Creating a Room of Comfort For Less Stressful Living

Have you ever entered a room and immediately felt “at ease?” Now let's consider the room at the opposite end of the spectrum. The room that for one reason or another you just can't relax in. When you enter this room, you may feel “out of sorts,” or maybe just “not comfortable.” Perhaps you've heard of the concept of “feng shui?” Feng shui means in the literal sense, “wind - water,” and traditionally symbolizes the space between heaven and earth, or in other words, “the environment that we live in.” The underlying philosophy recognizes that we, and our environment, are sustained by an invisible, yet tangible, energy called “chi.” Chi moves like wind, but can become trapped like water and stagnate.

Whether you believe in the concept of feng shui, practice by design the concept of feng shui, are just learning about feng shui or don't care two hoots about feng shui, the concept of designing a room for comfort is something I think everyone can relate to.

That was my challenge one year ago when I decided to redecorate my little girl's room. She and her big brother go to Ohio to visit with their grandparents every summer for two weeks. I seized the opportunity to transform her room as a surprise for her arrival home. Mandy's bedroom was no different than all the bedrooms in the house, it was nice, clean and had white walls with a decorative border at the top where the walls meet the ceiling. It embodied little personality and was nothing special.

In considering a decorating scheme, I first considered Mandy's personality. Mandy was seven years old. She is a bright, cheerful, energetic and very creative child. It was important to me that I consider just what kind of room would make her feel warm, secure and happy. Ironically, at the same time, the Better Homes and Gardens magazine was sponsoring a room decorating contest. Since I knew this would be a major “re-do,” of this particular room, I decided to take a chance and enter the contest. I ultimately decided on a “fairy garden” theme, (see the picture above) complete with a white picket fence, hand-painted bright flowers on the walls, clouds on the ceiling, multi-colored wallpaper on two walls, a custom window treatment (made by my sister) and dozens of glow-in-the-dark stars painstakingly hand painted on the ceiling.

With before and after pictures in hand, I promptly entered the contest. I was notified on May 12 that I had indeed won third prize in this contest. I won in the Decorating/Private Rooms category. I felt it was quite an accomplishment to be chosen as the third prize winner out of the thousands of entries the judges received. That joy is only shadowed, however, by the joy I feel every night when I snuggle my little girl in her warm, bright, flowery comforter -- surrounded by “good dream” fairies -- and she asks: “Mommy, will you make the stars come out tonight?”

It is important to feel comfortable and relaxed in your surroundings. I have since redecorated my son's room and the master bedroom as well, making them havens of comfort from the outside hustle and bustle of life. My son's room is done up in a techno-Americana type theme. The master bedroom resembles a room one would find in a banana plantation. These rooms seem safer and more secure with color added to the walls, and personal items proudly displayed in prominent positions.

You do not have to be a feng shui consultant to design a comfortable space, nor do you need a lot of money. Sometimes the most comfortable spaces are those that promote the “simplicity” of life. Certainly, my little girl's bedroom is not one of those simple spaces, but again, look at what is right for you, consider the personality of all the individuals that will be sharing the space, ask them for their input and help.

Here are some quick tips for creating a comfortable space in your home:

Room size and budget: Be reasonable. There is nothing more stressful than going over budget, going into major debt or ordering something that looks ridiculously out of place in a room.

Colors: Did you know that different colors on the walls can elicit different emotional responses of the occupants? The most calming colors are the cool greens and blues. Earth-tones will help make you feel “grounded” and less anxious. Hot colors, such as bright pink and yellow can make you feel happy and energized. Bright colors are usually best suited for a child's room as they have plenty of energy and can usually “unwind,” in almost any environment.

Flooring: This is where I like the simplicity. Something durable and easy to care for. If you have pets, you may opt for the sealed hardwood floor or a laminate. Tile is pretty, but if the grout lines are not properly sealed and cared for, it can become very stained and unsightly. Carpeting, no matter how expensive, will wear out and need to be replaced.

Stuff: Here is where you can be as simple or complex as you want. If you are attempting to have a balanced room by feng shui standards, you will need to bring in all the elements of wood, water, earth, fire, and metal. Here is a link to understand better this design philosophy: http://www.fengshuitips.co.uk. Remember, “stuff,” can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want it to be. It can be something as simple as a framed drawing from one of your children or an expensive print from a well known artist. My advice, don't clutter a room with a lot of stuff that really doesn't mean anything to you. I wouldn't stick something in a room, just to impress my friends or family. The stuff you have should be the stuff you like and the stuff that makes you feel good.

 For example a water fountain can be very relaxing, bath salts in a tub of warm water with a few candles or the wonderful aromas of essential oils dispersed by a diffuser.

Happy Decorating!