How To Ground Yourself at Home: Reclaiming Calm After Summer Adventures

Raise your hand if you love summer — we’ll just assume there’s a resounding “Me! Me!” echoing from backyards, swimming pools, pickleball courts, and beaches everywhere *wink*. 

Between family vacations, outdoor concerts + movies, and the general feeling of bliss that comes with sunny days, there’s so much to love about summertime.

Still, as much as summer offers exciting adventures, it can also be a tad exhausting, urging us to be on the go 24/7. But if you can learn how to once again ground yourself in your home, it can help you reclaim your peace and prepare for what’s next. Because let’s face it, autumn isn’t without its challenges (we’re looking at you, lunchboxes and backpacks *wink*!). 

So, the more you can turn to your home as a safe space, the more prepared you’ll be for every season. 

At Elegant Simplicity Interiors, we aim to help families create elegant sanctuaries that serve as spaces of calm amid the joy and chaos of daily living. With grounding design choices, your home can be a powerful tool for promoting tranquility, rootedness, and well-being after a topsy-turvy season. Let’s get into it!

The Post-Summer Drift: Why We Need To Re-Ground

Somewhere between your latest road trip and backyard barbecue, you started to feel a bit off balance. And suddenly, you’re longing for the feeling of stability and comfort that comes with getting kids to bed before 9 p.m. and doing absolutely nothing on a Friday night.

We get it, friend. It’s common to feel a little off-kilter after periods of travel, entertaining, and shifting routines. Left unchecked, this “post-summer drift” can lead to:

• Mental overwhelm as your mind juggles chaotic sleep schedules, unpredictable plans, and financial pressures from summer expenditures 

• Physical fatigue despite the fun that comes with travel, pool days, and keeping kids busy at home

• Subtle feelings of disconnection from your treasured spaces (when was the last time you sneaked away to your favorite reading nook *wink*?)

The good news is that the remedy for these challenges is right under your feet — and all throughout your home. When you’re rooted in home, nothing and nobody can steal away that feeling.

Key Design Choices for a Grounding Home

You may be familiar with physical grounding, which involves making direct skin contact with the Earth. Research shows that this practice can connect you with the Earth’s healing energy, reducing stress, inflammation, and pain while improving sleep, circulation, and vitality.

We believe the same principle applies in your home. Grounding design lets you set up your spaces for calm, meaningful connection, and mindfulness — the equivalent of putting your bare feet in the grass.

Here are some ways to turn your home into an anchor, beautifully curated to encourage feelings of groundedness, even when life is hectic.

Natural Materials

Let nature do what she does best, friend. Incorporating organic elements like wood, stone, linen, wool, and cotton will reconnect you with Mother Earth. These materials not only look beautiful but also whisper a quiet, grounding energy. Their soothing textures, calming hues + minor imperfections invite us to slow down and just be. Ahhhh.

Calming Color Palettes

With that lovely foundation of earthiness in place, now it’s time to layer in color thoughtfully. As we discuss in this blog, the science of color tells us that different colors impact our emotions in unique ways. The right colors may even ease anxiety + stabilize blood pressure.

To bring a sense of calm to your spaces, accessorize with soothing neutrals, soft greens, muted blues + rich earth tones. After a vibrant summer filled with bright yellows, oranges + reds, these shades will soothe your overstimulated senses and reduce visual noise. 

Strategic Lighting

Harsh overhead lights? No, thank you *wink*. Lighting is your home’s mood-setter, so use it wisely. Maximize natural light during the day — open, airy curtains will do the trick. At night, turn to lamps, dimmers, and layered light sources to keep things cozy and calm. As with calming colors, that soft glow does wonders for your nervous system.

Intentional Decluttering & Order

You know we couldn’t go a whole blog without talking about organizing! After a summer of go-go-go, your home may have gathered its fair share of “stuff.” Clear surfaces, tidy zones, and intentional systems can instantly help you feel in control and put your mind at ease.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, these summer organizing tips can help reset your space and ease you into the fall season. Digital clutter weighing you down? Grab our Digital Decluttering Kit to lighten the mental load.

Sensory Layering

Grounding your home should be a multisensory experience, friend! The right textures, scents + sounds can all help you feel rooted in home. A few of our favorite tricks include:

• Layering in textures like velvet, raw wood, ceramic, and chunky knits

• Introducing natural scents like sandalwood + lavender with diffusers or candles

• Piping in ambient music or nature tracks

If it gives you that feeling of being in a spa, amplify its presence in your home. If it’s giving “nails on the chalkboard” (think squeaky door hinges, clanking pipes + buzzing lights), it should either be fixed or ditched *wink*.

Reclaiming Calm, Room by Room: How To Ground Yourself at Home

From the moment you walk in the door to the second your head hits the pillow, every room in your home should make it easy to relax + reconnect. Here are some grounding principles for different areas.

• The entryway: This is your decompression zone. Cultivate a serene welcome with ample storage, calming colors, and space to leave your stressors at the door. Don’t forget purse + backpack hooks, a bowl for keys, and a spot for shoes.

• The living space: Incorporate soft throws, plush pillows, and comfy seating arranged for family time, tech-free living + real conversations.

• The bedroom: Promote restful sleep with luxurious bedding, blackout window treatments, and minimal distractions or clutter.

• Quiet nooks: Whether it’s a reading chair or meditation corner, carve out a calm, cushy space that’s just for you.

• Outdoor connections: Keep fresh air within easy reach, love. Consider creating an outdoor retreat, complete with a small bench, potted plants + wind chimes. Inside, aim for unobstructed outdoor views, so you can always catch a glimpse of nature.

For more practical tips, check out our room-by-room organizing guide.

Elegant Simplicity: Designing Your Grounded Sanctuary

At Elegant Simplicity, our specialty is creating spaces that feel just as good as they look. When we talk about hiring an interior designer, it’s not just about paint colors or pretty pillows. It’s about crafting environments that support your emotional + mental wellness.

We combine luxury design with wellness, prioritizing thoughtfully curated materials, carefully planned layouts, and intentional color palettes. By combining the concept of grounding with sophisticated design choices, we infuse beauty + calm into every corner of your home.

Want to see grounding design in action? Peek through our design recipes for timeless ideas you can bring to life today.

Ground Down

We hope you’re catching on to the idea of grounding design and how it involves much more than aesthetic choices. As you shift gears from summer to fall, why not invest in your well-being? Let your home be the forever constant that keeps you grounded, peaceful, present — and connected with the “why” behind your beautiful home.

Ready to transform your home into a space where your family can truly ground itself and flourish? Let’s chat.

Well, that’s our riff for today — thanks for tuning in! :)

P.S. If you loved this article, you’ll really enjoy our 4 Days To A More Beautiful + Functional Home.