Ready to step away from the screen and get your relaxation on? In this post, Sarah Hastings, from RW4Y, shares her top tips for turning your loft space into an oasis of calm.  

How often do you find yourself glued to a screen? If the answer is more than you’d care to admit, you’re not alone. Over lockdown, we spent an average of 45 hours a week watching TV and online streaming services (Ofcom). But now that the country is making the slow and steady return to normality, it’s time to shut down the screens and put your well being first and there’s no better way to do this than by creating your own zen room. Read on to find out how to turn your loft space into a tranquil, tech-free retreat. 

Perfect your colour scheme 

After staring at a screen for hours, you’re pretty much guaranteed to experience eye strain. A great way to shake off this discomfort is by taking a break in a light and airy room. Not only will finding the perfect colour scheme help your tired eyes, but it can boost your mood too. Warm colours like orange and yellow bring a sense of comfort, while cool colours like blue and green induce a sense of calm (Verywell Mind). 

To convert your loft into an oasis of zen, opt for these cool and light colours. If you need some inspiration, Tranquil Dawn, is a subtle light green shade that’s incredibly calming and easy on the eyes, too! Pair this shade with light coloured furnishings and blinds to maximise the tranquillity of the room. 

Do what you love 

Fall in love with your zen loft by making it a space for your hobbies. Doing your favourite activity will distract you from any temptation to reach for the tech, and it’ll help you unwind after a stressful day too. Yoga, pilates, and meditation are popular relaxing activities that are beneficial for both the body and the mind. Or, if you want to take it easy, unwind with a cup of tea and a good book. 

If you’re up for something a little bit different, try out a new hobby. Your light and airy loft is the perfect place to try something creative. Activities like painting and drawing are great stress relievers (Healthline), so they’ll help you achieve that zen vibe. 

Let the light in 

Step away from the artificial light from your phone and head up to your zen retreat to get a dose of natural light. Introducing natural light to your loft will open the space up and make the room much more inviting. With the addition of sunlight, you’ll also be able to keep houseplants and give the space a more natural feel. And as an added bonus, exposure to natural light is great for your health too (Healthline). 

To let in as much natural light as possible, opt for roof windows on the side of the house that gets the most sunlight. Roof windows let in a lot of natural light, and they’re easy to look after too. The window should be installed around 120cm above the floor, as this will give your loft the most light, and you’ll be able to appreciate the view. And to make life easier for yourself, install electric blinds so that you can open and close them with just the touch of a button. 

Maximise your space

As previously mentioned, a light colour scheme is great for relaxation, but it’s a way to make the room seem larger too. You should also go for large windows to fill the room with natural light. If you want to make the space feel more open and airy, balcony windows are the way to go. 

Looking to make your life a little more zen? Tune into The Zen Den With Scott on Wellbeing Radio to immerse yourself in the world of wellbeing.