Home should be, and can be our sanctuary. Sharing about the importance of nurturing the environment we live in is likely one of my top five passions. The environment we're in, whether it be work, home, or even vacation, must evoke a sense of harmony. When we stay in hotels or bed and breakfasts I often rearrange the space to increase harmony if necessary. Otherwise I am unable to rest. We're not all like this, for example, my husband isn't, but I see how it has impacted his life, and he notices the subtle changes, and appreciates them.

Our homes, regardless of how they are, will infiltrate our senses. The taste, the smell, the sound, the feel, and the sight.

Sound

I love all of the creative home decor ideas on Pinterest that show how to display a record player. Personally, I love the sound of old albums playing on a turntable, it's lovely. We don't typically purchase newer albums, but rather choose to play vintage albums that are more true to their album era. One of our greatest comforts is playing 40s era Big Band on a Saturday morning with our coffee in hand. It's both soothing and energizing.

The sounds we cultivate in our home can dramatically affect our peace. We do have television on, more than we should, but we do keep the volume low, unless we're all together watching a movie. We no longer go to bed with television in the background, and use a white noise machine for rest. On rainy days, where the rain is light, we crack the windows to listen. Consider the sound, the noise, and always aim to create peace.

Taste & Smell

Our homes can often not smell so great, home fragrance can help, but can also be harmful to our health, and cause headaches. Essential oils are helpful, and lead-free, soy, essential oil-based candles are a great help too. And never underestimate the powerful, and wonderful aroma of a fresh pot of coffee, or a batch of muffins out of the oven.

Piles of dirty laundry, the accumulation of food waste, and windows that are never opened are probably some of the greatest contributors to a poor smelling home. And what we smell does affect our tastebuds, our appetite, and our rest. To display some house plants throughout the home will greatly support the circulation and creation of cleaner air.

Sight

Color, pattern, and texture all play together and affect our senses. First, filtering through our sight, and eventually reaching our emotions. Clutter when spotted likely creates an unrest in the soul, especially over time. Consider the ways in which color impacts your own family, perhaps your home needs a few more cheerful colors, or perhaps it needs less cheerfulness and more muted tones.

It's rather interesting the visit all of the varying showrooms in IKEA and assess which spaces provide you with the greatest sense of peace. Note the colors, the tones, the textures, and the patterns.

Feel

What we feel in a home can be both figurative and realistic. For example, you may have to visit the AC repair shop this summer to bring the temperature in home down a bit. A home that this too warm in the summer can make everyone irritable, and finding a temperature that supports comfort throughout the day, if you're home, is important. In the evening, your home should be cooler, we all sleep better in cooler air if we have suitable blankets.

We also want to feel cozy. Throw blankets, pillows, and soft rugs help our homes to feel less sterile, and more comfortable.

These points, while they may be quite obvious, are helpful when determining how to re-design a space. If you're wanting to remodel your bedroom, consider your five senses, the purpose of the room, and what your preferences are, and allow these to guide your decisions.