Most people spend a lot of their day at home: we sleep at home, cook at home, have fun at home and now even work at home! For most people, their houses have become their sanctuaries, and they need these sanctuaries to be as comfortable and aesthetically pleasing as possible. Here are some easy tips and tricks you can use to turn your house into your happy place:
Declutter
A messy house will often translate into feelings of stress and unrest. There’s also some worrying links between cluttered spaces and depressive episodes, which you want to avoid at all costs.
Clean and tidy rooms can help to calm anxiety, and often translate into more productive behaviors. Try to get rid of anything you don’t use and need, and for whatever you do decide to keep make sure to store it properly. Avoid leaving things on the floor or other surfaces such as desks or chairs, and make sure to leave only the essentials!
Paint the walls white
Another good tip is to paint the walls in white or other bright colors – this will help with brightness, which in turn will translate into a better mood. White or clear walls are also better when it comes to reflecting natural light, which has been proved to be an unmatched mood enhancer!
Some rooms look especially good when painted white: a white bathroom, for example, appears cleaner and bigger. A kitchen painted in matt white will also look big and contemporary, versus a more colorful kitchen that reminds us of the 80s and 90s.
Add plants
Indoor plants remind us of nature, which in turn makes us feel calm and more at peace. Why? Research has shown that being outdoors can be an amazing mood enhancer, as plants release substances called ‘phytoncides’; these micro substances lower our anxiety and even help activate our immune system. Indoor plants are a good way to mirror this effect.
Also, plants generate oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, freshening up the air and eliminating air toxins.
Warm lighting
Another amazing tip to turn your house into a happy place is to add some warm lighting. Warm lighting will make any space seem cozier and more appealing and will have a big visual impact on the room. You don’t need to spend a fortune on new LED lights: simply add small lamps or even experiment with string lights as these will do the trick.
Having good natural light is also essential when it comes to mental health. Make sure your bed and desk are angled in a way in which they will receive as much sunshine as possible. Also, if you’re able to choose your bedroom, always go for the room facing south as these get more natural sunlight.