Books, Blankets, and Breathing Room: Designing for Softness Easy Tips
So often we’re taught to design for style. But what if we designed for feeling?
Softness is a design choice. And it often starts with asking:
How do I want this room to hold me?
This isn’t softness as in pink or fluffy.
It’s softness as in space to exhale.
So, what does softness look like in a room?
- Natural materials: Washed linen, warm wood, hand-thrown ceramics
- Low, warm light: Lamps instead of overheads. Candlelight even when it’s not dark yet.
- Uncluttered surfaces: Just a few things, but the right things.
- Muted tones: Dusty hues. Gentle contrast. Nothing too stark.
- Something deeply personal: A stack of favorite books. A photo. A blanket that reminds you of home.
My favorite ways to soften a space right now:
- A low, linen-covered reading chair near a window
- Clay-toned pillows on a cool grey sofa
- A candle that smells like the forest
- A basket of books you’re actually reading, not styling
- A quiet corner with nothing in it but stillness
Soft doesn’t mean empty.
It means gentle, meaningful, and slow.
It’s a way to design your home the same way you’d design your favorite afternoon. Warm, quiet, full of breath.
Want to learn how to create soft, emotional interiors?
My book Home – Decorate with Love explores how to design not just with objects, but with emotion, memory, and rhythm.
It’s an invitation to create a home that reflects your inner seasons — a place that breathes, holds, and grows with you.
Or explore all my books on the Books page
