Seeking a calm and quiet life amidst the chaos of daily stresses is a common desire, especially for those in the “sandwich generation” juggling multiple responsibilities. Despite attempts to create a peaceful environment, many find themselves feeling wired and overwhelmed when they enter their own homes.
Rachel Cordingley, from renowned home organisation and decluttering company, A Tidy Mind, provides a fresh perspective on this issue. As she scans the area around the back door, she points out the clutter and chaos that greets her. Unopened envelopes, shoes, and random objects scattered haphazardly create a to-do list that screams for attention. This lack of tranquillity permeates throughout the entire house, from the bedside table filled with various items to every nook and cranny overflowing with possessions.
To combat this visual and emotional “noise,” a growing interior design concept called “hushing” has gained popularity. According to Myquillin Smith of The Nester, a prominent interiors blogger, eliminating excessive and disharmonious elements in your living space can quiet those voices that disrupt peace. By consciously selecting and reducing possessions, you can transform cacophony into harmony.
The need for a more muted living environment is particularly timely in today’s chaotic and uncertain world. Designers recognize this demand and are actively incorporating calming elements into their creations. Sally Denning, author of Calm: Interiors to Nurture, Relax, and Restore, emphasizes the importance of creating peaceful spaces amidst the chaos. Sarah Andrews, an interiors guru and author of The Poetry of Spaces, passionately advocates for the hushed-house concept as a way of life.
Tash Bradley, director of interior design at Lick paint company, shares her own personal experience of hushing her living space. By understanding the items she truly loves and need, she has created a more joyful and peaceful environment. The process involved decluttering and finding a designated place for everything, allowing the remaining items to breathe and bring joy.
Scientific research supports the cognitive benefits of reducing visual noise. Highly decorated environments can impair focus and concentration in children, while disorganized spaces can deplete mental resources in adults. By creating a calmer living environment, one can combat feelings of overwhelm and procrastination.
For Rachel Cordingley, her work has repeatedly demonstrated the strong connection between our living environments and emotional well-being. Neurodiverse individuals, in particular, thrive in calmer spaces tailored to their specific needs. Cordingley’s approach to hushing combines aesthetics and functionality, creating an environment that is not only beautiful but also practical.
To begin the process of hushing, one can follow the suggested method of temporarily clearing out a space, allowing for intentional and considered decisions on what truly belongs there. It’s an opportunity to recognize that less is indeed more. The goal is not necessarily minimalism, but rather creating harmony among the objects in a space.
Sarah Andrews advises using an “eyelash test” to identify items that stand out and disrupt the visual cohesion. Different rooms may require varying levels of fullness, with bedrooms benefitting from a fuller atmosphere and working or living spaces embracing a monastic approach to foster creativity and peace.
Additionally, addressing actual noise within the home is crucial. Noise sensitivity is common, and there are practical solutions to mitigate it. Installing carpet or using sound-absorbing underlay can reduce footfall noise, while treating party walls and adding a resilient layer to walls can minimize sound transmission.
In conclusion, the desire for a calm and quiet life is achievable through the concept of hushing. By selectively curating our living spaces, reducing visual noise, and addressing actual noise concerns, we can create environments that foster tranquillity and improve our overall well-being.
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