11 Ways to Create a Happier Home
By Latter-day Woman Team
Your home should be your happy place. A retreat where you find peace and create happy memories you can smile about for years to come. A space that brings you comfort. A place where you can be yourself. And most of all, a refuge from the outside world.
It’s important to build a home that you love. We could all use a little more cheer in our lives, and building a home that delights you can impact your life in more ways than one. And the best part is that it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Get inspired with these 11 simple tips that will make your home a happier place to be all year round.
Clear the clutter.
Clinging on to the clutter just sets you up for constant overwhelm. Plus, it’s a huge productivity suck. You’re either trying to work around it or just looking at it wondering how in the world you have so much “stuff.”
Anything that’s trash or no longer essential? That’s clutter.
Throw away trash and recycle whatever you can. Everything else can be given away, donated, or sold at a garage sale or online to make some extra cash.
Fill your home with things you love.
Your home should be a place filled with love. Whether it’s photos of your wedding day, favorite vacation, or a collection of knick-knacks – make sure the things in your home bring you joy. For some, filling their home with family and friends does the trick. Whatever it is, the effect should be the same: to bring you joy and fill your home with love.
Show off happy memories.
Remembering good times and loved ones is an instant mood booster, so go ahead and put your favorite memories on display.
Choose photographs that bring a smile to your heart and help you remember how blessed you are.
Another option is to decorate your space with objects that hold a story. Think souvenirs from your favorite vacation, books that changed your life, or a family heirloom. Anything attached to an experience, event or person that brings a smile to your face.
Keep it clean and organized.
Make it a realistic priority to keep your home clean. This doesn’t mean everything has to be 100% clean all the time. It can mean spending 15 minutes tidying up something every day. One thing I have learned is that every-day chores take a lot less time than we spend fretting about it.
And because it’s impossible to keep the entire house spotless, try this: Challenge yourself to keep one area of the house clean most of the time. Choose that space and put your effort into keeping it fresh and clean.
Let in the sunshine.
Sunshine instantly makes a space feel more open and cheery. And guess what? Natural light comes with extra perks. It’s been known to improve sleep and productivity, and ward off depression and vampires!
It naturally warms your home and provides a happy light that indoor lighting just can’t provide. Plus, it can make you more calm, focused and productive. Make it a point to open the curtains and lift up the shades. Hang mirrors in places that’ll catch and release sunlight to dial up the brightness in your space.
Keep it smelling good.
An important step in creating a happier home is to keep it smelling good all the time. In our Spring 2021 issue, we shared a lot of great tips as to why your house might not smell amazing and how to fix it.
The way your home smells is a huge part of how happy your home feels.
Liven it up with plants.
I can’t say that I do this one well because my plants usually die, but when they do work out, they make me SO happy! Plants are good to have in your home because they improve the air quality (so yay for your health) and they make for cheap decorations that truly make your home a happier place.
Create an outdoor oasis.
What better way to enjoy the sun and the breeze than with a cozy outdoor retreat that makes you feel happy, relaxed and rejuvenated?
Dress up your patio, porch or balcony with plants, outdoor decor, or colorful seating and rugs. String strand lights across your patio overhang or from tree to tree. No matter how big or small your outdoor space is, you can create a little oasis that will definitely cheer up your home.
Keep it cozy.
Level up the cozy factor in your home with throws and decorative pillows on your bed and sofa, plus a rug here or there. You’ll instantly add a little texture, a few pops of color and a whole lot of comfort.
You don’t want your guests to feel like they’re visiting a museum, and you certainly don’t want to feel like you’re living in one. Creating a cozy corner in every room of your house will surely cheer you right up.
And really, there’s nothing quite like wrapping yourself in a blanket burrito or snuggling up to a mountain of couch pillows.
Fill it with good music.
Music can be such a strong mood-lifter. Keep quiet instrumental music playing in the background while you cook or work. Then blast the beats while you clean or have a family dance party.
Keep it Christ-centered.
Most importantly, if you truly want a happier home, keep it Christ-centered. Hang pictures of Christ in your living spaces. Play hymns or primary songs. Keep your scriptures out in plain sight so you remember to read them with your family frequently. Pray together. Speak kindly to one another. Pray for the Spirit to always reside in your home.
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