What Is Slow Living?

In recent years we have seen more home owners adopting “slow living” in their homes. As the name suggests, slow living is a lifestyle which encourages a slower approach to aspects of everyday life. Some call it a trend but really it is a lifestyle that celebrates the little things in our everyday life that make us happy or content.

Slow living is not just about making our home aesthetically pleasing. It is all about creating an environment where you can retreat from the outside world, where you can relax and enjoy yourself – a true haven.

The events of the recent years have given our homes several new meanings – perhaps your home is now also your place of work. Yet, the most important meaning of our home is that they are a sanctuary for our wellbeing. It is important to embrace this meaning so our homes remain comfortable and peaceful where we can slow down and relax.

Adopting a slow living lifestyle may be beneficial for both home sellers and home buyers as people are more likely to buy a house where they feel calm and can see themselves enjoying their lives.

We put together a list of things you can do to achieve a slow living style in your home even if you are thinking about selling it.

1. To embrace slow living, the leading house designers urge you to look around and get rid of unnecessary things that clutter your home. Less really is more, having less stuff around makes your space feel cleaner and more peaceful. Besides, if you are putting your house on the market, you will have less cleaning to do.

2. “Hygge up” your home. Hygge (‘hue-guh’) is the Danish way of living. It is all about enjoying little things of your life which make it comfortable and cosy, like a scented candle or a cup of hot chocolate. Whatever works for you, slow down and take time to enjoy it. If your house is on the market, potential buyers will truly appreciates the calming vibes of your home.

3. Consider colours carefully. The slow living style runs simultaneously with the ever-growing focus on colour psychology about which we wrote in one of our previous posts – Colour Psychology To Help Sell Your Home. 

Slow living means staying away from strong intense colours. The palette of neutral shades is very rich and you will easily find “your” colour. Let the natural light in – it is essential to create a relaxing Hygge space. Natural light make your room look more spacious and lighter if it is painted in neutral shades. Take advantage of natural light wherever possible. 

To celebrate the style further, it is recommended to use natural fabrics, such as linens and wools. Open the curtains during the day and place mirrors opposite sun-facing windows. It will make you feel more awake and energised and is excellent for reducing stress.

Whether on the market or off the market, house buyers will be able to see the potential of a house that is decorated in neutrals.

4. Embrace varied style. Furnishing with antiques is becoming more and more popular. It is one of the most playful ways to embrace individuality in your home and also to embrace the slow living style.

You do not have to spend thousands on expensive pieces of furniture from high end antique shops. Check your local boutiques or car boots in the summer – there are plenty of beautiful items, many of which will not need restoring. No matter where this item comes from and how expensive it is, there should be a contact between the old and the new to create a pleasant environment.

5. Think “sustainability”. The use of natural materials in creating slow living home promotes sustainability and wellbeing. Owen Pacey, the founder of Renaissance London, urges you to embrace ‘the natural imperfections and inconsistencies’ in organic materials – whether that is through a marble fireplace or a small wooden coffee table.

Reused items make your home unique and cosy. Placing various pieces of furniture around the house, you can create areas where you can either energise or relax. Adding natural plants will help unite with outside, which is one more element of slow living. 

6. Choose artwork carefully. It is beautiful to have art that is meaningful to you and make you feel relaxed and happy. But do not cram every wall with art. Choose large statement wall art to anchor the room visually. Then dot smaller pieces around different parts of the room – this helps create interest without overcrowding or overwhelming the eye with too much detail. Busy walls will make rooms look smaller which could influence the decision of potential house buyers. 

Give slow living a go. If you feel overwhelmed with the chaos of the outside world, following our tips will help you create a slow relaxed home you have been dreaming about.