At the time of writing, many of us are spending more time at home than normal. Hopefully, despite the situation that is affecting all of us, you are enjoying your extended time indoors.
But let’s think about our homes in general terms. While the current period has caused many of us to make changes inside for the sake of happiness, it is important to continue those changes in the long-term. We should all enjoy our homes, as above and beyond the lockdown that has been forced upon us, this is the place where we do spend most of our time outside of work and social activities.
So, no matter when you are reading this, be it during lockdown or months down the line when we are assuming things might have gone back to normal, think about what you might do to create a happier home environment.
Here are tips that I hope you find useful.
Add more color to your home
There are some colors we should all consider for our homes. They can bring about certain moods and can create feelings of peace and joy that we hope for. Blue, for example, is a restful color, so you might want to add it to your bedroom to help you feel more relaxed when you go to bed of an evening. For your living room, you might consider vibrant yellows or greens, as these joyful colors could create a happier vibe. But think about the colors you enjoy. If you can add them to your home, you will feel happier every time you step into the rooms you have uplifted.
So, paint your walls from time to time or add the appropriate color wallpapers. Visit a flooring store and choose the rugs, tiles, and other flooring options to improve your home’s aesthetic. Add the appropriate colored flowers to different parts of your home. And add color in other ways, using your imagination when adding decor to your property. You don’t need to create an entire rainbow, but for those colors that give you tingles of happiness, it makes sense to fill your home with them.
Deal with your clutter
Not only is too much clutter unsightly, but it can cause frustration too. When we can’t find what we want because there is too much other stuff in the way, we can get annoyed and irritable. Our moods can also alter when we realize we are running out of space. And because clutter can cause our homes to look messy, we can become distracted when we are trying to relax. Needless to say, if your home is cluttered, it might be that your happiness levels have been negatively affected.
So, say goodbye to your clutter forever. Purchase extra storage items if you need to, as you will be able to rehome your household items if you do. Sell or donate those things you no longer need, as there is little point in keeping hold of items that bring you no pleasure or function in your life. Clean your home on a daily basis, even if you do a little bit at a time, as you will start to create more space if you can stay on top of your clutter while busying yourself. And check out our tips on tidying for more ideas, as you will make further inroads into defeating the clutter that pervades your home. You will be happier if you do declutter because you will finally have the opportunity to enjoy your living space, with no nuisance distractions to hinder your happy thoughts.
Display your happy memories
There will be days when you don’t feel particularly happy, but that’s okay, as we all have down days from time to time. However, if you have found ways to display some of your happiest memories, you will have cause to turn away from your negative thoughts and have scope to think about the people and events that have brought you happiness in your life.
So, you might want to create a gallery wall, featuring the people that mean the most to you. You might want to put up pictures of vacations past too, as well as photos of celebratory events that evoke happy thoughts when you look back on them. If you have any items that can bring back memories, such as postcards from past vacations, or souvenirs you have bought, display them around your home as well. And then dig out any awards you have won, certificates you have been given, and any other item that will give you feelings of pride for the things you have achieved, and display them in your home too.
Add some inspirational/funny quotes
What words make you feel happy? It might be an inspirational phrase that can give you cause to feel better inside. Or it might be a funny line that can give you cause to smile and chuckle. Whatever these words are, find ways to display them around your home. You could buy a chalkboard and write them yourself. You could rearrange the magnetic letters on your refrigerator. Or you could buy something online, be it an art print, a wooden plaque, or any other type of home decor that contains the words that will make you feel happier inside.
Indulge all of your senses
We have already discussed this in part, so use some of our suggestions thus far. Newly decorated walls and photos can provide visual appeal, for example, and the flowers you put around your home can give you those pleasant and fragrant smells that will satisfy your nose. But going beyond the ideas we have given you, consider what else you might do. To add further visual appeal, you could feng-shui your home to create feelings of peace and calm. You could fill your home with calming music, perhaps with speakers around your home that are connected to an Alexa device. You might want to add extra scents to the rooms in your house, perhaps with fragrant candles, essential oils, or incense burners. When choosing throws and blankets for your sofas and chairs, you could choose those fabrics that are pleasing to touch. And when it comes to your taste buds, you could stock your bowls with the fruits you like the most.
When you have found ways to indulge all of your senses, you will experience happiness in all kinds of ways. This will become especially true when you are blasting all of your senses at the same time, as you should reach new heights of nirvana!
Do things that make you happy at home
What activities make you feel happy? Think about them and consider what you might need to add to your home to give you the ability to entertain yourself. It could be a craft room, with all of the things you need to busy yourself during your creative processes. Or it could be a music room, be that one that gives you scope to create your own music, or one that gives you the opportunity to boogie away to your favorite tunes. Or it could be a home theater room if you love nothing more than settling down for the night with a good movie. Or it could be anything else besides. Whatever it is, fill your home with the things you need to have a good time, and carve out time in your schedule to give you the ability to enjoy them.
