Experts Share Tips on Creating a Serene Space in Your Apartment

Your home is a place you come back to time and time again and it should feel cozy and peaceful. Sometimes, as we get caught up in everyday life, our home space can become just a background for all our activities. Rearranging the furniture, cleaning the space, and making sure we are creating a serene space in our apartments can make us feel more inspired by our homes.

In this article, we wanted to encourage you to transform your space and make it as welcoming and calm as possible. So, we reached out to expert designers and organizers to give us their top tips for creating a serene space in your apartment. Here’s what they told us.

Make Decluttering a Habit

A clean home will provide you with a great sense of calmness, but sometimes, our home becomes so cluttered that the thought of having to clean it is overwhelming. This is why decluttering can really help.

Heather Davies, Trained Professional Organizer of BirchTree Organizing, recommends that you follow a routine that keeps your home organized and makes it easier to clean regularly. She recommends the 2-minute rule. “Don’t put it down, put it away. If a task takes less than 2 minutes, do it right away. Procrastination and small, uncompleted tasks are the source of a lot of clutter and mess. Develop this simple habit and you’ll instantly save time and effort when cleaning because you don’t have to clear floors and surfaces before you can clean.” 

She adds some examples of 2-minute tasks: 

• Recycle junk mail immediately. 
• Hang up coats & put shoes away when you get in the door. 
• Put clothes in the hamper or hang them back up. 
• Put dishes in the dishwasher right away. 
• Put cosmetics/products you use away when done with them. 

“But, since we can’t always follow the 2-minute rule, do a quick 10-minute sweep at the end of the day to return items to their proper homes,” Davies told us. “To make it easier, keep a basket tucked away under a console table or in a closet to gather everything as you go so you don’t have to make multiple trips.”

Play with Color & Light

The team at Sierra Living Concepts shared that “creating a serene atmosphere in an apartment can be such a fun and therapeutic experience,” and we agree. They provided multiple tips on how to achieve it, including advice on cleverly using color and light. “Opt for calming shades like soft greens, and light grays,” they advise. “These colors are often associated with peace and can make a space feel instantly soothing.”

Especially for renters, it can be difficult to modify your home to make it more serene. So, relying on some easy-to-implement solutions is key. The choice of color for most of your furniture, artwork, décor pieces, and various trinkets can change up the look and feel of your home. Search for inspiration online and pick a color scheme that makes you feel especially calm.

“Lighting plays a pivotal role too. Instead of harsh overhead lights, think about getting soft, warm lamps or even string lights. They can make an evening inside feel like a cozy retreat.” Make sure you also include a variety of lighting sources, so that you can adjust the quantity and quality of lighting in your home. 

Get Inspired by Nature

Sonny Jelinek, co-owner of Jelinek Cork, told us that “one of the best ways to add serenity into a space is to bring elements of nature indoors,” and the top recommendation was to incorporate an otherwise overlooked material: cork. 

“Cork, one of the most sustainable natural décor materials, offers several benefits,” according to Jelinek:  

• Portability

Cork floating floor tiles can overlay many existing floors and are easy to relocate. Cork wall tiles, when mounted to a rigid backing, cause minimal wall damage upon removal, needing just screw hole patching. 

• Natural Aesthetics

Cork’s earthy look evokes an outdoor ambiance, and its patterns promote calmness, helping to reduce stress. 

• Acoustic Insulation

Ideal for those seeking tranquility, cork dampens sound, a particularly valuable trait in closely spaced apartments. 

• Soft & Comfortable

Cork flooring provides a gentler surface than hardwood or ceramic tile. Likewise, cork wall tiles offer a pleasing tactile sensation. 

• Eco-Friendly

Cork is a renewable material harvested sustainably without damaging trees. Renters who choose cork contribute to reducing their environmental footprint. 

• Hypoallergenic

Cork is naturally resistant to mold, mildew, and allergens, promoting a healthier living environment and overall well-being. 

Cork’s natural aesthetics, sound insulation, comfort, and health benefits combine to create tranquility. For renters, these attributes enhance both visual appeal and serenity within their living spaces.” 

Besides using natural materials such as cork, wood, or stone, one of the simplest and most straight-forward ways to include nature into your home is to use plants. The team at Sierra Living Concept gave us a few recommendations in this direction.

“Don’t underestimate the power of plants,” they said. “Even if you don’t have a green thumb, there are plenty of low-maintenance plants like snake plants or ZZ plants that can bring a touch of nature indoors. They not only purify the air but also add a relaxing, natural vibe to the space.”

Taking on the task of cleaning and then reorganizing your space can be a fulfilling and very enjoyable process. We encourage you to find the time, put on some good music, and take a look around you apartment. You will surely find something to move, clean, or change to create a serene space in your apartment. Enjoy!