Ways to refresh your home this autumn to engage all five senses
When the seasons change, it's a good time to refresh your home décor. But did you know that your interior design can appeal to all five senses? Here Hayley Baddiley from ceramics brand Denby shows you how to engage all the senses with your interiors this autumn.
Autumn is a wonderfully sensory season, full of unique sights, senses, sounds and smells. The colours of the changing leaves and the sound of the rain are recognisable features of this time of year, and let us know that a new season is here. So, it's the perfect time to revamp your home to make it pleasant for all your senses, using the time of year as inspiration.
Not only is this a fun activity, but it can also make your home more relaxing. Recently, the Royal Institute of Architects conducted a survey that found 31% of respondents thought that improving their home's design would help them relax more. This is a great opportunity to turn your home into a comfortable, calm haven as the winter weather sets in.
Here's some ways that you can add to your interiors to make them sensory and relaxing.
Sight
The first sense we think of when planning our interiors is of course sight — we want our rooms to look beautiful, and to create a relaxing atmosphere. Use lighting and colours to evoke positive emotions and create a sense of calm. Neutral, calming colours can be used on walls and woodwork to brighten a room and enhance natural light. Warmer colours can be used to make a room feel cocoon like. Pick out your favourite colours, and use shades that you find soothing.
Add house plants to your décor to bring a bit of the outside into your home, as more greenery can help improve wellness and even air quality as a bonus. Dried flowers can also add a natural aesthetic, without the hassle of regular watering.
Sound
When contemplating how to bring aural elements into your décor, think about what kind of sounds you enjoy. If you have a home sound system, it could be ideal to have some calming background music or a podcast playing throughout the day, or you might consider some small speakers that you can move around the house. If you find natural sounds relaxing, consider moving your furniture nearer to the windows so that you can hear the wind and rain — the perfect cosy combination when reading on an autumn afternoon.
Touch
Touch is much more important to the design of our homes than we might think at first — we tend to concentrate on how everything looks, but how everything feels is equally as important. So, incorporate soft, varied textiles into your interiors for maximum cosiness this autumn. Wool rugs and textured throws are an ideal option for this, as are silks and cottons. In general, you should aim for organic fabrics rather than synthetic ones, as these will be softer and bring a natural feel to your house.
Taste
Many people have rediscovered cooking throughout the pandemic, as working from home has allowed us to spend more time in the kitchen. Autumn brings with it plenty of seasonal produce that we can explore in our recipes, so try using pumpkin, turnips, and carrots to create warming, hearty meals. Maximise taste by adding herbs and spices, and make it fun by trying out new dishes.
Treating yourself to some new plates, bowls, and mugs can also refresh your kitchen and encourage you to spend more time cooking. Stoneware ceramics are a classic choice that will look stylish in seasons to come, plus they feel pleasant to use too.
Smell
There are lots of ways you can incorporate scents into your décor, and it can be extremely subtle or more overt depending on how you're feeling. The most overt way is to get a diffuser, which you can choose soothing scents for such as lavender, aloe vera, or various other mixes. This is a great relaxation tool, as it allows you to have a little aromatherapy whenever you want.
For something that stays more in the background, try having nicely scented plants throughout your rooms. Herbs are a great choice, as they smell beautiful and can also be used in cooking. Mint, basil, lavender, and rosemary will all give your kitchen a nice sensory addition.
Autumn is a sensory time, from the changing landscape to the smell of the crisp air we experience in this season. So, it's a great time to refresh our interiors and make our homes into havens of wellbeing and relaxation. Follow our tips, and you'll be on your way to having a home that engages all your senses to create a calm atmosphere.
