Slow Living in Singapore: What Is It and How Do You Achieve It?

Slow living is a movement that contrasts the fast-paced culture by embracing the natural flow of time and promoting a relaxed and centred lifestyle. While this concept originally applies to one’s way of life, it can also apply to one’s home surroundings and interior design.

Home plays a central role in your life and the way you live that goes beyond a simple style. In terms of design, slow living is much more than the rustic vibe and the bohemian aesthetic. It’s a philosophy that allows you to focus on the things that matter by engaging the senses completely and letting go of all distractions.

If you want to learn more about how you can design your home based on this philosophy, here’s what you need to do.

Think About Togetherness in Your Design

Human beings are, at their very essence, social creatures. Cooperation, togetherness, and unity lie at the centre of what it means to be truly human. Therefore, this should be reflected in a home setting.

Home is the space for private and intimate togetherness. It is where you spend quality time with your family, friends, and loved ones. It’s where you make memories and enjoy each other’s company. Overall, it’s where you foster your own little community.

Therefore, designing with togetherness in mind is not about creating spaces to impress people. Instead, it’s about creating a space that makes people feel welcome, comfortable, and cared for.

Some of the design pieces that can help you achieve this include:

• • • • Long tables and benches to foster oneness and unity, especially during meal times;
      • Slouchy sofas to make the space more comfy and cosy;
      • Large cushions to serve as extra seating during intimate settings.

Minimise Automation

The emergence of technology kickstarted the fast-paced culture, making people dependent on their own devices. Besides offering unparalleled convenience and immediacy, automation also encouraged people to expect non-stop innovation.
As a result, people are always looking forward to the future and the potential next big development. But in doing so, they take the present and the things that matter for granted.

Keeping this in mind, designing a home inspired by slow living should focus on the here and now. Meaning, minimising automation and engaging the five senses as much as possible.

For instance, instead of installing the latest music player and sound system, why not invest in a vintage record player? Or rather than designing a state-of-the-art entertainment room, why not build a library or a photo gallery?

Any design element that enables you to detach yourself from the screen and shift your focus on your surroundings is one step closer to achieving a slow living-inspired home.

Create a Space that Invites Calm and Contemplation

The whole point of slow living is to slow down your life so you can appreciate the world around you and reconnect with yourself.

You’re already bombarded with responsibilities and activities daily. The last thing you want is to take the hustle and bustle of city life to your apartment. So, when designing a home, consider creating spaces where you can find a little stillness in your life.

A meditation nook, a reading area by the window, or a quiet and comfy spot by the corner are some design ideas to help you pause and contemplate life.

In addition, consider using a calming colour palette like warm neutrals, pastels, or soft hues to make you feel more relaxed at home.

Consider the Impact of Your Design on the Planet

As much as slow living home design helps improve your mental well-being and life in general, it also helps preserve the wonders of the planet by promoting the use of sustainable materials.

Slow living home design is distinguished by its imperfect yet organic aesthetic. It makes use of natural materials like bare wood, marble, and copper to create a home that’s not only pleasing to the senses but also considerate to the environment.

Oftentimes, you can find these materials in vintage stores, second-hand retail shops or local artisan markets. The great thing about repurposing pre-loved materials is that you bring stories of the past with you and support your local community.

Recreate Slow Living at Home

By following these guidelines, you can create a space that enables you to embrace your surroundings and appreciate the beauty around you without unnecessary distractions.

Hire an interior design company in Singapore to help you create a slow-living inspired home that reflects your unique individuality. Style + Space Interior Design offers a resale condo renovation package to help you get the essential services you need at an affordable price.