How to Create a Laidback Home to Relax in

One of the most important things about a Laid-back home is having a space that is both warm and welcoming. You want your guests to feel at ease and at home as soon as they step in the front door and the best way to do that is to make the space feel casual and not ostentatious.

 

There are different tricks that you can use to achieve the laid back vibe in your home and they are below:

 

I love to shop vintage and the more worn the item is the better. There are 2 advantages to this. Firstly, you don’t have to be too precious with it because it’s already had a few knocks and scrapes on it and secondly, the aged or worn look brings that laid-back casual vibe you want to achieve. By introducing modern and contemporary looking furniture into the mix, you modernise the feel of the space so it doesn’t feel outdated.

 

When you use colours that look and feel natural, you create a more casual vibe in your interior. I’m talking about really deep muddy colours that look and feel like you’ve been walking through a forest. Lush greens, muddy browns or earthy blues. Pair this against a palette of black and white and you will have a nicely balanced palette.

 

We all want more storage for our things however, overdoing a space with built-in storage can make it feel clinical because everything is hidden behind cupboards. The key is to have a nice balance of things you can hideaway and things that you display. For example, I have one cupboard in my studio that houses my printer and stationary, then I also have a long/tall bookshelf where I keep all of my design books which are constantly on display and accessible. I also have baskets of varying shapes and sizes scattered all over the house to store different items from sacks of rice to throw blankets.

 

Plants of any shape and form will bring life to your home. The thing with plants is to put them in containers that you would use outside also. This brings the outside in which creates a casual feel. The natural colours of plants work nicely with the Earthy/Muddy colour palette and if you don’t have a green thumb it’s perfectly ok to just use cut flowers or introduce botanical references such as prints, art or even wallpaper into the scheme.

 

It speaks for itself really, you want to have furniture that you can lounge around in, sleep on and snuggle with the family on cold winter days. Comfort is very important.

 

You want a casual space to feel like it’s been created organically over the years, mismatched chairs or art in different frames in varying sizes. If you match the colour of the rug in the same colour as the curtains and cushions, it creates a very flat interior with little interest. It’s better to have a restricted colour palette of between 3-5 colours for the entire room rather than have everything the same. This way, your room will be more interesting yet feel harmonious at the same time.

 

If you want to create a laid-back home, it’s important to have a mix of textures. For example, my reception has a concrete worktop, Rattan Chair, Exposed Brick wall and Marble coffee table. All different textures but still work well together.

 

And finally, don’t be precious and appreciate the time you have with your guests in your home. After all, there’s no point in having a beautiful interior if you are constantly worried about marking that velvet sofa. It’s all about spending time in and enjoying the space after all. I find that the more relaxed I am in a space, the more I want to stay home and enjoy it.

 

Why don’t you try some of these tips and see what happens?

P.S. If you would like to get some help with design ideas and inspiration with a community of supportive home-loving people, please feel free to join our Facebook Group –Interior Advice & Home Decorating Tips – The Laidback Home.  In this group, we will provide you with support, inspiration and ideas for how you can create your own Laidback Home.