There’s a lot to do every single day, and finding the time to just relax as a family can feel tricky – it can actually feel pretty much impossible a lot of the time. But what if you had a really cosy, comfortable, lovely space to relax in together? It could certainly help, and it might make it easier to unwind. And it can be done – you don’t need to change everything, and you don’t need to do a massive renovation or spend loads of money. Instead, you just need to think about how you could turn your living space into a fantastic chill-out zone. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more. 

Photo by Tiger Lily

Start By Making It Comfortable

Nothing is going to be more relaxing than having a comfortable place to relax in, and that means having soft, comfortable textures all around. You could start with oversized cushions and big, chunky throws, for example, and that’s going to make things better immediately. And what about investing in a new sofa that’s big and squashy and lets you really sink into it? Doesn’t that sound great? 

Other ideas include a big, soft rug so that your feet are always cosy and comfy – and if you’ve got little children (or pets), they’ll have a soft place to spend time playing or dozing without you having to do a lot to make it happen. 

Get The Lighting Just Right

If you’ve got harsh, bright lights in the room, it’s really not going to make things right for relaxing and chilling out. You’re actually going to need soft, warm lighting instead, and that can change everything for the better once you sort it out. 

Switch your colder, whiter bulbs for warmer, yellow ones, and add some extra lighting like lamps, candles, or fairy lights so you can mix and match and pick the best level of lighting for whatever it is you’re doing (watching TV is going to need different lighting to reading or playing games, for example). Dimmable lights are another great option for the same reason, and making the most of natural light when you can makes a lot of sense – upgrading with Window Nation replacement windows can bring in more natural light that will give you a brighter, more inviting space to spend time in. 

Have A No-Tech Zone

Every family is different, but if you can manage without screens and your downtime revolves around doing other things, like playing games, reading, or listening to music, that’s great – it’s good to take a break. If that’s something you’d like to do but haven’t quite got there yet, one way to help it happen is to have a no-tech zone (or a no-tech time if getting rid of all the screens isn’t possible). 

You can make a corner of the main room completely tech-free, for example, and fill it with books, board games, and comfy seating, where everyone can unwind without any distractions. Even if you’re only able to set aside one evening a week without screens, it can make a massive difference in how connected you can feel with your family – and it could even end up being something everything looks forward to most.