A Home Like a Hug: How to design your new home as a sanctuary

Close your eyes, and think about what it would feel like to walk into a house that truly feels like home.

If done right, it can evoke feelings of safety, love, warmth, joy and relaxation. A place where you can be at ease. Where everything flows.

Your home can be a sanctuary. It can feel like the comforting embrace of a warm hug.

And when you incorporate thoughtful elements into your home design, your home can absolutely feel like that.

In this article, I’m going to share how you can transform your new build or renovation from four walls and fixtures, into a haven of tranquility and wellbeing - just like the very best hugs.

Designing Your Home as a Sanctuary

If you want your home to feel like a hug, here are some design elements you could consider incorporating into your plans.

Favour Warm and Inviting Materials

Warm and inviting materials create a sense of calm and comfort. Think about how you can include - 

Natural Materials


Incorporate natural materials like wood, stone, and wool into both your building and interior design. These materials have a calming effect and create a warm, inviting atmosphere.


Soft Textures


Soft furnishings, such as plush rugs, cozy throws, and comfortable cushions, can make your home feel like a comforting embrace. But it doesn’t need to stop there. You could also consider how you can incorporate soft textures into things like your walls, floors and fixtures (such as bench tops, taps, cupboards and doors).


Choose an Earthy Colour Palette:

Colour choices matter when you’re trying to create a warm and tranquil home environment. Earthy tones like browns, greens, and beige all create a serene and grounding ambiance.


Incorporate Abundant Natural Light into your home design

Natural light is an element that will add both joy and warmth to your home. It can also improve your mood, and your energy levels, so make sure you work with your architect to find opportunities to incorporate abundant natural light into your new build or renovation.

Some of the ways you can do this include - 


Large Windows


Maximise natural light by incorporating large windows that frame beautiful views.


Skylights


Skylights can bring in soft, diffused light, creating a sense of openness and connection to the sky.

Consider Biophilic Design


Biophilic design is about connecting you and your home with the natural world it exists in. Considering nature and the natural environment in which you live has many benefits and one of them is making your home feel more like a sanctuary.

To bring biophilic design into your home build, you can think about - 

Indoor Plants


Making space for indoor plants will help to purify the air, add a touch of nature, and promote a sense of wellbeing.


Natural Elements


Using natural elements like water features or stone accents will help you to create a serene and calming environment in which to live.


Create Flow & Tranquility with Spatial Design

Spatial design considers how your home flows, and implementing key elements from this approach will make your home feel just right.

Elements to consider include - 

Flowing Layouts


A flowing, open-plan layout can enhance the sense of connection and fluidity within your home.


Planned Entertainment Areas
To create the opportunity to connect and relax with your loved ones.

Reading Nooks


Create cozy reading nooks with comfortable seating, soft lighting, and plenty of books create a hug in one of its truest forms.


Meditation Spaces


Designate a quiet space for meditation or yoga, where you can unwind and recharge, connect with yourself.

Build Your Connection with Nature


Consider the other ways you can create flow, ease and warmth in your home by building a true connection with nature.

This includes things like - 

Outdoor Connection


Designing spaces in your home that seamlessly connect and flow to the outdoors.


Sound


Incorporate calming sounds like gentle music or nature sounds, by planning for sound systems throughout your home, and creating those naturally flowing outdoor connections.

Building a home that nurtures you, starts with your architect

By thoughtfully considering these design principles, your home can be made so that it truly feels like a hug, offering comfort, warmth, and a sense of peace and tranquility. 

But by far the most important factor, is designing your new home or renovation in a way that is in harmony with you and your family. And engaging an architect will help you to do exactly that.

At Bliss Architecture, I work with families to design a home that truly works for them and the way they want to live, while taking a sustainable approach to building and renovating. You can find out more about what it’s like to work with me here.