Making room for calm: Why a visual reset matters
January always feels like a deep breath, doesn't it?
After the busyness of the holidays and the clutter of decorations, there’s a natural urge to clear things out. We tidy our desks, organize our closets, and try to start the year with a bit more mental space. But one thing we often overlook is our visual environment, the things we look at every single day while we’re drinking our morning coffee or winding down after work.
The search for visual quiet
Coming from Beirut to Sweden sixteen years ago, one of the biggest changes for me wasn’t just the temperature, it was the sense of space. In a city shaped by history and constant movement, everything was "loud". When I moved to the Nordics, I discovered the power of visual quiet and its effect on my mental health.
I realized that our homes don’t need to be filled with "stuff" to feel complete. In fact, when we clear away the distractions, we leave room for the things that actually mean something to us.
Art as a window, not just a decoration
When people think about minimalism, they often think of empty white rooms. But to me, minimalism isn't about having nothing; it’s about having the right things.
Instead of a gallery wall with fifteen small, busy pictures, I’ve always preferred the impact of one or two pieces that allow the eye to rest.
A vast landscape acts like a window, giving a small room a sense of depth.
A simple black-and-white study adds a human touch without competing with your furniture.
How to start your own visual reset
If you’re looking at your walls this month and feeling like they need a change, here is my simple advice:
Take everything off one wall. Leave it bare for three days and see how the room feels. Then choose a "soul" piece, one image that reminds you of a place you love or a feeling you want to have (like freedom or calm), and place it on the wall. One museum-quality print that you truly love will always bring more joy than five mass-produced posters that you bought just to fill the space.
Your home should be a sanctuary, a place where your mind can finally stop racing. This year, let’s make a little more room for calm.