Page 22 - Decor & Lifestyle 2025 Issue 1

LIFESTYLE
SANCTUARY AT HOME:

Designing Spaces That Restore

The Deep Breath
Early morning. A hush still clings to
the air. Sunlight filters gently through
a sheer curtain, scattering soft gold
across the walls. Bare feet press into
warm timber flooring — not cold, not
sharp — just grounding. The kettle
hasn’t boiled. The phone hasn’t blinked.
For this one moment, the world waits.

This is the breath before the doing.
The space between.

This is sanctuary.

In a time where life hums with
constant urgency, the idea of home
as a place of rest is quietly radical.
Sanctuary doesn’t always mean
silence or solitude — it means being
held, in the right way, at the right time.
It’s the art of creating spaces that
soften the edges of a hard day. That
let your shoulders drop. That remind
you who you are, beneath the noise.

The Science and Soul of
Space
Design affects the body long before
the mind catches up. According
to environmental psychology and
neuroscience, certain spatial cues can
trigger a relaxation response almost
instantly. Natural light regulates
circadian rhythms, improves sleep,
and boosts serotonin levels. Views
of greenery — even framed through a
window — reduce stress and promote
clarity. Order helps the brain process
information more efficiently, leading
to an increased sense of control and
wellbeing.

But the magic happens where science
meets emotion.

Colour, for instance, is more than
aesthetics — it’s atmosphere. Soft
sage or misty blues can quiet an
overstimulated nervous system.
Warm neutrals and earth tones evoke
groundedness and security.

20 | DÉCOR & LIFESTYLE Issue 1 2025