How to create your own emotional escape room sanctuary

An ‘emotional escape room’ is a private sanctuary in which you can de-stress and chill out. Here, we look at ways FibreGuard upholstery helps you create a restorative space in the comfort of your own home instead of travelling to the nearest spa or wellness centre.

We’re also tying all this goodness into our Trends for 2023/2024: making the best bits of what’s shining in the arts and culture accessible for everyone.

What is an emotional escape room?

An emotional escape room is a space specifically designed to help you de-stress and achieve a state of deep relaxation. It’s a special place, just for you, in which you can shake off your day-to-day worries and reconnect with your emotions.

If space is at a premium, you don’t have to devote a whole room to your chill-out zone. You can easily create a reading nook or calming space in a corner of your bedroom or in a cosy alcove in the living room.

“Your emotional escape room is a safe space where you allow yourself to think about everything and find yourself connecting to those emotions and express the feelings you might not be even aware of in the beginning.” – Tunteeya Yamaoka, the founder of Ikigai, the Japanese concept of living a life filled with purpose and meaning

Why have an emotional escape room at home?

It’s all about cosying up and getting in touch with our inner feelings. A dedicated emotional escape room allows us to put our troubles aside as we indulge in self care in the form of reading, enjoy our favourite hobbies, or simply relaxing.

With more of us than ever working from home, the need to clearly delineate our work and home lives has never been greater. An emotional escape room provides us with a safe space in which to wind down at the end of the working day, emerging with a greater sense of fulfilment and calm.

“Wellness spaces and escape rooms are becoming increasingly significant within the home. People are recognising the importance of mental wellbeing, especially after such a turbulent and uncertain couple of years. Often they are an escape from technology and offer a change to our usual routine, whether it be utilised as a yoga space, reading room, or just a place to relax.” ­– Interiors expert, Rosie McDonnell

Our need for emotional safe spaces ties in with our up-to-the-moment Stillness trend. Highlighted in our 2023/2024 Trends Book, Stillness is a sister to Anonymous, which invited to reconnect with each other, the world around us, and ourselves.

Stillness is all about purity and a quality of mindful peacefulness. Colours here are defined by soft yellows and fresh whites. Products with a 'slow movement' feel to them, such as handcrafted goods and those with woven textures, bring our attention to the present in a mindful, friendly way.

This is a gentle world, with soft curved materials.

How to choose a relaxing colour palette for your very own emotional escape sanctuary

Colours are intrinsically linked to our emotions, so choosing the right colour palette for your emotional escape room is a vital part of achieving optimum connection and relaxation.

“Harness mindful refection to slow time down, and float freely here in this restorative space.” – Our Stillness trend is all about slowing down and really enjoying each moment.

Comforting neutrals such as off whites and pale greys can have a soothing effect, drawing on the Modern Rustic and Japandi interior styles. Taking inspiration from nature is also a good direction to take for relaxing spaces, as colours found in the natural world can make us feel grounded and reassured.

As we suggested in our last blog post, though: don’t be afraid to get personal with your design choices here. What colours do you find calming and peaceful? It’s going to be your safe space, after all. Colour your home in a way that brings you harmony.

Eliminate clutter for a tranquil room (and headspace!)

We all know that clutter is the enemy of calm, so if you want to switch off and relax, you need to eliminate distractions. Instead of settling down for a yoga session next to an overflowing laundry basket, for example, try to create a calm and clutter-free space in which you can focus on your desired relaxation activity.

When you enter a tidy, ordered space, you will find it easier to calm your mind and avoid overwhelm.

Many of us become frozen at the thought of decluttering, but starting small will make the task feel less daunting. Ditch your perfectionist tendencies and aim to make some progress rather than no progress.

“Do the best you can with the time you have, while accepting that you may not be perfectly organised right away. The important thing is starting the process. That may mean tackling a small, manageable project first, such as straightening a dresser drawer. Remember, prioritise progress over perfection.” – Professional organiser, A J Miller

Engage all the senses for true home decor bliss

In order to achieve true relaxation, it’s important to consider all the senses when designing your emotional escape room. Think of the experience as entering a cocoon of comfort, full of sensory pleasures guaranteed to restore and delight.

Check out our beautiful, sensuous video above for some real ASMR, touchy-feely goodness.

Soft, enveloping fabrics are a great place to start if you want to get tactile, with FibreGuard’s stain-resistant velvets being particularly popular for their luscious texture and decadent comfort. Upholster a cosy reading nook in these luxurious fabrics or use them for opulent drapes.

Our textured bouclés are perfect for modern, rounded sofas, giving your private sanctuary a welcoming, teddy bear vibe.

Can doing nothing, once in a while, actually be the secret to a happier and healthier life? Championing a slower pace, ‘idyllic idleness’ encourages moments of nothingness, even boredom, in which you can relax, rest and recover. - Embrace a lifestyle of ‘idyllic idleness’ with the help of FibreGuard fabrics

Restorative scents are known to have a big effect on our wellbeing, so light a candle or inhale essential oils to relax and reinvigorate. Lavender can help reduce stress levels and improve mood, while chamomile can have a positive impact on sleep quality and anxiety.

The lighting in your emotional escape room also has a role to play.

Ambient lighting, ideally controlled via a dimmer switch so it can be adjusted according to your mood, is perfect for creating a relaxed and calming atmosphere. Add some carefully placed flickering candles, preferably made from natural soy rather than paraffin, to encourage a restful mood.

FibreGuard fabrics are ready for carefree living: just like you

Our fabrics are designed from the inside out to be the best they can be: just like you! Tap into your inner sense of self care with our upholstery and drapery fabrics that are soothingly easy on the hands (and eyes). Find out what our dedication to technical excellence can do for your project by getting in touch with us today.

Explore the trend themes mentioned here in our full Trends website.