7 easy ways to add joy to your house and make it feel like a sanctuary from the world.
Happiness begins at home, they say. In fact, the more we feel that our home—our precious personal space—is a peaceful refuge from the world that truly represents who we are, the better we are likely to feel. Below are 7 easy ways to add some extra happiness to your home.
1. Make your bed to start the day right
So simple, yet so effective. When you make your bed every morning, you start the day with a sense of accomplishment and order. “It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed,” said Naval Admiral William H. McRaven, Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, in a recent commencement speech.
2. Blue doesn’t cause the blues
“All around the world, among every age, gender and income bracket, blue is people’s favorite color,” writes Bruce Feiler in his book, The Secrets of Happy Families. If you want calm, go for blue tones. “Blue reminds people of the ocean and the sky and is considered limitless, calm and serene.”
3. Shop your own house
We all have a tendency to think we need to buy something to make us happier. We often forget we already have what we need. Maybe you love new books, purple pens, a bright winter scarf or a comfy pair of jeans. Have you shopped your own house yet? Dig around in those closets and drawers, and you’ll get a happiness boost when you realize you already possess many of the treasures you seek.
4. Dim the lights
Installing dimmers for some lights in your house is another small change that can make a big difference. Dim lights—like those you’d see in a spa or wine bar—give your home a relaxing glow. Dim lights are the ideal backdrop for a date night, movie watching or intimate conversation. Even scientific research shows that dimming the lights in the evening puts us in a better mood.
5. Have an inner sanctuary
You need a place that makes you exhale with calm release as soon as you step into it. Maybe it’s just a corner with the perfect chair for reading or your dream garden in your yard. It could be a sunroom, a room with a view, or an incredibly comfy bed. Maybe it’s a decluttered desk or the world’s most organized garage that enhances your creativity. Make sure you have a some personal space in your home that feels like an inner sanctuary, and immediately puts a smile on your face.
6. Create a memory wall
Savoring positive experiences makes us happier. One thing you can do to make positive moments or events last a little longer is to create a memory wall. Hang family pictures, school banners and memorabilia, framed scrap-book pages from a favorite trip … anything you’d like to look at and think about again and again, every time you walk by.
7. Fill your house with happy
Last but not least, fill your home with people you care about. University of Hawaii professor of psychology Elaine Hatfield coined the term “emotional contagion,” which means we catch the mood of those around us. Create a happy home environment by choosing to surround yourself with OPP (only positive people).
How do you add happiness to your home? We would love to hear your ideas! Share below!
