How To Create The Right Ambiance In Your Home*

*This is a collaborative post*

A home should be your haven, a place of refuge that you can escape to no matter what sort of day you've had and as such creating the right ambiance in each room is essential! Whether your taste is for all things bling or alternatively pendant lights and cosy furnishings, adding the little touches to your interior design can really help to create a room filled with character, atmosphere and mood.

Let texture play its part

Forget matching your cushions to your curtains because textures around the home need not be uniform. If you're after a relaxed cosy setting then don't be afraid to play around. Many textures marry well irrespective of their feel or material. Mirrors and glass objects are a good accent to any texture or if you're looking to create a brooding feel then consider rich, dark veneers. Silk upholstery along with velvet floor length curtains brings a softer touch and why not also incorporate hints of aged brass and copper?

Colour your home pretty

Yes it's true, colour has long been associated with our feelings and can indeed influence our mood. You'll no doubt have your own particular favourite colours which make you feel happier and as such you may want to incorporate them in your interior design plans. However, before you consider introducing colour to any room you'll need to assess the size of each space. 

Adding dark colours to a small space will only make an area seem smaller. If your kitchen is small, opt for lighter shades not just on the walls but also when considering the cabinetry as this will make the kitchen appear more spacious. If you're someone who follows trends then try personalising your space by adding splashes of colour to an otherwise pale palette. Lovers of all things unicorn will love the latest ‘Unicorn-inspired’ trend as featured on Ideal Home. Think glossy white kitchen units teamed with pale pinks and blues and even glitter wall paint. Larger open plan kitchen diners can pull off darker hues as they can take a stronger palette without the room feeling too restrictive or oppressive. According to House Beautiful, dark blue cabinets are set to be the most popular colour choice for modern kitchens this year.
The second factor you’ll need to consider is the lighting in each room, so, consider where and how natural light may shine. Of course the personal palette will vary from client to client and it's important for kitchen designers and interior designers alike to use their expertise to help their clients make informed choices about colour schemes. Bear in mind that if you opt for hand painted cabinetry, you'll also have the chance to experiment with changing trends. If you're still unsure then do your research. I personally love Pinterest and it's a great platform if you're looking for inspiration. Before you do commit to an idea or colour scheme, why not play around with a physical mood board? This will really help you to visualise your end design. Start by cutting out pictures from magazines and pay a visit to your local DIY store for wallpaper samples. When putting ideas together, keep a few questions in mind such as How do I want to use this space? What impact will lighting have on these colours? Or What is the psychology of this colour? 
Always try to start with the largest rooms in the house as these are likely to be your most centrally located rooms and all other palettes will branch off from here. Paint the larger rooms in a bold colour, and work around the home either complementing the first shade, contrasting it or matching with a soft, neutral hue.

With each colour, comes a different mood as it helps stimulate a particular feeling:

• Pink: connotations of love and peace – suited to a restful space in the home, such as the bedroom.
• Red: connotations of passion and danger – suited to a warm, sociable environment such as the dining room.
• Orange: connotations of stability – suited to a lively space in the home such as the living or dining room.
• Yellow: a warm and positive colour – suited to a bright and lively space such as the kitchen or dining room.
• Green: a calming colour resembling nature – suited to a restful space such as the bedroom or living room.
• Blue: a calm, soothing colour – suited to a cool and relaxing space such as the kitchen, bedroom or bathroom.
• White: a bright colour opening up a space – suited to a light and airy environment such as kitchen, bedroom or bathroom.

Lighting can make all the difference

Don’t underestimate the impact of lighting. Bear in mind that we carry out various tasks and activities in each particular room and as such each room will require a different type of lighting. What works for you in the kitchen isn't necessarily what you'd want in the bedroom. You also don't have to stick to just one type of lighting per room, in fact it's vital that you mix it up if you want to achieve any sort of ambiance. Take the living room for example. This is an area which would perhaps be dedicated to watching TV. You'll want ceiling lights of course but possibly on a dimmer so that the right light can be achieved not just throughout the day but also in the evening when the curtains are drawn. One corner may serve as a dedicated reading spot; if so, then a floor lamp that provides a softer light closer overhead will make a world of difference.

Pendant lights are a great investment for the kitchen and plinth lighting is also a clever way to add warmth as well as a focal point to the design. This has a particularly striking effect on an island, giving the illusion of ‘floating cabinets’.

If you're on a tight budget then you can still improve the ambiance in your home by using room sprays, scents and candles. Even these little inexpensive things can completely transform how a room feels. Hopefully this guide will give you some ideas but remember that there is no right or wrong, simply choose what feels right for you and your home. 


*Photos via Pexels 

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