Create a Tech Free Sanctuary in Your Home

Are You Digitally Exhausted?

Information overload may be the understatement of this century. We are an overwhelmed society, from the internet to social media to 24-7 texts, news flashes, and emails on our phones.

As we approach the end of this decade, people face this fact and look for viable solutions that enable them to disconnect for a time.

Only some people can take an off-the-grid holiday, and that's where controlling our own environment holds the power.

We can't change the outside world, but we CAN change our inside world.

This Fall Season, Go for More than Warm and Cozy in Your Home Décor - Create a Space that's Absolutely Disconnected and Tech Free

It's not easy to disconnect. According to Business Insider, as of 2016, 72% of the United States population uses a Smartphone. Globally, that number continues to grow.

With artificial intelligence soon to become the new norm and augmented reality already in use, there are few opportunities to disconnect at work and in our daily life activities.

For this reason, a dedicated 'calming space' in the home is more essential than it's ever been. The world won't stop just because we want it to, and the oft-repeated cliché, 'the only thing we can control is ourselves,' means more than ever.

The control we do have is in how we design our homes. Digital free spaces, or calming disconnected rooms, are becoming a design inclusion that more people are factoring into their décor.

Let's Review 5 Ways to Create a Calming Space:

1. Create a playroom that only offers free toys of any digital technology - Add books, popular retro games, play rugs featuring games and learning, dolls, astronomy, space, science, puzzles, wooden toys, and more. Decorate the space to reflect another time and give the room a theme like 'The Way Back When Room,'' Yesterday's Space,' or 'Back to the Future.' Make it fun and colorful so the kids can't wait to enter.

2. If you can't successfully turn a kid's room into a technology-free space, how about including a bed tent or enclosed canopy where the rule is only non-digital items are allowed. Tell the kids the space is for storytelling, fractured fairy-tale fun, and catching up on their day. To add interest, give it a name as well.

3. The most obvious room to convert into a calming space is the master suite. If you're disciplined enough to do this, enhance your design with soft, airy drapes, rugs, and bedding, use calming tones and color combinations, and don't forget the soothing scented candles.

If you can't make your master suite a tech-free space, use an extra bedroom if you have one. In fact, don't even include a clock in the designated tech-free room. Think of it as the 'timeless bedroom' - a time-free zone.

4. Create a sitting room or library that only allows soft music and reading. However, permit only vinyl records. No other devices are allowed. Put a fun bucket at the door that says people can only enter the space if they put their phone in it first. Make a sign that gives rules for entering this tech-free room.

5. Let the dinner table be the technology-free zone. Use fun games to ensure no phones are brought to the table. Make a rule; if someone sneaks a phone to the table, that person has to clear the table and do the dishes. If another person breaks the rule, they help. For every ten successful dinners without devices, create a family reward like a movie night or other prizes the family may enjoy.

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