By Holly Bossung

Our senses have a major impact on our everyday lives. The objects we touch, sounds we hear, scents we smell, things we eat and visuals we see all play an important role in the way we feel and experience every moment. Let’s talk aesthetics. I may be biased but I believe our surroundings and the built environment (i.e our visual sense) may take the cake as one of the most crucial of the five. Not to say I don’t believe they’re all equally important! Just that if we sat in a silent room with no food and no particular scent scattered about the space, we’d truly be left with all that we see (the room) and touch (the chair we’re sitting upon). 

Being more mindful of the surroundings you create and the spaces you inhabit can go a long way in enhancing your well-being. It can also allow you to live with intention (who doesn’t want that?). So, without further ado, below are five ways to visually enhance your every day. 

1. TIDY UP:

Yep. The most basic tip of all… tidy up. There’s nothing that will bring you down more than a messy space to visually throw off your whole vibe. Just put in the time and the results will follow! Take 10-20 minutes of your day to put things away, clean the dishes, put the dirty clothes in the hamper (you don’t have to do the laundry… just hide it). Try to reduce the clutter. Sometimes the secret to being a clean/tidy person is visual trickery. Also, there’s a difference between being tidy and being organized (in my book). Being tidy is a mask, being organized is being clean to the core (aka marie kondo life). If you prefer to be organized (which I highly recommend) props to you! If you just like to reduce the mess, props to you as well. At least you’re keeping your visual sanity at bay (that’s all I’m really asking for).

Vanity Tray - Lava & Bone  < Shop

Reza Baskets   Shop >

Taj Pedestals  < Shop

2. LET NATURE IN:

The benefits of bringing Mother Nature into your home (or office or whatever space you frequent) are too great to be ignored. Design that connects us to nature is proven to inspire, boost productivity and contribute to a stronger sense of well-being. Whether you prefer plants or flowers (or both), create space for them in your surroundings. They add a touch of visual loveliness to any room they adorn. 

Pilea Peperomioides < Shop

Watering Can Pearl Shop >

Orrefors Carat Small Vase  < Shop

3. ELEVATE SPACES:

Our daily routines and rituals involve objects and items that can sometimes be visually… unappealing. With that being said, I strongly believe that the spaces we inhabit the most and the objects that we use endlessly deserve the most visual attention! If we see them and use them often, they should be appealing to us. For example, I recently swapped my basic store-bought olive oil and apple cider vinegar bottles for more aesthetically pleasing options. Why? Because I use them everyday. They also sit on my countertop (so I see them all of the time). I thought, “these should be sexier.” So I made an upgrade and it made all of the difference! Other ways this same idea applies:

• In your bathroom (great hand soap goes a long way)
• In your kitchen (a stunning fruit bowl)
• In your closet (all matching hangers… you can thank me later)
• Your coffee table (coffee table books + candlestick holders are always a good idea)
• Your bedside (flowers + a good candle = a match made in heaven)
• Your workspace (the right accessories make all the difference

Glass Bottle and Custom Label < Shop

Kirsten Perry Large Pleated Bowl by LES Collection  < Shop

HG Original Candle Shop >

Live Beautiful coffee table book by Athena Calderone  < Shop

4. PLAY ON LIGHT:

• Open your blinds as soon as you wake (all of them… let as much natural light in as you possibly can)
• Use your recessed ceiling lights as little as possible 
• If your only light sources are from table and floor lamps in the evening, you’re doing something right. 
• Candles are a source of light and also tap into your sense of smell, use them!

Akari 1N Light Sculpture < Shop

Panthella Mini Table Lamp Shop >

Pomegranate Noir Scented Home Candle < Shop

 

5. PERSONAL TOUCH:

Visually appealing spaces are relative. What’s appealing to the eye for me may be completely unappealing to you. That’s why it’s important to be mindful of what you love. It’s important to bring your unique touch into your surroundings! Small personal visual cues that excite and entice you make all of the difference. Maybe that’s a painting from a friend hanging over your workspace or a mug from a special place that brings back a lovely nostalgic feeling. Whatever those personal visual cues are, bring them into your surroundings. Pull them into the spaces you frequent. Your own unique touch is what makes the spaces you inhabit more intimate and, well, you.