Creating a Calm Environment
Whether you’re a freshman in a college dorm room or a senior in an off-campus apartment, your home is your safe space. We at The Edge believe it’s important to cultivate a comfortable and calm environment in order to succeed. This may look different for everyone, but we have a few suggestions on where to start.
Clay Art Pieces
If you’ve been keeping up with trends, you’d know that this past year, ceramic and clay art has turned from a craft into an economy. Not only does clay art look good, making for a unique decorative element, but further, the art of pottery is often described as relaxing and therapeutic. Air dry clay is perfect for at-home crafts as it hardens without the use of a kiln or oven. Next time someone comes over and asks where you got your new decoration, you’ll have the satisfaction of being able to say, “I made it!”
Colorful or Ambient Lighting
If there’s one thing many freshmen have in common, it’s the disdain for the dorm room fluorescent overhead lights. The use of lamps and ambient lighting makes for a relaxing environment. We’ve moved on from strip LED lights to flexible LEDs with bendable material that allows you to create fun designs. Sunset projection lamps are also an ambient alternative, as well as LED orbs.
Playful Cooking
Cooking an intricate meal is great, but it can also be nice to make cooking playful. Food brings us together and enhances our creativity. It is also a nice way to connect with others. Turn on your favorite song, grab a few friends (or go solo) and strip the seriousness away from cooking by experimenting with fun shapes such as vintage decorative cakes and heart shaped pizza.
Dinner Party
It’s rare in college that you get to stop, take a moment and unwind. Gathering around the table resembles a piece of home. What better way to cultivate this environment than in your own college space? Elevate the dinner table with your favorite card game or dinner table conversation starters.
Diffusers & Candles
Everyone loves a room that smells amazing. This can be achieved through things like candles or essential oil diffusers. Essential oil diffusers release beautiful aromas and can also positively affect your mental and physical wellbeing. “Diffusing with all-natural essential oils can help you set an intentional mood for your space," says Sara Panton, the co-founder of Vitruvi. Citrus scents evoke a sense of energy and comfort, and scents like lavender and ylang ylang promote a sense of relaxation and tranquility.
Wall Art
Wall art adds character to any space. Depending on what you choose to display, many pieces of wall art speak to your character. Whether it’s displaying a family photo, poster or graphic, you can count on wall art to add warmth to bare walls.