Design your home space with ‘me time’ in mind
While a night out with friends or an intimate dinner with a significant other can make for a lovely evening, we don’t need to leave the house to have a grand time. It turns out we’re not alone in this homebody preference, and there’s even a name for it. According to the Well + Good 2017 wellness trend report, “nesting is the new going out.” Many millennials are blacking out their calendars and dialing back their social lives in lieu of “me time.” Pinterest researcher Larkin Brown told Well + Good that selfcare searches are up 121 percent.
“People are prioritizing personal comfort and a more casual approach to quality time with friends,” Brown says. “‘Girls’ night in’ is trending upward of 35 percent year over year. Next year’s going to be all about recharging.”
If this sounds like your idea of fun, here’s how to decorate your own cozychic space for many a stylish night in. Living room: Whether you’re planning a quiet solo evening or casual gathering with friends, set the scene with mood lighting. No one wants harsh lights overhead when they’re trying to relax. A pendant lamp will filter soft, ambient rays across the room and infuse a sense of calm. While a sectional sofa and chairs are obvious picks for seating, you can also offer alternative arrangements with a layered rug or a pouf that allows guests to get comfortable. Throw pillows are also essential to ramp up the comfort factor. Bathroom: The bathroom is where nesting goes next level. Make sure your “me time” here is spent bathing in luxury. Timber furniture and decor will add muchneeded warmth and bring the outside in. Surround yourself with hanging plants to cleanse the air and filter out any negative vibes, and then slip back into your free-standing tub, while a grand chandelier hangs above. Of course, not all of us have a space like this, so add in the elements your bathroom allows. Bedroom: If you want to escape the world, then your boudoir is the perfect space. It’s our safe haven and personal sanctuary when we need a retreat from it all. To maintain a mellow mood in your bedroom, only add the essentials; too much clutter is likely to stress you out. Make sure you have a soft rug, a plant beside your bed and a textured wool throw for warmth and style. Kitchen: If you love to cook, then your kitchen is a key space to indulge in some quality self-care. It’s an arena where you can cook a new meal to refuel your soul or boil the kettle for that second or third cup of tea. Have a designated space to stack your favorite cookbooks, a timber chopping block on which to prepare your culinary experiments and a couple bar stools for your friends. Entryway: While the entryway is touted as a space to welcome guests to your home, it should also reflect the things that bring you joy. Create an entrance that makes you sigh in relief upon stepping foot inside. Add a stylish pendant lamp or an artistic wall hanging, and put some of your favorite things on display. Welcome back, homebody.