Does Your Home Make You Happy?

So we all found our homes taking on the roles of our office, classroom, gym and really everything else in between — and it can be overwhelming to not know when things are going to go back to normal. 

It’s easy to feel uninspired by your surroundings after occupying the same space day in, day out. But all hope is not lost: There are simple and inexpensive ways to transform your home into a fresh and stimulating environment.

Give your home a morale makeover with these seven tips:

Break it up

If you’re working at home still, you’ve come to terms with the fact that it’s not always easy to stay on track. Designating different areas for specific activities, or in other terms,  ‘compartmentalizing’ your living space, is vital. This will also help each space have it’s own purpose and energy.

Experiment with color

Painting the walls is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to immediately invigorate any home. For a classic look that will hold up against almost any decor, opt for cool neutrals; if you prefer something more dramatic, consider adding a pop of color to a feature wall. Trending you’ll find greens and blues, they are most associated with health, calm and well being. 

If you’re not ready to commit to paint, try using accessories like throw pillows, an area rug, curtains or artwork to bring color into your space.

Streamline and declutter

I don’t know about you, but my house feels more cramped than ever before! I’m sure this doesn’t come as a surprise, but there’s no better way to create spatial harmony than decluttering. It works a powerful magic in that it gets your entire space up to speed with you. Try starting small with a contained space like a bathroom, which will give you a quick feeling of accomplishment and encourage you to do the next space. 

The benefits of a tidy space extend beyond aesthetics — and if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed about this task, check out our guide on how you can stop household clutter.

Do a digital detox

The digital detox movement is not new, but it’s worth revisiting in this climate of constant craziness from the news and social media. Though it’s important to stay informed about the health crisis and other important topics, it’s easy to slip from a healthy level of engagement to compulsive checking. 

To reduce screen dependence, set up manageable boundaries based on time or place. For example, designate dinnertime as phone-free, or remove mobile tech devices from your bedroom for a daily reset.

Invigorate with scents

Scent is a powerful vehicle for uplifting your mood. Every room can have a different scent, there's no rule saying you only have to pick one. Try using woody scents like cedar, palo santo, oud, copal and frankincense to feel grounded; rosemary for invigoration; and incense to focus and meditate. 

There are many ways to suffuse a room with scent — oil diffusers are my preferred method. For a more subtle effect, crack open a window to balance out your chosen fragrance with fresh air.

Greenify and purify

Even though it’s warm outside, there’s no better time to bring the outside world in. If there’s one thing that makes a space feel livable, it’s some elements of green. Not only do plants bring light and color, they also add oxygen to your home — something that many of us could use more of. 

If you don’t know where to start with picking a house plant, we’ve got you covered with a list of 6 non-poisonous houseplants that are easy to care for and grow.  Whichever plant you choose, she says that the ritual of maintaining it can be deeply healing. 

Lighten up

You have control over the light conditions of your day. To maximize your exposure to natural light, position your desk (or wherever you spend your time indoors) near a window and keep drapes and shades open during the daytime.