If you have ever been on a luxury yacht, especially one like Amara, designed by Sam Sorgiovanni, you will have seen just how many relaxation and entertainment areas there are. All are a little different and many areas are designed especially for other cultures where chairs and lounges are not so important, but piles of cushions on the floor or on a large, raised, padded platform provide comfort to anyone wanting to use them.
While many furnishing trends travel from home to ship, sometimes that is reversed, with up-market homes following trends that are seen in luxury yachts, especially the really big ones where opulence is key. Almost any home can be improved with more relaxation areas that offer the ultimate in comfort, whatever that may be to the owners. If you are feeling stressed out and tired, it could be that there is no truly welcoming and comfortable space in your home that calls you in to relax.
One lounge room or living area in the home is not enough. If this is all your home has, it is most likely filled with other people all doing their own thing. That makes it difficult to really relax, especially if the television is playing loudly or there is music going when you just want peace and quiet.
It may be time to re-design your home to include one or two more areas that offer a peaceful haven for those who most need it. You could add an extension to the home, convert an unused bedroom or even redesign the attic to make a sitting room. Set up the area in a truly resort-style way with chaise lounges that let you elevate your feet and support your tired legs, soft lighting, small tables conveniently placed to hold your chamomile tea and plenty of soft cushions to support your back. That’s just your indoor relaxation space; now for outdoors.
Most parts of Australia have pleasant temperatures for many months, meaning an outdoor haven with special – comfortable – furniture will get a good workout. It won’t go to waste because it can become an alfresco dining and entertainment area as well. With the addition of a fire pit, it can be a great place for the whole family to get together and relax, not just physically, but emotionally as well.
How you design your outdoor relaxation area will depend a lot on your particular climate and this includes wind. Often the weather is quite warm but it’s spoiled by a cold wind. Erecting a garden wall can give you a lovely sheltered place to relax in away from cold winds. Or you could hang clear plastic outdoor blinds if you’ve decided on a structure such as a gazebo for your outdoor haven.