Restaurant owners know the power of setting the right mood. Bright lights, checkered vinyl tablecloths and upbeat music set a fun, casual mood. Candlelight, linen tablecloths and violin music set a romantic mood. You can easily create the feel of your favorite restaurant, bar or spa in your own home by learning set the right mood.
Types
The main moods for home or business settings are romantic, therapeutic, cheerful or themed (a spooky mood, for example). You can combine moods according to personal taste and desire.
Features
The main features to keep in mind when setting a mood are lighting, scent, sound and texture. Note that these features engage four senses--sight, smell, hearing and touch.
Identification
You can set a romantic mood by using soft, dim lighting, rich dark fabrics and pleasant scents. Sandalwood essential oil and myrrh oil are examples of romantic scents. Scent should be subtle---never overwhelming---or it will distract rather than enhance the mood you are trying to create.
Setting a spooky mood for a Halloween party, or other spooky event, also requires dim lighting. Both romantic lighting and spooky lighting take advantage of the fact that darkness creates a sense of mystery.
To set a spooky mood, scent should be subdued. It is not easy to re-create a graveyard dirt smell in your living room---though patchouli oil, which is very earthy, will work. Creaky doors, distant screams, hissing cauldrons and howling wolves are suitable sounds to set a spooky mood. Total silence also works well---silence creates suspense.
Soft yet cheerful lighting helps set a therapeutic mood for massage, yoga or meditation. Lighting should mimic, or make use of, natural sunlight. You can use nature sounds such as ocean surf or light rain falling, or soft instrumental music. be clean and light. Rose oil, sandalwood and frankincense all work well to set a therapeutic mood. Use natural fabrics (for throws and upholstery) that feel pleasant against the skin.
Color choice for cheerful moods depends on whether the mood should relax or invigorate. Cool tones--light blues, light green and lavender-- work well for setting a relaxing mood. Warm tones--yellow, red, orange and peach hues---help set an invigorating mood.
Function
A room's ambiance helps people transition between stressful daily life and special personal time. Color, scent, lighting and sound affect us in subtle, and sometimes not subtle, ways. Although most people can make the psychological transition without external props, a well-designed living space assists the process.
Considerations
Lighting, sound, texture and color must match individual preferences to work well. For example, while dimmed lighting and warm colors are standard for creating a romantic mood, details such as actual color and texture need a personal touch. Satin slippers and black lace may be romantic for one person and a turnoff for another. If you are setting a romantic mood for another person, make sure you find out what she likes and dislikes first.
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