10 Ways to Have a Haven in the City

After being out in the city all day, wouldn’t it be nice to walk into your place, shut the door behind you and breathe a deep sigh of relief? Living in a vibrant urban area can be enriching and exciting, but it can also drain you. And if you come home to a space that is crammed with too much stuff, where you can hear noisy neighbors and cars honking, and see light from the street lamps shining into your windows at night, finding the peace and quiet you crave can prove difficult. These 10 ideas will help you reclaim your home as a space in which to recharge.



1. A serene color palette. With so much visual stimulation on city streets, it can be a relief to come home to a space that is calm and serene. Color can go a long way toward creating a serene environment. Think of silvery grays, blues, natural wood tones and white. Pale lilac, soft sage green or warm pink can also be soothing; go with the colors that make you feel relaxed.



2. The right window coverings. In the kitchen and living areas, where privacy is not as much of a concern, consider using café curtains. Covering the lower half of your windows will provide a sense of privacy where you want it most, while still allowing sunlight to stream in from above.



Full-length drapes or shades with a blackout liner are essential in bedrooms, particularly if you have trouble sleeping with light from street lamps slipping into your room all night. If your neighbors are very close, you may also want to cover any large windows with full-length sheer curtains that can be drawn during the day.

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