Your home is a personal refuge and represents a little piece of who you are. It’s where you can switch off from the rest of the world, relax, and take care of yourself. After a turbulent few years, it’s more important than ever to feel secure at home.

Canberran Instagrammer, Gina Ciancio @stylecuratorau, shares with Canberra Daily her top five ways to reclaim your home into a safe sanctuary.

Tap into colour psychology

Colour has been proven to affect your mood and the way a space can make you feel, so try to immerse yourself with calming, soothing colours that evoke a relaxed and safe ambience.

“Neutral colours, such as oatmeal and soft grey tones, represent purity and set a sense of calm. Or you can tap into colour psychology to embrace a colour for the mood you want to set in your home,” Gina says.

“For example, yellow represents happiness, while blue is the most tranquil colour on the spectrum. You can implement colours on a large scale, with a fresh coat of paint, or through decorative accents like scatter cushions.”

Incorporate natural materials

Artificial materials can cause a sense of unease, and although they may be more affordable, they sometimes aren’t as beneficial to us in the long run.

“Natural materials, such as furniture and décor made from wood, stone, jute and linen, connect us with nature and create a more soothing environment,” Gina says.

Establish new self-care rituals

Self-care shouldn’t be complicated or expensive and can be deeply restorative during stressful times.

“It could be as simple as taking time out to enjoy a good book and a cup of tea, stepping out into the garden, or running a bath. Self-care is simply a way of taking time out for yourself to do something that makes you feel good – to nourish yourself,” Gina says.

“These small adjustments to your environment can see it become a stress-free sanctuary once again and help increase your feelings of emotional safety. Plus, it’s a great excuse to style up your home!”

Embrace scent

Scent can have an impact on your mood in a similar way colours can, so filling your space with a calming scent or one that gives you an ‘ah, I’m home’ nostalgic feeling is a great way to make you feel safe.

“Aromatherapy is another powerful way to create a sense of sanctuary at home. Using candles, diffusers or burning essential oils in grounding or stress-relieving scents work on a subconscious level to make us feel at ease,” Gina says.

“I particularly love the uplifting grapefruit and cardamom notes of this ‘Citrus Spice’ soy candle from Early Settler.”

Reduce work and stress triggers

The pandemic has influenced the way many people have utilised their homes, including turning spare bedrooms into offices during the work from home era which can blur the lines between personal life and work.

“It’s time to create healthy boundaries and turn our homes back into the sanctuaries they once were,” Gina says.

“Do this by packing away work materials and doing what you can to minimise electronic use, such as turning off notifications.”

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