely still incorporate your sense of taste in making a space that you’ll love. How? By adding snacks, of course. Stocking up on your favorite snacks and drinks for easy access adds to the whole enjoyment experience.
If you’re into coffee, you can also make a coffee area with all your equipment. If you frequently have guests over, you can store small candies or snacks in jars or containers that they can easily access. If you’re a snacker, having a designated snack area in the spaces you’re usually in (like the living room or your office space) can make it an even bigger delight to be there.
Honestly? The possibilities are endless.