Feng shui was a nineties interior design craze based on the ancient Chinese tradition that literally translates as “wind-water”. It underwent something of a resurgence in the mid-2010s.
Now, though, there’s a new kid on the spiritually orientated block.
Amid rising living costs and political upheaval at home, global unrest, and the existential threat of climate change, Brits are looking to their homes to provide some much-needed tranquillity.
Enter “house hushing”, an organised exercise in decluttering and “noise” reduction that claims to instil a sense of calm into any home, and even improve your emotional wellbeing.
So, what does house hushing entail, and could it help to quieten the mental maelstrom in your cluttered home?
The science of house hushing
It makes sense that a calmer space should lead to a calmer life. Busy classrooms filled with bright colours and a collage of wall displays can make it harder for children to concentrate – especially those with sensory needs. The same applies to adults.
Clashing colours or jarring shapes can affect our ability to relax or focus on the areas that matter.
Untidy spaces can also clutter our brains. We might feel subconsciously compelled to tidy up, creating a mental nagging sensation that destroys our ability to concentrate. Likewise, the unnecessary stimulus could create the perfect conditions for procrastination.
House hushing can help to reorganise a space, creating a softer, quieter, more relaxing environment, which clears headspace and helps us to feel less stressed.
And there are some simple steps we can all take.
3 top tips to hush your house and improve your emotional wellbeing
1. House hushing isn’t just about noise, but our home’s colour palette too
The colours we choose for our home’s walls are a matter of personal preference, but too many bright colours or jarring contrasts between rooms can create visual noise.
Warm, neutral colours – generally red and yellow-based – can create a calming cosiness, helping us to relax physically and mentally.
Greens, meanwhile, evoke nature and the tranquillity of the great outdoors. The natural world has the power to calm us while improving concentration and reducing anxiety – it’s one reason why green social prescribing is advocated by the NHS.
Earthy greens can help to reconnect you to the outdoors, while warmer shades give you the cosiness of indoors.
It’s important, though, to think carefully about your palette. Try to keep it similar within an individual space and consider the transition between adjoining rooms to avoid a jarring or clashing of colours.
2. Shape and texture play an important role in softening spaces
Round edges and soft fabrics can also help to tone down inharmonious spaces and, in the case of thick fabric, muffle the noisy movements and reverberation of a family home.
Deep-pile rugs, thick curtains, and velvet cushions can all help to dampen the sounds of footsteps on the stairs or the whir of a noisy fridge. Throws and cushions are a great way to layer up different materials and complementary colours. They’re also cosy and perfect for sinking into after a busy working day.
But an abundance of soft fabrics doesn’t mean you need to turn your rooms into padded cells.
Use soft materials in conjunction with harder natural ones like wood and stone. These enhance one another, while the natural elements help to mirror the connection to the outdoors that you have created with your colour choices.
Sharp, clean edges might look great in a state-of-the-art stainless steel kitchen. In the right environment, these sleek lines instil a sense of order and calm, but this won’t work everywhere.
Consider countering sharp edges and angular appliances with rounder, softer shapes. These can offset angular design features and bring much-needed softness to a hard space.
3. Physically declutter by ensuring everything has its place
A room filled with our possessions can be cosy and homely, but the line between this and clutter is a thin one.
You don’t need to wait until spring to declutter your home.
Think carefully about the items you have in each room. Some will likely serve a definite function or have sentimental value. You might have others, though, that you rarely use or whose provenance has long been forgotten.
Give every object in your home its own place and then recycle anything that doesn’t have a natural setting.
You might find that a more minimalist approach helps to declutter your house and your brain.
Get in touch
Whether you’d like to declutter your finances, want to drown out the “noise” of stock market fluctuations, or need reassurance on the performance of your investments, we’re here for you. Contact us now to find out how our Chartered financial planners could help you.
