In this BIT: Make your home happy, or any space happier, with these simple design changes, room decor hacks, and other ways to optimize your home for happiness!
Our space places a big role in our state-of-mind: happiness, productivity, and how calm we feel. According to Psychology Today, a “2023 National Institutes of Health review assessing the relationship between home workspace and mental health found that we can optimize our psychological health through deliberate design. Things that we may take for granted such as natural light, layout, and even wall color can have a profound impact on how we feel and how we behave.” Think about your bedroom, living room, office, or home as a whole. Taking some time to optimize your space for feeling happier is time well spent. The biggest challenge? Knowing where to start and what to change! Read through our guide to making your space ‘happier’.
Pleasant scents bring us a Small Bit of Happiness. Light a candle with a seasonal (or beloved) scent – make sure it’s a soy candle, these release fewer toxins and are more eco-friendly. Alternatively, spray a calming room spray; such as lavender or bergamot. We love using a diffuser, filling any space with citrus or peppermint scents. As scent ties to memory, using a nostalgic scent – maybe from your childhood or a memorable moment in your life – can also infuse joy into your room.
See family photos can make a home happy.
A family photo. A quote you love. A snow globe your grandma bought for you years ago. When you see something you love; something meaningful to you, it brings you a Small Bit of Happiness. According to interior designer and bestselling author, Michelle Ogundehin, clutter is not simply an overwhelm of items. Rather, clutter is an overwhelm of items that are meaningless to you. Don’t cut back on displaying things that bring a smile to your face or remind you of something/someone you love.
A pop of green infuses life into any space! This plant could be anything: a fake tree in the corner, some adorable potted grass on your desk, your favourite flowers on the table, or succulents on a shelf. If you aren’t known for your green thumb, a fake plant can bring just as much colour into a space, with no commitment required. All in all, whether you are optimizing your office, bedroom, or home, this simple design change is easy and impactful.
Not overwhelming, just enough to raise the mood in the room. Music has a powerful effect on mindset. Room decor isn’t the only way to make a home happy. According to Pfizer, listening to music “ increases blood flow to brain regions that generate and control emotions.” In fact, “the limbic system, which is involved in processing emotions and controlling memory, “lights” up when our ears perceive music.” These processes lead to certain types of music releasing neurotransmitters such as dopamine, that trigger feelings of pleasure. Even more interestingly, Pfizer states that “as your brain becomes familiar with a particular song, your body may release dopamine upon hearing just the first few notes of the song.” Create a playlist for your space, and find happiness in playing it in the background throughout your day.
We hope that these simple design changes and room decor hacks help you make your home happier. It only takes small adjustments to transform a space and bring you a Small Bit of Happiness.
For more happiness check out our Mood Boost page.
Featuring quick videos created for teens by teens.
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Do you need tips to make a home happy? See our guide!