Your home is your private abode. If you haven’t found one, it’s time to start looking. It’s your safe retreat to rest and recharge after a crazy day at work. How you feel when you step into your home lays the foundation for the rest of your evening, so why wouldn’t you want it to be the most mood enhancing environment as possible?

We all know Toronto is a wild land that offers exhilarating nights out and intellectually stimulating events, which is great and we love TO for that. But, it also comes with polluted air, loud marketing, and an endless stream of social interaction. It comes with a constant undertone of urgency that lingers throughout the day. These things are draining and exhausting if you aren’t recharging yourself properly. A major key to letting go of the daily buildup of stress is to rest in a peaceful environment: your home!

We’re going to lay down some strategies to easily transform your Toronto apartment into a peaceful oasis. We’re going for full sensory immersion here, folks.

1. Scent is a powerful influence when it comes to creating a home of serenity. It’s also one that many people are not often aware of, unless there are some cookies cooking in the oven. Stay clear of intense and artificial perfumes. The chemicals aggravate your body which leads to subtle feelings of discomfort.Choose natural scents to fill your home, like lavender and mint, which are both known for their calming properties. Bring flowers into your space in the spring and summer months, or otherwise keep the windows open to let fresh air fill the space.
2. Visual appeal is the first thing that many people first notice about their space when they walk through the door every day. Maybe you can relate to how amazing it feels when you walk in the door and a loved one or roommate tidied the space? Keep the visual appeal of your home top notch by putting in the effort to keep organized, clean, and tidy. The more clutter free you keep your home will lead to you feeling better.
   It’s also important that the art you use to decorate means something to you. The associations we make with objects have a way of inspiring different memories and emotional responses. Don’t keep anything in your home that makes you feel sad, angry, or generally upset when you see it. This will only serve to keep you stuck in negativity. When you feel upset, you’re definitely not feeling at peace. If you choose pictures purely for aesthetic value (like buying a mass produced painting because it would look good in the living room), it won’t make you feel as great as something you bought while travelling or received as a gift, but if it doesn’t make you feel bad then it’s an alright choice.Here are some decor tips to help you further liven up your space.

   Tip: colors are your friend.

3. Sound is another big one. If you take a moment to sit quietly and practice listening, you will discover many layers of sound buzzing and beeping and humming throughout your home. These sounds often come from fridges, clocks, air condition and heating systems, computers, and so on. It’s easy to notice these sounds when they turn off and you suddenly feel like the room as become more weighted and something just feels better as a result. If you can, try to get quiet electronics and appliances. You can also play quiet music, use fans for white noise, or unplug certain electronics whenever you are not using them.

   Classical music? Classy place.