How to Create a Relaxing Bedroom Sanctuary (Without Moving to Bali)
Mood-Boosting Decor for Wellness at Home: How Newlyweds Can Turn a House into a Happy Place
Now that the wedding bells have quieted and the honeymoon glow is settling in, it’s time to start the next exciting chapter—making your house feel like home. Whether you’ve just moved in together for the first time or are merging two households into one, creating a space th
Bring Nature Inside
It is widely believed (and has been studied) that nature plays a critical role in emotional wellness. Greenery is perhaps the simplest way to introduce some nature into your life. Vibrant and living accents will increase mood and rescue stress. There are many plants to choose from via online stores such as leafenvy.co.uk, so you can infuse some organic wellness into your space. Try to place calming foliage in the places you use to the mist when you need to unwind.
Talking to newlyweds about this topic is like stepping into a jungle of good intentions and failed fiddle leaf figs. One couple I interviewed last year, Georgia and Max, laughed about their first housewarming plant—a monstera they named “Jeff”—that died within two weeks. “We overwatered it like we overdid our signature wedding cocktails,” Max admitted. They eventually learned that low-maintenance snake plants and pothos were more their speed. Plants became a symbol of their growth as a couple—learning, failing, and then thriving again. Personally, I’ve noticed how having a splash of green in a corner somehow makes your shoulders relax. It’s like your eyes say, “Hey, something here is alive, and it’s not just the cat.” There’s a reason Japanese designers embrace biophilic design—it literally connects us to life. Studies back this up too: indoor plants improve concentration and reduce stress levels (Healthline). The only catch? You have to water them. And name them, obviously.
Watch this to learn more about the plants you should consider:
Maximize Natural Light
Just feeling the warmth of the sun is enough to help you feel relaxed, calm and serene. If only for lowering energy bills, making the most of natural sunlight through double-glazed glass will keep a room warm and inviting. Skylights, large windows and sliding glass doors are excellent for capturing warmth and flooding your space with natural sunlight, which is also antibacterial. You may need to rearrange some furniture, but sunlight is pretty relaxing when you get it right.
Maximize natural light. Photo by Vlada Karpovich on Pexels.com
I remember walking into Lily and Theo’s new flat in Notting Hill and literally gasping. It was tiny—“cupboard with a mortgage” tiny—but it glowed. They had rearranged every piece of furniture to follow the light like sunflowers. “We don’t need a big space,” Theo said, “we just need to see the sky.” There’s something metaphorical about chasing the sun indoors. I’ve found this to be true in my own home too: when I opened up the curtains and swapped blackout drapes for sheer linen, it felt like I gave my mood a latte. Bonus tip—mirrors. Big, round ones. They bounce the light like disco balls for introverts. According to Harvard Medical School, exposure to sunlight helps regulate sleep and boost serotonin. But remember, more light also means more chances to see dust. So choose your battles.
Calming Colours for Wellness at Home
You’ve probably heard that colours are powerful mood boosters. The UK home decor market generates over £3.5 billion per year, and a lot of this is spent on paint and wallpaper as people look for the perfect tones to create their ideal space, like a cosy reading nook. If you are struggling to find colours that help you feel serene at home, earthy browns and neutrals paint is a safe option. These tones promote relaxation and complement natural materials and textures.
During a Zoom chat with Sam and Jules, a Brooklyn couple who painted every room in their new apartment a different bold shade, I asked why their bedroom was suddenly oatmeal-colored. Jules shrugged and said, “Turns out, sleeping in a tangerine room feels like you’re inside a traffic cone.” Lesson learned. They repainted it in muted sage and now call it their “sleep sanctuary.” There’s a whole psychology behind colour choice: blues promote calm, greens evoke harmony, and terracotta? Apparently, it makes you crave tapas. In my case, I once painted a wall black to be edgy. Spoiler: I repainted it two days later. According to Verywell Mind, colour affects everything from mood to decision-making, which means that the right tone in a shared space isn’t just aesthetic—it’s marital diplomacy in action.
Watch this reel for some inspo:
Organize and Declutter
Unless you have some serious storage space problems, there is a place for everything! And as they say, everything is in its place. A cluttered and disorganized home can be a reflection of a tired mind. Removing unnecessary items and keeping the place spic and span helps create a more serene environment and eases the mind, too. Sentimental items aside, throw out anything that doesn’t serve a purpose and invest in smart storage solutions from retailers such as Ikea.
This one hits close to home—literally. I once helped a newlywed couple, El and Drew, unpack their wedding gifts only to discover they had received seven identical cheese boards. “We have one for every mood,” El joked, as I tried not to trip over the sixth one. Eventually, they Marie Kondo’d the apartment, and it was like watching two people finally breathe. It’s hard, though. Our stuff tells our stories. But so does our peace. I learned that the absence of clutter is its own kind of décor—negative space that says, “We choose calm over chaos.” Decluttering isn’t just tossing junk. It’s choosing what belongs in your new life together. And if you need a nudge, read about the “clutter–stress connection” explored in Psychology Today.
Watch this video for some tips:
Create an Inviting Atmosphere
Every room should be inviting in its own way. However, funds might be tight, or maybe you just want one room where you can relax. This relies upon creating an inviting atmosphere that encourages serenity and allows you to disconnect for a while. Layered lighting can help you find a great balance between function and style. However, soft cushions, blankets and throws help sitting areas become cosy spots. Of course, candles and aromas help encourage relaxation.
If you ever want to see raw joy, watch two newlyweds unbox their first “adult” lamp together. Sam and Dani called me the night they lit their Himalayan salt lamp for the first time. “It feels like a warm hug from the universe,” Dani whispered. I’ve always thought the atmosphere of a room is like its emotional weather. You walk in and feel the forecast. A good throw blanket is worth ten therapy sessions. Candles? Little jars of mood magic. But be warned—some scents can turn a room from “spa day” to “cheap cologne store” real fast. I like using essential oil diffusers, especially lavender or eucalyptus, because they remind me of clean sheets and fresh starts. According to the National Sleep Foundation, scent plays a direct role in how deeply and peacefully we rest. So yes, investing in your home’s atmosphere is really investing in your shared emotional state. And isn’t that what building a home together is all about?
Watch this video for some more ideas:
Summary
Adding some greenery to your most-used spaces is a great start to decorating for wellness at home. Colours play an important role, and you can use earthy tones for an inviting space. Further to this, lighting, soft textures and even candles and scents elevate the calm experience.
at nurtures your well-being as a couple is key. From cozy lighting to mood-lifting greenery, decorating your new love nest isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about building a sanctuary that reflects both your personalities and promotes peace, joy, and connection. Here are some thoughtful ways to bring wellness into your shared space with mood-boosting decor.
