Family home constantly in chaos? Kids always running around and shouting? Dog decided to take up barking as a national sport? You might think your place can never be the soothing sanctuary you want it to be – not until the kids head off to college anyway – but you know what? That might not be true. Here are nine design hacks to help you create more calm in your family home.
1. Zones, Zones, Zones!
One of the easiest ways to scale back on sibling bickering (or roommate “discussions” about who ate the last of the cereal) is to create specific “zones” in your home for different activities. Think homework zone, play zone, reading nook, game console corner—whatever suits your family dynamic. By clearly delineating these spaces, you’ll cut down on the number of times someone says, “Mom, he’s in my spot!” or “Dad, she’s touching my stuff!” A well-labeled, well-structured home layout makes it easier for everyone to find a place to do their own thing. Bonus points if you can do it without turning your living room into an IKEA showroom.
Design Tip: Use lightweight bookshelves, folding screens, or even cleverly positioned furniture to separate one area from another. You don’t have to build new walls—just give each zone a bit of visual definition. You’ll be amazed at how a few strategic furniture moves can transform chaos into calm.
2.Color Your World (But Keep It Chill)
We’ve all heard that color affects our mood. So why does your home still feature those lime-green accent walls from your “I need to be bold!” phase? Consider swapping out harsh, hyper-saturated shades for softer tones. Think gentle blues, soothing greens, subtle grays, or even warm neutrals like beige and taupe. These colors won’t just make the space look bigger—they’ll also create a tranquil atmosphere where arguments feel out of place (notice I said “feel,” not “become impossible,” because let’s be real—family squabbles are unstoppable forces of nature).
Design Tip: If painting entire walls sounds daunting, start small. Swap out those wild throw pillows for subdued ones, or roll out a rug in a color that whispers “peaceful retreat.” Little changes can make a big difference.
3. Embrace the Magical Art of Decluttering
Ever wonder why show homes in magazines look so calm? It’s partially because they barely have anything in them except artfully arranged fruit bowls. While you don’t need to live like a minimalist monk, tidying up can do wonders for creating a sense of peace. Fewer objects lying around means fewer visual distractions, which can help everyone feel more relaxed. Plus, it reduces the risk of stepping on Lego bricks in the middle of the night—truly a life-changing benefit.
Design Tip: Involve the whole family in a “one in, one out” policy for toys, clothes, and random knickknacks. Every time something new enters the house, something old (or unused) has to go. It’s a sneaky way to keep clutter under control without inciting mutiny among the small humans.
4.Smart Storage: Where Form Meets Function
Speaking of decluttering, let’s talk storage. Maybe you’re thinking of cheap plastic bins shoved under beds. Sure, that’s an option—but wouldn’t you prefer something that doesn’t scream “this is where I hide the mess”? Look for storage solutions that blend with your décor and actually look, dare I say, stylish. Wicker baskets, built-in shelves, ottomans with hidden compartments, or benches with lift-up seating all provide sneaky spots to stash clutter.
Design Tip: Labeling can also help. When everyone (kids included) knows exactly where items go, you’ll spend less time rummaging for that rogue pair of scissors or the TV remote that inexplicably ends up in the dog’s toy basket.
5. The Softer, the Better: Invest in Textiles
Hard surfaces—tiles, wooden floors, echoey ceilings—may look sleek, but they can wreak havoc on your attempt to create a tranquil home. Why? Echo, echo, echo! Sound bounces off these surfaces, creating a noisy environment where every drop of a spoon can feel like a mini explosion. Combat this by incorporating soft materials throughout your space. Plush rugs, thick curtains, velvety cushions—any textile that helps absorb sound waves and keep the decibel level down is a winner.
Design Tip: Layer different fabrics for maximum coziness. A fluffy rug in the living room plus long, heavy drapes can do more than you realize to tame the chaos—and might even muffle those early-morning stomp sessions from the room upstairs.
6. Lights Out (or At Least Turned Down)
You might not realize it, but lighting has a massive effect on your home’s mood. Harsh overhead lights can make everyone feel edgy or on display, like they’re in a police interrogation scene. Softer, diffused lighting, on the other hand, can help people chill out—and maybe even stop rummaging through the fridge for midnight snacks (no promises, though).
Design Tip: Replace bright white bulbs with warmer, softer-toned LEDs, and incorporate floor lamps or table lamps for more gentle illumination. Dimmer switches are your new best friends. Control the brightness based on the time of day or your family’s mood—like turning things down when it’s reading time before bed.
7. Harness the Power of Nature
Nature soothes the soul—just ask anyone who’s ever found themselves hugging a tree in an emotional meltdown. Bring a piece of that serenity indoors by adding houseplants or fresh flowers to your home. Not only do they look lovely, but they also help clean the air. Let’s face it: with kids running around, you can use all the clean air you can get.
Design Tip: If you’re not exactly blessed with a green thumb, start with low-maintenance plants like snake plants or pothos. Place them near windows to maximize sunlight, and voilà—you’ve got yourself a living, breathing décor element that fosters peace and good vibes.
8. Soundproofing: Not Just for Rockstars
Okay, so maybe you don’t have the budget to turn your home into a professional recording studio. But small soundproofing hacks can still make a difference. Consider weatherstripping around doors, sealing off gaps in windows, or even using door sweeps to block noise from creeping in under door frames. These little fixes might not eliminate every decibel of sibling squabbling, but they’ll certainly reduce the outside street noise—or the neighbor’s barking dog that always seems to join your Zoom calls. Oh, and if your windows are really old, talk to Renewal by Andersen Windows about getting them replaced.
Design Tip: Area rugs and large wall hangings also act as sound dampeners. Make your home décor do double duty by choosing items that look good and help hush the hustle and bustle.
9. Music to Your Ears: Curate a Soothing Soundtrack
Whether your family’s jam is classical guitar, soft jazz, or that dreamy whale-song track you found online (hey, no judgment), a low-volume background soundtrack can set a calm tone. It might feel counterintuitive—adding sound to reduce chaos? But gentle music can mask minor household noises and help everyone unwind. It also subtly shifts the vibe from “there’s a meltdown brewing” to “huh, maybe I can just take deep breaths instead.”
Design Tip: Stash a small speaker in a common area like the living room or kitchen. Keep a couple of playlists on standby for different moods: one for relaxing, one for focusing (kids doing homework?), and maybe one for those morning tasks where you need a tiny boost—but not so much that everyone ends up dancing on the countertops. Unless you’re into that sort of thing.
Your home might be bustling with kids, pets and visiting family members, but that doesn’t mean you can’t carve out a little peace for yourself.
