Creating calming environments for families, Danni Sinclair, Holistic Interior Designer and Owner of My Peace of Space, aims to help parents and children alike find peace, balance, and wellbeing within their homes.
My Peace of Space was born from a deeply personal journey of overcoming. “Despite outward success, I was struggling internally, feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. I sought solace on a beautiful yoga retreat in Nicaragua,” said Danni.
This retreat sparked her passion for integrating retreat-like tranquility into everyday design. “I focus on creating holistic environments that support the wellbeing of the entire family. This philosophy extends to our children as well,” said Danni.
With holistic interior design, Danni uses color therapy to help balance, energy, and promote positive emotional responses. “Color has a profound impact on everyone's mood and behavior, especially children,” said Danni. “If you let kids decide, they’ll choose the most saturated color. While bold colors can boost creativity, they can also be very energizing and stimulating, which is not ideal for bedtime. Soft, muted colors create calm and relaxation.”
Danni prefers subdued colors that ensure children are not overstimulated, reducing stress, and creating peace, which leads to a calmer, happier, household for all.
“Soothing palettes not only benefit the child, but also help parents who are struggling with their child's bedtime routines,” said Danni. “By creating an environment that inherently encourages relaxation, parents can find it easier to establish and maintain a peaceful bedtime routine.”
In Feng Shui, rounded edges, soft patterns, and nature-inspired themes are used to promote relaxation and focus for children. Avoid busy, bright patterns as they can overstimulate. Minimal, cohesive designs with natural elements and soft colors are best.
“Children get overwhelmed easily with many options and visual clutter. By providing space for movement and freedom without overcrowding, you allow them to use their creativity and imagination,” said Danni.
Young children are playful and need lots of play in movement in their daily lives. Teens, on the other hand, tend to be more introspective and value their privacy. “Teen’s rooms should encourage and support these varying needs while also providing designated spaces for play, study, and relaxation,” said Danni. “We can do this with thoughtful zoning.”
While parents should help lead, it’s important to consider a child’s personal preferences. “If you don't create a bedroom they love, they might end up in bed with you! As a mom currently sleep training, I understand this all too well,” said Danni. “Children grow at an exponential rate—their tastes, routines, habits, and hobbies are constantly evolving. You want to create a room that they can grow into.”
Danni doesn’t design for the child they are today; she’s designing for the kid they will be three to five years from now. “Incorporating their favorite colors, themes, and interests can make them comfortable and connected to their environment. However, you may not want these to be the primary features of the room,” said Danni. “Use accent pieces to incorporate their current interests, which can be easily interchanged as they grow out of them.” This gives children a sense of agency and pride in their own space, but also fosters their emotional wellness and future development.
Using various textures, like soft rugs and natural fabrics, along with gentle sounds such as white noise, helps create a soothing environment. For children with sensory issues, choose calming textures and sounds to ensure they feel safe. Clutter also increases anxiety and restricts focus. To maintain organization, use easy-to-access bins and shelves, and involve children in regular decluttering.
One common mistake parents sometimes make in designing spaces is that they create a space with themselves in mind, not their children. “I’m guilty of this too. As parents, we often want to give our kids the things we were not fortunate enough to have growing up,” said Danni. “It's important to understand that children's needs and energies are different from ours. What might be calming and serene for an adult could be overstimulating for a child.”
That's why she offers Feng Shui Assessments for kids. “It's a great place to start. It allows us to understand the child's dominant energy type and design their space that supports their unique imprint. This approach ensures that the room is visually pleasing and energetically aligned with the child,” said Danni.
To create a peaceful environment that grows with your child and adapts to their changing needs, Danni recommends booking a redesigned call with her (bydannisinclair.com). With her help, parents can design a flexible and adaptable space that serves multiple purposes, adjusting as their children grow.
“I recommend using earth tones and pastel shades - known for their soothing properties.”