How to Create a Tranquil Retreat With Paint Colors
Create your own tranquil retreat room through a simple process, which in itself can be relaxing. Remember that peaceful rooms are usually painted in more subdued colors, sometimes even in pure neutrals; however, it is up to you to decide which colors are the most pleasant and tranquil for you. Simplicity is key in a tranquil retreat, which makes creating that space even easier. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Paint roller
- Paint roller frame
- Paint tray
- 2-inch paint brush
- Drop cloth
- Paint for ceiling in flat or satin sheen
- Paint for walls in satin or eggshell
- Paint for trim work in semi-gloss
- Faux finish glazes and sponges (optional)
- Throw rug (optional)
Instructions
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Cut out pictures of tranquil rooms from magazines. Choose pictures that evoke a sense of peace in you or that make you feel like you could relax in that space. It does not matter if the room is a kitchen, bedroom or den, as long as the colors, furniture and decorations inspire you.
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Clear out the space you want to use for your retreat. With clutter and furniture moved out of the area, you can easily create your tranquil room.
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Choose items from your home that you would like to go in your retreat room. Find items and furniture similar to the ones found in your clipped pictures from step one.
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Buy a few items to complete your tranquil retreat space if necessary.
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Borrow color ideas from the furniture, patterns, pillows and decorations you decided to put in your tranquil retreat room. Any color that makes you feel relaxed can help create your space, but often, earthy neutrals or soft blues and greens create a feeling of tranquility. You can also choose colors from your cut-out photos to use in your space.
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Decide whether you want to use more than one main color for your room. Painting a few walls one color and another an accent color works well. Or paint two walls one color and the other two a different color. Whatever palette you choose, make sure the colors evoke a sense of peace within you even if they do not fit the stereotype of typical soothing colors.
Consider a faux finish, which can help "create a more intimate, airy or warm atmosphere," according to How-to-Faux-Finish website. Many home improvement stores hold free faux finish classes where you can learn different techniques.
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Select wall paint in eggshell or satin sheens, and ceiling paint in flat or eggshell. Less glossy sheens "impart greater warmth and depth to surfaces than flat paints," according to Bob Vila. Try semi-gloss sheen paints for trim work.
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Paint the ceiling a color in the same family as your main color, but a few shades lighter, or in a color recommended by your local paint store specialist. If you have high ceilings, use the same color you used for your walls; if you want to create a sense of light in a room, choose a lighter color.
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Paint your walls with your color selections.
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Paint trim.
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Tie together paint colors and furniture with a throw rug.
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Decorate your tranquil retreat with the items you found around your house or that you purchased. Typically, a tranquil space is free of too much clutter, so just a few items are all you need. If you are on a budget, consider imitating some of your favorite artwork.
Consider using elements of Feng Shui design as you decorate your retreat room. (See Resources.)
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Tips & Warnings
Relaxing colors are subjective, so choose ones which you feel give you a sense of relaxation and peace.
