A Mindful Home – interiors ideas from Kike Pawlik

Our interiors expert Kike Pawlik gives you the lowdown on how to make your abode a place of peace and serenity: a mindful home

At this time of year, when the cold and dark conditions mean that we are spending more time indoors, it’s a great opportunity to turn your home into the ultimate chill-out zone.

I am sure you’ve come across the Danish word “Hygge” that has exploded in popularity around the world. It is not just a word, but a lifestyle and an idea to create a more mindful home as well as calming interiors that nurture mind and body while ensuring that spaces are still functional.

We can feel inspired by the Scandanavian way of living in many aspects but did you know that Scotland has their own version of Hygge called “Còsagach”?

Denby sets from Marks & Spencer

Cushions, £30-£35; throw, £140, both at christy.co.uk

A philosophy which implores you to escape from the hustle of life by spending more time in a mindful space, it prioritises creating a sense of calm, unity and flow that has has a huge impact on our mental health. Unsurprisingly, a great place to start is in our homes.

Look around your room carefully and edit your belongings. Everything in your house needs to have an emotional or practical benefit, thus earning its space in your house.

Record player, £74.95, cuckooland.com

Mini mug, £7.50, Daisy Park

Be mindful of clutter taking over your home. If it makes you feel great, then keep it. If it doesn’t work for your space or it doesn’t suit your needs, get rid of it. Sell it and buy something that really works for your home.

Once you have amended your space accordingly, then start moving things around your home. It is really fun and refreshing. It can be like having a whole new house just by switching things around.

Cookware from Marks & Spencer

lights4fun.co.uk

A bedroom cushion can look great on your sofa. A table in the hallway could look amazing in your bedroom as a dressing table. Make sure there are spaces around the home where you can take a breather, escape the daily chores and reset.

A corner can be transformed into a comfortable nook with soft cushions and throws which you can decamp to with a good book, a glass of wine or even just a cuddle. 

Cushion, £9, Wilco

Candle, £5, B&M

Styling our homes in new ways is not just about fulfilling our physical need, it is also to achieve relaxation and balance that benefits health and wellbeing too. It is not only about things, but touch, smell, and taste. Colours are a great tool for lifting your mood.

The right paint shades can make you feel filled with joy and happiness, while the wrong colour can turn the tone of your home into dark and depressing. Take your time to discover what colours most impact your moods.

Before you go to bed, try to tidy up your space – put the dishwasher on, fold your laundry, clean a table, fluff up the sofa cushions. Leave little behind so you can wake up fresh in the morning.

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Lots of touchy-feely fabrics can instantly transform a cold space into the calm and cosy home. Put on some gentle music, light the scented candles. Making these little changes can create areas of safety in your home and will help you to feel ready to face the day anew. 

A mindful home is about an atmosphere and an experience. It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of comfort and shelter. A feeling that we are safe and protected.

Give your space good vibes! So, after a long day you can wholeheartedly sing the words of Edward Sharpe and proclaim that “home, let me come home, home is wherever I’m with you…”

For more from Kike Pawlik, follow her on Instagram. All prices correct at time of publishing.