25Sep

Stress Not

We Asked 7 Lifestyle Experts How To Make A Happier Home

When we think of a ‘happy home’, we imagine a warm, stress-free environment, where the everyone is always jolly and people rarely argue. While this may be just a pipe dream to many of us, creating a happy home is easier than it may seem. We spoke to various lifestyle experts, from psychologists to yoga instructors and interior designers, to get their top tips on how you can go about making your home as happy as possible.

Marcie Bronkar, Interior Designer:

‘A happier home reflects the personal taste of its owners. A place for everything, artfully and easily arranged, can offer a sense of peace at home. I don’t believe at all in a need to save things or keeping piles of items never needed or used. Scent is a large part for some as well. There are scented candles that evoke a sense of well-being and pleasure moments in our lives. Personally, I even travel with my favourite scented candles. It is very freeing and liberating to toss, bring in the fresh air and not to be afraid of splashes of colour where the eye roams.’

An image showing scented candles

Gretchin Rubin, Author of Happier at Home:

‘Paperwork is one of the toughest forms of clutter to vanquish. Ask yourself: Have I ever used this paper? Could I easily replace it, if it turns out I need it? Is this information on the internet? What’s my reason for keeping it? Does it become dated quickly? What’s the consequence of not having it if I do need it? Could I scan it, so I can keep it as a reference but get rid of the physical paper?

When you’re facing a cluttered area, don’t say to yourself, ‘I need to get organised.’ No! Your first instinct should be to get rid of stuff. If you don’t keep it, you don’t have to organise it. You can spend a lot of time filing papers that you don’t even need to keep, and one of the biggest wastes of time is to do a chore well that need not be done at all. Make sure there’s plenty of time to get things done without rushing. This makes a huge difference in my day-to-day happiness.’

Related: 8 Free Ways to Reduce Stress

Melinda Carver, Psychic Medium & Positive Energy Specialist:

‘The key to making a happy home is not to fill it with objects, instead fill it with love. Filling your home with love is easy. You make a practice of it every day when you kiss your spouse or children good morning, goodbye or welcome home. Spend time with your family, communicating clearly and stating ‘I love you’. Showing your affection for your spouse and children daily strengthens these relationships. This is so important today. With all the noise clutter and distractions, showing and stating that you love someone can slowly diminish. Making it a part of your everyday routine will keep your marriage strong, and your relationships with your children open.’

Dr Helen Driscoll, Lecturer in Psychology:

‘If you have the time and resources to properly care for a pet, they can really contribute to a happy home. Dogs have an evolutionary history as social pack animals. They are therefore able to form strong bonds, to reciprocate our attachments to them and become part of our families. Human-canine attachments depend on the hormone oxytocin – the same hormone involved in parent-child attachment. When we interact with our dogs, we experience a release of oxytocin, and they do too. Such attachments contribute to wellbeing and can alleviate loneliness. Although evidence indicates that dogs form particularly strong attachments, there are benefits to sharing your home with other pets. Relationships with pets may even provide a buffer to stress and even have a beneficial effect on blood pressure.’

An image of a dog

DeAnna Radaj, Interior Designer:

‘Colour schemes I like to use for uplifting the energy and vibe in a home are taken from Mother Nature herself. Think of using a natural green. Pantone’s colour of the year, Greenery, is a great example of a natural green.

From a Feng Shui perspective, you first need to do a clutter-bust of any items that no longer serve a positive, supportive purpose in your home.  If you don’t love it, use it or need it, it’s got to go!  Donate or toss.  Be brutal.  Most people find that many of the items they have were bought to “fill up an empty space”. After the home detox, look at what’s left and place it in a space where it matches the function of the room.  For example, pictures of your kids, family & friends belong in the living/family/media room, foyer or hallways on a gallery wall.

Your home is a sanctuary from all the crazy that’s out in the world and it should reflect that.  Only bring in items that make you happy and joyful when using them. Never buy anything because you think you SHOULD.  This includes items such as hand-me-downs from family/friends or because something is a great bargain.’

Related: How Can Life Control Affect Your Happiness?

Hatty Scaramanga, Yoga Enthusiast & Founder of Yoga Pants:

‘My home is my place to relax and rejuvenate after a long day of busy meetings, yoga classes and running a clothing company. I have neutral colours for my walls, and simple pieces of art that bring a calm and peaceful ambience to my living space, this makes me happy and ready for anything that life throws at me. I am a believer in Feng Shui and will make sure I always have fresh flowers, lit candles and incense in my house to make it a happier home. Also, I often practice yoga morning and night to help with this.’

Catherine Donovan, Professor of Social Relations:

‘To make a happier home, you should want your partner (and children if you have them) to be the best they can be. Look for ways to support them. Encourage them, be kind, remind them that you love them and why you do, say thank you for what they do for you, tell them how lovely they look, make them laugh and enjoy being with them.’

An image showing a happy family - a happier home

What tips do you follow to make a happier home? Let us know in the comments!