When planning your home setup, most people go about designing their living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens etc. But most either forget or never even think about factoring in one we feel people need the most – the room or space to relax, a room to chill out. Think of it as your very own sanctuary where you, your family, and close friends can just cool off and relax away from the stresses of day-to-day life. Creating this calming area in the comfort of your own home is reasonably easy. All you really need is to find an appropriate area in your home and decorate it to your personal taste. Here is a small guide on how to get started.
A Space That is TV Free
For the best possible “chill-out” experience, we highly recommend keeping the area or room completely TV free. Instead spend the time listening to music, playing board games, reading, or anything else you prefer. You might be surprised at just how much more relaxed you feel with no real screen-based electronics to distract you.
Find Your Space
The first step to creating that perfect chill-out room is to find the perfect location. Keep an eye out for a place in and around your home such as space next to a nice big open window or poolside pavilion, a room with an adjacent balcony, a space under the stairs, or maybe even that odd-shaped open hall you have upstairs or that one obscure room with an odd, apparently unusable, alcove.
Deck it Out with Comfy Furniture
The most important thing for a chill-out space is comfort. So comfy furniture should be your absolute priority. From sofas to hammocks, your options are practically endless. Here are a few ideas to help you get rolling.
Sofas and Armchairs
Look for both wider sofas and armchairs that’ll permit you to really kick back and relax. Decorative pillows make for the perfect addition to sofas.
Day Beds
If you have a large window to capitalise on, a custom-fitted and installed day bed will be near perfect. Complement it with comfortable cushions and perhaps a throw rug.
Chaise Lounge
A cheaper alternative to a custom day bed would be a nice chaise lounge. With a little bit of searching, you could easily find one that is just as comfy as a day bed.
Recliner
Few chairs are as relaxing as a well-made recliner. Couple it with a nice reading lamp, a good book, and some tea and you have your perfect evening just waiting for you.
Stools and Beanbags
These are relatively inexpensive, extremely comfortable and make for perfect additional seating for you and your friends to just relax together and maybe even play a board game.
Hammock
There is no rule that says you can’t use a hammock indoors. So why not give it a try, it could just be what you were looking for all this time.
Your Reading Nook
Your favourite chair, a small side desk, a comfortable reading lamp is practically all you will need to make a perfect reading nook. However, with a little effort, it could be so much more. If you have an unused alcove in the house, or within the chill-out room you are already decking out, you can put this to good use by installing bookshelves and a cushioned seating platform. Couple this with the three aforementioned items and you have yourself a perfect reading nook for you and a friend, complete with a mini-library.
Perfecting Lighting
When it comes to lighting, don’t rely on just one harsh overhead light; mix it up with multiple dimmed down or diffused light sources. Some carefully positioned floor lighting, hanging pendant lights, side lamps, candles, electric diffusers can do wonders. Looking to splurge a bit? Why not invest in a mini indoor planetarium or maybe try your hand at designing your perfect light panel setup.
Audio
Sometimes, nothing can be more relaxing than just chilling with your friends while listening to your favourite tunes. The warm, organic sounds of vinyl are perfect for a chill-out room, making a turntable, coupled with a pair of decent speakers, a great option. If not, just any decent stereo setup will do just fine.
Make the Space Your Own
Decoration has a huge role to play in your chill-out space. It can go a long way in setting the mood just right, so make the most of it. A nice rug on the floor, your favourite indoor plants, your personal collection of vinyl records, a nice bookshelf filled with your favourite books; pretty much anything to make the space distinctly you.