Decor By Mood: Serene

In "Decor By Mood," we tell you how to attain a feeling in your home. Here's how to decorate a serene home.

If there's one quality every home should strive for it's serenity. Whether your decor scheme is charming or brooding, your house should be a place that brings you a sense of calm and peace.

If you're serene:
You're in a constant state of Zen that not even your yoga instructor can emulate. Full of unruffled repose and quietude, nothing makes your blood boil. Instead, you laugh during rush hour traffic, smile during shin splints and toss your hair in the face of a stressful situation. On any given day, we can find you relaxing in a corner chair with your feet up and your nose in a book of haiku.

That sense of calm is easy to translate when decorating your favorite space.



First, know that serene doesn't have to mean stark, cold and boring. In fact, calm spaces are often filled with interesting and personal treasure. The sense of calm comes from similar color palettes, symmetry and clean lines, as in the case of the photo at right.

Rather than keeping the space unadorned, this homeowner chose to showcase a beautiful collection of prints, paintings and photographs. By lining up the collection with well-balanced lines and little white space, the wall feels contemplative and lighthearted.

Paired with bright white furniture and a light floor, the artwork sings against the otherwise bland palette. A leafy green plant in the windowsill breathes life into the space -- perfect for a serenity-loving family.














Not up for a busy wall full of portraits? That doesn't mean you can't add a personal touch to a serene space. Another option is to enlarge a favorite photograph (aren't these sweet children adorable?) at your local print shop.

When set against a bare room with Scandinavian accents, this oversized image brings life to the space without overpowering the room.

For a soothing space, choose a photo that makes you think of serenity, such as a field of flowers, landscape or family portrait. Go with what feels good to you: Decorating should be personal, and we all have different visions of calming atmospheres. Personally, I'm a sucker for photographs of empty chairs!















You can achieve the look of serenity in even the most uncommon places, like your bathroom, for instance. B

By hanging sheer, gauzy curtains along a large window, the outside air encompasses this room and leaves it with a nice boost of calming sunlight.

An unexpected, yet serene idea is to incorporate elements from other areas of your home into your bathroom. In the bathroom featured at right, a candelabra and small sculpture keep the space from looking like an everyday restroom, and instead, bring a bit of luxury into the room.

White towels and candles create the ultimate calm, relaxing atmosphere. With a calm bathing space, you'll be in Zen mode in no time.

Want to find a few serene furnishings for your own home? Check out a few ideas:

- Gingko Leaf Lamp, $375, Viva Terra
- Bentwood Rocking Chair, $120, Target
- Tuxedo Ruffle Curtain, $42, Urban Outfitters

For more Decor By Mood features, read on:
-Decor By Mood: Brooding
-Decor By Mood: Charming